You have to go see this GIF for 19 book dilemmas every reader has faced. I know I've been there.
I know a lot of people are gearing up for NaNo. In November the blogs really die down as people focus on reaching whatever goals they've set for themselves. Because of a really busy schedule and a hope of getting a few queries out I'll be taking time off from blogging for the next little bit.
I'll still be here, lurking, and I'll probably pop up every now and again. Just in case our paths don't cross, hope your November is a good one.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Do you Re?
How many of you reread books? I know people who do and people who don't.
I do. Sometimes.I used to reread more. Now, it seems my list is too long and my time too short.
I have often had people ask why I reread books. The question used to bother me. Now, I just ask them if they've ever watched a movie or TV show more than once. I've never had anyone answer no. So I ask why they re-watch movies. The answer is usually one I can apply to books too.
The truth of it is, some books are just good friends. Friends you want to visit from time to time. Friends you can learn things from, about life, or about writing.
I don't have specific requirements for comforting rereads. They just have to be books I connect with. There is a wide variety, depending on my mood and why I'm rereading. I have books that are easy reads for when I'm sick and my head feels stuffed with corn husks. At that time want something entertaining but something I don't have to think too hard about. There are times I'm worried or depressed, then I might pull out something with hope, something that helps me see the good in myself. I might be bored or dissatisfied with life and something will just stick in my head until I read it.
I have a degree in comparative literature so I've read a lot of classics. I have a weak spot for Russian authors such as Tolstoy, Valentine Rasputin, and Chekhov. I've enjoyed Harry Potter several times and many books by authors Thomas Costain, Diana Gabaldon, Robin McKinley, Megan Whalen Turner, Juliet Marillier, Deanna Raybourne Jane Austen, and Anne Tyler. JANE EYRE, ANNA KARENINA, THE FAMILY NOBODY WANTED, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, PAVILION OF WOMEN, KETURAH AND LORD DEATH, and Terry Pratchet's THE WEE FREE MEN series. (I'm finishing my first reread of them now. Actually I'm listening on audio book and that may make the difference.)
Not all of these are the best written books in the world. Many of them are books from my youth or college years and maybe that's why I go back to them. To remember a bit of the past, a bit of me that I've lost. Or to remember how I felt and dreamed back then. I don't know. I just know that sometimes I need something comforting and that means visiting an old friend.
Do you reread? Why? What books?
I do. Sometimes.I used to reread more. Now, it seems my list is too long and my time too short.
I have often had people ask why I reread books. The question used to bother me. Now, I just ask them if they've ever watched a movie or TV show more than once. I've never had anyone answer no. So I ask why they re-watch movies. The answer is usually one I can apply to books too.
The truth of it is, some books are just good friends. Friends you want to visit from time to time. Friends you can learn things from, about life, or about writing.
I don't have specific requirements for comforting rereads. They just have to be books I connect with. There is a wide variety, depending on my mood and why I'm rereading. I have books that are easy reads for when I'm sick and my head feels stuffed with corn husks. At that time want something entertaining but something I don't have to think too hard about. There are times I'm worried or depressed, then I might pull out something with hope, something that helps me see the good in myself. I might be bored or dissatisfied with life and something will just stick in my head until I read it.
I have a degree in comparative literature so I've read a lot of classics. I have a weak spot for Russian authors such as Tolstoy, Valentine Rasputin, and Chekhov. I've enjoyed Harry Potter several times and many books by authors Thomas Costain, Diana Gabaldon, Robin McKinley, Megan Whalen Turner, Juliet Marillier, Deanna Raybourne Jane Austen, and Anne Tyler. JANE EYRE, ANNA KARENINA, THE FAMILY NOBODY WANTED, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, PAVILION OF WOMEN, KETURAH AND LORD DEATH, and Terry Pratchet's THE WEE FREE MEN series. (I'm finishing my first reread of them now. Actually I'm listening on audio book and that may make the difference.)
Not all of these are the best written books in the world. Many of them are books from my youth or college years and maybe that's why I go back to them. To remember a bit of the past, a bit of me that I've lost. Or to remember how I felt and dreamed back then. I don't know. I just know that sometimes I need something comforting and that means visiting an old friend.
Do you reread? Why? What books?
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Recent Reading
Back in August I won a contest over at The Blabbermouth Blog. As a prize I won two books.
Seriously, nothing is better than winning books.
The first book is SKINK-- NO SURRENDER BY Carl Hiaasen.
I have to admit, the cover and title didn't do much for me.
I know we're not supposed to judge books by their cover, or title for that matter, but we all do. It's the first impression we get. I'm glad I didn't listen to my first impression though. I found this book to be engaging, fun, and well written. One of the things I liked most about this book is that while there are serious situations, and while people do get hurt, the author didn't feel the need to turn the characters into violent teenage action heroes. He could easily have made this book much more violent, we've all seen the trend, but he didn't feel the need to. I love that this book while it puts ordinary teenagers into an extraordinary situation, still keeps the characters as themselves, in a way that many teenagers would act. Congrats to you, Carl Hiaasen.
The other book I won is SECOND SIGHT: AN EDITOR'S THOUGHTS ON WRITING, REVISING, AND PUBLISHING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS.
I'm only half way through this book but so far I'm finding a lot of useful information. The highlighter has made an appearance. The blue one, which of course is only used for the best highlighting.
What have you been reading lately?
Seriously, nothing is better than winning books.
The first book is SKINK-- NO SURRENDER BY Carl Hiaasen.
I have to admit, the cover and title didn't do much for me.
I know we're not supposed to judge books by their cover, or title for that matter, but we all do. It's the first impression we get. I'm glad I didn't listen to my first impression though. I found this book to be engaging, fun, and well written. One of the things I liked most about this book is that while there are serious situations, and while people do get hurt, the author didn't feel the need to turn the characters into violent teenage action heroes. He could easily have made this book much more violent, we've all seen the trend, but he didn't feel the need to. I love that this book while it puts ordinary teenagers into an extraordinary situation, still keeps the characters as themselves, in a way that many teenagers would act. Congrats to you, Carl Hiaasen.
The other book I won is SECOND SIGHT: AN EDITOR'S THOUGHTS ON WRITING, REVISING, AND PUBLISHING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS.
I'm only half way through this book but so far I'm finding a lot of useful information. The highlighter has made an appearance. The blue one, which of course is only used for the best highlighting.
What have you been reading lately?
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