The Sleepy Reader

Bye!

2008-03-06T14:42:00.008-05:00

This is probably no shock since one of my recent reads was Wordpress for Dummies. I am leaving Blogger again. This time for good.

I've enjoyed my time here but it's time to dig in and finally figure out how to host my own website so I can do things my own way.

I have my home all arranged and ready for visitors so come on over.

http://readingtoolate.net

The Sunday Salon-Competition

2008-03-02T13:53:00.006-05:00

I have several books competing for my attention lately. A look at my sidebar indicates that I currently have three books going and I am not close to finishing any of them. They are all very good. However, I have decided to feed my latest obsession and finding myself in a bookstore yesterday I purchased two other books that have been consuming my attention.

Having spent considerable time researching different blogging platforms and finding out the things that I both like and dislike, I have decided that the problem that plagues me is that I don't know enough about what I am doing to customize things. One thing leads to another and I find myself quite addicted to what I am learning with no real desire to put it down for a good story.

So while my fiction goes unread this afternoon, I will be hard at work learning how little I know about web design in general and Wordpress specifically. Happy Sunday!

February in Review

2008-02-29T17:24:00.003-05:00

My reading has fallen off the last week of this month for several reasons. Still, I am ok with February's reading:

Ill Wind - Rachel Caine (4/5)(Finished 2-1-08)
Dream When You're Feeling Blue - Elizabeth Berg (4/5)(Finished 2-5-08)
The Chatham School Affair - Thomas H. Cook (3.5/5)(Finished 2-8-08)
The Poet - Michael Connelly (4.5/5) (Finished 2-14-08)
The Translator : A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur - Daoud Hari (4.5/5)(Finished 2-17-08)
Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen - Susan Gregg Gilmore (4/5)(Finished 2-20-08)
We Just Want to Live Here - Amal Rifa'i and Odelia Ainbinder(3.5/5)(Finished 2-24-08)

6 Word Memoir

2008-02-27T09:48:00.005-05:00

I was tagged by Trish at Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin?' for this meme which originated here:

As I read yet another book review of a memoir this weekend, my husband told me that I should write one. I said that my story would be much too short and rather boring so when I ran across the following book I decided it was just my speed. A six word memoir! Written by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, Not Quite What I was Expecting: Six Word Memoirs by Famous and Obscure is a compilation based on the story that Hemingway once bet ten dollars that he could sum up his life in six words. His words were- For Sale: baby shoes, never worn. There’s a video on Amazon with examples from the book, it sounds like a fun read! I’d like to start a six word memoir meme and here are the rules:

1. Write your own six word memoir

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like

3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere

4 .Tag five more blogs with links

5. And don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

Ok...here are my words along with a picture of the cause of them.

Hectic but joyful, music and words.

Ok, now I am supposed to tag 5 people so here goes: Michelle, Jill, Wendy, Literary Feline, and last but not least, Stephanie.

If I didn't tag you and you'd like to play then please feel free. Leave me a comment so that I can come and see your answers.

We Just Want to Live Here

2008-02-25T20:50:00.005-05:00

Amal Rifa'i and Odelia Ainbinder
150 pages

Reason for Reading:
Triple 8 Challenge, Book Around the World, Expanding Horizons Challenge.

Amal Rifa'i(a pseudonym used for her protection) and Odelia Ainbinder are teenagers who met through a student exchange program to Switzerland. Amal is Palestinian and Odelia is Israeli. Their first meeting wasn't great but through the mediation of a foreign correspondant, they were able to start a frank discussion about what it is like for each side in the conflict that rages in their homeland.

I admit that I don't understand a lot of the history that is behind the situation in the Middle East. However, I did learn some things from this short little book. It has a chronology of events to help and a glossary for terms that the average person may not understand. I enjoyed hearing the differing perspectives of Odelia and Amal and though I am still somewhat confused, I found this to be a worthwhile book. (3.5/5)

The Sunday Salon - Substitutions

2008-02-24T15:21:00.004-05:00

About 40 or so pages into my current book, Gate of the Sun, I was still having trouble with feeling like I wanted to avoid reading. I tend to do this if I am not enjoying a book and it takes me a while to figure out why I am playing stupid computer games rather than reading.

Now, I honestly don't feel that there is anything wrong with the book. I am still interested in reading it at some point. It's just not what I am in the mood for right now. However, I have been one that has a hard time setting a book aside and I found myself in the same boat with this title. This is a book I am reading for a challenge as well as for pleasure and I wanted to push through so I could cross it off the list. Not the best way to plan your reading adventures and it certainly doesn't sound pleasurable, does it?

Last night I decided to re-shelve this title for another day and substitute We Just Want to Live Here for the same challenge. They are similar in topic (Palestine) and my focus for the challenge is Middle Eastern authors. So far, it feels like a good fit and it's a fairly short book. I hope to complete it today.

I probably won't have time for much more than this since another month-end is quickly approaching and I have some goals to complete this week.

Friday Fill-ins #60

2008-02-22T07:55:00.004-05:00

1. The drive is often the best thing about traveling.
2. I love a good snuggle with my husband when I'm cold.
3. I often use pasta when I am cooking.
4. I'm reading Little Women right now; I love it.
5. Past failures are something I dislike talking about.
6. When I visited Colorado, I most looked forward to seeing The Rocky Mountains.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading, tomorrow my plans include dinner with family and Sunday, I want to relax, read and prepare for the week ahead!

Pub '08 Challenge Complete!

2008-02-21T12:46:00.003-05:00

I have completed the Pub'08 Challenge! I have been fortunate to receive several ARCs of books published in '08. For the most part, I have enjoyed them all. Here's what I read:
**Click on the title for reviews.**

The Winter Rose - Jennifer Donnelly
Have You Found Her - Janice Erlbaum
Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks
The Secret Between Us - Barbara Delinsky
The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur
The House at Riverton- Kate Morton
Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen - Susan Gregg Gilmore

Thanks to Michelle for hosting this fun challenge!

Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen

2008-02-21T11:59:00.004-05:00

Susan Gregg Gilmore
293 pages

Reason for Reading: ARC, Pub '08 Challenge

Catherine Grace Cline was 6 years old on the hot summer day that her mama went to pick berries, fell into the river, and died. The indelible influence of growing up in a small town without a mother makes Catherine long for the day that she can leave Ringgold, Georgia behind her.

When I received the ARC of this book I thought I was in for a fun, light-hearted read. It was that. It was charming, humorous and fun but it was also touching. The evolution of Catherine's relationship to her sister, father, Sunday School teacher, and next door neighbor, Gloria Jean made reading the whole book worthwhile. However, I enjoyed getting to know the residents of Ringgold, warts and all, and I enjoyed the way that the author drew the story to a close. (4/5)

BTT-Format

2008-02-21T07:27:00.003-05:00

All other things (like price and storage space) being equal, given a choice in a perfect world, would you rather have paperbacks in your library? Or hardcovers? And why?

Paperback. I am not really a book collector. I read books and then trade them away only keeping books that I know I will re-read. I am also not a huge re-reader so a book must be outstanding for me to decide to keep it. Therefore, having hardcover is not of the most importance to me. A simple reading copy is acceptable.

Another aspect is that I find paperbacks much more comfortable to hold while reading.

Finally, portability is also important and I find hardcovers too big and bulky to take with me easily. So, definitely paperback.

Fun stuff for today

2008-02-20T09:35:00.005-05:00

Hosted by Between the Covers

I discovered that I already have books on my list that fit into this challenge. No new books added but another challenge to participate in. Sounds good to me!
Here are my choices:

The Bootlegger's Daughter - Margaret Maron
The Nazi Officer's Wife - Edith Hahn Beer
The Scarlet Pimpernel - Baroness Orczy
The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak

Alternates/Extras:

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
The Archivist's Story - Travis Holland
The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid
The Welsh Girl - Peter Ho Davies

And just for fun I took this quiz that I have seen bobbing around the book blogs. Here are my results:

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Social Nerd
Musician
Science/Math Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Drama Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Anime Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

Make My Day...

2008-02-18T11:22:00.002-05:00

Teddy from So Many Precious Books, So Little Time gave me this award last week. I was swamped and didn't have time to acknowledge it but I am so honored to receive it. Thanks so much Teddy. I love your blog too. I have already given a list of some of the blogs I visit regularly but the truth is, I love all my blogging buddies. So everyone go visit my blogroll, why doncha?

Two more challenges...

2008-02-17T21:18:00.005-05:00

I found links at Joy's Blog to two more challenges that I just couldn't resist!

Both of these challenges are hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog .

The 100+ challenge is a real stretch for me but is a goal that I would love to accomplish. The Suspense & Thriller Challenge is just right up my alley. How can I resist my favorite genre? Thanks J. Kaye for hosting!

The Sunday Salon

2008-02-17T17:38:00.007-05:00

I didn't know that when I made my TSS post last week that not only would I not finish The Translator last Sunday, I wouldn't even finish it last week. I had such high hopes for my reading schedule last week too but the real world intervened.

I did finally finish today though. What a powerful book this was!

Daoud Hari
200 pages

Reason for Reading: LibraryThing Early Reviewers title, Pub '08 Challenge.

For those of us living in the United States, the suffering that goes on in other parts of the world is unimaginable. Darfur is one of the places where such suffering takes place. Genocide is occurring there and military power is constantly shifting. The reasons for this are complicated. However, this book contains an appendix that helps to explain it.

Daoud Hari is a brave man who risked his life repeatedly to take reporters into dangerous areas so that they could get the story out to the world. I found myself wondering constantly as I read his story if I would have the courage to withstand the things that he did to help his fellow countrymen.

I cannot say that this was a "good" book because it is so difficult to read about the suffering of these people. However, this was a very enlightening book and offers a lot of information about the situation in Darfur. (4.5/5)

The Poet

2008-02-14T20:00:00.005-05:00

Michael Connelly
Audiobook

Jack McEvoy is a crime reporter for a Denver newspaper. He is good writer and a skilled investigator. However, the story hits too close to home when his twin brother, Sean apparently commits suicide. Jack refuses to believe it and begins to find evidence that supports his theory. What follows is a page-turning maze of twists and turns that kept me interested right through the ending.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Toward the middle of the book I started to suspect that it was going in a certain direction. I was really disappointed when it appeared that I was right. Later on though, the story takes a sharp turn that I didn't even suspect. I love when that happens! It makes me glad that I have more Connelly novels to look forward to. (4.5/5)

The Sunday Salon

2008-02-10T15:53:00.000-05:00

My reading time has been limited today. I have several chores that, despite my best efforts, seem to be left waiting for me on Sunday. I am always trying to multi-task though and so I did manage to listen to a bit more of The Poet by Michael Connelly. This is another one of the books on the list of Agatha/Anthony/Edgar Award winners and is therefore apart of my quest to read all the winners. I finished The Chatham School Affair on Friday which is also on the list. I didn't love it as some reviewers have but I did end up enjoying it after a rough start.

My plans this afternoon include hopefully finishing The Translator and starting Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen. Both of these books are ARCs that I was fortunate to receive for preview. We'll see what actually lies in store though.

Have a happy Sunday!

The Chatham School Affair

2008-02-08T20:59:00.000-05:00

Thomas H. Cook
292 pages

Reason for Reading- Book Awards Challenge, Edgar Award Winner

Henry Griswald is a moody, solitary boy whose father is the Headmaster of Chatham School. He dreams of life beyond his existence in the village of Chatham but has no idea that his life and the lives of those around him will be irrevocably changed by the events that take place in Chatham and at Black Pond in 1927.

I had some difficulty getting into this book. I am not exactly sure why. I enjoyed the author's writing style and I loved how the details of the story are handed out slowly making you want to learn just a little more. I can only attribute it to the fact that I am in a mid-winter funk. I am very glad I persevered though because I did enjoy it in the end.

There is a tragic air to this story that lets you know that a train wreck is inevitable. The reader can see that a chain of events is unfolding and wishes for the ability to alter circumstances for the characters and though things didn't unfold the way I thought they would, the ending is tragic just the same. This book turned out to be much better than I felt it would be at the beginning. (3.5/5)

BTT-But, Enough About Books

2008-02-07T09:17:00.001-05:00

Okay, even I can’t read ALL the time, so I’m guessing that you folks might voluntarily shut the covers from time to time as well… What else do you do with your leisure to pass the time? Walk the dog? Knit? Run marathons? Construct grandfather clocks? Collect eggshells?

I never seem to find enough free time but when I do, I try to read. I recently started listening to audiobooks on my iPod so that I am "reading" even when I am doing things.

I enjoy listening to music quite a bit and I love to watch movies. I DVR some TV shows and I enjoy watching those. I love web-surfing and blog-hopping and I would love to eventually get into web design.

I love to play games. Not video games(except Tetris) but board games and card games.

I like to cook(but only when I feel like it), try new restaurants, go for walks, browse malls and bookshops, and go for drives.

I think that's about it. No wonder I never get anything done! ;)

Happy Thursday!

Blogs that make my day...

2008-02-06T07:53:00.000-05:00

I was given this award by two of my blogging friends, Rhinoa and Wendy. I should have responded to this a long time ago but I have been sick and am just starting to feel better. Most people have already been given this award but I will still post a list of the 10 blogs that make my day not including Rhinoa and Wendy's which, of course, do make my day. So here they are:

3M(Michelle) at 1 More Chapter- 3M is an avid reader and we share a lot of the same tastes. I have gotten several great recommendations from her. She is one of my prime enablers for feeding my challenge addiction. Plus, I love the design of her blog.

Kookiejar at A Fraternity of Dreamers- Besides posting some great book reviews, Kookie's blog is just fun. She has links and memes and her sense of humor is a treat.

Lynne at Lynne's Little Corner of the World - Lynne reads a lot and I often find myself adding titles she has reviewed to my TBR list. I also enjoy reading about her cooking. She makes me wish I liked to cook more.

Stephanie at Stephanie's Confessions of a Book-a-holic- We share similar tastes in reading. Stephanie is a child of the 80's like me and when she posts about that she always brings back memories.

Literary Feline(Wendy) at Musings of a Bookish Kitty- Wendy and I have a lot in common. We both love cats, urban fantasy, and mysteries. Wendy's blog is fertile ground for adding to my TBR list.

Suey at All About Books- I enjoy looking at what Suey is reading. She always has several new titles for me to check out.

Sam Houston at Book Chase- Sam's blog is a gold mine of book reviews but besides that, Sam keeps us up to date on the latest happenings in the world of books.

SuziQ from Blogging My Books- Suzi is another blogger who regularly adds to my TBR list. I love reading her reviews and almost always share her opinion.

Joy from Thoughts of Joy - Joy is responsible for getting me to try audiobooks(again!), getting me involved in several challenges and I read her blog regularly for book reviews.

Chris from Stuff as Dreams are Made On- Chris is a fantasy fan. I not only get great recommendations for myself but he helps me keep my son reading. He is also just a nice guy and I enjoy reading his thoughts on life.

All of my blogging buddies make my day. I am richer for becoming a part of the blogging world. Have a Happy Wednesday!

Dream When You're Feeling Blue

2008-02-05T20:07:00.001-05:00

Elizabeth Berg
Audiobook

Reason for Reading: Challenges, WWII Fiction is a favorite genre of mine.

Kitty and Louise are two of the three beautiful Heaney sisters living in Chicago in the 1940's. As the story opens, they are saying goodbye to their boyfriends who are going off to fight in World War II.
They send them off with tears and wishes for them to remain safe and then they return home to resume life and do their part for the war effort. However, the shape that their lives take as the War goes on and they await the return of their men turns out to be nothing like what they had planned.

I went back to read reviews of this book after I finished listening to it and I was shocked to find them mediocre at best. It appears that a lot of Berg's fans didn't enjoy how this story wrapped up. Since this was my first Berg novel, I had nothing to compare to. However, I love reading books set during WWII. It's one of my favorite time periods. My visit to Chicago and the Heaney family with this novel was a delight to read.

I had a difficult time warming up to Kitty and youngest Heaney sister, Tish. At first, I thought Kitty was selfish and materialistic and Tish was very brash and irritating. As the story goes on though, Kitty learns much about true love, sacrifice and family and evolves into a very caring woman. I never did quite manage to care for Tish but she softens up too as she matures. I loved Frank and Margaret, the Heaney parents and Louise, the middle Heaney sister from the beginning.

There were no real shocks for me in this story but I found it touching just the same. I will definitely be looking for other books by Elizabeth Berg. (4/5)

Ill Wind

2008-02-01T21:23:00.001-05:00

Rachel Caine
337 pages

Reason for Reading: What's in a Name Challenge, TBR Challenge '08

Back of the Book:
"Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now, she's trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So, she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life..."

My Thoughts:
I was looking for a book to get lost in this afternoon and this fit the bill perfectly. While it's actually a challenge book for me, it would have been great in the "Justforthehelluvit" category too.

I loved the whole different twist on magical powers in this story. There are three types of Wardens: Earth, Fire and Weather. Each has it's particular benefits but they work best in conjunction with Djinn.

Djinn are tricky characters and it can be very hard to get a straight answer out of them. However, they are what made this story so fun. Their slippery answers made for some humorous banter between the characters and it also sets up some riddles and intrigue to keep you guessing.

Joanna Baldwin is smart-mouthed and tough but underneath it all she is scared and trying to do the right thing.

This was a fun way to spend a snowy afternoon! (4/5)

January in Review

2008-02-01T09:22:00.000-05:00

I was able to complete another book yesterday which brings my total for January to eight. I am pretty happy with that. I managed three chunksters in January. However, my challenge reading got sidetracked a bit by some of the ARCs that I received. For the most part, I have enjoyed them so I don't mind. I will try to catch up on my challenges in February. Here's what I read:

The House at Riverton - Kate Morton (5/5)(Finished 1-4-08)
Have You Found Her - Janice Erlbaum (4/5)(Finished 1-10-08)
People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks (3/5)(Finished 1-16-08
The Septembers of Shiraz - Dalia Sofer (4/5)(Finished 1-18-08)
Dead Witch Walking - Kim Harrison (2.5/5)(Finished 1-24-08)
The Winter Rose - Jennifer Donnelly (4/5)(Finished 1-28-08)
Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah (3/5)(Finished 1-29-08)
The Secret Between Us - Barbara Delinsky(3.5/5)(Finished 1-31-08)

Total pages read in January: 3435

The Secret Between Us

2008-02-01T08:08:00.001-05:00

Barbara Delinsky
317 pages

Reason for Reading: ARC from publisher, Pub '08 Challenge

Back of the Book:
"Deborah Monroe and her daughter, Grace, are driving home from a party when their car hits a man running in the dark. Grace was at the wheel, but Deborah sends her home before the police arrive, determined to shoulder the blame for the accident. Her decision then turns into a deception that takes on a life of its own and threatens the special bond between mother and daughter."

My Thoughts:
I found this to be a very interesting story of the complexity of family relationships. It deftly illustrates how no decision we make is without repercussions for our family members.
Deborah chooses to shoulder the responsibility for Grace's actions and inadvertently touches off a chain reaction of events that leads to family confessions about pressure, expectations and what it means to be accepted and loved in a family.
It also explores the pros and cons of living in a small town where everyone knows you and your business.
Overall, I think this is a very solid read and I will look for more books by Barbara Delinsky. (3.5/5)

Still around..

2008-01-31T09:42:00.000-05:00

I am trying to finish at least one more book this month. I had high hopes of possibly finishing two but since I have been sick and spent most of yesterday sleeping, it appears that I will be lucky to squeeze in one more.

I don't feel up to participating in the memes so please don't think me a party pooper for not passing them on.

Have a happy Thursday and hopefully, I will be back tomorrow with another review and a January wrap-up.

Firefly Lane

2008-01-29T12:54:00.000-05:00

Kristin Hannah
479 pages

Reason for Reading: LT Early Reviewers ARC, Pub '08 Challenge, A-Z Challenge, Chunkster Challenge.

From the Publisher:
"In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the "coolest girl in the world" moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all---beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become TullyandKate. Inseparable."

My Thoughts:
I had a love-hate relationship with this book. I loved the fact that we see Tully and Kate from a young age and we get a sense of what makes each girl tick.

I hate the fact that Tully is such a selfish jerk and I find it hard to believe that anyone could maintain a friendship with her for that long.

This was a touching story in places but I feel like I have read this story before. For example, I guessed early on in the story what would happen to Kate and I was exactly right.

As mom to a teen-aged daughter, I felt like the author did an excellent job of portraying how painful and turbulent these years can be. However, toward the end of the book I felt like it was manipulated to make me cry and it irritated me because I did cry. I have to say that this book was just ok, despite the soggy tissues.(3/5)