book home

Cynthia over at Read is the New Black has been blogging about books that she read as a child/teen.  She's reminded me of a few books I used to love as a teenager and it's put me in a contemplative mood.  There were many books that influenced me, many that made me want to write, to create, and to inspire the same things I felt when I read.  Two of them stand out to me.

Now, I started writing books by the time I was four, so I know I was writing before this, but, THE SECRET GARDEN is the first book that I remember that made me want to be published. It sparked something inside of me, gave me a story idea that I have carried around with me ever since. I don't yet know if the idea will blossom into a full length novel. To this point is hasn't, but maybe someday will be the right time to write that story. THE SECRET GARDEN will always be special because it opened a door for me.

The second book was JANE EYRE. I first read this when I was twelve. I often pestered my mother to take me to the library for more books. She didn't always have time to drop everything at my whining complaints that I had nothing to read. Besides that, she wanted to introduce me to the classics, to teach me about literature, and probably to give me really long books so I would stop pestering her.  She'd been after me for awhile to read this book, and since she wasn't chauffeuring me around as much as I wanted I finally gave in. And I was blown away.  This book taught me what a book could be. JANE EYRE will always be something I strive to emulate. Not the plot or language, but the scope of the novel, the depth and complexity, the fact that after all this time it can still speak to readers and blow them away.

What books influenced you? Did you have a single book that influenced your desire to write? That helped you find your home in a certain genre? Or was it a string of many books that created a home for you?

Libraries

One of the first things I do when I move is find the libraries at the new location. My finances can’t support my reading habit alone. Also, since we moved into a tiny cramped apartment as interim housing, a library is essential. I need to have somewhere to take my kids once or twice a week.

The children’s area in our library in Georgia was nice. Our librarian was better. In all honesty it was hard to leave her. She prepared awesome story times, my kids loved her. She remembered not only them, but their names, and their reading habits. When there was a new book in my son’s favorite series she checked it out and hid it under the desk until we came in so he could have it first. Having a librarian friend is awesome!

I was a little nervous about what the children’s sections would be like here at our new home, but I’ve been hesitantly pleased. The children’s area is impressive. Not only are there plenty of books there are lots of computers, toys, and a fish tank. My kids love it there. We don’t know the librarians very well but they seem nice. Maybe we’ll be able to create friendships with them, too.

The first time we went, they were signing people up for the summer reading program. As part of the sign up they gave all the kids a free book! They had a huge bookshelf full and the kids each got to choose their own. Mini Engineer, who likes setting goals and living up to them, gets the kitchen timer and will read all afternoon, fifteen minutes at a time so he can cross off another bubble on his reading sheet.

I haven’t been able to spend much time in the grown up section (I tried, but my three year old threw a knock down, screaming tantrum. Hopefully they’ll let me back in) but as long as I can teach my kids to love reading I can live with anything.

Shelfies

Over at Compuserve we've had a thread of 'shelfies' going. It's been fun (if a little jealousy inducing) to see everyone's bookshelves. It's a great way to get to know virtual friends, make them feel less virtual and more actual. While I actually have 8 bookshelves in my house here's a look at two of them. 

Yes, I did cut out everything surround the shelf.  I didn't want you to be disturbed at the clutter or amazed (disturbed) by all our Star Wars memorabilia. Cause that's a whole other post.

So, post your own shelfie and put a link in the comments.  I'd love to see your shelves.

Library Book Sale

Every year our Friends of the Library group does a HUGE book sale.  I always make sure that I have the opening date cleared way in advance.  


When we entered the warehouse we looked one way and saw this

And the other way and saw this. 

It was a small year. Not near as many books as usual, still one can't help but get excited in a warehouse full of books. 

Seriously, if you live in or around Macon Georgia (I loose the term 'around' loosely. This is worth traveling for) you may want to start making plans for dropping in next year. 

Book Sale

It's time for our local Friends of the Library used book sale.

The room is just as big in the other direction.  And it's filled with tables that are filled with books. And there are even more books in boxes underneath.  It's the second day of the sale so it's not as crowded and I noticed that there were less books blocking the isles too.  I've heard this is the biggest library book sale east of the mississipi, though I don't really know how they can verify that.

Now before everyone jumps all over me for buying used books and not supporting authors let me just say that I spend more than I can reasonably afford on new books.  I'm helping the industry as much as I can.  This is just a way to supplement that a little.  Plus, it helps the library. And come on, who wouldn't love to be in a warehouse sized room surrounded by books you can look at and caress.  It's just fun.

Do any of you have library sales?

To have or not to have Libraries

I wanted to add onto my Paperless post of last week.  One commenter had mentioned that they believed libraries would be obsolete in the future.  A little bit ago we'd had this conversation at Compuserve about whether libraries are no longer relevant.  It was linked to this article where one author calls for the end of libraries because of lost revenue for authors. 

I don't think anyone will debate that the book industry is changing.  Libraries aren't what they used to be, but does that mean they are no longer needed? 

I take my two children to the library once a week.  Not only do we attend story time but we walk around the library, browse, choose books to check out for the week, read a few, and just have a good time.  There have been many times when my children have loved books so much I went out and bought them.  That's money I spent in the book industry I wouldn't have if we hadn't gone to the library.  But mostly, libraries help teach my children to love reading.  I'm raising a future generation here, and if we want that future generation to love books we have to expose them to books.  My kids love reading.  In great part this is because of our library visits.  During the week they will sit down DAILY and read to themselves each of their library books. Then they will read every single one of their own books (which are not few) that they can get their hands on.  Then they will make me read each of them out loud. 

How do I know this is because of libraries?  Because I've tested it.  In the past we've had months that were too busy to go to the library.  With no new books checked out, and without that connection to the wonder of books created by the library, my children quickly became disinterested in reading.  To the point where if I asked if I could read to them they said "no" and went to play cars.  I know that with kids interests cycle and you have to be prepared for ups and downs in any activity, but as long as we're visiting the library, their interest doesn't wane.

I know that as the book industry changes libraries are going to have to change, too.  But I hope they find a way to fit into our future, because we need them.  Our children need them and authors need them.  In the Compuserve thread one person pointed out that librarians are book pimps.  There are many authors that I've loved and spent a lot of money on after finding them at the library. 


So, that's my opinnion, what's yours?  How do you feel about libraries?  Are they good, or are they stealing revenue from authors?  Should they be in our future, or are they going to fall out of existence?

Going Paperless

There are more and more places going paperless.  You see it in businesses, banks, agents, even books.  It's a good thing right?  I was led to this website with an interesting graphic about the benefits, almost the inevitability of the world going paperless. In a way I can see it. A futuristic setting where school kids all have their own tablet.  All textbooks and assignments are electronic, all homework is completed and sent in from the tablet.  According to the graphic on that web page 90% of college students already have laptops, plus many with smartphones and ereaders. So this futuristic setting isn't really that far off.

Yet, I personally can't see the world going paperless.  I think we will need much less of it as life, and technology, go on.  But I don't think it will ever be completely replaced. A love note over the computer, while still nice, isn't the same as a handwritten expression of sentiment.  Or is that just my opinion? Just as there are still record stores and people who adore vinyl over cds or mp3s there will always be people who collect physical copies.  My personal library is becoming mixed.  Not only do I have many (a very many, around 700)  physical books, my ebook library is growing also (still under 200, and many of those were free). I love them both.  They have different characteristics and therefore different uses.  So while going digital is on the rise I don't think it will abolish paper. 

But what do you think? 

Books, Books, and more Books

I've been in a reading slump lately.  I bought some books for my kindle and none of them are doing it for me.  Which gives me buyers remorse because I COULD have bought some other books I've already read that are just sitting on my wish list. 

To get out of my funk I scoured my bookshelves for some of my old favorites I could sink into a beanbag with.  What's that you say?  I should have been writing?  Probably.  But it's been a very draining week and I needed some reading rejuvenation. 

I thought I'd share some of my favorites that I always go back to.

The Julia Grey Series by Deanna Raybourn.  The first book in the series, SILENT IN THE GRAVE has one of the best opening paragraphs ever written.  And Nicholas Brisbane is one of my favorite male characters.  He's swoon worthy.  And I don't swoon for much.

MRS. MIKE.  What could be better than reading about a 16 year old girl from Boston who marries a Canadian Mountie and goes to live in the frozen north. Plus it's based on a true story.  I just found out there were sequels to this and I'm anxiously awaiting them at the library. 

Anything by Thomas Costain.  Even his historicals are fascinating.


I have a great love of Russian literature so ANNA KARENINA, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF IVAN DENISOVICH, CHEKHOV, they're all good.

The Nell Sweeney Mysteries by P.B. Ryan.  The first one STILL LIFE WITH MURDER I bought on a whim.  It was .99 at Amazon on kindle.  I finished it in less than a day and quickly bought the rest.  I Loved the characters and stories.

The OUTLANDER series by Diana Gabaldon. These books aren't for the faint of heart. There's lots of swearing and violence and sex, but there are also some of the best characters, dialogue and story ever written.

There are others of course, but these came to mind. Do you have favorite books to get you out of a reading funk? 

Desert Island

I'm not ready to tackle the new challenge.  I'm afraid I need to put on my thinking cap and today is kinda crazy so look for that later in the week.  Instead I wanted to answer a question Deniz asked on friday. 

"Which authors would you desperately need on a deserted island?"

Well, I chose to answer this in two ways.  The first, which authors would I want there with me.  Yes I know this means it wouldn't exactly be a deserted island but I thought it would be fun.  Two, the published works of which authors would you like to have with you on a deserted island.  So...

1.  Charlotte Bronte, Jolene Perry, Diana Gabaldon (I'd be too scared to actually talk to her though), Anton Chekhov, Leo Tolstoy,  Terry Pratchett, Laura Ingles Wilder, Anne Tyler.

2. Deanna Raybourne, Diana Gabaldon, Jolene Perry, J.K. Rowling, (can't wait until her new book comes out so I can see if it holds up), Thosmas Costain, Anne Tyler, Terry Pratchett, Charlotte Bronte (mostly Jane Eyre though her other books are good) Jane Austin (of course). 

That's what I came up with off the top of my head.  I'm sure I'd change it a little if I let it roll around a bit.  There's a lot of crossover and if I didn't put someone on both lists it's not because I thought they, or their books, were horrible, it's just, well, it is a deserted island and I had no idea how big it was and didn't want to sink it under the weight of authors or books.  I mean Terry Pratchett alone has over 30 books.  Hmmm, I wonder if this island has wifi and I can get them all kindle. 

Who would you want?

Libraries--good for so many things.

Copy edits: 1 billion
Author: 2

These edits are killing me.  I'm back to work because I've sworn to get more than 10 pages done today.  So, for your weekend enjoyment I'm going to leave you with this hilarious conversation I overheard in the library.  No, I did not make this up. 

Girl in her late teens, early twenties talking to boyfriend. "Stephen King is the best writer ever.  More people should recognize his genius.  Of course, I've never read one of his books." 

Happy weekend.

I'm Back

Hello everyone!  I hope there's still someone here anyway.  Everyone have a fabulous New Years?  I'm excited for this year.  I think there will be some very good opportunities and fun times ahead.  At the very least it isn't last year and for that we are eternally grateful. 

Last year was pretty overwhelming.  If I didn't have all the emotional scars I would be able to tell just from the number of books read.  I didn't even reach 100.  I know, I know, it's horrible.  I hope to do better next year.  I also realized I read a lot less literary classics.  I was trying to get into one over christmas break and couldn't. I finally figured out it's because most of my reading time is for five minutes here, fifteen there, and that doesn't work so well on a lot of books.  So I have been going for things that are a little lighter and a little easier to read.  It's just the stage of life I'm in right now.  Someday I'll be able to get back to more classics. 

So just for fun, here's a list of the books I read this year.  There's a couple I didn't quite finish for various reasons such as I was listening to Angela's Ashes on audio book.  My CD player broke just as I started the last disc so I ended up having to return it to the library.  I did go online and get a synopsis of the ending so I know what happened though.  If I didn't get at least half way through a book I didn't put it on the list.  This list does not include scriptures or picture books I've read (or recited because I now have several of them memorized).

The Color Purple
The Wake of the Loralie Lee
Jellicoe Road (2)
A Christmas Story
Seal-Folk and Ocean Paddlers:  Sliochd Nan Ron
Heist Society
Three Cups of Tea
Finniken of the Rock
True Colors
Open Adoption Experience
Wicked Lovely
Great Expectations
The Theif
The Secret Year
Intersting Times
You
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
Water for Elephants
Letter From Peking
Pillars of the Earth
An Echo in the Bone
Curse Dark as Gold
Alias Grace
Keturah and Lord Death  (2)
Second Eden
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Dear Daddy Longlegs
Farmer Boy
Time Enough for Drums
Second Duchess
Paranormalcy
I Am Number Four (2)
Divergent (2)
The Family Nobody Wanted
Tarzan
Lament
Speak
Bog Child
Return of Tarzan
Writing the Breakout Novel
Perfect Chemistry
Tarzan and His Beasts
Drums of Autumn
Making Money
The Host
Supernaturally
Elliot and the Goblin King
Heartless
Fairy Thorn
The Help
Waterfall
Cascade
Still Life with Murder
Murder in a Mill Town
Death on Beacon Hill
Murder on Black Friday
Murder in the North End
A Bucket of Ashes
The Queen of Atollia
King of ATollia
Conspiracy of Kings
Not My Type
Closed Circuit
Dancing in the Shadows of Love
Fiery Cross
Memories of My Future Life part 1
Taken by Storm
Out of the Water
Girl Parts
HMS Surprise
Angela's Ashes
The Distant Hours
The Maze Runner
Game of Kings
Monarch
Firelight
Next Door Boys (2)
Lord John and the Plague of Zombies (short story/novella)
The Lady's Fate
The Power of Six
By the Pale Moonlight
Grounding Quinn
Variant
Black Horses for the King
Jane
The Comrades
True Colors
Untraceable
Entwined

Forgettable

I'm reading a book that I want to like by an author I want to respect.  I just don't though.  There's nothing wrong with the book.  It's fairly well written, the characters are well drawn, there is plot and voice aplenty, but I just can't get into it.  I read about 70 of the 400+ pages, put it down for some reason and haven't picked it back up.  In fact I keep forgetting it's there and am surprised all over again each time I see it. 

I almost returned it to the library but felt too guilty.  I want to like it and I keep thinking I should finish to see if I can get into it, but I just have no urge to read further.

I'll probably give it another 50-100 pages using the deadline of the library due date as motivation.  I'm hoping I can like it as much as I wanted to but it's not looking good.  This makes it so much easier to understand when agents say they just didn't feel passionate enough about a book to take it on. 

Like a Kid in a Bookstore

I’m helping to spread the word.  There is a “take your child to a bookstore day” on December 3^rd.  

I think most people who come here like books.  I’m guessing many of us are in fact book pushers.  You know the people who are constantly telling others “You should read this”.  It makes sense that we would want to support books, bookstores and just teach our children to love them too. 

There are link here and here where they have buttons you can put on your blog (and by you I mean people who can figure out how to do things like that) and posters you can print and hang up around town.  So help spread the word.  And if you can, grab your child, your niece, nephew, or some kid off the playground (ask his mother first) and take them to a bookstore.  Go to your favorite indie, a box store or wherever you go to buy books. Amazon doesn’t count.  Even if you don’t have the finances to purchase anything take your child.  Introduce them to the wonder that is a store devoted to books.  Let them touch the spines, smell the paper and breathe the words.   If for some reason you can't get to a bookstore, are afraid you won't have enough  self control, or have been banned from all bookstores near you then take them to the library, get them their own library card. If you take them, they will love.

 

I’m planning on taking my two; I even know which book I plan to find for them. 

Multiple Times

Hi, my name is Sara and I'm a re-reader. 

I often have people ask me why I re-read books. I ask them if they've ever watched a movie or TV show more than once.  They almost always say yes.  Why is it considered ok to watch movies and lame sitcoms multiple times but not to re-read books?  OK, so that wasn't really where I was going with this post, I just feel strongly about it. 

My books are like friends, I like to visit them every now and again.  I have certain books I like to read in certain moods, some I go back to so I can remember life lessons I've forgotten. Some I study to learn different aspects of craft. Sometimes I don't have any money to buy books or time to go to the library and I HAVE to read.  I know there are a lot of wonderful books out there and I do spend most of my time trying to find new book friends.  But that doesn't mean I have to forget about my old ones.

Are you a re-reader or not and why?

Oops

Sorry on my last post the word This was supposed to be a link.  I think it's working now but just in case it's not here is the link proper.
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/house-of-shelves.html

Thanks

Summer Reading

During the summer my mother used to pack us all up in the station wagon every other Wednesday and take us to the library.  It was a magical place, not only for the air conditioning, which we didn’t have at home, and the fascinating carpets in the children’s reading room.  It was wonderful because we got to pick out books to take home.  We could peruse shelf after shelf of colorful pictures and printed words that opened new worlds to me.   It was my favorite day.  Wednesday morning always dawned with a little extra sunshine.  It was torture waiting until ten when the library opened.  I don’t remember at what age I started begging for my own magic card that would allow me access to so many books but I was eight when I received it.

Ever since then libraries have been a part of my life.  Before I move one of the first things I do is find the closest or biggest library in the area.  I may not be able to tell which way is north but I can sniff out a library pretty darn quick.  Actually it usually finds me.  We’ll be driving around and there it will be, shinning in all its glory. OK, it’s a government building, they usually aren’t glorious.  At least on the outside.  

Don’t get me wrong I love to buy books too, but my budget could never keep up with the amount I read and the library gives me the option to test drive books.  To find books to add to my collection that I will cherish and read over and over again. 

It’s summer now, school is out and every Wednesday I feel I should be on my way to the library.  I take my son on Fridays though, that’s when they have story time.  Really it doesn’t matter which day we go as long as I can give him the same wonderful memories I have and an abiding love of books.