Deep Thoughts....

Well maybe not too deep, but some things I’ve been thinking about the last couple of weeks.

In my about me page, I shared how much I’ve loved books and reading since I was a little girl.  I really feel one of life’s greatest pleasures is the gift of the written word.  Books have the ability to transport us to eras gone by and to places we may never get to see.  If I am lucky enough to read an author who can invoke deep emotions, deep enough to make me cry, gasp or laugh out loud, then I’ve struck gold.

During my father’s illness and subsequent death last year, I began devouring books in an effort to calm myself and keep my sanity during what proved to be a devastating time for me.  Being so far away only compounded the issue.  Slowly I found I wasn’t reading souly for the joy of it, but for this competitive drive to see how many books I could read in a month or how many pages I could add to my running tally.  There’s nothing wrong with keeping a record of books and pages, the problem was this compulsion to have big numbers.  Visiting other blogs I’d see some were reading ten, fifteen, even twenty books a month and three sometimes four at a time and I felt like “man I need to get on the ball!”  I am so happy I never caved to the urge of becoming a philanderer and stayed true to the one book I was reading ; )  I am a monogamist at heart savoring that one book letting each page have my undivided attention never putting it down only to be tempted by another ; )

Then I discovered the ARC, and I dug myself deeper, having 10-15 books that I had to read and review.  Well guess what, nothing sucks the joy out of something than having to do it vs.wanting to.  What makes it worse?  If the book really isn’t all that good.  Normally I’d just stop reading, but a feeling I was obligated to do this out of respect for the author had me finish it.  I know I could’ve just said this book isn’t working for me, but that’s not how I am.   That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be honored to read an authors book if asked for an honest review.  I’m just not going to actively seek this out any longer, I’m going to move at my pace.  I think it’ll result in a much better reading experience and a more honest detailed review as well.

Now onto the blogs and the blogging world.  I love, Love LOVE blogging hence my having 2 blogs.  One devoted to my family and our life doings and my hobby of scrapbooking, and the other to my love of books.  A shock for me since I hate to journal, no matter how often I’ve tried to keep diaries I never liked it, but blogging I do.  This will be of no surprise to the 100’s of major bloggers out there – blogging is VERY time consuming.  Before you can blink your eyes, an hour and a half has gone by and you haven’t accomplished that much.  Couple that with being the CEO of the family and it’s a recipe for disaster.  I love the different memes there are, and the follows, Lord knows I flipping love the challenges, which I will NOT give up.  I am going to utilize Bloggers post scheduling tool so I can draft my reviews in one day and have them post throughout the week without my having to be on.  I’ll pick a couple of my favorite memes to participate in and go from there.  I guess what I’m trying to say is I will no longer blog for the sake of blogging.  I’m a firm believer in quality over quantity.  I’d rather have that one really nice Coach, Dooney and Bork or Vera Bradley bag than four or five knock offs ; )  If my posts make someone laugh out loud or make them says she’s a blooming idiot than I’m happy.  And I will NEVER sensor a comment!  If you don’t agree with me, I’ll post it alla Martin in Presumed Dead’s review.  Providing it isn’t filled with absolute vulgar vitriol, it’ll post.

That said there are three people in the blogging world I want to mention.  These gals have superb blogs, and you can really “feel” the genuine quality of these ladies.  They are class acts and each one likes a different book genre, so you’ll get a wonderfully eclectic view of books if you need some help deciding what you might like to read.  So many books so little time right?  So a little help never hurts : )

First is Miss Julie of Reading Without Restraint.  It is because of Julie that my blog looks the way it does and I am SO thankful.  Her contest is the gift that keeps on giving every time I come to my blog.  I just can’t help but smile.  This wonderful lady is a gentle soul who just loves books.  Her reviews are wonderful and her blog is a pleasure to visit.  I’m always happy after some time spent at the RWR ;)

Next is my PNR pal, Steph.  I LOVE Steph’s blog!!  Fangs Wands And Fairydust is fantastic.  It is such an eye catching blog too.  Steph’s posts are wonderful.   She has newsy posts that range from the cast of Twilight to the origin of Samhein and reviews in between.   I always feel like I’ve learned something after stopping by, be it trivial or very informative.

Last but not least, in any shape or form is my challenge cohort Marce of Tea Time With Marce.  Tea Time is so pretty, I love the slideshow that she has up, you can’t help but feel good while there.  I would love to share a cup of tea with Marce while talking about the latest psycho we’ve read about.  The badder the better and if the baddy is a girl, well we all know woman make the wickedest baddies ;)  Just read about Gretchen Lowell in Chelsea Cain’s series.  I know I can get a good tip on a real thriller from Marce.

I guess this long winded missive is my Jerry Maguire Mission Statement and I feel good about it too.  I hope you’ll come and visit, that you’ll feel good when you do and leave a comment.  There’s nothing worse than having a visitor come and take your just made eggplant parmagian hero and not saying whether they liked it or not ; )


Take care and read cuz ya love it!