BTT - Preferences...

Another Thursday, another BTT! =)

This week at Booking through Thursday, they're talking preferences:

Which do you prefer? (Quick answers–we’ll do more detail at some later date)

Reading something frivolous? Or something serious?

Paperbacks? Or hardcovers?

Fiction? Or Nonfiction?

Poetry? Or Prose?

Biographies? Or Autobiographies?

History? Or Historical Fiction?

Series? Or Stand-alones?

Classics? Or best-sellers?

Lurid, fruity prose? Or straight-forward, basic prose?

Plots? Or Stream-of-Consciousness?

Long books? Or Short?

Illustrated? Or Non-illustrated?

Borrowed? Or Owned?

New? Or Used?

(Yes, I know, some of these we’ve touched on before, and some of these we might address in-depth in the future, but for today–just quick answers!)

Hmm...

Reading something frivolous? Or something serious?

Both--depends on my mood.

Paperbacks? Or hardcovers?

Paperbacks, 'cuz they're cheaper. Unless I want to add it to my permanent collection, in which case hardcovers.

Fiction? Or Nonfiction?

Fiction.

Poetry? Or Prose?

Prose.

Biographies? Or Autobiographies?

Biographies.

History? Or Historical Fiction?

Both.

Series? Or Stand-alones?

Both.

Classics? Or best-sellers?

Depends.

Lurid, fruity prose? Or straight-forward, basic prose?

Not fruity! Ugh!

Plots? Or Stream-of-Consciousness?

Plots.

Long books? Or Short?

Long.

Illustrated? Or Non-illustrated?

Either.

Borrowed? Or Owned?

Owned.

New? Or Used?

New.

Come play along!

BTT - Unread, pt. 2...

w00t! It's still Thursday! =)

This week at Booking through Thursday, they're (still) talking unread books:

Follow-up to last week’s question:
Do you keep all your unread books together, like books in a waiting room? Or are they scattered throughout your shelves, mingling like party-goers waiting for the host to come along?

All of my unread books are on my bookshelf. One for those that need to be reviewed (i.e. they came from publishers, publicists, or authors) and one for those that are just hanging around till I pick 'em up. I'm running out of room for the latter, so I should probably crack the whip, eh?

Once they're read, they'll sit in a pile by the laptop until I get the reviews done, then they usually go into the "I've-read-these-but-don't-feel-compelled-to-permanently-shelve-them-so-they'll-go-to-a-new-home-sometime" pile next to the bookshelf. Phew. What about you?

BTT - Unread...

I am sooooo bad at keeping up with this meme!! *sigh* But here I go, on a Friday no less!

This week at Booking through Thursday, they're talking unread books:

An idea I got from The Toddled Dredge (via K for Kat). Here’s what she said:
“So here today I present to you an Unread Books Challenge. Give me the list or take a picture of all the books you have stacked on your bedside table, hidden under the bed or standing in your shelf – the books you have not read, but keep meaning to. The books that begin to weigh on your mind. The books that make you cover your ears in conversation and say, ‘No! Don’t give me another book to read! I can’t finish the ones I have!’ “

I'm so not going to take a picture. That'd be kinda like "evidence"... But. Here are some of the books that are still waiting patiently for me to crack them open:




My apologies to the authors & publicists, who have been very patient with me.

BTT - Fantasy and Sci-Fi...

I can't believe it, but the last BTT I actually made it for was in April. April!! Sheesh. But, I saw today's (& it's STILL Thursday!) topic, and just HAD to do it. So there. =)
This week at Booking through Thursday, they're talking fantasy & sci-fi:

One of my favorite sci-fi authors (Sharon Lee) has declared June 23rd Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers Day.

As she puts it:
So! In my Official Capacity as a writer of science fiction and fantasy, I hereby proclaim June 23 Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Day! A day of celebration and wonder! A day for all of us readers of science fiction and fantasy to reach out and say thank you to our favorite writers. A day, perhaps, to blog about our favorite sf/f writers. A day to reflect upon how written science fiction and fantasy has changed your life.

So … what might you do on the 23rd to celebrate? Do you even read fantasy/sci-fi? Why? Why not?

Fantasy is my favorite genre. I loved epic fantasy because it meant that, even when the book I was reading is read, there's more--you're not done till you're done. Well, unless you're reading Feist or Jordan... =P Urban fantasy is a new-ish take on the genre, and I love it because, well, it's easy to identify with the basic world. And everyone's a person who's human, and those who aren't, used to be.

Fantasy lets me get lost in the worlds the authors spun--worlds with magical creatures, or just magic. Worlds where nothing is impossible, yet there are rules governing how things work. You could say the same for sci-fi. Yet, I've never quite gotten into sci-fi as much as I have into fantasy. Not sure why, really. Maybe that's something I need to read more of?

As for celebrating... Hmm... My TBR pile is not shrinking any time soon. But I do have a children's fantasy to read (Starfinder, by John Marco), and Naamah's Kiss (by Jacqueline Carey) just showed up yesterday. So, maybe I need to finish reading the books I'm reading now, and get to at least one of those two sometime (later!) this evening. =)

And as a shout out to those who write my favorite genre--without you I'd truly be lost--here are some of my favorite authors, in no particular order:
Michelle Sagara/Michelle West
C.E. Murphy
George R.R. Martin
Patrick Rothfuss
Carrie Vaughn
Ilona Andrews
Terry Pratchett (I cannot, and have never been able to, turn down a Discworld novel)

BTT - Numbers...

Trying really hard to make it on a Thursday for this meme, which happens to be one of my favorites... This week at Booking through Thursday, they're talking numbers:

Some people read one book at a time. Some people have a number of them on the go at any given time, perhaps a reading in bed book, a breakfast table book, a bathroom book, and so on, which leads me to…

1. Are you currently reading more than one book?
2. If so, how many books are you currently reading?
3. Is this normal for you?
4. Where do you keep your current reads?

I only read one book at a time. Fly through it till it's done & I can pick up the next one. Now that I'm also writing reviews, I try to review the book just read, before I pick up the next one. Don't want my stories to start meshing together, & confusing my readers... & I carry my current reads with me, even when I know I won't have time to read it... Yeah, I know - silly. =)

BTT - Libraries...

Sheesh. I don't think I made it to one of these all of March. Bah! Well, at least it's still Thursday. This week at Booking through Thursday, they're talking libraries:

I saw that National Library week is coming up in April, and that led to some questions. How often do you use your public library and how do you use it? Has the coffeehouse/bookstore replaced the library? Did you go to the library as a child? Do you have any particular memories of the library? Do you like sleek, modern, active libraries or the older, darker, quiet, cozy libraries?

I LOVE my public library. I go at least once a week, and regret it when I don't. Really. Because I usually have something that needs to go back, and I have overdue fees if I don't make it there... =P One of the challenges I'm doing this year is the Support Your Library challenge, hosted by J.Kaye's Book Blog. I signed up for 25 books, and so far have beaten that goal by 8. I don't actually read there, though. I sign out my books online, and go pick 'em up when they're ready. About the only loitering I do in the library is in the children's section, when the little man is looking for his next book.

My first introduction to the library was at Seth Johnson Elementary School in Montgomery, Alabama. I was there for about 7 months, and I think I read every single book in that library. And it's all gone downhill from there! =P When we moved back home, I pretty much used the bookstore as my own personal literary heaven. That's where I learned to treat books oh-so-carefully.

BTT - Collectibles?

Hah! It's still Thursday!! This week at Booking through Thursday, they're talking collectibles:

* Hardcover? Or paperback?
* Illustrations? Or just text?
* First editions? Or you don’t care?
* Signed by the author? Or not?

I love hardcovers, but as fast as I read, they get pretty pricy. So, I usually buy paperbacks instead. Also, I can pack more of 'em on my bookshelves if they're paperback... I don't particularly care if there are illustrations or not. First editions? If I'm lucky. And if they're signed by the author, that's cool. =)

BTT - Author Talking...

I'm actually going to get this in on a Thursday!! This week's Booking through Thursday:

Do you read any author’s blogs? If so, are you looking for information on their next project? On the author personally? Something else?

I LOVE checking out author blogs. It's nice to find out something about their next project, and thoughts about previous (hopefully read) projects. It's also nice to get to "know" them a little bit, and get behind-the-scenes looks at their thought process for creating the characters, worlds, & plots that they do. But the best part of checking out an author's blog, is to be able to drop in and say "hi, thanks for writing." I'm actually a little sad when the blog isn't current, because who knows when the author'll be around...

BTT - Electronic vs. Paper?

This week's Booking through Thursday:

Something a little different today–
First. Go read this great article from Time Magazine: Books Gone Wild: The Digital Age Reshapes Literature. (Well worth reading.)
Second. Stop and think about it for moment. Computers and digital media are changing everything we do these days, whether we realize it or not, and that includes our beloved books.
Third. DISCUSS!

Today's BTT is a little different - instead of posting thoughts on each participating blog, we're discussing the topic at (yup, you guessed it!) BTT. Go here to add your opinion(s) into the mix.

BTT - Sing a Song!

This week's Booking through Thursday:

But, enough about books … Other things have words, too, right? Like … songs! If you’re anything like me, there are songs that you love because of their lyrics; writers you admire because their songs have depth, meaning, or just a sheer playfulness that has nothing to do with the tunes.

So, today’s question?

What songs … either specific songs, or songs in general by a specific group or writer … have words that you love?
Why?
And … do the tunes that go with the fantastic lyrics live up to them?
You don’t have to restrict yourself to modern songsters, either … anyone who wants to pick Gilbert & Sullivan, for example, is just fine with me. Lerner & Loewe? Steven Sondheim? Barenaked Ladies? Fountains of Wayne? The Beatles? Anyone at all…

My absolute favorite song ever is What a Wonderful World, by Louis Armstrong.



I love all of Louis' work. His lyrics are simple but worth remembering, his skill with the trumpet is inspiring. Other artists I love for their lyrics - the Boss, Eric Clapton, Rachael Yamagata. Harry Connick, Jr.'s music is fun, and so is Brian Setzer's. And my other all-time favorite is Sheila Majid. Kumohon and Rindu Untuk Ayah I feel, and Legenda is a wonderful combination of music and lyrics.

BTT - The best of '08?

This week's Booking through Thursday:

It's a week or two later than you’d expect, and it may be almost a trite question, but … what were your favorite books from 2008?

I think my absolute favorite was Feast of Souls, by C.S. Friedman. I really, really, loved her Coldfire trilogy, and was very bummed that she seemed to only have science-fiction books other than that trilogy. So I couldn't wait to get my hands on Feast of Souls. And the sequel, Wings of Wrath, comes out next month. *drool*

BTT - Generosity...

This week's Booking through Thursday:

Do you give books as gifts?  To everyone?  Or only to select people?  
How do you feel about receiving books as gifts?

I have given books as gifts, but I don't do it very often. Sometimes even the most similar of friends, have the most disparate tastes in reading material. Don't get me wrong, I love talking about books I love. I just have to realize that not everybody I know who reads, would read or like what I read. So I guess my answer to the first 3 questions are "sometimes", "no", and "yes".

Continue...
As for being on the receiving end, that's kinda hard to say. I have a friend who keeps recommending Laurell Hamilton's books. I've read a few, and don't really care for them. So I'd probably cringe if she came up with a Laurell Hamilton gift... Then there's the friend who got me Douglas Adams' The Ultimate Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Even though I don't usually read sci-fi, this one was funny. So I guess I'm a complete crapshoot at the receiving end. A gift card would probably be better in this case. With a "suggested reading material" list. =)

BTT - Time to read...

This week's Booking through Thursday:

1. Do you get to read as much as you want to read?  (I'm guessing #1 is an easy question for everyone?)
2. If you had (magically) more time to read - what would you read?  Something educational? Classic? Comfort reading? Escapism? Magazines?

Hmm...  #1 is an easy question - I never get to read as much as I want to...  But that's life, right?  Especially when you have a family, kid(s), work, etc.  I guess I could say, I read as much as I can, with the life I have.  And while it isn't as much as I want, it's good enough for me. 

More time to read? Honestly I probably wouldn't know what to do with it right now.  I'm pretty good at sneaking time to read, and I read fast.  Give me a few hours or so & I'll have a book read & done (I've been known to take a few hours off work & head to a comfy chair at Barnes and Noble, and just check out books).  Give me more, and that just means I have to take more trips to the library, because I'd feel bad about spending even more than I already do on books.  But I wouldn't mind more time, for example, when all of my favorite authors come out with new books.  It's so HARD to pick which book to read first!  =)

BTT - Thankful...

This week's Booking through Thursday:

Today is Thanksgiving here in the U.S.

Now, you may have noticed that the global economy isn’t exactly doing well. There’s war. Starvation. All sorts of bad, scary things going on.

So–just for today–how about sharing 7 things that you’re thankful for?

This can be about books, sure–authors you appreciate, books you love, an ode to your public library–but also, how about other things, too? Because in times like these, with bills piling up and disaster seemingly lurking around every corner, it’s more important than ever to stop and take stock of the things we’re grateful for. Family. Friends. Good health (I hope). Coffee and tea. Turkey. Sunshine. Wagging tails. Curling up with a good book.

So, how about it? Spread a little positive thinking and tell the world what there is to be thankful for.
Continue...
Here's my 7:

1. Family. My family at home, whom I miss terribly, especially around the holidays. My family here - the Mr. and the little man, and the Mr.'s extended family. I am thankful for everyone's good health and happiness.
2. Friends. With my own family so far away, my friends have been my substitute family for a very long time. Who have been there in good times and in bad. For laughter and tears, celebrations and consolation.
3. I am thankful that I still have a job, as does the Mr. Especially in today's economy.
4. Books good enough to curl up with on a cold evening. With a mug of hot cocoa (or two) as the perfect accompaniment.
5. Movies that produce warm-fuzzies, that the little man can watch with.
6. Evenings at the symphony, where I share my delight in rediscovering my love of classical music, with my girlfriends.
7. The flowers in my garden in spring. The leaves changing color in fall. God's presence in the beauty that surrounds us every single day.
   

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

BTT - Why Buy?

** moved from drey's house **

I know it's not Thursday, but I've never done one of these, and was really intrigued by the question on last week's Booking Through Thursday:

I’ve asked, in the past, about whether you more often buy your books, or get them from libraries. What I want to know today, is, WHY BUY?
Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident of your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So … why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?
If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?

Continue...
I buy and borrow my books. I prefer buying, because I keep forgetting the deadline on my library books. Seriously though, I love the library for letting me try new authors. There's no commitment to a book if I don't like it. There's also no shelf-space hogged by a book that isn't going to stay. I've always felt bad about not liking a book, but it probably has more to do with having to admit that I made a bad choice. =P

I buy books to read and re-read. And re-read. And re-read. I've read The Name of the Wind three times. Cast in Shadow, probably around a half-dozen... A Game of Thrones, at least a dozen.

With books on my shelf, I can pick them up any time I want to, without waiting for the book to become available - if the library even has it, or running somewhere to pick it up, or remembering when it needs to go "home". With a selection of my own, I can run my fingers down the spines, feeling until they meet the book that fulfills the needs of the moment...

I will take this time to say that I am glad I'm privileged to be able to buy all the books I want. Not that I will, because it would take some explaining to the Mr... =)