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Follow Friday, is hosted byParaJunkee, Book Blogger Hop, is hosted by Jennifer (Crazy-For-Books), and Follow Friday 40 and over is hosted by Java.
Jennifer asks "In honor of Banned Books Week, what is your favorite banned or frequently challenged book?"
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Parajunkee asks " What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favorite character?"
Maybe some thrillers. They make great movies. Otherwise I prefer reading novels. Any day!
Do feel free to explore my blog. You will definitely find something that interests you as I read wide range of genres, except maybe for a few. I also write poetry. You can read that on my other blog, rooted. Now go, explore both of my blogs! And follow them, if you like!! I follow blogs I like via Google Reader...
1. What do you think of reading aloud/being read to? Does it bring back memories of your childhood? Your children’s childhood?
2. Does this affect the way you feel about audio books?
3. Do you now have times when you read aloud or are read to?
I don't like reading aloud except maybe to small children. I have not explored audio books till date for that very reason. Maybe someday, I might change my mind.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over atThe Broke and the Bookish. Each week, we get a theme to list our top tens.
This week's Top Ten is: Top Ten Books I Want to Re-read
I should probably say that I don't want to re-read anything but thought better of it. There are some books, I want to re-read. I list them in no particular order.
1) All TinTin Albums
2) All Asterix Albums
3) All the Charles Dickens Novels
4) Every thing written by Mary Oliver
5) Everything written by Sylvia Plath
6) Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
7) Rumi
8) Kahlil Gibran
9) Feynman papers
10) Theory of Relativity (special as well as General)
Yes, I am a total nerd, I just don't show it!
"Read it? No. And I'd never answer one of the ads. I don't suppose you would ever...?"
"Advertise myself? Not on your life. You know what kind of women you'd meet, pathological liars, schizophrenics..."
Lonely Millionaire by Carol Grace
Mandy Clayton answers a personal ad in the Yukon Man on her sister's dare, and she finds an interesting man in Jack but when Adam Grey arrives at her Bed and Breakfast, she is irresistible to his charms. Yet the thought of Jack keeps her away from him.
Adam Gray is there because of his friend, Jack to check on Mandy but obviously he can't tell her that. He finds her very attractive. It was he, who had written all those mails for Jack. Adam works was not interested in a mail-order romance, but he was willing to write some love letters for his friend. Adam wants her for himself but his work is such which prevents him from a permanent relationship. Also the fact that he can't just take her away from Jack. After many twists and turns, they overcome all hurdles to be together. What else do you expect from a romance?
It has good pace and dialogues are enjoyable. I read it in the midst of a reading slump and found it pretty interesting. For all those romance reader out there I say go for it. Available free from Amazon for your Kindles! Nooks owners might find it in B&N!!!
What does it take for you to give up on a book you’re reading?
A bad story line and weak characters..
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. Leah from Amused by Books is hosting for the month of September.
I received ONE book from Stacy, Carrie by Stephen King and downloaded 20 free e-books from Amazon. Well, all are light reads (cozy mysteries, romance etc) but so what? I had fun downloading!!
1) The Everything Soup, Stew, and Chili Cookbook (Everything (Cooking)
2) Sarah's Diary
3) The Oak Leaves
4) The Fashion Police (Amber Fox Mystery)
5) Enemies and Playmates
6) Trace the Dead Eye
7) The Manicurist
8) Kissing Kelli (A Texas Legacy Romantic Comedy #1)
9) My Heart Remembers
10) Lonely Millionaire
11) The Shakespeare Manuscript
12) Gaze Of Intent
13) Restoring Hope (Native American Romance Series Book 1)
14) Maid for the Billionaire (Book 1) (Legacy Collection)
15) Texas Hold Him (Leisure Historical Romance)
16) Touched by Angels
17) Mama Does Time (A Mace Bauer Mystery)
18) The Preacher's Bride
19) Without A Word
20) The Inconvenient Duchess
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.
I did manage to read two e-novels yesterday on my laptop via Kindle for PC. Both romances. I think that is what will get me back into reading.
1) Lonely Millionaire by Carol Grace
2) The Inconvenient Duchess by Christine Merrill
It is rather very funny to talk about Kindle Books. I don't own any kind of e-reader, let alone a Kindle Reader. And add to that my lack of reading. (Remember that MASSIVE reading SLUMP, I am undergoing). But here I am talking about FREE Kindle books!
The point is, I found a website where they tell you about free e-books or best bargains. I have downloaded Kindle for PC on my laptop and have downloaded 20 e-books. I don't know when I am gonna read those. Most are light reads. Romance and cozy mystery stuff. But one can explore. It showcases all kinds of free e-books. All book lovers must subscribe to it on their readers. Pixel Of Ink is worth checking out. Some are available for only for a day or so. Please do check out Pixel Of Ink. You won't be disappointed. And if you know of other such sites, leave the links in the comment section. I will do another post about those at some later date.
Follow Friday, is hosted byParaJunkee, Book Blogger Hop, is hosted by Jennifer (Crazy-For-Books), and Follow Friday 40 and over is hosted by Java.
Jennifer asks "As a blog reader, what information (besides the book review) do you like to see in other bloggers’ reviews of books? (For example – Author bio, social media links, book synopsis from Amazon/Goodreads or one written by the blogger, page count, ISBN number, link to purchase, etc.)"
Apart from the review, I prefer to have the ISBN, pages and Publisher. Nothing else.
Parajunkee asks " Do you have a favorite series that you read over and over again? Tell us a bit about it and why you keep on revisiting it?"
I don't have time to revisit any book, let alone any series!
Do feel free to explore my blog. You will definitely find something that interests you as I read wide range of genres, except maybe for a few. I also write poetry. You can read that on my other blog, rooted. Now go, explore both of my blogs! And follow them, if you like!! I follow blogs I like via Google Reader...
Do you carry books with you when you’re out and about in the world? And, do you ever try to hide the covers?
Yes, of course I carry books around with me all the time. Sometimes it maybe what I am currently reading, or a book of poetry or some scientific journal. I am a reader, and I do flaunt that fact to all and sundry! About hiding the covers, I do it if it is something explicit, or a romance novel. That is rare but nevertheless, I try to hide those covers! Maybe everyone does that...
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, we get a theme to list our top tens.
This week's Top Ten is: Top Ten Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me
I am going to do it differently like I did last week. I am listing authors that have been read by almost everyone but I have not read as yet. And I don't think I will read them ever!!
1) Suzanne Collins
2) Stephenie Meyer
3) Dean Koontz
4) Phillipa Gregory
5) John Green
6) Harlan Coben
7) Jo Nesbo
8) Lauren Oliver
9) Rick Riordan
10) J R R Tolkiens
How often do you read a book, just because you’re in the mood to read it?
All the time. I have stopped taking part in challenges, and review copies, I read at my own pace and own time.
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. Leah from Amused by Books is hosting for the month of September.
I received one novel, Altamont Augie by Richard Barager, thanks to the author. Altamont Augie is a startlingly vivid portrayal of one of the most colorful periods in recent American history: the 1960s, as seen through the eyes of two ill-fated college lovers at odds over Vietnam. Their story and the story of their generation spill onto a tableau of some of the era’s most iconic settings—the legendary Vietnam battleground of Khe Sanh; a Midwestern campus riven by dissent; and Altamont Speedway, scene of the notorious rock festival profiled in the film Gimme Shelter. To David Noble, the faltering war in Vietnam is a failure of national honor; to Jackie Lundquist it is a failure of national conscience. But neither her rise to fame as the antiwar movement’s alluring Radical Queen nor David’s defiant counter-protest activities in support of the war can extinguish their passion for one another. Their love endures, even while fighting on opposite sides of the defining issue of their time.
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.
I am NOT able to read any novel. Just can't...
Today I decided to do something that I have been dilly dallying for long. To streamline my Google Reader. I had 590+ feeds subscribed there. Those include poetry blogs, news, book blogs and some more. Google Reader is a good way to keep in touch with blog posts.
But I think I overdid it. Almost 600 blogs is too much. It was unmanageable. So after BBAW, I decided to cull it. I have unsubscribed from 200 blogs. Not an easy task. I found out many blogs had not posted for months, even years. Those were first to go. Then the ones, I don't read any more. YA ones. Some poetry blogs too. Now it looks better but I know I have to cull more! I have decided to do that over next few days. It takes so long!
It rained so much yesterday, and my plants look great afterwards..
Posted for Saturday Snapshot, hosted by Alyce of At Home With books
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Follow Friday, is hosted byParaJunkee, Book Blogger Hop, is hosted by Jennifer (Crazy-For-Books), and Follow Friday 40 and over is hosted by Java.
Jennifer asks "As a book blogger, how do you introduce yourself in your profile?"
My blog header has this:
"I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us." Franz Kafka
That explains it all...
ParaJunkee asks "It's that pesky magic book fairy again! She has another wish: What imaginary book world would you like to make a reality?"
I just want the present world to fold up!!!
Do feel free to explore my blog. You will definitely find something that interests you as I read wide range of genres, except maybe for a few. I also write poetry. You can read that on my other blog, rooted. Now go, explore both of my blogs! And follow them, if you like!! I follow blogs I like via Google Reader...
The world of blogging is continually changing. Share 3 things you think are essential, tried and true practices for every blogger and 1-3 new trends or tools you’ve adapted recently or would like to in the future.
The usual, I think...I have some views which I say often enough. I will again repeat those here:
1) Keep your reviews simple, and to the point. We don't want the story. We want only your views.
2) De-clutter you blog. Too manly blings put off the readers. I totally detest music, blinking stuff and also I don't like white fonts on black background. It hurts my eyes and I think it hurts many other's eyes too.
3) Keep commenting forum reader friendly. As we all know blogger has introduced the embedded comment box, and it has been a while now. Somehow I don't find it user friendly, especially if one uses word verification. Why do I have to click it at least thrice to get my comments through? It truly pisses me off. I also don't like the Disqus/intensedebate way of commenting. Both take a while and I kind of desist from commenting there unless , it is something I can't miss. Open id is a good way. Wordpress uses it, although it is somewhat different. Commenting on wordpress blogs is a pleasure. I don't mind comment moderation and/or word verification, but both being used together, is not a good option. Have either of the two, not both.
Have you ever finished a book and loved it so much you went right back and started re-reading it again?
I don't recall doing that in recent past. But I used to do that when I was in school. I have read Enid Blyton novels like that, going right back. I have done the same with Archie Comics, Phantom and Mandrake comics. Now there is no time to do that! I would rather read a new book!
Book bloggers blog because we love reading. Has book blogging changed the way you read? Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging? How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits? Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging? Choose any one of these topics and share your thoughts today!
I have always been a reader. I used to keep a journal with the lists of books I read. But nothing more than that. A book blogger friend, Lotus Reads, was a frequent commenter on my poetry blog, rooted. Once she tagged me for a book related meme. I never knew anything about those memes. But I did participate. I wrote about a lot of books that I had read over the years. I could recall books from so long ago. (I do have a photographic memory). She kind of forced me to start a book blog. I did that in 2006. I posted a few reviews but stopped. it took me 6-8 months to post on a regular basis. I have not looked back since then.
Then I found Dewey, who helped me finding book bloggers by her love for community. In a way, what we see in the book blog world is mainly her contributions. ( I do miss her presence). I won a lot of books from her giveaways. She used say, Gautami is so lucky to win! I also entered other giveaways and won a lot of books from almost everywhere,.(Now I am NOT so lucky!!)
I did not know of authors/publishers offering books. I read a few posts about how to acquire books. So I started to request those. Even a few of those genres I usually did not read. Rest, they say is history. Now authors/publishers offer me novels and I get to pick/choose. I do request those that interest me. Book blogs help me in making up my mind. I do pick up books which otherwise I wouldn't have.
Book blogging has made me look up new genres, new authors and people from all over the world. I am richer for it! I have made some lasting friendship with some. It doesn't matter we have not met, not one bit!
How Do You Do Community?
The world of book blogging has grown enormously and sometimes it can be hard to find a place. Share your tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite the hectic demands made on your time and the overwhelming number of blogs out there. If you’re struggling with finding a community, share your concerns and explain what you’re looking for–this is the week to connect!
I have been blogging since 2005, I started my poetry blog, rooted, back then. I started my book blog in 2006. I have come a long way. I have expanded in my reading and continue to do so. My book blogger friends take a lot of credit. They deserve recognition for that! If we don't have visitors or comments on our blogs, we feel kind of empty. And we strive to be known.
We meet similar minded bloggers and tend to stick with them. But I also think divergent blogs help us in spreading our wings, So make it a point to subscribe to new blogs. Use the feeds to do that. And visit regularly. Take part in memes. And return comment love. That is how a community thrives.
I am undergoing a massive reading slump since last October. A WHOLE YEAR. The memes have kept me going, have kept me in touch with book bloggers and I am encouraged all the time to read. That is a good thing. When we are down, bloggers rally around! They are very supportive. They send mails too. I am glad to be part of all this. I am glad that the world is a better place because of it and is smaller too. How to build community? Visit, Comment, Stay in touch! Introduce others to new bloggers.
Update: Let me say this: I am NOT able to read novels but I am reading a lot. Poetry, Science papers, Politics, Global issues, News and Travelogues, although short ones. Maybe I should read non-fiction books. I never thought of that!
I have known James for very long. He is one of the first male book bloggers, I came across. WE do have something in common. We are both teachers. I am basically a math teacher, while he is an English one! I have always wanted to interview him and thought BBAW 2011 was a wonderful opportunity. We kind of did interview swap but I am posting it one day after the scheduled one for BBAW. I am very happy to have him here today. New bloggers, do visit him, he reads very different, interesting books!
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, we get a theme to list our top tens.
This week's Top Ten is: Top Ten Books I Read Because of Another Blogger
There are so many. I am going to mention authors here, not in any particular order:
1) Jodi Picoult
2) Stieg Larsson
3) Marjane Satrapi
4) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
5) Juliet Marillier
6) Anne Caston (Poet)
7) James Lepore
8) Sibella Giorello
9) Wally Lamb
10) Louise Penny
While the awards are a fun part of BBAW, they can never accurately represent the depth and breadth of diversity in the book blogging community. Today you are encouraged to highlight a couple of bloggers that have made book blogging a unique experience for you. They can be your mentors, a blogger that encouraged you to try a different kind of book, opened your eyes to a new issue, made you laugh when you needed it, or left the first comment you ever got on your blog. Stay positive and give back to the people who make the community work for you!
I have 590 subscriptions on my Google Reader, which comprises of Book Bloggers, Poets, Writers, News and Random ones. More than half are of Book Bloggers. I have sorted those as Crime Fiction ones, and Literary Fiction and anything in between. I value each and everyone. So how do I choose only two? Isn't that a difficult task?
I am not going to highlight two blogs just like that, picking randomly. I know there are some blogs which get chosen over others. We are kind of biased. We all end up selecting them. Only them. In the process, we forget that it actually works against community building. Introducing a new blogger to our regular blogger friends should be our goal. That is what I will do here:
Soul's Music: It is a poetry blog and Elizabeth writes mystical poetry, the kind which touches our soul. She has very aptly named her blog, Soul's Music. I admire her for her poetry, and her beautiful insightful comments. Do check her out. You can tell her, I sent you to her blog!
The Parrish Lantern: A literary fiction blog, it covers a whole range of that including poetry. It is one of my favourite blogs out there. You can check it out, if you like to read real good books!
What is the one (or maybe two) qualities a book must have for you to pass it along to your best friend as a “must-read”?
It has to have a good story line, wonderful prose and characters that grow on us. It has to be plausible. She like me, detests Fantasy!
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. Leah from Amused by Books is hosting for the month of September.
I received nothing! But it does not matter as I am in a MASSIVE reading slump. I managed to read one single book in two months. I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.
I finished reading The Frenchwoman by Barbara Paul after SO long!
Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perception (ISTP) - The Mechanics
The independent and problem-solving type. They are especially attuned to the demands of the moment and are highly skilled at seeing and fixing what needs to be fixed. They generally prefer to think things out for themselves and often avoid inter-personal conflicts.
The Mechanics enjoy working together with other independent and highly skilled people and often like seek fun and action both in their work and personal life. They enjoy adventure and risk such as in driving race cars or working as policemen and firefighters.
To find out what kind of blogger you are enter a blog below:
