Who's Reading

and what are you reading?

I've had a busy streak again and haven't had the time I'd like to read. C'mon share. Give me a vicarious thrill.

It's a New Day.

Well, after all sorts of deal making with myself, wishing, stumbling, and generally fumbling my way through the last six months, I've once again cleared out my Google Reader and am trying to catch up with my pals.

Wish me luck.

One reason I've had time to do this is the reading has dried up in a big way. I've picked up four separate books this weekend and couldn't get interested in any of them.

What are you guys reading. Anything really rock your boat?

Reading Bliss

Just finished another great historical and now I get to read the new Ava Gray book SKIN TIGHT. You may remember that I loved SKIN GAME, also by Ms. Gray, last year. In fact I think I bought about 7-8 copies besides my own. I wanted EVERY body to read it.

I also picked up WELCOME TO HARMONY, the new Jodi Thomas, Joanna Bourne's newest THE FORBIDDEN ROSE, OPEN COUNTRY by Kaki Warner which I reviewed for Book Binge, and Dreamveil by Lynn Viehl.

Very satisfying haul.

Maybe someday I'll post my April and May lists. They are both works in progress.

Glomming Historicals

Here at Nobody Asked Me Central I'm glomming historicals. While I truly enjoyed Lisa Kleypas' lastest release, MARRIED BY MORNING, I absolutely loved Sherry Thomas' HIS AT NIGHT.

I adored the details, the little things that an author throws in that makes a character whole. Lord Vere and Elissande, complicated, intelligent, deceitful and wonderful. Way to go Sherry. I hope you are at RWA so I can walk up to you and gush.

Now I have to decide what's next. The toughest decision in the world to make is what book to read when the last one you read knocked your socks off...

Diane Whiteside's THE DEVIL SHE KNOWS or Tessa Dare's ONE DANCE WITH A DUKE... Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Who needs heat when...

I'm going to see Tim McGraw tonight. Although you wouldn't catch me arguing if say the gas company service planning department finally decided to call so we could get going with this project already.

This just in...

1. We are taking tomorrow off since we will be up late at the concert tonight. We plan to start our Christmas shopping.

2. We bought a pre-lit Christmas tree. Finally found one with lots of lights that didn't cost the earth. While I've been known to string the tree lights myself, both GG and I are delighted that chore is history. When you are picky about how the lights look it takes forever to get the tree lights "just right".

3. Beanie has to work on Thanksgiving at the Magic Kingdom. Major bummer. We think we will be venturing to the OC Thanksgiving morning and take him out to eat mid-day before work then we'll trek back here and go to my sisters for dessert with the rest of the family. At least that's the plan today. We've never eaten out on Thanksgiving, but I can't imagine celebrating the holiday without both of my children. It may be coming in the near future, but not yet...

4. Speaking of Beanie, he got second place in the open mic contest at his school. He was over the moon because most of the contestants were musicians. He has another "gig" on November 22. Someone asked him to perform for a group of *ahem* mature women. He was asked to include some material on Jane Austen, and Napoleon & Josephine Buonaparte. He's doing research. Just his comments on doing historical research for a comedy bit is funny. Honestly I never know what he's going to do next.

5. Proud Mama moment. GG mentioned to me yesterday how amazing it is that in this economy both of our boys have two jobs. Beanie got hired back as seasonal help at his favorite place in the world, nope it's NOT D-Land, it's Toys R Us. Maybe all those dinner conversations about there's no replacing hard work to achieve your goals really worked???

6. Just finished reading THE MARRIAGE BED by LL Guhrke and before that I read A BRIDE IN THE BARGAIN by Deeanne Gist. I'd heard pretty good things about THE MARRIAGE BED and while good, it didn't change my world. Very well done character development though. The Gist surprised me. While privately I consider myself a spiritual person and certainly one of faith I've never read a book specifically labeled inspirational romance before. This also was a pretty good book and I enjoyed the story based on the real life brides brought to Washington Territory by Asa Mercer post Civil War. Anybody else old enough to remember the 70s TV show with Bobby Sherman, HERE COME THE BRIDES?

7. Got the most recent STAR TREK movie on blu-ray for the BA-TV for the "boys".

Well I think you are all caught up. Usually when I do these lists I think of two more things as soon as I hit "publish". Ain't life grand?

Ice by Linda Howard

Ice by Linda Howard

This is not a review. This is a commentary. I feel compelled to comment on how disappointed I am by this book not only for the lukewarm quality of the story and the characters, the pathetic lack of pages and content, but also my self disgust because I should have known better.

I'm beginning to believe I will never again finish an LH book and clasp it to my breast with a happy and bliss filled sigh.

Thank God I have those happy memories of her highly entertaining speech at RWA, and I got a signed book, AND SL Wendy got a picture of the moment. Otherwise, I'd be pretty inconsolable right now. Oh, and I have all those wonderful early books right there on my shelves to re-read. Maybe I can survive this disappointment after all.

Barely.

A Give Away & An Update

Life is so busy it is ridiculous. Honestly, I keep thinking next week will be better... Next week will be better. The fact is this time of year is nuts at home and at work and I'm embracing the concept. Sort of.

Do you have to fight the urge to do ab-so-lutely everything on your list every darn day? I do. It's irritating. Yet. I'm struggling to change my mindset. Aaaargh!

As I write I have three stacks of books next to me. The 5 remaining books to add to my September reading list, the 14 books to enter and post for my October list, and the 2 books I've already read in November.

Yes, when I'm too tired to pull up a chair to the computer and write any more, after sitting in front of a computer for 9 hours at work, I come home and wallow in my reading.

Stuff I'm excited to tell you...

GG and I are going to see

Tim McGraw with Shmoo and his GF in a couple of weeks. Yippee! It's so appropriate since Shmoo recently admitted he has always secretly liked CW music but didn't want to let us know. Like we'd be so devastated? Heaven help us Hannah! The lengths he goes to...

Shmoo is at the halfway mark of his EMT class. It is really getting tough now. He's nervous about keeping his 80% average to stay in the class. When he's not working one of his two jobs he is studying. His GF is a sweetie and she's been cooking for him and baking cupcakes. He's so spoiled.

Beanie dressed up as his favorite super hero for Halloween and went out with a bunch of his friends who also dressed up as super heroes. They got lots of attention and people were asking them all night to take their pictures with the Justice League.

Too funny. Anyway, my own Beanie Green Lantern ended up winning a costume contest to the tune of $200. He's over the moon.

In further Beanie news... He's continuing with his stand up. He's graduated from the coffee house to a bar. Of course since he's new kid on the block he didn't go on until 12:30 AM but he was very happy with his first outing.

*CONTEST*CONTEST*CONTEST*

Now to the important stuff. I went to the bookstore yesterday and bought two copies of Ava Gray's SKIN GAME. I liked this book so much, I will be giving away these two copies from names randomly chosen from anyone who comments on this post until midnight on November 8, 2009.

I will announce the winners on Monday, November 9, 2009.

So comment away. In the meantime, I'm hoping to get my book lists caught up, my blog hopping caught up, and some reviews done.

It could happen.

Far Away From Home...

I'm not really far away from home. I'm just in Northern California for a conference for work. Normally a trip out of town to shake things from the daily routine is pretty welcome. However, I feel like I'm barely back in my routine and I'm gone from home for most of the week. Or maybe I'm just wondering what sort of mischief GG and Shmoo will get themselves into while I'm gone.

Of course I brought books with, but only three. Wonder of wonders I scored SKIN GAME by Ava Gray at my favorite BORDERS on Saturday. I'm halfway through it. For the last three people on the planet who don't know it, Ava Gray is a pseudonym for Ann Aguirre. I'm hoping by the end of the week to do a dual review of both DOUBLEBLIND and SKIN GAME.

Just as a heads up to all you peeps who like dark heroes? Ann wasn't kidding when she said Reyes in SKIN GAME was dark. For that matter Kyra isn't all lightness either. These two are not your average protags. Dark? Very. In fact, I'm actually a little breathless about this H/H here at the halfway point of the book. I'm riveted and wondering how it's all going to be resolved in the 164 remaining pages.

Did that make you want to go buy the book? Good. Oh and in the name of full disclosure I did not get paid or receive an ARC of either of these books. I just like Ann Aguirre's writing. Boo-yah FCC.

I better get going I have knowledge about retirement accounts, disability benefits, health issues and other important stuff to learn about. Yeah, very exciting stuff...

Totally Random

Loved this post by Ann Aguirre. Resonated. Loudly.

I'm so happy so many people are enjoying INDISCREET by Carolyn Jewel. Go Carolyn!

384 Posts in the Reader. I'm down to 174. I was doing so well. What happened? Oh yeah. My nose, and I've been reading. And sleeping.

Speaking of my nose...we pause for a tirade. Feel free to jump this next paragraph.

Once again, I'm truly not raving in a shameless attempt to garner your sympathy. Although...would you even let me get away with that? No? Well, don't cast your pearls before this ungrateful ..er, uh...Rosie. Here it is. My nose and the resulting scar are bugging me. No, I have no reason to feel this way except that there's a scar running down the middle of my nose which is in the middle of my face. It doesn't hurt. It's not even that bad. I just don't want it. I'm an ungrateful wretch but there it is. I don't want this scar on my nose. I don't want to have to worry about or think about sun exposure all the time. I just don't want to. I'm a brat and my husband wants to put a muzzle on me. (Ok, not really but it sounds so deliciously melodramatic.)

I thought I'd feel better getting that off my chest. Curiously, I don't. Bummer.

Totally looking forward to Nathie's visit with SoCal Bloggers this weekend. I'm sure everyone will be posting lots about it.

While I haven't been doing much else here in RomLand I have been reading. It's what brung me to the party. Know what I mean?

DOUBLEBLIND by Ann Aguirre. Loved it. Sirantha Jax what an incredible character! Someone (Nalini Singh?) recently commented or posted about this being one of the most perfect (and unforgettable) character names ever. I heartily agree.

SHADOWLIGHT by Lynn Viehl. Just finished this one. Good book. Very strong start to Kyndred books which are related to her Darkyn series. Why haven't I read her Star Doc books? I have the first two in my tbr.

Pondering *disclaimers*. I get ARCs. Not often, but I get them. I guess I'll mention it and any and all relationships with authors I'm reviewing. Sheesh. Much ado methinks, but I'm ever the rule follower. Oh to be a rebel.

I know some of you are slumping. I'm in a reading rage. I don't want to do anything else. I don't want to swim. I don't want to walk. I don't want to eat. (I KNOW that's just crazy isn't it?) I want to read, read, read. I've decided to attribute this to the changing of the season...or being crazy. However if you tell anyone I said that I'll deny it.

A recent post by Keishon, this one by Tara Marie and this one at RtB by Super Librarian Wendy has me all nostalgic about the genesis and journey of my reading. My current frenzy has me contemplating re-reading books on my shelves instead of those in my tbr tubs. *loud heavy and pathetic sigh*

So many choices so little time.

Eventually there will be a September reading list. Maybe when I post my October list...

Reading, Working and Recovery

This is just a drive-by because I'm a bit tuckered. I went back to work today with my swollen nose, slightly black eye and 60 stitches. It sounds so dramatic, but I'm actually feeling fine.  I told GG, who looks at my swollen schnoz worriedly, that I've had arthritis flare-ups that felt way worse than this has. 

Reading has been a little problematic. There's stitches across the bridge of my nose right where my glasses rest. This means I can only tolerate my glasses being on for so long.  End result? Shorter reading time. 

TO TEMPT THE WOLF by Terry Spear looks like it's going to be a DNF. I did manage to get through TUCKER'S CLAIM by Sarah McCarty. I re-read CAINE'S RECKONING recently and it was better than I remembered, so I thought maybe with more realistic expectations I would have a better reading experience with TUCKER'S CLAIM. It just wasn't what I was hoping for. One of the things I've liked most about Ms. McCarty's writing were the multi-layered and complex characters she has. There is so much room for possibilities in this Hell's Eight series that I couldn't help but being disappointed. I think more exploration or at least a further explanation of their past and how the men of Hell's Eight got where they are would be great. Everything just feels too rushed to me. 

Now I'm on to TEMPT ME AT TWILIGHT Lisa Kleypas' latest historical that is also a part of the Hathaway family series. I've barely cracked it, so not much to tell there.

I'm also excited about DOUBLEBLIND by Ann Aguirre. On Tuesday on our way home from the hospital my sweet and darling husband stopped at the bookstore so I could get the Kleypas book.  Lo and behold there was DOUBLEBLIND so it made its way to my house as well. A girl's gotta have something to read while she recovers doesn't she?

That's it for now.  Sort of a rambling mishmash isn't it?  

Not a TBR Review, but...

...I'm feeling good.  Although I seem to be writing a lot of posts these days whose titles begin with the word "not". Can that mean anything?

Today I'm just popping in to say that while I don't have a TBR Challenge post, my reading is going along just swimmingly. Consequently, no guilt.  I do want to mention that thanks to Keishon and the TBR Challenge I have a whole new attitude about my TBR. Instead of looking at it like it's a menancing pile of books mocking me for my obsession to buy books, books, and more books, I now see a treasure trove of unexplored opportunities. So, thanks Keishon.

In other news my new anti-inflammatory meds are working like aces since the whole swollen knee episode. I don't seem to be so dang tired all the time. Words don't begin to describe how liberating and wonderful that is. Since both GG and I have had some health issues lately just knowing we are both feeling better is huge. Good health is such a gift. I never want to take it for granted.

Tracy? You are a doll. You told me I was missing out by not reading the first short story in the Alpha Omega series by Patricia Briggs and you were so right. I'm reading it right now in preparation of re-reading CRY WOLF and then HUNTING GROUND. Thanks for the tip because for some crazy reason I do think it's going to make a difference when I read those other books.

NOT the August Reading List

The long weekend has been glorious and so rejuvenating for me. In between a few chores, some grocery shopping, going out for coffee with GG, and laundry I've been reading, reading, reading like mad. I can't remember the last time I've been able to indulge myself like this and it's been the perfect end to my summer.

Besides PLEASURE & PURPOSE by Megan Hart, I've also read NEVER LOVE A LAWMAN by Jo Goodman, SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME by Lisa Kleypas, and a couple of e-books. Oh, and I finished SURRENDER OF A SIREN by Tessa Dare on Friday. I haven't been this prolific with my reading since I don't know when.

I've also been able to go check out some favorite author websites look at some ebook sites I haven't been to in forever... All of this has been done completely guilt free since this is exactly what I planned for myself this weekend.

Hopefully today sometime I'll be able to finish the August reading list. While I like having those lists in a permanent record somewhere playing hooky and just doing whatever I feel like has been wonderful.

See ya 'round campus!

Sherbet to cleanse the palette...

Sure a little sherbet can cleanse your palette in a multi-course gourmet meal, but how do you cleanse your reader palette? I'm waxing on about this dilemma today over at Access Romance-Readers Gab.

Reading not Blogging...

What with the new laptop, being in a class for work for a couple of days, and reading I hardly have time for blogging or blog hopping. I've been sorely out of the loop the past few days.

In the meantime books by Ann Aguirre, Karen Robards, Christine Rimmer and Megan Hart have been keeping me company.

I leave you with this little number that's made the rounds at work this week. It's pretty funny and clever at the same time. Have you seen this before?

What a weekend!

Finished LORD OF SIN by Madeline Hunter. I'll be digging in ye olde tbr for the others in the series. It really hit the spot...

Not as much as this one though.

What a wonderful surprise to find at my favorite Borders store on Saturday! Quite by accident, I might add. I read it in one sitting Saturday night. Four and a half hours of bliss. I don't know what to say beyond...GOOD BOOK and wonderful addition to the contemporary series Ms. Kleypas is writing about the Travis family.

Another surprise at Borders was finding Jodi Thomas' new contemporary REWRITING MONDAY as well. I actually had one of the booksellers ask me, "Why Jodi Thomas? Why that book?"

More to feel good about this weekend? Beanie called to say that he'll be home a couple of days of his Spring Break mid-week. Shmoo's GF came home from her cruise and we got caught with her and had lunch with she and Shmoo on Saturday.

Spring flower planting is all done too. Merry little flowers of purple, white, red, and yellow are dancing in the breeze in my front yard.

A busy week is ahead and I have to finish my online traffic school too.

Spring is here and I'm feeling good.

Oh, Steadman, it was divine talking to you Friday night.

Hello Lampost...

I'm so happy! I've been dragging three different books around all week. I had an appointment for a mani/pedi last night and this is what I cracked open. 100 pages in and all is going well.

What I'm not going to do? Be on the computer tonight. I'm going to read this weekend.

Yay!

One more thing...

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement yesterday. I really needed the pick me up, or the slap up the side of the head as it were. You all had great bits of advice that I sorely needed to hear read again and be reminded that it's a process and a lifelong commitment to living healthy.

So I'm feeling much better, in fact I'm feelin' grooooveeeey. Ba-da-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-da...feelin' grooooooveeeey...

Apples & Oranges

There is always a running list in my head of what I am doing-thinking-saying and what I really want to be doing-thinking-saying.

Because I can't shut up or stop thinking about it. Er...my brain can't shut up or stop thinking about it.

1. While making my bed, I now think about all the people I know who DON'T make their bed. I obsess about why I still do and then wonder if all this wondering makes it a mental health issue?

2. While folding clothes and listening to Shmoo rhapsodize about all things Edward and Bella (I may have mentioned he's hooked on the Twilight series) I am actually wondering if he will remember this when I have Alzheimer's and come and visit and talk to me then.

3. I love blogging but while doing it realize that I rarely watch TV and that it eats drastically into my reading time...the blogging does.

4. While swimming up and down the length of the pool I wonder if being more fit is worth the time I lose in the evenings and on weekends. Of course I've added wondering how I'm going to fit weight training in now too.

For no apparent reason at any given time I'm wondering how women do it all. There is no way when my kids were in grade school that I could spend the time I do now on the computer. Just no way.

Everything has a season I guess.

So why am I sitting here typing and wondering about this stuff instead of going in my room and reading?

The Booklover Lament

Too many books... Too little time. I rarely suffer from reading slumps. Yes, I can go through phases where I pick up and put down several books, but inevitably there's always something in my tbr or the bookstore that I want to read.

Lately my problem is like that of a binge eater being sat down in front of all their favorite foods and not knowing where to start. I feel overwhelmed with choices. Anyone who's ordered a meal with me knows I get a little nutty with too many choices.

I'm going a little crazy trying to decide what to read next. Maybe I need to assign myself homework reads. Something I 'have' to read for someone or some assignment. *heavy sigh* I have to admit I've tried that. It makes me cranky.

What about the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs? I have the first three in paperback in my tbr and won BONE CROSSED in a recent contest Nath had. They are definitely on my radar.

Do I want to re-read a Theresa Weir book? Kristie's Author Spotlight got me all worked up and salivating to re-read one or more of those keepers.

Ever since my wonderful conversation with Pamela Morisi last year at RWA I've been wanting to pull out one of her keepers from my shelves and take a look at it. Or maybe one of the Penelope Williamson books still in my tbr...

I was panting for Nalini Singh's ANGEL'S BLOOD release and haven't cracked it open.

Have you been reading the current series by Madeline Hunter? I have her last three book in my tbr. LORD SIN is sitting on my bedside stand? Should I read it next?

See what I mean? I don't know what to read. Well, I don't know what to read until March 31st anyway when SMOOTH TALKING STRANGER by Lisa Kleypas is released. That will be devoured immediately. I've read the excerpt a couple of times and for some reason just can't wait for that book. Go figure.

How do you decide? Any tricks or clues you can share?

Hey! Maybe I should read TEARS OF THE RENEGADE by Linda Howard from the 'Famous Firsts' series by Harlequin. Think?

What? You're speechless. Me too!

I still don't know what to read next.

Reading and Loving this...

Cry for Passion by Robin Schone

I haven't been in love with everything Ms. Schone has written by a far cry, but I'm really enjoying this one. It's one of her awakening to passion stories with some interesting twists. At least they have certainly engaged my interest.

It's a part of her Men and Women's Club series and by far the one I've enjoyed the most. It's trade sized and I know some of you don't like to buy trade, so I thought I'd give my copy away.

So, have you ever read a Robin Schone book? Do you want to? Post a comment on this post by 9 AM, Saturday, March 7, 2009, and I'll draw the name of one of you to send my gently read copy.

What's on the Menu?

When was the last time you browsed? I mean truly browsed the bookshelves of your favorite bookstore or library? I so often shop with a list these days that I can't remember when I just went in and took books down from a shelf randomly. I can't remember the last time I tried someone (author) completely unknown and new to me. My lists are full of either auto-buy authors or recommended reads.

With Beanie at college and Shmoo working and in school too, GG and I frequently find ourselves home alone. Very often we spontaneously head out after dinner for a cup of coffee and the bookstore. To browse. Recently on our way home from just such an outing I told GG we don't really browse any more. Looking at me over the tops of his glasses, he said,"Then what is it we are doing?"

There's really not a short answer to GG's question. But what we do, it's not browsing. While GG goes through different phases, (most recently he has an obsession with 'ab' fitness) he searches through a specific section and subject. While I've been known to pick up a best seller or wander into the Sci-Fi section of the store, I'm usually reaching for the books I've jotted down on my TBB list. Not only is this not browsing, it's not all that fun either.

I used to go out trolling for books. Just walk up and down aisles and randomly pick them up, read blurbs, skim pages and weigh out whether or not I should spend my limited monthly allowance on that particular book. Discovery of a really good book and author was so exhilarating. I miss that. While I appreciate getting recommendations and buy many of the books, I miss my own exploration of those vast bookshelves.

So, I ask again, what about you? When was the last time you really browsed a bookstore or library? Can you remember the last time you 'discovered' a writer completely on your own that just made you sigh in happiness?

Well, I've decided that I'm going to make an effort to get back to basics and try looking for books the way I used to. I want to try to find books and writers I know absolutely nothing about. I want to take some reading risks.

That's it! I want an adventure. I want to have a reading adventure. Could be fun. Could be costly. On the upside I don't have to travel far or buy any special equipment for my adventure.

Aaaaaaand...I have a plan. A plan is good.