Musing Monday - June 15

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about award winning books…

Do you feel compelled to read prize-winning (Giller/Booker/Pulitzer etc) books? Why, or why not? Is there, perhaps, one particular award that you favour? (question courtesy of MizB)

I wouldn't use the word compelled. I don't choose my books based on their awards because I know how many wonderful books are out there that don't get recognized. I look for an author that I'm familiar with or a subject that interests me first. If an award winning books fits that criteria, then I will happily read it. The only award that I really pay attention to is the Newbery Award because I love children's literature.

I set a goal a few years back to read four classics or award winners a year. I didn't specify which award so that I'd have more variety. That being said, while I recognized that the award winners were well written books, I didn't necessarily enjoy them any more than another book.

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched is the third book in a series revolving around Lizzie Nichols and her friends. I was really excited to finally read this book as I enjoyed the other two very much. In this installment, Lizzie is caught between two men, all while dealing with changes at work and with her family.

The story starts with Lizzie happily announcing to Chaz, her engagement to Luke. Unfortunately this occurs the morning after Lizzie and Chaz kissed. She's eventually torn between the man she thinks is her perfect man and the man who makes her stomach flip- flop. Oh, if we could all have such problems!

This is a bit of a formula "chick-lit" novel and I have to confess that I love that about it. Meg Cabot injects so much humor and character to her novels that you can't help but smile as you read along. This is recommended to any reader who enjoys a nice, happy, love story.

Booking Through Thursday - June 11

There are certain types of books that I more or less assume all readers read. (Novels, for example.)

But then there are books that only YOU read. Instructional manuals for fly-fishing. How-to books for spinning yarn. How to cook the perfect souffle. Rebuilding car engines in three easy steps. Dog training for dummies. Rewiring your house without electrocuting yourself. Tips on how to build a NASCAR course in your backyard. Stuff like that.

What niche books do YOU read?

Interesting question. My answer would have to be travel guides. At the moment, I'm reading travel guides to Italy. I'm planning a trip and am currently obsessed with finding out as much information as I can. That being said, I can guarantee it will be a short lived obsession, like everything else. I don't have a long term niche. I flit around from passion to passion.

In the past fifteen years or so I can list a few niche books that I've read. I have a stack of books on Hawaii. When I went a few years ago I knew everything about the islands. I have a good collection of books on tropical fish because when I bought my aquarium I wanted to be well educated. I have books on dog training but I've never focused on them.

I don't think that reading travel guides is at all unusual though. I wish I had a better answer!

Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler

I happened upon Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler in a very random way. I was on the hunt for a book that started with a "K" for the A to Z Challenge. I decided not to re-read the book that I had planned and wanted something new. I'm glad I did.

The book I have is a three- in - one. The original trilogy, released in 1995, was combined into one big book. At first thought, I would read the first book and then just put the book away for a while. Yeah. That didn't happen. The story wasn't close to being over at the end of the first book, it wasn't even close to having closure. And then there was the end of the second book. Wow. Talk about a cliff hanger! There was no possible way I could have just put the book back on the shelf without finishing all three stories.

The stories are good. They are young adult books and are a very easy read. The story caught my attention and kept me going. The books revolve around Ivy, a new girl in school, who falls for the star swimmer, Tristan. Besides her crush, she is trying to make friends, and deal with her mother's new marriage, her young brother, and her step-brother Gregory. After a horrible car accident kills Tristan, he becomes an angel watching over Ivy. She needs a lot of watching out for. The car crash wasn't an accident and strange things keep happening. Slowly she begins to put the pieces of Tristan's murder together and she wonders if she was the intended victim.

While not everyone will enjoy the simplicity of this young adult novel, I do recommend it to those who like a little mystery, a little fantasy, and a little romance. It has all three.

Teaser Tuesday - June 9

This week's teaser comes from Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler. I finished the book on Sunday and the full review will be posted tomorrow. I enjoyed it.

In this teaser, Ivy and her younger brother Philip are trying to get over the loss of Tristan, Ivy's boyfriend, after a car accident. Philip is beginning to talk about seeing angels.

From page 101

Maybe, Ivy thought, having lost Tristan, Philip was scared of losing her, too. Maybe that was why he had warned her several times about the train climbing up the ridge to get her.

Life Gets In The Way

Life hasn't gotten in the way of reading or anything, it's just gotten in the way of blogging. This blog has suffered and I don't even want to talk about my picture blog. I'm so ashamed.

So reading. . . what a subject. I could talk books for hours but frankly nobody wants to hear it. I'm either really boring or just way too passionate. This year started out rough in regards to reading. I had a few too many books that were just "ok". I'm not going to go so far as to say I didn't like the books, but they didn't excite me. I was starting to re-think all the challenge stuff. I thought that might be the problem. Maybe having "assigned" reading like in high school damaged my joy of the written word. I'm happy to say it didn't. My books and I are very happy together once again. I've been on a roll. I've read some really good books these past couple of months. Honestly? I'm always happier when I'm reading light and fluffy, fun, comfortable books.

I've also added to my book collection. By a lot. My "new" discovery of library and used book sales has increased my To Be Read pile. My shelves are practically groaning with all the weight. I'm even trying to find a home for my fish (and the tank) so I have space for another bookshelf. It's fairly pitiful, especially considering I'm not a speed reader.

I'm starting a new book tonight and I'm practically giddy with the thought of it. I just love to read. That's what it's all about. So I promise to get back into a good blogging routine and continue to bore people with my obsession.

Musing Mondays - June 8

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading time…

Do you have a set reading time (before bed, perhaps)? Do you read more at night or during the day? Is there a day of the week, perhaps, that you set aside to catch up on reading?

I do have times that I set aside for reading. I read during my lunch break every day. That's one time I really look forward to. It's my time and it's quiet. I can usually get in a good 1/2 hour of reading if I don't have to run errands. I try to read before bed too. I don't always get much read at that time of day but I do try.

As for other times, they aren't designated. I carry my book everywhere with me so opportunities pop up now and then. The best time to read? On a cruise!