2015 My Year in Books

I am terrible with lists (grocery lists, to do lists, any list) but just to prove that I DID meet my reading challenge of 24 books for the year,  I spent a few minutes (on the last day of 2015) updating my Good Reads account.  My reward was this lovely summary of my year in books.  Two things strike me:  1) 8,750 pages!  2) How beautiful all the covers are displayed all at once.  I took pictures to post here but it looks better viewed on the Good Reads site.

New Library

 Haymarket has a brand spanking new Regional Library and even though I live in another county, they let me get a card!  SHINY! (Firefly ref for those in the know, wink wink).  It is modern and full of windows and light (and books, and audio, and computers).  It is very high tech with self check out kiosks and no more of those not so sticky due date stickers that fall off as soon as you get to the car; I got an actual receipt when I checked out!

This library is not really any closer to my house than my other options but it does have the advantage of being on my way home.

It does not have an adorable polydactyl live in cat.

It isn't located in Old Town (which makes me feel all historic and important just going there).

However, as Chris Core from WTOP would say, having three libraries to choose from is a CORE value!

Free Books!

One of the best features about an E-Reader is all the 'free' or 'very cheap' book offers that are available.   It is true libraries are Free and used book stores are Very Cheap but quite often you won't see these e-reader offerings in stores or libraries.  Here is a sample of my latest downloads.

Sign up with BookBub and personalize your profile to reflect your literary tastes and preferred vendors to get a daily email listing free or discounted offers.
Note:  Most of the offerings are for less well known authors so it is a great inexpensive way to meet new authors.  However, every now and then, a really good/well known book/author will also be on sale.  You can pick up some really good books this way.
WARNING:  Sometimes they are free because they are terrible.  Read the negative reviews (positive reviews cannot be trusted to be genuine) and see what the major complaint was about.  If Look Inside is available, read a snippet to see if you like the author's voice.

All Hallows Read

Consider giving books for Halloween instead of candy.  Check out the link below for a list of recommendations.

allhallowsread.com

Artwork courtesy of Introverted Wife

Early Reading Program

One is never too young to appreciate a good book.

Juggling Books

Are you a serial reader or do you juggle a pile of books reading a bit of this and that, whatever strikes your mood?

This is my current reading list.  Why so many?

Some books are best read in small nibbles - either because they are intense, emotional, or thought provoking and a little goes a long way.  (Magic Hour)

Some books aren't interesting enough to read for long periods of time but short bursts while waiting for something else provide a nice distraction.  (Salting Roses)

Some books are so good I want to gobble them up and at the same time I don't want them to end so I force myself to read slowly to draw out the pleasure as long as possible.  (The Winter Sea)




But there always comes a tipping point - the chapter where I simply MUST know what happens next and there is no choice but to sit and read to the end! (Red Rising -today)

Sometimes I want adventure, some times comfort.  Sometimes I want to learn and sometimes to escape.  Sometimes a little laughter is the cure and sometimes crying for someone else's pain helps ease my own.  Somewhere in the pile is a book to suit the need of the moment.

The Storyteller

Some people are writers and some....are storytellers.

A fantastic evening.  Neil Gaiman talked about his new book, Terry Pratchett, read stories, told stories, and answered a billion questions.  We would have sat there for two more hours enraptured.