Tag Archives: Reading

1

What Good Books Have You Read Lately? Vol 2

|

It’s the 4th of July today and most people who read this blog probably won’t today due to cookouts, beach trips, fireworks, other things instead of being on the computer all day. But for those of you who DO happen to be reading this, it’s time for another edition of what books I’ve been reading lately.

Quick reading update: the year is halfway over and I’ve read 93 out of my goal of 225 books for the year. According to Goodreads I am 20 books behind schedule.

Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson (Point, 2014)

My blurb: Food! Movie making! Young adult fiction! This book has it all. This is a great summer read. One to bring at the beach from some light (but not fluff) reading.

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House, 2014)

My blurb: This book was a chunkster, 480 pages in the regular version, and I had borrowed the large print from the library which was a whopping 750 pages. But worth every one of them. I realized later that I hadn’t read the first book in the series but it was ok as this one stood alone. I really enjoyed how the main character is 29 (old for the time period) and single and has accepted the fact that she is not what is normally desired. Because of that her focus is not on romance, even though it does eventually happen. There’s also a good deal of food in this book as well.

Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan (Bethany House, 2014)

My blurb: Janette Oke has always been comfort reading for me and I was thrilled that they’re returning to one of my favorite series with this book. Apparently there’s a TV show based on this, though I won’t be watching. What I did like was back to the basics and returning to the roots of the series, set in the Canadian west. The characters were very believable and likable and the ending wasn’t what I expected. I’m also a sucker for pioneer west books.

Goodnight June by Sarah Jio (Plume, 2014)

My blurb: I’ve yet to meet a Sarah Jio book I didn’t like. This one features her signature style and adds in one of my favorite things ever: a book about the love of books. If you like Goodnight Moon, this story gives a “what if” story about the author.

Three Souls by Janie Chang (William Morrow, 2014)

My blurb: I think this is probably the best book I’ve read this year so far. If you liked The Joy Luck Club or any of Lisa See’s books then you’ll enjoy this one. It’s set in China but it’s a different type of Chinese story set in the 1920s-30s. The main character is educated which is different from most stories set during the time period. She’s also dead from the beginning. I’m not doing justice here describing it. Basically if you’re looking for a unique read about POC characters, this one is a winner.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (Dutton, 2012)

My blurb: Yes, yes. I watched the movie before reading the book. And because of that, since I knew what happened I didn’t cry while reading like most people did. However, I really enjoyed seeing Hazel and Augustus’s story fleshed out and see what was different from what was in the movie. Also, this was my first John Green book ever. Yes, yes. I’m late to the game. Also I read this as an ebook on my computer because I didn’t want to wait forever for a hard copy version from the library.

What good books have YOU been reading lately?

2

The Repeat Factor

|

Over the past few years I’ve read over several thousand books (I wish I was joking) and watched several hundred movies. A lot of these books and movies were new to me. Before you start talking about how much time I’ve wasted doing this, don’t. I’m sure that there are many things you’ve done in your spare time that you enjoyed that I could say was wasted time.

I talked earlier this week about trying new things and how it can be a really fun experience to get out of your comfort zone.

However there are also times when you like something a lot and you get comfort from rereading a book or rewatching a movie.

I know there are some folks who don’t like doing this. To them, once they finish something, it’s out of sight out of mind. It’s not a big deal to retain the knowledge so once it’s done, out the brain it goes. Whenever I talk about rewatching a movie multiple times in theaters, they don’t understand why I do this. I don’t understand why it’s so hard to understand to be honest. I like something a lot enough that I’m willing to pay to go do it again. I’ve explained this before: the first time I’m super excited so I’m just geeking out, the second time I’m trying to catch everything I missed the first time because I was geeking out to pay much attention, and any times after that is to just enjoy the movie.

When it comes to rereading books, usually it’s because the stories are comfort reads and bring back some form of nostalgia. I try to read the Harry Potter series and the Chronicles of Narnia series at least once a year. Every time I do so, I always seem to find new things. Sometimes it’s because I’m getting older and read it in a different light. Sometimes it’s because I’ve learned things along the way and become aware of new information that makes the reading experience different. Also it’s just because I enjoy it. It’s like revisiting an old friend and you’re catching up.

Right now I have an insanely high TBR pile. You really don’t want to know how many books I have to read. Plus I keep getting new books from the library all the time. But there are still times when I want to go back and rediscover books that I’ve read years ago. It’s especially tempting when I read/hear from other people discovering my favorite books for the first time. I want to go back and join them again. It’s easier rewatching movies than rereading books mainly because it takes a shorter amount of time to do the former. It gives the same feeling though.

Basically when it comes to repeating a book or movie, it has to be something that I highly enjoyed the first time around. While I can occasionally give something a second chance, it’s rare because I’d rather spend time on something I really enjoy or trying out something new.

What are some books or movies that you can watch a gazallion times and enjoy them? What makes something worthy of experiencing multiple times because you want to

3

Reading updates, TFIOS…..and a book giveaway!

|

I’ve been on a major reading kick lately. I know some of you still think that I read nonstop all the time like I used to but nope, that’s not true at all. I’ll do that thing where I read voraciously for a week and then I don’t want to read anything for two. I’m still trying to make my goal of 225 books for 2014 but I’ve only read 66 so I’m starting to think I might not make it.

I fully realize that reading is not about numbers or merely trying to get your TBR stack down. I’m reading books I actually do want to read. So right now that means a lot of Christian fiction, young adult fiction, and contemporary women’s fiction. I never feel the need anymore to defend what I read. I used to. Especially when I was book blogging because sometimes I felt like I wasn’t reading more heavy stuff like other bloggers. But I’ve since learned that it’s perfectly fine to read whatever I want to read. I’m still learning from my books and I don’t feel the need to try to impress anyone anymore. Not everyone will have my tastes and you know what? That’s perfectly ok. You can throw me all the dubious looks you want.

Speaking of young adult fiction, I saw The Fault In Our Stars last night at an advanced showing. I haven’t read the book but I sorta knew what was going to happen. I know shocking right? Normally, I never see a movie without reading the book first but I’ve actually never even read a single John Green book before either. *ducks from all the flying tomatoes*

I’m not going to spoil anything for those who haven’t read the book or still want to see the movie but I sobbed like a baby. If you’ve seen the trailer or even just the poster, I mean it’s story about teenagers in love and there’s cancer involved. I want to go back and read the book now because I thought the movie was really well done. It felt authentic and not trying to force feelings on you. Throughout the theater you kept hearing the sniffles. I do enjoy a good movie cry and this one was a good stupid cry. That is once I got over the fact that it wasn’t Tris and Caleb being incestuous with each other. Also, Shailene Woodley’s hair is incredible; when my hair was that short, it NEVER looked that good.

If you’ve read down this far, then congrats and you’re about to be rewarded with…. a book giveaway!

Do you like beach-y fiction? Do you like contemporary women’s fiction? Do you need a vacation read?

Thanks to the author, I’m able to giveaway an ARC (advanced reader’s copy) of The House on Mermaid Point by Wendy Wax. (Berkely Trade, July 2014)

the_house_on_mermaid_point

Book synopsis: In this new novel from the author of Ten Beach Road and Ocean Beach, three unlikely friends who were thrown together by disaster get a do-over on life, love, and happiness . . .

Maddie, Avery, and Nikki first got to know one another—perhaps all too well—while desperately restoring a beachfront mansion to its former grandeur. Now they’re putting that experience to professional use. But their latest project has presented some challenges they couldn’t have dreamed up in their wildest fantasies—although the house does belong to a man who actually was Maddie’s wildest fantasy once . . .

Rock-and-roll legend “William the Wild” Hightower may be past his prime, estranged from his family, and creatively blocked, but he’s still worshiped by fans—which is why he guards his privacy on his own island in the Florida Keys. He’s not thrilled about letting this crew turn his piece of paradise into a bed-and-breakfast for a reality show . . . though he is intrigued by Maddie. Hard as that is for her to believe as a newly single woman who can barely manage a dog paddle in the dating pool.

But whether it’s an unexpected flirtation with a bona fide rock star, a strained mother-daughter relationship, or a sudden tragedy, these women are in it together. The only thing that might drive them apart is being trapped on a houseboat with one bathroom . . .

I’ve read all of Wendy’s books before and each one I’ve really enjoyed. They are perfect summertime reads!

To enter, fill out this form below and I’ll choose and email the winner next Friday. Good luck!

0

My answer to “What good books have you read lately?”

|

Since I read a lot and everyone knows this, I’m always asked what books have you read recently that you enjoyed? I seem to have trouble describing plots to people in person (they always come off sounding really weird) so I’m not sure how much justice I do to the awesome books I have read.

I’ve read 50 books so far in 2014. This may sound like a lot to most of you but for me it’s well behind my past reading streaks and I’m actually about 25 books behind my goal of 225 books for 2014.  But irregardless of that, I’m being more choosy about what I read so lately I’ve been liking a lot of what I’m reading.

Here are just some of the books I’ve enjoyed discovering this year.

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg (Point, 2014)

My Blurb: It’s a book about a boy and a girl who are best friends. And realize they are attracted to each other. And all the ups and downs that come with falling in love with your best friend. It was like reading about my life.

Runaway Saint by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson, 2014)

My blurb: This book totally gave me a hipster feel as I was reading it. Also it’s from a Christian publisher and used the word “badass”. I applaud this.

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner (NAL Trade, 2014)

My blurb: Susan Meissner is one of my favorite authors of all time so I knew I was going to love this book. It alternates between Ellis Island in 1911, NYC during 9/11, and then NYC 2011. Very rich and beautiful.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (St. Martin’s Press, 2013)

My blurb: If you haven’t read any of Rainbow Rowell’s other books before, GET ON IT. This one is a fav for many reasons including a whole entire fantasy world created just for this book (which needs to become a book series in itself).

Anything by Sarah Dessen

My blurb: I got a Sarah Dessen kick late last year. I had never read any of her books before but I always saw them on blogs, libraries, and bookstores. So I finally gave in and read one. And loved it. And proceeded to read all but the newest one in the span of 4 months. I’m delaying reading The Moon and Back because once I finish that, I’ll have no more to read from her. Can anyone recommend other authors that are like Dessen? Contemporary YA?

And now to throw the question back at you: What good books have YOU been reading lately?

0

So how many books did you read this year?

|

The question in today’s blog title can bring fear to who is being asked that. So as you know (or maybe you didn’t?) I used to be a book blogger. If you don’t know what this, I read books and blogged about them. I read my own books, books I got from the library, and books that were sent to me from publishers, authors, publicists, etc. That mean I received A LOT of books. That also meant that I READ a lot of books.

I’ve always been a voracious reader ever since I was a little kid, thanks to my mom teaching me how to read when I was 3. I’ve always had a love for reading even when it was uncool. Books have always been a good friend to me. So when we did the summer reading programs at our libraries, my sisters and I were always reading insane numbers of books just because we liked doing it, not for prizes or bragging rights.

During the book blogger years, I read a lot. Part of it was pressure due to being a book blogger, part of it was to escape real life circumstances, part of it was due to having a job where I sat by myself in a warehouse alone for hours during the day waiting on things. So adding up all those factors and there were several years where I read over 400-500 books a year.

I bring this up because last week Book Riot released the results of a survey about reading habits and poo hit the fan because of what was revealed: that someone had read 1500 books last year. People couldn’t believe it. Were they reading kids books? Were they lying about this? Because NO ONE can read more than 300 books a year. People were complaining that whoever did this made them feel bad about their own reading habits. Comments were going on for a while both on the post and on the Facebook post as well.

And it made me realize, this is WHY I really don’t like talking about how many books I read anymore. Because people always accused me of lying. People always assumed I read kids books. Just because THEY couldn’t read that many meant I was lying. I made THEM feel bad about how much they didn’t read. It goes on and on.

I don’t know if that person who said they read that many books was lying, truthful, or what they read. But kudos for them. I mean since it was an anonymous survey we have no idea who it was and I’m not quite sure how on earth we can even really prove it. You shouldn’t feel bad because someone else reads more than you. It’s never been a contest, some people can just read fast, and it doesn’t matter what someone else reads. So what if they read 1500 kids books and you read 2 books and one of them was War and Peace? Are you a better person than they are? Or what IF they did read 1500 books that were 500 pages each and all non fiction historical and scientific research books? Are they a better person than you?

Even now, and even though I read wayyyyy less than what I used to, it’s only with other hard core readers I really like discussing books with. I’ve learned that books are very subjective to people and even though I’d love to share with real life friends about what I’ve read, sometimes I just can’t. I don’t want to feel guilty about what I read, nor do I want to make others feel guilty. It’s not that I’m keeping things secret, it’s just sometimes you can’t share everything even with your closest friends. That’s why social media was invented. So I can go on Twitter and find those who understand.