All Night Reads

MM is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Today's Musing: What’s the last thing you stayed up half the night reading because it was so good you couldn’t put it down?

As a matter of fact it was last week and it was two different books that I could not put down and stayed up until after 2am to finish.

The first one was

13, rue Therese by  Elena Mauli Shapiro

and the second was
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Both reviews are forth coming, but let me assure you they were both great!

Round Robin Questions

MM is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Today's Musing: Each participant to MM today needs to ask their own question for the next person to answer, in addition to answering the previous person’s question.

My Question from Kristin of Always With A Book:

Do you write your review of a book as soon as you finish reading it and before you start reading your next book? Do you take some time to digest the book before writing the review?

This year I started writing my thoughts two ways: as I am reading and as soon as I finish the book.  I try to write the review before I begin my next book.  I don't post the reviews right away, so I do have time to think about the book and add any thoughts as the days go by if desired.  This has worked out so well in keeping me up-to-date on my reviews.  Otherwise I would be so behind.

My question for the next commenter at Should Be Reading:
Is there a genre that you refuse to read? Is there a genre that you really want to try but need some recommendations?

On The Top

MM is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Today's Musing: What book tops your TBR (to be read) pile right now? Is it something you own, or something you have to borrow, or something you’ll be purchasing? Why do you want to read it so badly?

Right now The Passage by Justin Cronin is sitting on the top of my stack.  I will be reading this next as it was a requested book from the library and I know there are many people behind me waiting for this one. 

I decided to give it a try even though I am on a paranormal break.  I like big books and this one is huge!

“It happened fast. Thirty-two minutes for one world to die, another to be born.”

First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for the stunned survivors is the long fight ahead and a future ruled by fear—of darkness, of death, of a fate far worse.

As civilization swiftly crumbles into a primal landscape of predators and prey, two people flee in search of sanctuary. FBI agent Brad Wolgast is a good man haunted by what he’s done in the line of duty. Six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte is a refugee from the doomed scientific project that has triggered apocalypse. He is determined to protect her from the horror set loose by her captors. But for Amy, escaping the bloody fallout is only the beginning of a much longer odyssey—spanning miles and decades—towards the time and place where she must finish what should never have begun.

What Are You Reading?

Sheila at Book Journey hosts this weekly event where we celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week.

My reading fell off the deep end on Thursday when I began 10 days of working at a basketball tournament.  It is extremely hot and we are working to make sure all players, spectators and workers are staying hydrated.  We are fortunate to be using air-conditioned facilities!

Last week I was able to finish three books:
Caught by Harlan Coban (another great suspense)
It's Not Summer Without You (left me hanging hoping for another book)
Nightshade by Ronie Kendig (page-turning thriller)

Began to listen to Private by James Patterson on the 3 hour drive and will finish it on the way back at the end of the week.  Also listening to An Echo In The Bone on my iPod as I walk daily.

Not sure what is sitting on my stacks at home.  There are many to choose from!!

Reviews posted:
Wayback by Sam Batterman
The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Nightshade by Ronie Kendig
After The Kiss by Terra Elan McVoy

Distracted Reading

MM is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Today's Musing: Can you read amidst distractions? (tv, others talking, sporting events, etc)

Oh yes!  I drive my family nuts with the ability to read while doing other things.  I always read while the TV is on and my husband is amazed that I know what is going on in both places.  

If there is talking going on around me, I can read.  But I do not read while others are talking to me, that's just rude. 

When my kids were younger I always had a book at their sporting events.  The older they got, the more it bothered them, so I left the books at home.

I can read while waiting anywhere, well anywhere actually!!

What Are You Reading?

Sheila at Book Journey hosts this weekly event where we celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week.

Today my husband and I celebrate 30 years of marriage.  We had a major storm come through a couple of hours before the ceremony, and then the sun came out with a rainbow!   Early this morning we took a walk together and got caught in a downpour and were drenched, we laughed all the way home!! It has been a wonderful journey and I hope for 30 more years together.

Books Read:
Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stiegg Larsson (loved this, but sad to see the series end)
Wayback by Sam Batterman (page turner)
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon,( audio)
Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter (great beach read)
The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn (mystery with a bit of romantic twist)
Never Let You Go by Erin Healy (just okay for me)

Thursday I leave for a week of working long days at a basketball tournament.  Not sure how much reading time I will have. I do plan to listen to an audio on the drive there (3 hours) and back and daily as I walk.

Up Next::
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon (audio and print)
Night Shade by Ronie Kendig

Reviews Posted:
Bone Fire by Mark Spragg
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
The Long Way Home by Robin Pilcher
Fragile Beasts by Tawni O'Dell
Hush by Kate White

Favorite Genres

MM is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Today's Musing:
Name your top 2-3 favorite genres (the ones you read most from).

Only three?  I gravitate towards: suspense/thrillers whether or not they contain any romance does not make a difference.  I like on the edge of my seat, can hardly read fast enough page turners. Also family/women relationships are another favorite, not sure what to call this genre.  I like to sit down and get emotionally involved with the characters whether it is loving them or hating them.  As a lover of history, rounding out the favorites would be historical fiction, especially if I am learning while I am reading.  I love to be transported back in time.

Family Readers

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS:  Who in your family (both immediate & extended) are readers, and who are not?

My daughter is an avid reader, both my sons read now and then, my husband is not a reader.

In my extended family: my mother is an avid reader, all three of my brothers read and my sister-in-law reads.

Most of my reading discussions are with my daughter and mother.  My brothers, while readers, are not big book talkers.

Book/Movie

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS:

What happens when you see a movie based on a book/story, especially one you’ve not read? Do you feel the need to track it down and read it?

My preference is to have read the book first before viewing the movie.  If I find out that the movie is an adaptation from a book,  I usually track down the book and read it.

I also like to have read the book with quite a bit of time passing before seeing the movie so as not to be too disappointed as the book and movie always differ.  Many years ago, I finished The Firm by John Grisham and then realized there was a movie playing in the theater.  My husband went with me and wanted to slap me everytime I leaned over to say, "that's not how is happened in the book!"  Now before we go to a movie he asks me if I've read the book to please be quiet about the differences.

Scheduled Reading

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS:

Do you have to carve out time in your day for reading (due to work and other obligations), or does your reading just happen naturally? (Question courtesy of MizB)

If I am having an extremely busy day, then I have to find time to get and hour or two of reading time.  Usually, I am able to read more than a few hours a day.  (I don't watch much TV.)

I always have an audio book going in the car and one on the iPod when I workout or am doing daily chores so I don't feel too much reading withdrawal!

Second Hand Books

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS: is hosted by Rebecca of Just One More Page.

Do you frequent second hand book stores? Have you ever bought a book home only to find anything interesting within their pages?

There are a few second hand book stores around town that I check out every so often.  I have a few books that I keep a look out for to replace in my collection or to add another cover, edition or copy. I have not found anything of real interest but paper, receipts, and a bookmark. 

War Books

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about the war books

With yesterday being Anzac Day, I thought I’d ask a theme question this week. Are you a reader of war books? And if so, do you have any favourites?

As a lover of historical fiction, I do read books that take place during war but are not necessarily war books.  Some of my favorites are:
YA
The Book Thief by Marcus
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Diary of Anne Frank

Adult
Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by James Ford
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Best Book Choices

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS: is about the ‘best’ books'.

Last week I had you all to suggest your top 5 books – and I was surprised by just how different all your choices were! There’s no real question this week, except to look over the list and consider it. Do you agree with the choices? Is it more worth of a “Best Book” title

Of the 113 books chosen as personal best books I have read 39.  Many of them are on my all time favorite list. Many of them I consider good reads, but would not put them on my all time favorite list. 

Of the ones that were chosen more than once, I agree with their "best book" status.  I have not read two of the titles:  The Harry Potter series and Lord of the Ring series.  I see quite a few that are on my "want to read" list.

 Each title is subject to the individual reader's reaction, interpretation, likes and dislikes.  As an avid reader these many, many years I have way more than 5 top favorites. 

Best Books.

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS: is about the ‘best’ books'.

There’s been some discussion on my blog this week about what should or shouldn’t make a ‘best' books’ list. What elements do you think lands a book in that ‘best’ category? Think of your top 5 best books and tune in next week to see the collated list.

For me "best books" are ones that I think about long after I've finished them, ones that I reach for to re-read over and over again, those that I want to talk about with anyone who will listen, those that touched me, spoke to me and those I want to own more than one copy. 

My top 5:
Pride and Predjuice by Jane Austen
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

Read-A-Thon

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS: 

Are you planning on participating in the upcoming readathon? Why not tell us a little about your plans: reading solo or with a partner/group? How long to do plan to read? Do you have your books chosen? If not reading, do you plan to be a cheerleader? The floor is yours.

Last fall I tried to cheer and read and it was just too much.  I felt that I did not encourage readers enough.  This year I signed up for 12 hours to cheer and once that is complete I will read and not feel guilty that I am neglecting any readers.  The challenges are a blast as well. 
Can't wait!!!

Multi-tasking

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS:

Do you – or are you even able – to do other things while you read? Do you knit, hold a conversation, keep an eye on the TV? Anything?

I can drive, walk, exercise or clean the house while listening to audio books.  In fact, my favorite thing to do is walk and listen to a great book.  I am just about finished with The Fiery Cross on my iPod that I use to walk, exercise and clean.  In the car I am listening to Thirteen Reasons Why.  Last week I really did not want to car pool so that I could listen to my book!  But I did!

If the book or tv show is not too involved, I can do both.  If either or requires paying close attention, such as Lost, then I do not try to do both.    I would not read while carrying on a conversation, it is rude to the other person.  However, I can talk and read. 

Where's the stack?

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about TBR books.

Where do you keep the books on the top of the TBR pile? Not the bunk of the mountain, but just the tip of the peak – the ‘almost up to’ books?

On the stairs in stacks.

They all tumbled down after I took the picture.

Picture Books

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS:

Do you have a favourite picture book, either from your own childhood, or reading to you children?

I remember a few books from childhood:
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey
Harry The Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Lyle, Lyle the Crocodile by Bernard Waber
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

My daughter's (25) favorites were:
Baby Dear
Winnie the Pooh Meets Gopher
Curious George
 
 
 
 
 
 

My son's (22) favorites were:
Little Critter Books by Mercer Mayer
Just Go To Bed & I Was So Mad
Richard Scarry's Books
Old Hat, New Hat
 

My son's (18) favorites were:
Ten In The Bed
Jillian Jiggs
Goodnight Moon
Each Peach Pear Plum - there is a picture in my sidebar of my sons reading this book
Goodnight Moon
 
  What a fun trip down memory lane!  Thanks Rebecca.

On or Off?

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS:

Do you prefer books with a dust jacket? What do you do with your dust jacket while reading? Leave it on or take it off? (Question courtesy of Kim from Page after Page)

Most of the hard cover books I read are from the library and they add a clear laminate over the cover and attach it so it can't be removed.  So I have not choice to read the book with the dust jacket on.  The way it is attached does not hinder in holding it while reading.

With books that I own, I will take the dust jacket off while reading if it keeps slipping around and/or makes the book hard to hold.  If it is a tight fit, I will leave it on. 

Story Format

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS: 

How do you feel about books written in a differing format – whether this be journals or letters (epistolary), verse novels, or any other form? Is this something you enjoy? Or do you prefer straight forward chapter prose.

Recently I've read books written in verse, journals and letters and enjoyed them all very much.  Some of them took a few pages to get used to the style.

I like trying new to me things and what may not work for one may work for another, so I will keep trying the differing formats.