Musing Monday - March 15

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about picture books.

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

I love this question! I do have favorite picture books!  Lots of them!  One of my favorites from childhood is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  It became popular again because of the movie (which I didn't love) but I can remember reading it over and over and over as a child.

Another favorite is Who Wants Arthur, by Amanda Graham.  It's the sweetest book about a dog who so desperately wants a home that he tries to act like all the other animals.  The illustrations are perfect.  They make the book.

Musing Mondays - January 18

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about tidy reading around people.

When is it inappropriate to read in front of others? Is it ever appropriate?

Good question this week!  I will read in front of certain people and in certain situations.  If I am with one of my friends or a family member who isn't one of my parents, I will probably not pull out my book.  If there is opportunity for conversation, I find it rude to try to close myself off like that.   I have had a few family gatherings when I tried to get a little reading in but it always fails so I've given up trying. 

The exception?  My parents.  They know me well enough to know that when I pick up a book in front of them, it has nothing to do with being bored with conversation.  My mother is the one to blame for my love of reading so she understands.  I bring a book with me to their house every time I go over.  Sometimes just hanging out in the same room is enough.  We just enjoy each others company.  Even when there is nothing to say. 

Musing Mondays - Jan 11

   Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about tidy bookshelves.

  Are your bookshelves strictly books only? Or have knick-knacks          invaded? Do your shelves also shelve DVDs? Photos? Why not snap a photo – I’m sure we all like to spy on other’s shelves!

I've got three bookcases and for the most part they house books.  My big bookcase is in my living room.  I've got my favorite books on the top shelf.  There are a few little treasures lining the shelf but they don't overpower the books.  The second, third, and fourth shelf are all books to be read.  It's a scary, scary place.  The fourth shelf is actually sagging with all the TBR books on it.

The bottom of that bookshelf is children's books and my niece's toy-box.  This made sense when she was tiny and crawling around.  Now that she's almost six, I could probably move things around so I could use that shelf for my books.

The other two bookcases are in my bedroom and they are fairly organized.  One is full of books I've read and am keeping and the other is full of more TBR books.  Sigh.

I want to put one more case in my living room but I have a fish that seems to be quite hearty.  I keep thinking that when he dies, I'll take a break from fish and I'll get a new bookcase but he's a determined little fellow and has survived all his tank mates.***

***Disclaimer:  I love animals and would never intentionally harm or neglect them.  My fish is still living a very happy, healthy -albeit a little lonely life, despite the fact that I'm waiting for him to die.  

Musing Mondays - Jan 4

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about New Year reading.

With the New Year here already, do you have any reading resolutions or goals (challenges aside) for 2010? Perhaps a new author? Genre? Want to read more non-fiction? Write more reviews?

I'm trying to figure out what challenges I want to participate in this year.  I finished the A-Z Challenge (title version) and I more than met my goal of 25 new authors, so I'm doing those two again.  I'm also doing a couple other challenges that look like fun.  I'll be writing about those later this week.

As for resolutions - I'd like to stop buying books.  I know!  It's impossible isn't it?  It's just that I have so many and my shelves are bursting.  For every book I read, I seem to acquire five more.  To be fair, not all were purchased.  Many were left up for grabs on the kitchen table at work.  Who am I to pass up a book?  It's silly.  That being said, I'm going to be pickier about what I buy and when.  If I can wait, I'll wait to buy it.  I'll keep notes of all those I'm interested in and I'll plan it out a little better.  I might even skip the library book sales - maybe.  We'll see how it goes.

Musing Mondays - Sept. 28

Do you keep a book wishlist, either on paper, Amazon/etc, or via a book database site (Shelfari, GoodReads, LibraryThing)? If yes, do you share this list with others (especially coming up to Christmas)?


I wish I had a better wishlist. I am just not that organized! I have several authors that I am always on the lookout for when I'm at book sales. I have on occasion brought a list with me so that I know what I have and what I need, especially when it comes to a series I am trying to complete.

If I see a book I want in a bookstore but am not willing to spend the money at the time, I have started taking a picture of the book with my cell phone. I have the title and author that way and can look for the book again. That's worked really well for me, even though I've gotten a few weird looks.

I don't usually ask for books at Christmas or my birthday. I would rather have a certificate to a book store. On occasion I'll mention a specific title but it's rare. I have very little impulse control and usually by the time I ask for the book and then wait for the holidays to roll around, I'll have bought it for myself anyway.

Musing Mondays - Sept 21

Excuse my tardiness this week. Here's this week's question:

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading music…


Do you listen to music while reading? Does this change if you’re reading in or out of your house? Do you have a preference of music for such occasions?

I do not listen to music when I read. I have a very hard time focusing on two things at once and music (especially music with vocals) distracts me from my book. I end up wanting to sing along to the music. I don't remember having that problem in high school when I had music on all the time, but it started in college. My roommate loved to have music playing (music major) and I liked it quiet. I'm not sure what kind of balance we ended up coming up with but we lived together for four years so somehow it worked out.

I can read while the TV is on however. When I am at my parents house I can read all through the news, football games, or QVC shows that my parents watch. That seems to be a lot easier to tune out!

Musing Mondays - Sept 14

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading trends…


Do you find yourself forming trends in your reading? Is this a conscious act, influenced by either your own interests or current publishing fads?



I would have to say that my reading this year has been quite eclectic and I'm very happy about that. My attempts to do the A to Z Challenge and New Author Challenge have led me to read books that I probably wouldn't have bothered to get to for a while. My participation in early reviewers' programs has also brought me some unique and different books.

In the past, I have definitely been sucked into trends. I went through a historical romance phase for a couple of years but eventually moved away from that. A couple of years ago I read several books about the Tudors and I still have a few on my shelves to read.

My tendencies are to find an author I like and read everything he or she has ever written. I used to focus so much on the authors I knew that I missed out on other wonderful books. I've moved away from that the last couple of years and this year I think I broke myself of that habit. I'll still keep reading my favorite authors but I spread them out.

Interesting question this week and I'll have to keep thinking about it. My future reading looks even more random as I've developed quite a system for choosing books in 2009. Time will tell if it works out. . .

Musing Mondays - Sept. 7

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about audio books…


What is your preferred method of listening to audio books? Where and when do you listen to them?


I have to confess that I don't love audio books. I have a hard time staying awake which is bad when trying to listen to them in a car. They are like a bedtime story and make me want to close my eyes.

I once drove by myself from Denver to Las Vegas. It was a good 10 hour drive and I picked up an audio book to listen to on my way. This was back in the day of cassette tapes and every tape or so I'd have to stop and put on music to wake me up again. It was just not a good thing.

I'm willing to give them another try some day but it would have to be under the right circumstances. In most cases I'd rather read the book.

Musing Mondays - August 31

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about books for children…


Do you buy books as gifts for children – either your own or those of friends or family? Would you buy books for all children, or only children who are already practiced readers?


I'm a little late with my answer this week but it's a good question so I'll give it a shot. . . I do buy books for children. I have three young children in my life (niece, Goddaughter, BFF's son) and I do try to buy them books. I'm not sure how much they are appreciated but I do know that I'll keep buying them.

One thing I was taught in my early childhood education classes was that it was better to have a few really good books than a lot of "just ok" books in a child's library. I think this is probably true. There are picture books that have stood the test of time and every child should own them.

As the kids get older (the two girls are in Kindergarten this year), I hope I can share my love of reading with them, even from a distance.

Musing Mondays - August 24

Do you prefer to read stand-alone books, or books in series? Do you stick with a series the whole way through or stop after the first installment? Are there any particular series you enjoy?(question courtesy of Elena)

I like reading books that are part of a series. I enjoy re-visiting old friends. It's always hard for me to part with some characters so I like it when I can hang out with them again. . . and again. . . and again.

I've been spreading the books out lately. In the past I would have bought the whole set and read them in a row. Now I like to take breaks and read other things. This keeps me wanting more and It doesn't allow me to be desperate to buy the book when it first comes out in. I can usually wait for the paperback and save some money.

The series that I am in the midst of are the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris (up to book 3), the Women's Murder Club by James Patterson (up to book 4), and the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich (up to book 6). I've got a few others to start too but I'm not quite there yet.

Musing Monday - August 17

How do you react to movies made of your favourite books (or even not-so-favourite books)? Do you look forward to seeing them, or avoid them? Do you like to have read the book before seeing the movie?

I enjoy it when one of my favorite books become a movie. In fact, I am more apt to see a movie if I've read the book. I generally know what to expect and I like trying to compare and contrast the book vs. the movie. I even like watching movies based on books I don't care for. Most recently I watched Julie and Julia. I wasn't thrilled with the book but I adored the movie.

I generally like to read the book first. If I don't, I rarely have the patience for the book. There have been a few exceptions but in general the book should come first.

Musing Mondays - July 27

I'm a day late. Oops. Yesterday's topic was. . .

Do you have an account with an online book database site (LibraryThing, Shelfari, GoodReads)? If so, do you have a preference? Do you use it for - your own record keeping? finding new books to read? social networking?

I have accounts with GoodReads, Shelfari, and LibraryThing. I confess that my favorite is Library Thing. I can't exactly pinpoint why but I found that keeping up with three websites all dedicated to the same thing is just too much. I found myself gravitating to LibraryThing. I like the Early Reviewers program, I enjoy the people I've met there, and I find the library easy to add to.

My library on there is a constant work in progress as books come and go. I try to keep track of what I've read and I do cross-post my blog reviews there. I also enjoy the forums and checking out what other people are reading. It's just a nice friendly place.

Musing Mondays - July 13

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about book covers…

We all know the old adage about not judging a book by it’s cover, but just how much sway does a book cover have when it comes to your choice of book – whether buying or borrowing? Are there any books you’ve bought based on the cover alone?

I admit that a cover can make or break a book for me. I shouldn't admit that but it's true. I was scanning the shelves at Borders the other day looking for a book that starts with the letter "J". I wasn't looking for anything in particular. As I scanned, I noticed that my eyes would immediately drift to the books with the lighter, brighter covers. Most would be classified as "chick-lit" or women's fiction. Interestingly, that's what I prefer to read.

A gorgeous cover will draw me in. It will at least get me to pick up a book and take a look at the subject, see if it's anything I want to read. I'm more apt to skip over a cover that is darker because that traditionally is a book that I'm not apt to want to read. That's not a hard fast rule of course but that's where my mind goes. I also seem to be able to spot books by authors that I am familiar with. I can pick out a Nora Roberts book from a mile away. (Ok, not a mile, but several feet. If I'm wearing my glasses or contacts.)

I don't think that judging a book by a cover is a bad thing in most cases. Publishers try very hard to get the cover right. It can make or break a book in my opinion. Look at the old bodice ripper romances . . . It's rare to see them anymore. People are still reading the books, but the covers are very different.

Interesting topic today!

Musing Mondays - June 29

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about mid-year reading…

Now that we’ve come to the middle of the year, what do you think of your 2009 reading so far? Read anything interesting that you’d like to share? Any outstanding favourites?

I'm fairly happy with my progress. I'd like to be a bit further along but I've read some good books (and one really bad one). I'm coming along with the A to Z challenge. I only have seven more books to read for that challenge. The What's in a Name challenge is coming along nicely as well with four out of six read. For the New Author Challenge, I set a goal of twenty-five new authors and am at thirteen at this point. Considering my TBR pile, that challenge should easily be met. I've got two books going now by new authors (to me).

The struggle? The Casual Classics Challenge. This is one that isn't going well. I've got one "classic" ready for the letter "O" but other than that, I might be scrambling at the end of the year. I hate that.

As for my favorites? I think The Host, by Stephenie Meyer, has been my favorite so far. I also really enjoyed Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center, and Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster. I could go on and on and on.

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.

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!

Musing Mondays - May 25

Yes, this is late. Sorry about that

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about gift certificates…

Do you give gift certificates to book stores as presents? If so, do you give for actual stores or online stores? Do you like to receive them yourself?

I do give gift certificates to book stores. I usually stick with Borders as they are all over the place and easy for people to find. I don't give them to everyone, only those who I know will appreciate them. A relative of mine once said that gift certificates were impersonal gifts and didn't show a lot of thought. I don't think that's true at all if you know the person will appreciate and use it. I wouldn't give my dad a gift certificate to a book store because he doesn't enjoy bookstores (horrible!). On the other hand, I could give my friend a Borders certificate and know that she'll enjoy browsing and buying a good book.

I LOVE getting gift certificates to book stores. LOVE IT! I received quite a few to Borders for Christmas and I am still using them. I don't use them all at once. I like to use one at a time for some reason. I still can't quite come up with a good explanation for that one!

Musing Mondays - May 18

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about early reading…

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading? Was it from a particular person, or person(s)? Do you remember any books that you read, or were read to you, as a young child? (question courtesy of Diane)

My mother is the single biggest influence when it comes to my love of books. She has been a teacher for 40 years and as a teacher, she had a huge children's book collection. We spent a lot of time reading together. As I got older, she often read my chapter books before or after I did so that we could discuss them. Now that I'm an adult, my mom and I still share books all the time. I love that we have something so special in common.

My mama taught me to take care of my books, to treasure them, and to share them. She always gives a book at every baby shower to start the new baby's library with a good quality children's book. I've followed in her footsteps with my niece and Goddaughter. I try to send them a book for every birthday and a couple of holidays every year. I hope that they will someday find that they love to read too.

Musing Mondays - May 11

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post:

Have you ever finished a book, then turned around and immediately re-read it? Why? What book(s)? (question courtesy of MizB.)

Good question. . . This sounds like something I would have done as a child. I know I read some books over and over and over and over again, Superfudge, by Judy Blume comes to mind. I might have re-read immediately a bit in high school too. I can't remember exactly.

As an *ahem* adult, I can't remember a book striking me as so wonderful (or so wonderfully confusing) to re-read it right away. I've re-read books but in general there are months if not years between reads. It's much more likely that I will re-read a section, or a chapter.

Musing Mondays - May 4

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about your tbr pile…

How many books (roughly) are in your tbr pile? Is this in increasing number or does it stay stable? Do you ever experience tbr anxiety in the face of this pile? (question courtesy of Wendy)

I counted the books on my spreadsheet and I think the number is up to roughly 165 books. These are books that I either own or have in my possession. Yes, it's pitiful. I don't necessarily have anxiety about not getting everything read. I probably never will. The anxiety I feel is if the TBR pile gets low!

I love having the variety and the amount of choice. It's great to be able to look at my stacks and shelves and know how many possibilities there are. As for the numbers staying about the same. . . No way! I go to library book sales and usually come home with a dozen books. I am not reading them that fast so my pile just keeps increasing. I love it when I can take a book off of the spreadsheet though!