What's not to love about bookmarks? They come in a vast array of styles and colors. They are another form of self expression, they keep your place in a book and they save any book from the crime of, GASP, dog earred pages (que Psycho music)!!
I use bookmarks diligently, really is anyone surprised? Yes, my bookmark use goes under the category of Ang's book quirks, cute not weird remember. I am not kidding when I say I still have bookmarks in very good condition from when I was in junior high. For those of you keeping count that was 20 years ago!! and yes, I do use them fairly regularly.
I love to find bookmarks that go with the content of my books. I read so many themed mystery series and finding the perfect bookmark to match the theme is really kind of fun. For instance, I read a few series that have a food theme, the cupcake bakery series, the coffeehouse series, a catering series etc. So for those books I have a bookmark with cupcakes on it. For my China Bayles herbal series I have a watering can bookthong. For my James Rollins action adventure reads I have a Davinci Code bookmark...you get the picture. It's gotten to where it actually bothers me if my bookmark doesn't fit the book (remember cute not weird!!) but I can't always find what I am looking for but I found a solution for my problem...
One of my other hobbies is needlecrafts, specifically cross stitch. I have found a wonderful book of bookmark patterns and I have every intention of making most of the bookmarks in that book. And the beauty of cross stitch creation is, I can always create my own if I can't find a pattern I like! The only problem is, to stitch the bookmarks I have to put down the book...dilemma!! I'll have to be sure to post pictures when I finally get one completed, until then...
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
REVIEW: Grave Peril by Jim Butcher c2001
I don't read very many Sci-Fi books. A few of the mysteries I read walk the line of Sci-Fi but that's usually as close as I get to the genre. Of course,as with everything, there are exceptions to this. Like Lord of the Rings for example and as of right now Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series.
I first picked up this series because my husband used to watch the show on the Syfy channel and liked it so much it got him to actually read the first book (my husband is not much of a reader). Anyway, it was laying around and I was looking for something new so I tried it. I really enjoyed the first book of the series.
The series follows Harry Dresden, professional Wizard. The books could qualify as mysteries just as much as Sci-Fi as far as I'm concerned. Dresden battles creatures of all types. Pretty much think of any kind of spooky story or myth you've heard and the creatures are mentioned in Dresden's world. Book 1 dealt with "Black Magic", book 2 dealt with werewolves and with book 3 we get nasty ghosts and vampires as the main baddies.
While books 1 & 2 were very entertaining, in my opinion, book 3 was a bit of a let down. The story itself dragged a bit and I felt like it got bogged down in too many complicated details of the world Butcher is trying to create for all the paranormal beings. There were too many plot threads to follow in this book as well. The book introduced a storyline about Harry's godmother, a real Faerie, and some kind of deal she has for Harry's life. The story remains undisclosed, presumably to be dealt with later in the series. Another plotline includes the ghosts and something that is stirring them up. You believe this to be the main plotline until later when you realize it's all been a detail to add to the actual plotline which involves vampires and revenge. To understand what is happening, or better yet the why, you have to have read the first book in the series. Not a problem for me since you know that's one of my quirks (see I told you it makes sense!) but could cause some real confusion to a new reader.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this installment very much. It was just way too busy for my taste. I will continue on to the next book in the series to see if Butcher is able to rein it all back in but if it continues to be as chaotic as this book was I may have to shelve this series indefinitely.
2stars for this installment of the Dresden Files and fingers crossed that it is just a fluke and not a trend.
Happy Reading!
I first picked up this series because my husband used to watch the show on the Syfy channel and liked it so much it got him to actually read the first book (my husband is not much of a reader). Anyway, it was laying around and I was looking for something new so I tried it. I really enjoyed the first book of the series.
The series follows Harry Dresden, professional Wizard. The books could qualify as mysteries just as much as Sci-Fi as far as I'm concerned. Dresden battles creatures of all types. Pretty much think of any kind of spooky story or myth you've heard and the creatures are mentioned in Dresden's world. Book 1 dealt with "Black Magic", book 2 dealt with werewolves and with book 3 we get nasty ghosts and vampires as the main baddies.
While books 1 & 2 were very entertaining, in my opinion, book 3 was a bit of a let down. The story itself dragged a bit and I felt like it got bogged down in too many complicated details of the world Butcher is trying to create for all the paranormal beings. There were too many plot threads to follow in this book as well. The book introduced a storyline about Harry's godmother, a real Faerie, and some kind of deal she has for Harry's life. The story remains undisclosed, presumably to be dealt with later in the series. Another plotline includes the ghosts and something that is stirring them up. You believe this to be the main plotline until later when you realize it's all been a detail to add to the actual plotline which involves vampires and revenge. To understand what is happening, or better yet the why, you have to have read the first book in the series. Not a problem for me since you know that's one of my quirks (see I told you it makes sense!) but could cause some real confusion to a new reader.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this installment very much. It was just way too busy for my taste. I will continue on to the next book in the series to see if Butcher is able to rein it all back in but if it continues to be as chaotic as this book was I may have to shelve this series indefinitely.
2stars for this installment of the Dresden Files and fingers crossed that it is just a fluke and not a trend.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
REVIEW: Murder Makes Waves by Anne George c1997
Let me start by saying I love Anne George! This series has quickly become one of my all time favorites and the knowledge that she left us with only eight to enjoy saddens me greatly.
This is the 4th installment of the series and is just as good as the previous entries. Mouse and Sister are at it again, bumbling into murder and mayhem and griping at each other all of the way. The sisters relationship is so beautifully written in these books it makes me wish my sister and I were as perfectly suited. This time the girls are off for a weekend get-a-way in the Florida panhandle. The sisters are accompanied by Mouse's daughter Haley and friend Frances. It was great to get a closer look at these two characters as well. The mystery is a good one that kept me guessing through most of the book. I can't wait to read the next installment!
I will give this one a 4 1/2 star rating only because I liked the first few a little better. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a few laughs and some southern charm with their murder.
Happy Reading!
This is the 4th installment of the series and is just as good as the previous entries. Mouse and Sister are at it again, bumbling into murder and mayhem and griping at each other all of the way. The sisters relationship is so beautifully written in these books it makes me wish my sister and I were as perfectly suited. This time the girls are off for a weekend get-a-way in the Florida panhandle. The sisters are accompanied by Mouse's daughter Haley and friend Frances. It was great to get a closer look at these two characters as well. The mystery is a good one that kept me guessing through most of the book. I can't wait to read the next installment!
I will give this one a 4 1/2 star rating only because I liked the first few a little better. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a few laughs and some southern charm with their murder.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The joy of finding a new book store!
My idea of a great time is spending an hour or more in my favorite bookstore scanning the shelves looking for old favorites and new discoveries. It's hard to describe the rush I get when I discover a hardcover of a book I want on the bargain rack for half price or less. Or the joy I feel when a favorite author has a new book published. This is my escape. This is my sanctuary from the hectic bustle of motherhood, marriage, career and hormones.
The closest bookstore to my home is a Barnes and Noble. I love B&N but I have come to realize that their selection is becoming more and more narrow as the years go by. I'm sure this has to do with technology and the advent of those e-reader things but I have watched my local B&N pare down my beloved mystery section once and noticed that they are no longer restocking as many backlists of older authors. I wish that I lived in an area that had all kinds of cute specialty bookstores but, as much as it may seem like it, this is not NYC. So I have come to rely on used bookstores and online swapping to fuel my need for backlisted titles of older authors. There is one used bookstore that is about half an hour from my home and has been there for years. It's housed in an old house and when I say that it is crammed full of books I am not exaggerating. You can barely move in this place, God help you if you meet another customer on an isle. It's like a mexican standoff, which one of you is going to abandon their pursuits and leave the isle to allow the other person room to look. But it's the best there is in the area and I've been stuck with it for years...until now.
I recently discovered a new used bookstore! Oh joy of joy's! And this one has two and a half isles devoted to mysteries!! And it's organized! And it doesn't feel like one false move and you will be buried alive by books! And it doesn't penalize you for trading in hardcover or oversized books like the other store does! And it has that great old book smell without the faint mix of cat urine and mold! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! (ok last "!" I swear!) I am patiently abiding my time building up a bag of used books that aren't moving on the online swap site and waiting for the word from my mother, who always shares these used bookstore trips with me, and then I am so there to peruse a whole new set of shelves and musty old books. This one even has a decent kids area so I may even let my son tag along. Is there anything quite like finding a new book shopping experience?
Happy Reading!
The closest bookstore to my home is a Barnes and Noble. I love B&N but I have come to realize that their selection is becoming more and more narrow as the years go by. I'm sure this has to do with technology and the advent of those e-reader things but I have watched my local B&N pare down my beloved mystery section once and noticed that they are no longer restocking as many backlists of older authors. I wish that I lived in an area that had all kinds of cute specialty bookstores but, as much as it may seem like it, this is not NYC. So I have come to rely on used bookstores and online swapping to fuel my need for backlisted titles of older authors. There is one used bookstore that is about half an hour from my home and has been there for years. It's housed in an old house and when I say that it is crammed full of books I am not exaggerating. You can barely move in this place, God help you if you meet another customer on an isle. It's like a mexican standoff, which one of you is going to abandon their pursuits and leave the isle to allow the other person room to look. But it's the best there is in the area and I've been stuck with it for years...until now.
I recently discovered a new used bookstore! Oh joy of joy's! And this one has two and a half isles devoted to mysteries!! And it's organized! And it doesn't feel like one false move and you will be buried alive by books! And it doesn't penalize you for trading in hardcover or oversized books like the other store does! And it has that great old book smell without the faint mix of cat urine and mold! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! (ok last "!" I swear!) I am patiently abiding my time building up a bag of used books that aren't moving on the online swap site and waiting for the word from my mother, who always shares these used bookstore trips with me, and then I am so there to peruse a whole new set of shelves and musty old books. This one even has a decent kids area so I may even let my son tag along. Is there anything quite like finding a new book shopping experience?
Happy Reading!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
REVIEW: Ghost at Work by Carolyn Hart c2008
Ghost at Work is the first book in a new series for veteran mystery writer Carolyn Hart. Now I must confess that this is my first intro to Ms. Hart. I have heard wonderful things about her popular "Death" series but have yet to get around to trying it. But back to Ghost...
I like the heavenly concept of this story. It's nice to think that heaven really sends in ghosts to help people in trouble. The mystery was pretty solid, I admit I did not guess the murderer's identity until just before it was revealed. The main character, Bailey Ruth, is very likable. She's heavensent but that doesn't mean she's an angel! She retains all of her earthly character flaws much to the chagrin of her supervisor but in the end it is those "smarts" that help her the most.
I liked this book. I think it was a solid start to a new series and I find myself wanting to know more about Bailey Ruth and her story. To me that is always a sign of a good book! By itself I wouldn't consider this one a "keeper" book but I will wait until I read the second or even third book before making a final call on that. The third book was just recently released to hardback and book two just came to paperback so I will be picking that up on my next trip to the bookstore. Reading this book has made me look forward to the day I finally read Ms. Hart's first "Death" story.
Overall, I will give this book 3 stars. I liked it!
Happy Reading!
I like the heavenly concept of this story. It's nice to think that heaven really sends in ghosts to help people in trouble. The mystery was pretty solid, I admit I did not guess the murderer's identity until just before it was revealed. The main character, Bailey Ruth, is very likable. She's heavensent but that doesn't mean she's an angel! She retains all of her earthly character flaws much to the chagrin of her supervisor but in the end it is those "smarts" that help her the most.
I liked this book. I think it was a solid start to a new series and I find myself wanting to know more about Bailey Ruth and her story. To me that is always a sign of a good book! By itself I wouldn't consider this one a "keeper" book but I will wait until I read the second or even third book before making a final call on that. The third book was just recently released to hardback and book two just came to paperback so I will be picking that up on my next trip to the bookstore. Reading this book has made me look forward to the day I finally read Ms. Hart's first "Death" story.
Overall, I will give this book 3 stars. I liked it!
Happy Reading!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
REVIEW: Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich c2008
Let me start by saying I am a huge Stephanie Plum fan. I love the series! I have not yet grown tired of the immature antics, silly situations and overall crazy that makes these books so much fun to read.
Plum Spooky is a between the numbers book from the series. I like the between the numbers books but I don't love them as much as the regular series books. In Plum Spooky the character of Diesel is back and it was evident that this book was setting us all up for the premiere of the Diesel-centric new series by Evanovich (I have yet to read Wicked Appetite but it's moving towards the top of the pile). This book had the usual bodily noises jokes, usually at the expense of Lula, flirtatious moments between Stephanie and her men and crazy bounty hunting antics including a car wrecked by monkeys...yes, monkeys. I did giggle out loud enough to prompt a "what are you reading" from my husband but the book didn't have any memorable laugh out loud moments. The mystery itself had such a weak ending. (minor spoiler alert here)....Steph caught all her skips as usual and the really bad guy...well let's just say we'll see him again, in the Diesel books of course.
Overall, I would say this is a good quick read in the "summer read" vein of novels. Doesn't take a lot of brain power, you simply enjoy the ride.
4 stars if for nothing else then Elmer the fire farter...oh yeah you read that right! :)
Happy Reading!
Plum Spooky is a between the numbers book from the series. I like the between the numbers books but I don't love them as much as the regular series books. In Plum Spooky the character of Diesel is back and it was evident that this book was setting us all up for the premiere of the Diesel-centric new series by Evanovich (I have yet to read Wicked Appetite but it's moving towards the top of the pile). This book had the usual bodily noises jokes, usually at the expense of Lula, flirtatious moments between Stephanie and her men and crazy bounty hunting antics including a car wrecked by monkeys...yes, monkeys. I did giggle out loud enough to prompt a "what are you reading" from my husband but the book didn't have any memorable laugh out loud moments. The mystery itself had such a weak ending. (minor spoiler alert here)....Steph caught all her skips as usual and the really bad guy...well let's just say we'll see him again, in the Diesel books of course.
Overall, I would say this is a good quick read in the "summer read" vein of novels. Doesn't take a lot of brain power, you simply enjoy the ride.
4 stars if for nothing else then Elmer the fire farter...oh yeah you read that right! :)
Happy Reading!
Reading Habits
When you read as much and for as long as I have you develop certain habits, quirks some might say, that you tend to stick with. I like to think of them as totally reasonable, not at all weird or obsessive quirks. I mean why shouldn't I get angry if someone creases the spine of a paperback; doesn't everyone take the time to hold the book open only far enough to see the words and not crease?! And is it so hard to use a dang bookmark! See normal...maybe I should explain a few of my quirky behaviors.
I like a book to look just as new as it did in the store. I never, ever dog ear a page or god forbid break the spine of the book! When I go to a used bookstore I have to accept that most of the books will not be in store quality condition of course but I won't buy one that is too creased up or if there are multiple copies available I will look each one over for the best. Heck I even do that in the new bookstores! I can't help myself. To me treating a book well shows respect for the work.
Ok ready for quirk 2? I have to read a series of books in their proper published order. And if it's not a series then I look for the author's first published work and start there. There are few exceptions to this rule for me. The series ones just make good sense. The characters are going to change as the series flows, references to previous adventures will be made. I want to be in the know on all of that. On the non-series ones, ok I'm a little quirky here, I like to find the first work by the author because I like to watch the author's writing style change and grow over the course of their career. I have followed some author's through the whole "bell curve". They start off alright with the first book and continue to get better until they hit a peak where it's like wow they could not top this story and then they get in a groove that eventually peters out to same old same old, John Saul I am looking at you. Now I will make exceptions to this for older hard to get books where it really doesn't matter if they are read in order. Agatha Christie is a good example of an exception. I never know what AC books the book store will have in stock so I kind of have to settle for the next closest one in line. It doesn't really matter with her because the stories don't really connect at all and very little reference is given to previous books.
Finally, the last little quirk I will fess up to (for now) is the books placement on my bookshelves. It is important to me to find the best place to store a book while it's waiting to be read. Each bookcase and shelf have a certain kind of book on them. Usually they are grouped by type. Classics go in a certain area, adventures another and mysteries somewhere else and etc., etc., etc. I also have a whole system for my to-be-read (TBR) shelves. (that is a whole post discussion in itself though). Hey, in my defense, when you have as many books as I do you have to be organized!
So there is some of my "crazy" with regards to books. So now that I have shared I want to hear some more. Come on don't be shy let me hear all about your book quirks too!
Happy Reading!
I like a book to look just as new as it did in the store. I never, ever dog ear a page or god forbid break the spine of the book! When I go to a used bookstore I have to accept that most of the books will not be in store quality condition of course but I won't buy one that is too creased up or if there are multiple copies available I will look each one over for the best. Heck I even do that in the new bookstores! I can't help myself. To me treating a book well shows respect for the work.
Ok ready for quirk 2? I have to read a series of books in their proper published order. And if it's not a series then I look for the author's first published work and start there. There are few exceptions to this rule for me. The series ones just make good sense. The characters are going to change as the series flows, references to previous adventures will be made. I want to be in the know on all of that. On the non-series ones, ok I'm a little quirky here, I like to find the first work by the author because I like to watch the author's writing style change and grow over the course of their career. I have followed some author's through the whole "bell curve". They start off alright with the first book and continue to get better until they hit a peak where it's like wow they could not top this story and then they get in a groove that eventually peters out to same old same old, John Saul I am looking at you. Now I will make exceptions to this for older hard to get books where it really doesn't matter if they are read in order. Agatha Christie is a good example of an exception. I never know what AC books the book store will have in stock so I kind of have to settle for the next closest one in line. It doesn't really matter with her because the stories don't really connect at all and very little reference is given to previous books.
Finally, the last little quirk I will fess up to (for now) is the books placement on my bookshelves. It is important to me to find the best place to store a book while it's waiting to be read. Each bookcase and shelf have a certain kind of book on them. Usually they are grouped by type. Classics go in a certain area, adventures another and mysteries somewhere else and etc., etc., etc. I also have a whole system for my to-be-read (TBR) shelves. (that is a whole post discussion in itself though). Hey, in my defense, when you have as many books as I do you have to be organized!
So there is some of my "crazy" with regards to books. So now that I have shared I want to hear some more. Come on don't be shy let me hear all about your book quirks too!
Happy Reading!
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