So, I started that this last week with a bang, working several hours helping with the huge storytelling festival here in which the library is heavily involved. That was fun. But, not much reading happened. It will be interesting to see if my reading, blogging, and other extra curricular pursuits are affected at all by this job. Or, maybe nothing will be affected, and all my normally wasted hours doing nothing will simply now be used up instead! But no matter what, I look forward to the adjustment.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Sunday Salon: It's Raining!!!
So, I started that this last week with a bang, working several hours helping with the huge storytelling festival here in which the library is heavily involved. That was fun. But, not much reading happened. It will be interesting to see if my reading, blogging, and other extra curricular pursuits are affected at all by this job. Or, maybe nothing will be affected, and all my normally wasted hours doing nothing will simply now be used up instead! But no matter what, I look forward to the adjustment.
Friday, August 29, 2008
FieldReport: A Fun Writing Contest Site
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Nominations for Book Blogger Appreciation Week Going On Now
One Year Ago...
And here!
Oh, to turn back the clock and live it all over again! Can't wait for next time!
Booking Through Thursday: Stories
If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next?
Or, um, is it just me?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Weekly Geeks #14: Pictures
So I've got to think of another take on the theme this go around. I tried to do a montage of my TBR as listed on Goodreads, I couldn't make it work.
I like the cozy feel. Some of the pictures I found are big spacious rooms, which is cool. But I like cozy better.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
R.I.P. III Challenge: Count Me In.... sort of
Tuesday Questions: Where Are You and a Teaser
Monday, August 25, 2008
Review: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
So, even though it took me awhile to read, I truly enjoyed it and look forward to picking up some others by this author.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
The Sunday Salon: Reading, Amazon, Church and Napping
(Click here to learn more about The Sunday Salon.)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Six Short Quirks
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Booking Through Thursday: Libraries
Booking Through Thursday
Inspired by Booksplease
Whether you usually read off of your own book pile or from the library shelves NOW, chances are you started off with trips to the library. (There’s no way my parents could otherwise have kept up with my book habit when I was 10.) So … What is your earliest memory of a library? Who took you? Do you have you any funny/odd memories of the library?
First let me just say that I definitely STILL read off the library shelves NOW. :)
Some library memories:
- I remember when they used to have camera, or some sort of copy machine thing, actually IN the counter top at the library. The counter top was glass and they would hold the book open to either the title page, or the back of the book with all it's info there or something, and push a button with their foot... then there'd be a big flash! They were taking a picture, or a copy, of the book to check it out to people. Anyone else remember this?
- Both my mom and dad took me to the library. I can't remember how old I was when we first started going a lot. I don't remember ever going to story time, which is something I did a lot with my own kids when they were young.
- I remember learning the card catalogue system. Then shortly after, learning how to work the new fangled computer system. It was a touch screen and full of finger prints.
- I remember once my dad just randomly pulled a book down and said, "This looks good. Read it." I LOVED that book (The Enchanted Cup) and was so impressed that he could do that. Randomly find such a good book.
- I remember just browsing the shelves and hoping for a good book to jump out at me. I haven't done that for so long!
- When I would go spend summers with my grandma who lives on a farm way out in the country, we would go check out books from the Bookmobile. Now that was the coolest thing ever! I loved that!
- I remember checking out record albums with my dad.
I guess I have nothing funny or odd. I should ask my mom. I bet she could come up with something!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Viral Video Wednesday: OUCH!!
But this one is not about dancing... just a couple of funny kids.. and one you've all probably seen a gazillion times already, but here it is, just in case.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Book Blogger Appreciation Week
Teaser Tuesday: Stumbling Over the Dead
And now for this week's Teaser Tuesday.
Rule reminder:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!
Okay, so since my "main" book is the very same as last week, (I know, it's taking me forever!) I'm taking my teaser this week from my ongoing book, "War and Peace."
From page 958:
"Pierre too bent his head and let his hands fall. Without futher thought as to who had taken whom prisoner, the Frenchman ran back to the battery and Pierre ran down the slope, stumbling over the dead and wounded, who, it seemed to him, were catching at his feet."
Monday, August 18, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Sunday Salon: I've Got Nothing
The list of family books being read hasn't changed much either. Many of the ones on last week's list have been finished, but no new ones have been picked up. School starts tomorrow, so we'll see how the family reading changes now anyway.
So, NOW I plan on going off to read for a bit. We'll see if I can manage it for very long without falling asleep too fast.
Happy Sunday to you all!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
What is Jason Castro Reading?
Well, I decided you need to watch as he explains himself and what he thought of the book:
Who knew Jason was a bit of a reader? And something as hefty and deep as The Kite Runner! One of my all time favorites? And in the middle of touring, and staying up all night? "It rocked me... it was so intense and sad." Anyway, I thought this was so cool I just had to share. Jason talking about The Kite Runner! I love it! :)
And We Have a Winner!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Book Buzz Tag!
I've been tagged! Twice! Both Jessica at The Bluestocking Society and Serena at Savvy Verse and Wit have tagged me to try the latest book meme floating around the blogosphere. This one was originally started by Amy at My Friend Amy. She says this:
I am going to list three categories of books. 3 MUST Read Books, 3 Keep Your Eyes on These, and 3 Look For These Soon. Keeping with the theme, I am going to tag at least 3 bloggers. They should put these same lists on their blog but SUBTRACT one book from each list and ADD one of their own. Then they should tag at least 3 more bloggers. It will be fun to see how the lists change as it goes around the blogosphere. Please come back to this post and leave a comment so I can see how the lists are changing as they go around the blogosphere. Since this is Book Buzz…please keep your lists to titles released in 2007-2009.
So now here's where it gets tricky because I was tagged with two different lists... so I'm going to just take one off of both lists, and add one. That leaves me with five on my list. Hmmm... oh, well. (I've starred my additions
3 (or 5) MUST Read Books:
When We were Romans by Matthew Kneale
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
**A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
3 (or 5) to Keep Your Eyes on
Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
Blind Submission by Debra Ginsberg
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
** Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
3 (or 5) Look for These Soon
The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman
What Happened to Anna K by Irina Reyn
Cross Country by James Patterson
The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
** Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
And now to tag someone? How about:
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Last Chance!
Booking Through Thursday: Gold Medal Reading
You, um, may have noticed that the Olympics are going on right now, so that’s the genesis of this week’s question, in two parts:
First:
Do you or have you ever read books about the Olympics? About sports in general?
Fictional ones? Or non-fiction? Or both?
And, Second:
Do you consider yourself a sports fan?
Because, of course, if you’re a rabid fan and read about sports constantly, there’s a logic there; if you hate sports and never read anything sports-related, that, too … but you don’t have to love sports to enjoy a good sports story.
(Or a good sports movie, for that matter. Feel free to expand this into a discussion about “Friday Night Lights” or “The Natural” or whatever…)
Firstly, I don't think I've ever read a book about the Olympics, though I'm quite sure I'd enjoy it! And I can't think of any other book I've read about sports either, except maybe Seabiscuit, which is about horse racing, a subject I know nothing about and have never been interested in, yet Seabiscuit is one of my all time favorites. So I'm sure that if there's some really good sports books out there, I'd like 'em. I just wouldn't pick them up on my own.
Secondly, I would not consider myself a sports fan, though I have been known to scream and yell my head off now and then at a game. Mostly back in high school and college years. But since then, I just don't really care. Unless my kids are playing, but they haven't been much into sports either.
But, as you say in the question above, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good sports story. Book or movie or TV show. Friday Night Lights is one of my favorite TV shows. And there's TONS of great sports movies that I love ... way too many to list.
So go for it people! Tell me what great sports books am I missing out on and need to read right now!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Review: The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Viral Video Wednesday: All About Moms
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Teaser Tuesdays: "He's a very small boy."
- Grab your current read.
- Let the book fall open to a random page.
- Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
- You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
- Please avoid spoilers!
Ten Thoughts... If I Have Any
Monday, August 11, 2008
Review: The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
Sunday, August 10, 2008
The Sunday Salon: My Quest to Read The Amazing Adventures of.....
So I think I can say, I'm officially into it. However, about that time, I got sidetracked, and ended up on the computer and listening to music, and moping around the house.
While on the computer I finally signed up to be part of the Book Blog Ning thing. Check that out here.
And hey! I just passed my 300th post! Does that deserve some hoopla and fanfare? YEAH ME!
Oh, and let me just take this opportunity to beg yet again for you to check out my Farworld post and comment for a chance to win this great YA fantasy book.
Also, as part of my Sunday Salon post I thought it would be fun to list "what the family is reading."
What The Family Is Reading:
The Mr: almost done with Oil by Upton Sinclair
Bud (18 year old son): working on Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer... shhhh... don't tell anyone!
JJ (16 year old daughter): finally finished Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer... now we can finally talk about it around here
Moder (13 year old son): finished The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan today and loved it.
Toto (9 year old daughter): reading The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Weekly Geeks #13: Author Answers
Friday, August 8, 2008
A Meme: These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things
What's your favorite:
(NOTE: Only one answer! Which quite possibly could drive me crazy! Seriously.)
Sport: basketball I guess... not a very sportsy girl here
Game: Nertz (a fast-paced card game)
Color: lavender
Movie: The Princess Bride
Broadway play I have seen: You Can’t Take It With You
Broadway Musical I have seen: Les Miserables
Song: Awake by Josh Groban
American city I have visited: San Francisco
Foreign city I have visited: London
Book: Pride and Prejudice
Children’s Book: The Secret Garden
Classic television show: I Love Lucy
Recent television show: Heroes
Actor: Orlando Bloom
Actress: Sandra Bullock
Perfume: cucumber melon lotion
Food: taco salad
Dessert: chocolate mousse pie
Chain Restaurant: Macaroni Grill
Local Restaurant: Magleby’s Fresh
Car: the Batmobile
Condiment: fry sauce
Kitchen Appliance: fridge
Home Appliance: computer
Beauty Product: Bath and Body Works lotion
Piece of clothing: my Harrod’s sweatshirt
HGTV Show: I guess I haven’t really watched any of their shows... tell me... what am I missing?
Food Network show: Take Home Chef, but now I'm thinking that's actually on TLC, which is really my favorite cable channel, speaking of favorites!
Author: Markus Zusak
Male Songwriter: Richard Marx
Female Songwriter: don't have one I guess
Holiday: Christmas
Ballet I have seen: The Nutcracker
Disney character: Belle
Flower: daisies
Alcoholic drink: n/a don’t drink :)
Non-Alcoholic drink: homemade root beer
Magazine: mental-floss
Animated movie: Toy Story
Television network miniseries: North and South
Season: Fall
Male vocalist: Josh Groban, surprise, surprise!
Female vocalist: Enya
Day of the week: Monday
Household Chore: laundry
Ice Cream: cookies and cream
Candy: Peppermint Pattie
Artist: Dr. Suess
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Booking Through Thursday: Other Worlds
Are there any particular worlds in books where you’d like to live?
Or where you certainly would NOT want to live?
What about authors? If you were a character, who would you trust to write your life?
(This came to me when reviewing a Jonathan Carroll book - I’m not sure I’d like to live in the worlds of his books.)
Review: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Viral Video Wednesday: Heroes
But then I realized I didn't know what a "viral" video was. I was just thinking I'd share videos I liked. So I looked it up and learned this: a viral video is one of those videos that spreads in popularity through cyberspace... just like a .... yep... virus!
So then I wondered if the videos I planned on sharing would count. But then I decided... how else does a "viral"video start if not by someone just sharing whatever they liked in the first place. Right?
Last week I mentioned how much we are loving the Vlogbrothers at our house, so I first wanted to share one of my favorites:
But this week I wanted to share some videos that show clips of some of my favorite books and movies:
This one gives me chills with how well it's edited.
And another most excellent one:
Well, there's lots lots more where those came from... but I'll just keep it at the two for now. See if you can pick out which books/movies they are! Fun stuff!