PBS is launching the Great American Read, an 8-part series that explores and celebrates the power of reading. The GAR, hosted by Meredith Vieira, will engage audiences with a list of 100 diverse books, encouraging audiences to read the books, vote from the list of 100, and share their personal connections to the titles. Continue reading
The Android’s Dream by John Scalzi 
A friend of mine recommended Scalzi’s Redshirts, and since reading Redshirts, I’ve been hooked on all things Scalzi. I love Scalzi’s writing, his creativity, and his sense of humor. And this book did not disappoint.
First, I love the obvious reference to Philip K. Dick. Second, Scalzi is brilliant at character development and world building. Third, the irrelevant humor and clever characterization of government, religion, business, and politics. Finally, although the story starts off with a juvenile (albeit intriguing) line, the action takes off from the beginning and doesn’t stop.
I recommend this book to those of you who like The Fifth Element, Terry Pratchett, and irrelevant humor, and don’t take yourself too seriously.
This is a tough one. But off the top of my head: Kate Daniels, Gin Blanco, Sherlock Holmes, Ford Prefect, Belgarath, Eve Dallas, and Hermione Granger
Urban Fantasy
John Scalzi, David & Leigh Eddings, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Ilona Andrews, J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts), Patricia Briggs, Jane Austen, Charlaine Harris, Douglas Adams, Sarah Addison Allen, Robin Hobb, Fredrick Backman, Rachel Joyce, Mary Shelley, Darynda Jones . . . so many wonderful authors.
I try not to, but some covers just do not do the book justice. But I try to focus on the synopsis. If it’s a book I’m buying to keep, I will consider the cover if the book has multiple editions.
I like it because it’s short, simple, and works in most situations.
Yes! I have quite a few. I love my signed books.
Yes.
Usually paperbacks because they’re easier to tote around. But I like hardbacks for the books I want to keep.
All of the above. Mostly used and library. I buy new when I really, really want the book, it’s newly published (and therefore hard to find used), and I’m going to keep it.
Physical
I really don’t have a preference. But my fave genre, urban fantasy, is typically set in a parallel world of the present.
NO DOG EARRING! NEVER NEVER NEVER! It’s a horrible abomination to dog ear books.
I typically highlight/mark reference books. Otherwise, I try to keep them in good condition. I won’t say perfect, because a good book will look used.
YES! And again and again. I have reread most of my favorites multiple times.
Professor Moriarty
It depends on the book. But this year, I’m trying to make an effort to do it for every book I read.
Yes.
In the comments below, feel free to leave me a book recommendation.
And if you’d like to answer these questions and be featured in a Questions post, contact me here.
I sometimes come across word that is so perfect and brilliant, but has no direct synonym in English.
Today’s word is such a word. Continue reading
In yesterday’s post, I wrote about my new bookish obsession—Litsy.
Well this morning, I just happened to notice that my Litsy stats showed I hit 500 followers and 1500 litfluence at the same time. I, of course, immediately took a screenshot because that’s what one does when one is a geek. Continue reading
If you hadn’t already figured it out, I love books. (See here, here, and here—there are more examples, but I didn’t feel like digging them up and I figured these were enough.)
I read a lot. And I always have at least one book on me at all times. Even when I’m not carrying a physical book, I have both the Kindle and Audible apps on my phone (although I prefer physical books).
Along with my love of books, I love all things bookish (bookstores, book websites, book accessories, book-themed tees, book-themed socks, book-themed [fill-in-the-blank]). And I like love to talk about books and all things bookish. Want to engage me in conversation? Ask me what I’m reading or for a recommendation or where to buy awesome bookish stuff.
And now with my love of all things books, I have finally found the perfect place for me. My new tribe. My new favorite bookish addiction. Continue reading
Ever have days where you “should be” doing something? And probably something “productive”? But instead, you engage in, well, nothing.
Then you read these articles about what successful people, like Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington, and Bill Gates, do before 7am. And you feel like a complete failure because you struggled just to get up and put pants on today. (And when you realize it’s Saturday, you grab the yoga pants instead.)
Ever feel like this?
That was my day yesterday. Continue reading
I love arts & crafts. Ever since childhood, I have always enjoyed doing crafty things—from popsicle stick houses and construction paper garland to cross-stitching and drawing. Arts have always been a large part of my life.
Even though I didn’t go into an art career, I still enjoy making arts & crafts. And Sundays tend to be my crafts day. Continue reading
Although technically it’s not raining here today, it might as well be. It rained most of the weekend, and today is damp, dreary, and cool.
And I’ve got a case of the Mondays. Continue reading
I walk. A lot. I walk to work. I walk my dog. I walk to the store. And as I walk, I see all sorts of things—restaurants, new construction, shops, derelict buildings, historical sites, graveyards, churches, homes, yards, parks, cars going here, cars going there, people walking to and fro, and abandoned items. Continue reading
