Exceedingly Mundane

So, judging by last week’s answers, apparently the question I should have been asking was:

Where DON’T you read??

Well, that’s a really good question! Last week’s question was “do you read in public and where” and apparently most of us bookworms do read most places where we have time. I read whenever I have time to wait – at the doctor’s office, hair salon, etc. I will even sit in a vehicle and read while I’m waiting on Tim. I can read in a car or plane, as motion sickness doesn’t bother me. I read on someones comments last week that they read in line at the grocery store. That’s something I have actually never done. I don’t take my book when I go to the grocery, Target, Walmart, etc.

Anyway!

Where I can’t read is anywhere that is crowded or loud. I can’t read at home if the room is full of people or the TV or music is blaring. I need peace and quiet to read. Same with out in public. If I’m in a crowded waiting room and there’s noise, I can take my book, but I won’t get much read. Same with an airport waiting area. I always try, but I usually end up distracted, watching people or else I just can’t concentrate. I can put on my iPod and turn on some quiet music (classical or relaxing elevator type music), but that’s about the only way I can read if it’s noisy or crowded. I just enjoy my peace and quiet too much, I think!

I finished another library book last night. The second book by Southern author Joshilyn Jackson, although this was the first one I had read by her. I’m glad I got it from the library, because I don’t think it is one that I would want to own. It actually reminds me in an odd way of the book “We Are All Welcome Here” by Elizabeth Berg, in that it has a traditional Southern family, strong women, quirky and odd characters sprinkled throughout, difficult circumstances (a disability in each case) and situations that test them. Common themes, I’m sure, but the books seemed a bit similar to me, although I think I liked the characters in the Berg book better.

Rather than trying to write my own review, I’ve once again swiped (aka, totally plagiarized) this write-up from Amazon.com on this book:

Nonny Frett understands the meaning of the phrase in between a rock and a hard place better than any woman alive. She’s got two mothers, one deaf-blind and the other four baby steps from flat crazy. She’s got two men: a husband who is easing out the back door; and a best friend, who is laying siege to her heart in her front yard. And she has two families: the Fretts, who stole her and raised her right; and the Crabtrees, who lost her and won’t forget how they were done wrong. Now, in Between, Georgia, population 90, a feud that began the night Nonny was born is escalating, and a random act of violence is about to ignite a stash of family secrets. Ironically, it might be just what the town needs….if only Nonny weren’t stuck in between.

I liked the book, but I had a bit of a time getting “into” it. I ended up liking it though (especially with the ending, I much prefer books and movies with good endings), and I think I would recommend it. I’d like to read her first book “gods in Alabama” first though, before I go all out and recommend her to the utmost. I am so grateful to have a decent library, so I can check out these books without having to buy them first. 🙂

For the record, that makes 32 books read so far this year, for a total of 10,122 pages read. Up next is the newest Miss Julia book, “Miss Julia Strikes Back” by Ann B. Ross. I got on the waiting list at the library (I’m totally loving this online system, it is so easy to get on the wait list for new bestsellers!) and I was near the top of the list, so they called last week to say that this one was waiting on me. I have read the other 7 Miss Julia books and enjoyed them all, so I’m sure this one will be no exception. I won’t do a review on it when I’m finished, as I think they are all very similar. After that, I’m going to read another new-to-me-author, Anne George, and one of her “Southern Sisters Mystery” books. (Thanks Kim!!!) I SO wanted to read these in order, as there are 8 or 9 of them, but my library doesn’t have the earlier ones, so I’m going to have to start with one of the newer ones. I’m hoping they are books you can read out of order and not be lost.

Happy Reading, everyone!

Cool, the bookworms over at Booking Through Thursday have a new site, go check it out here.

This week’s topic: R.I.P.

No, not THAT kind of R.I.P.

Do you do it? Why or why not?

My Answer: I will read in public, if I’m waiting. Like, I take my book to the salon and read while I’m waiting, or the doctor’s office, or while I’m waiting on something or someone. I love going to the coffee-shop near our house and reading, but rarely do that anymore. I’ve even been known to sit in the truck and wait on Tim for something and read in the car, while he goes in a store to take care of something. So, yes, I do RIP 😀

Seasonal reading

Does what you read vary by the season? For instance, Do you read different kinds of books in the summer than the winter?
If so, do you break it down by genre, length of book, holiday, or…?

Very interesting question. I had never really thought about this before. I sort of do this, at least a little. I like to read a Christmas type story at the holiday season, but that’s about it. I don’t change what I read the rest of the year, based on season or weather or holiday or whatever. I like to read new/bestseller type books, series books, new books by favorite authors, trying new authors, etc. I have a huge list of books I want to read, based on recommendations from friends, family, bloggers and fellow bookworms. I literally have over 100 books on my list to read, and I don’t let the time of year dictate what I want to read when.

I finished another book last night, in rather record time, even for me. I had some time to read in the car going to and from my dad’s house on Saturday, and then some Sunday night. Tim watched “Hoot” on HBO and I decided to skip it and read. Anyway, I finished this one pretty quick and did enjoy it. It is a book I picked up a month or so ago by Christian author Lori Wick, entitled “White Chocolate Moments”. I like reading a lot of Christian fiction because it’s clean, usually pretty predictable, and mostly, because it keeps my mind and heart on the right things. I had not read the greatest things about this book, so my expectations were not high. However, I did enjoy this book. In fact, I’d compare it to “Sophie’s Heart” and “The Princess”, two similar books by Lori Wick. If you liked those books, you would like this one.

I was a little surprised in this book, in that Wick didn’t immediately introduce characters that are already Christians. In this book, I was nearly half way into it before she mentioned God or religion, which is a bit of a change of pace from the other books I’ve read by Lori Wick. This book follows beautiful young Arcineh Bryant on her life, loves and relationships with family and friends for nearly 12 years. I like novels that allow characters to grow, and find their faith, and see where life leads this. This was a great example of that kind of plot that I enjoy.

Anyway, for the record, that makes 28 books read so far this year, with a total of 9,120 pages read. Up next is a library book I picked up over the weekend. I have been experimenting with our online reservation system, and have placed myself on the waiting list for 4 books, all new releases or bestsellers. The first one came available and I ran down to pick it up. It’s the new Shopaholic book by Sophie Kinsella, “Shopaholic & Baby”. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve enjoyed every book by this author, and I do believe I’ve read them all! 🙂

I finished another book last night, “Beach Road” by James Patterson. This was my first Patterson book (except for “Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas” which I read in 2005, but I believe that book was not your typical Patterson book), and I must say, I did enjoy it! I might have found a new author to read 🙂 The chapters were really short, which actually made for pretty quick reading. It was easy to read, a good plot (I didn’t see the ending coming, but that’s just me, I never figure plots out!) and it wasn’t too gruesome. I had heard that some of his works are (maybe some of the Women’s Murder Club books or his Alex Cross books), but this one was not that bad at all. The last Nora Roberts book I read, “Blue Smoke” had more graphic and gruesome depictions than this book. This book covers murder, rape, drug deals, race relations and assorted other topics in a really good little story. I’ll definitely be looking for more Patterson books at my local library in the future.

For the record, that makes 27 books read so far, with a total of 8,761 pages read. Up next is a fairly new Lori Wick book I bought earlier this year, “White Chocolate Moments”. I haven’t read the best reviews on it, so my hopes aren’t up too high, but I’m still hoping it is enjoyable, light and even predictable. After that, I will probably forge ahead with the next Stephanie Plum book (Ten Big Ones) or else one of the three library books I am on the waiting list for. If any of them ever come available 🙂

OK, this seems to be the day for book-related memes. Maybe I can post another “Question of the Day” later today, since more people seem to like those than my book and movie reviews. Hehehe!

As seen on Debi’s blog here:

1. What are you currently reading? My first “real” James Patterson book, “Beach Road”. I’m a little ways into it and it is good, but the style of this book is a little different from what I normally read. I’m not sure if this is typical for Patterson, or it is just this book. Very short chapters. Each chapter told from a different character’s point of view. Makes for quick reading, but it is a little different.

2. What did you just finish reading? I just finished “Everyone Worth Knowing” by Lauren Weisberger. (Review here.) This was my first book by Weisberger. I also have a copy of the paperback version of “Devil Wears Prada” that I will read one day. Several people commented that Prada was better, so I’m looking forward to that.

3. What will you be reading next? Well, I’m trying to work on my TBR pile. I have tentatively lined up “Ten Big Ones” by Janet Evanovich and then “White Chocolate Moments” by Lori Wick as the next ones. Of course, I reserve the right to change that at any time. I have not read a lot of good things about Lori Wick’s book, so I am not sure about that one. Also, I had blogged a while ago that my library FINALLY got an online reservation system in place. I’m testing it out and I have been put on the list for two newly released books, so if one of them becomes available, I will stop and go get it to read.

Let me know if you decide to play along, so I can stop by and see what you are reading, and going to read next 🙂

‘Fess Up!

Okay, there must be something you read that’s a guilty pleasure . . . a Harlequin romance stashed under the mattress. A cheesy sci-fi book tucked in the back of the freezer. A celebrity biography, a phoned-in Western . . . something that you’d really rather not be spotted reading. Even just a novel if you’re a die-hard non-fiction fan. Come on, confess. We won’t hold it against you!

Another really timely book-related question for me. Considering I just blogged about a book I just finished a couple of days ago, “Everyone Worth Knowing”, which I described as a “guilty pleasure”. I don’t normally read books like this, but I do from time to time. Books like this one, like the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, etc – these are the kinds of books that I read for a change, for a diversion, and as a guilty pleasure. I try not to delve into the Harlequin realm, this is as close as I’ll go. I don’t read the other types mentioned, or really anything else that I would classify in this category. I mostly read “women’s fiction” and Christian fiction, so these are a true diversion for me.

Good question!

I finished another book last night, one I picked up at a recent library sale. It’s called “Everyone Worth Knowing” and apparently is the second book by Lauren Weisberger, who wrote “The Devil Wears Prada”. I also own this one in paperback (thanks to a different library sale), but I have not read it. I saw the Prada movie, so I wanted to read something that I didn’t already know the plot to. Anyway, I liked the book, didn’t love it, but I did enjoy it. In a really guilty, hide-in-the-corner kind of way. Sort of like you would toss a People or celebrity magazine in your shopping cart, but not really advertise that you read those kind of things. 🙂

Rather than trying to write my own review, I’m going to copy this directly from Amazon.com, as it really sums it up:

Lauren Weisberger, whose bestselling debut The Devil Wears Prada outed the vicious antics of the magazine industry elite, is back at it with Everyone Worth Knowing, another cautionary tale of sex, power, and fame. This time around, the PR industry is her target, and Prada fans will recognize similar themes throughout this entertaining, if at times overly dramatic, exposé.
Bette Robinson is a twentysomething Emory graduate who shunned her parents’ hippie ideals in favor of a high-paying yet excruciatingly boring job at a prestigious investment bank. One day, after a particularly condescending exchange with her boss (who sends her daily inspirational e-mails), Bette walks out on her job in a huff. After a few weeks of sleeping late, watching Dr. Phil and entertaining her dog Millington, Bette’s uncle scores her a job at an up-and-coming public relations firm, where her entire job seems to revolve around staying out late partying and providing fodder for clandestine gossip columns. What follows is one episode after another of Bette climbing up the social ladder at the expense of her friends, family, and the one guy who actually seems worth pursuing.

Weisberger is clever enough to turn seemingly outrageous circumstances into amusing anecdotes, like the tale of a woman who was close to suicide until she found out she was only 18 months away from scoring a highly coveted Birkin bag (“You simply cannot kill yourself when you’re that close … it’s just not an option.”). This wit, combined a hint of voyeurism that most of us can’t deny, is what makes Everyone Worth Knowing a guilty pleasure that’s well worth the indulgence.

Guilty pleasure – that’s exactly how I’d sum it up. Sometimes, it is sort of fun for me to break out and read something that is “deliciously entertaining” as the cover proclaims. It does have a bit of sex, drugs and bad language in it, but not so much that it was too overly distracting to me. It fit in with the partying theme of the book. It had a bit of heart to it as well, and a little substance, although not too much. 🙂 Not enough to take away from the fun of the book, but enough to give it a redeeming quality!

For the record, that makes 26 books read so far this year, with a total of 8,371 pages. Up next is another library book I picked up recently, “Beach Road” by James Patterson. Believe it or not, this is the first “real” Patterson book I’ve ever read. I have read one other by him, “Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas”, back in 2005, but I don’t think that is his typical type of book. So, I thought I’d give one of his murder mysteries a try. If you’ve read this one or have another Patterson book to recommend (or any book, for that matter), let me know!

I finished a wonderful set of 5 books by Katherine Valentine, called the Dorsetville series. My blogger buddy Lynne had read them and recommended them, and subsequently offered to loan her set to me and my sister Gail. Thanks Lynne! You were right – I thoroughly enjoyed these books! If you’ve read any of the Mitford books and liked them, I think you would like these books. Same type of characters and feel to the books. They are light and easy to read, but full of quirky parishioners, townspeople, quaint descriptions of life in Dorsetville, and all 5 books are just very charming, sweet and inspiring. They focus on a Catholic priest at St. Cecilia’s in Dorsetville, Connecticut. The lessons on faith and grace are wonderfully written, and always great for me to read – I never tire of reading of God’s love for us and how we can try to walk with Him every day on faith.

The books are entitled “A Miracle for St. Cecilia’s”, “A Gathering of Angels”, “Grace Will Lead Me Home”, “On a Wing and a Prayer” and “The County Fair”. I actually read them out of order, and felt like a total dummy, but it didn’t affect me following the storyline or the characters. I would recommend reading them in order though! 🙄

For the record, that makes 25 books for me so far this year, with a total of 8,004 pages read. I think I’m going to swing to the other extreme, after reading a slew of Christian fiction books. I recently finished one of the Amish series by Beverly Lewis, and now this series by Katherine Valentine, so I am going to read some mainstream fiction next. I am trying to be good and read books I own (gasp, I don’t know how long that will last before I have to head to the library!!) Up next is “Everyone Worth Knowing” by Lauren Weisberger. I actually own the paperback of “The Devil Wears Prada” but I have not read it yet. I saw the movie and it’s still fairly fresh in my memory, so I thought I would start with this book. Have you read any of Weisberger’s books? What are you reading now?

Have a wonderful day, everyone! 😀

Where Does the Time Go?

Have you ever missed an important appointment because you have become so engrossed in a book you forgot the time or were up so late reading that you didn’t wake up in time? Been late to work because you couldn’t resist the temptation and left the house too late?

Well, this sort of ties in to the Randomness meme I did the other day. It was all about being late. Which I try never to be. Not even for reading or for one of my beloved books. I don’t like to be late. I don’t think I’ve ever lost track of time when I was engrossed in a book. I have no problem glancing at a clock or my watch and stopping when I need to stop to go do something, get ready or go leave to be somewhere. I actually don’t sit up late reading and waking up in time is not a problem for me. We have this cool new built-in alarm clock. His name is Beau and he doesn’t let us oversleep in the mornings. Even on Saturday 🙁

I’m late, late, late, but hey, I have been without Internet access for two long days. Sigh. At least I got a little reading done 🙂

Location, Location, Location, Part 2

Where do you do most of your reading? Your favorite spot? (Show a picture, if you want to!) (And yes, I understand that these might not be the same thing–your favorite spot could be the beach, but you do most of your reading at home . . . in which case, tell me about both!)

I do most of my reading in bed. Supposedly propped up by pillows to help keep me awake, but that doesn’t always work. I also read in the den. We have two chairs (one recliner, one oversized chair with ottoman) on either side of our fireplace. It’s a totally cozy and comfy place for me and I read in there if it’s quiet. I can’t read with the TV or music on. I have also been reading more outside, since spring has arrived and it’s getting warmer outside. We have a glider on our deck, and I have a patio chair that I take out behind the fence to where Tim and Beau play in the afternoons. I won’t last too much longer outside though, between the heat and humidity and the bugs and mosquitoes 🙂

Keeping it Short

1. Short Stories? Or full-length novels? Full-length novels for me. Mostly fiction. I don’t read short stories much at all.

2. And, what’s your favorite source for short stories? (You know, if you read them.) Don’t really read them.

Since I blogged below about some songs I like and listen to, I thought I’d ask a Question of the Day about music.

What kind of music do you listen to? What genre, how current or how old? How varied are your musical tastes? My answers are obvious from the musical meme I did below – I listen mostly to country. I do listen to some pop stuff, like Josh Groban, John Mayer, Rob Thomas, Kelly Clarkson, stuff like that. I also like a lot of 80’s music. The music I grew up with 🙂 Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and all of the good 80’s rock.

Also, how do you get your music? Do you mostly listen to music on the radio, on an mp3 player/iPod, on CD’s in your car or home stereo, or what? Me, I love my iPod but I don’t really listen to it all that much anymore while it’s on my person, with ear plugs. Ever since I got a base system for it (a clock radio in my bedroom), I mostly listen to it through the speakers. Oh, and on my new laptop, I listen to music all the time. I either play music from my iTunes library through the speakers or use the earplugs that came with the laptop, or I stream radio from an Internet site.

How about you? Leave me a comment and let me know all about your musical preferences!

Sparky Duck, the Philly transplant, tagged me with this musical meme…

List 7 songs that you are currently really really into, no matter what they are, and then tag 7 more people to do it.

I think I’m going to list the songs, but buck the tagging trend and not tag anyone else. However, if you’d like to play along, that would be great! Just let me know and I’ll be sure to swing by and check out what music you are into right now!

As for me, I’m boring. I don’t listen to a lot of popular stuff, except for country music. I know, I know, don’t throw things at the monitor. I like country and don’t keep up with a lot of other stuff. So most of my songs are older ones. Accept it – that’s just the way it is 😛

1. Hands down, my favorite song right now is “Long Trip Alone” by Dierks Bentley
2. Every Mile a Memory” from the same Dierks Bentley CD
3. “The Reason Why” by Vince Gill
4. “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” by Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles
5. “Home” by Michael Buble
6. “Waitin on a Woman” by Brad Paisley
7. “She’s Everything” by Brad Paisley