Congratulations Christine!-Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on May 1, 2014

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

Most importantly-

1. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous on the birth of her beautiful son!

2. I went to my library’s semiannual book sale and I SCORED big time! I got over a dozen books for just over $5. But then I got home and looked at my bookshelves and realized I needed a little self improvement. So I reshelved everything and I realized I have a WHOLE shelf of books I haven’t read- just sitting there. I resolved I would read at least one from that shelf every week. I am heading to the library after my run- let’s see how my will power holds out!

3. I love Book Riot as you might know. They had an article on books that were ruined by school. Mine was The Canterbury Tales, but really not many others-thank you again Mrs. Chapman.

4. The Harris Poll real eased it’s Top Ten Most Liked Books in America. – When they break it down into sub categories. it’s so funny! I never realized so many (maybe too many) people liked GWTW so much. Maybe they’re lying? What do you think?

TABLE 2

TOP BOOK AMONG DIFFERENT GROUPS AFTER THE BIBLE

AMONG:	2014
Men	The Lord of the Rings (series)
Women	Gone with the Wind

Millennials (18-36)	Harry Potter (series)
Gen X (37-48)	The Lord of the Rings (series)
Baby Boomers (49-67)	Gone with the Wind
Matures (68+)	Gone with the Wind

White	Gone with the Wind
Black/African American	Moby Dick
Hispanic	The Great Gatsby

Republicans	Gone with the Wind
Democrats	Gone with the Wind
Independents	Gone with the Wind

Conservatives	Gone with the Wind
Moderates	Gone with the Wind
Liberals	Harry Potter (series)

East	The Lord of the Rings (series)
Midwest	Gone with the Wind
South	Gone with the Wind
West	Harry Potter (series)

High School or less	Gone with the Wind
Some College	Gone with the Wind
College Graduate	Gone with the Wind
Post Graduate	The Lord of the Rings (series)

5. A big THANK YOU to Rory at Fourth Street Review for choosing me as the winner of her King’s March Giveaway! I can’t wait to read Bag of Bones!

( So much for my TBR shelf resolution)

That’s about all I have today- need to get outside now that the epic rainfall has ceased- have a great day!

Bookish ( & Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on April 24, 2014

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. It was finally nice the other day, so I grabbed the book I was just starting (Blood & Beauty by Sarah Dunant) and sat outside. A few hours later I came in half way done with the book and nicely sunburned. Ouch. Now it’s cold again and I am hot.

2. I managed to finish 2 books so far this week-including the afore mentioned Blood & Beauty, which was about the Borgias. Now I want to get to the bottom of this question- were they as awful as I have always heard in history classes, or, as in the book, were they just as awful (if not slightly more so) than everyone else around during that time?

3. Can anyone recommend a place where I can get some really awesome bookmarks? I used to have so many, but those evil fairies who always come in the house and throw things out must have targeted them.

4. I read this article on Book Riot about whether you have ever read a book that haunted you, one that really stayed with you, and I got to wondering which books really stayed with me. This was a tough question for me. I think The Stand will stay with me for awhile. What about you- what book haunts you?

5. My local library is having their semi annual book sale this Saturday and I am SO excited!!!

6. I finally ran more than 5 miles this week, and of course the next day my achilles was aching. Thank god darling hubby put KT tape in my xmas stocking this year.

7. I finished the She Reads April Book Club Selection- The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and I loved it. Unfortunately, I kept having to pick it up and put it down, and it was really bothering me that I just didn’t have a chance to read for any good block of time.

8. I posted a review of a wonderful book this week that was sent to me by the author, fellow blogger Andra Watkins. She is an amazing person and a wonderful writer and you should really look for her book To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis.

9. This is the first weekend since November that we don’t have something to do-yeah!! I see a lot of reading-and some playoff hockey- in my future. Let’s Go Rangers!

10. I am tired of the appearance of my blog and want to spruce it up. I am thinking of taking the plunge and actually paying $ for a new Theme. Any suggestions?

Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on April 10, 2014

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. Spring is here! I began running outside again (not pretty to see) and I made up a new playlist, which is pretty awesome. It includes the oldie “Bat out of Hell” by Meatloaf. As I was listening to it this morning, all I could think of was Stu Redman, from The Stand. That would be the perfect song to play, as he is leaving Boulder and Frannie on his way out west. And yes- I have too much time on my hands.

2. She Reads announced that its April Book Club selection is The Storied Life of A.J Fikry, which excited me very much. I requested it a while ago at my library, but had no luck so far, so I downloaded it from Amazon onto my iPad. Within 5 hours, I got an email from the library that it was in. Life’s a bitch.

3. BookRiot ran a great article On The Perils of Feeling Dumb While Reading. This has definitely happened to me- more than once.

4. I grabbed the first Harry Potter while I waited for above mentioned book from library. It was- so nice. I missed the whole HP world so much, it was very difficult to not immediately pick up the next (then the next) book.

5. I am SO excited to go see Cabaret at Studio 54- with Alan Cumming and Michelle Williams this SUnday afternoon. He is one of my FAV actors and I am sure he will be an amazing MC!

Here is a link to him singing Wilkommen.

I tried to put the little you tube screen, like I have seen so many savvy bloggers do- then I realized I don’t know how to do that.

6. I have been watching Glee since it started (even though this year was pretty meh). My daughter (14) was home sick, and asked if we could watch a few episodes from the beginning. Wow- this show was pretty amazing in the beginning. If you have a chance, watch some of the early episodes-though it is so sad to see Finn.

7. The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon is not good for my health. I am over 40-I can’t stay up so late. But he is SO DAMN FUNNY.

8. I finished The Green Mile last week and I loved it. I am hoping to get the review posted within the week, but until then, know this- you should read it.

9. This sucks.

10. What’s going on with you?? Please leave a comment- I love hearing from you!

Bookish ( & Not So Bookish) Thoughts

20 Comments

Posted on November 7, 2013

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thought is a weekly men hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds.

1. After having “house guests” who stayed for almost 2 1/2 years, we finally have the spare bedroom empty. Almost immediately, I had hubby move a nice big desk and my computer-which had been jammed into the living room- into the empty room, and take a big cozy chair and ottoman from the basement and put it into the living room. Now I have an AMAZINGLY wonderful reading spot, and an awesome office. More importunely, there is no guest room.

2. I just read an article on Book Riot about DNF’ing. I have been realizing that ever since I started reviewing books on this blog- especially since I have been getting books from all over the place- this has become an issue for me. And one I ma not proud of. I used to pick my books very carefully, and I usually didn’t stop reading any of them. It really bothers me when I read a review of a book I DNFed, and the reviewer really liked it. I have an awful feeling that I just didn’t stick with it long enough. On the other hand, there are SO many books out there-why stick with one that isn’t working for you?

3. My son got hit first term grades. He got a B- in Mandarin 3. I gave him a talking to, the whole time thinking- damn, I bet that s#@t is hard!! Sometimes not saying what you are really thinking is hard. Take for example this evening. My lovely 13 yr old doesn’t have school tomorrow, so her and her friends are making plans to hang out at one of their homes. At night. Doesn’t she realize that means I can’t have wine until she gets home??? Can’t she drive yet????

4. I finished The Shining (WOO HOO) and I loved it so much that when I saw Doctor Sleep in the no reserve shelf at the library the next day I grabbed it. I am 3/4 of the way done and I am loving it- but I have to admit I am not as scared as I was with the first! I think I need to take a break from King for a book or two though- I wont walk into a room with out the dog with me. And as you can see, he’s not much of a guard dog. (should have named him Doctor Sleep) Any suggestions though for my next King?

5. I want to start my holiday shopping soon- honestly I just wish I was done with it already. Another little fun fact they dont tell you before you walk down the aisle- you will now have to shop for at least twice as many people. And he will not help- even when he says he will. Do I hear a bah, humbug?

6. I have never taken part in World Book Night, and I was considering doing it this year. There are some good looking books- The Weird Sisters (great book), Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Where’d You Go, Bernadette?– and some great YA- Code Name Verity, The Bridge to Terebithia, and The Perks of Being a WallflowerThe Perks of Being a Wallflower. Some of them are in large print, and I know of lots of women whose eyes are starting to go. But the YA’s make me slightly uneasy- hanging around at some sports practices, trying to give things away to pre-teens. People in my town would probably call the cops on me.

7. It is a very warm and rainy day here. Perfect to curl up in my new reading spot and relax all day. On the other hand, I haven’t cleaned the house in over a week- a house with 2 labradors and 2 teens-gross. Clean it is.

8. I looked at the 10 day forecast for NJ- we will actually have snow next week. What the f*#k is wrong with the weather lately??? Did I mention it is 65 degrees today?

9. I might have to get my own Kindle after all(shudder). I had been borrowing my daughter’s, but when Allegiant came out, she made a big stink about how I had “taken hers over with ALL my books”. (did I get the tone across?) So, I said of course it is yours, I have plenty of books to read- I downloaded Allegiant and off she went. A WEEK AGO. What takes that long?? Read the damn book already. Now she is making noise about “giving” her kindle to me-and getting a better one for Christmas. My goodness.