Feature and Follow - To Read in 2014

 

I am afraid I don't have a good list like so many of you.

For 2014 my hope is to be able to read some of the many, many interesting books that will come out by independent authors. I want to read a SteamPunk book, an historical novel, and a biography of someone surprising. Any suggestions?

Snow, Amazon, and other musings on the new year.

Three weeks into the new year and two big snow storms in New York where I live. A lot of fun to watch the snow come down - as long as I'm not driving or needing to shovel it!

Of course, my big indoor/outdoor cat hates the snow - it chases away all the other animals, it make moving around hard, and it is cold. He is much more sensitive to the cold now that he's 15.

I did spend my time productively trying to upload old paperbacks for sale on Amazon. It appears that Amazon, mighty Amazon, has trouble determining what is a trade paperback and what is a mass market for old books, precisely because they make their listing that of whoever uploads the product first. Surprisingly (sarcasm), when it gets to technical details, non-technical people sometimes make mistakes. With so many books in print, it IS impossible for Amazon to independently vet every book uploaded.

So about 50% of the harlequin romances came back as errors (Amazon listing is trade paperback) and 50% succeeded on the first try (Amazon listing is mass market paperback). The process to get the listings corrected seems convoluted but I think I understand their logic. We'll see if I adjust my upload to match the (wrong) information or if I go through the vetting process to get their listing updated.

I see a lot of other bloggers have set lofty reading goals for the new year. I wish them all the best of luck with all their goals. I, personally, just hope to find at least half an hour every day to read and at least an hour to write. 2013 saw those at probably 15 and 30 minutes respectively. Wish me luck!

Liebster Award Nominee!!

I've been nominated for a Liebster Award!!

I have been nominated for a Liebster Award by Ericka at highway-Y.A. Thank you!

For more information on the Liebster Award go to Adrienne's Blog. I copied the rules from Ericka.

Rules for accepting the award:
• Link back to the blog that nominated you.
• Answer the questions they set for the blogs they nominated.
• Nominate 10 blogs, be sure to let them know with a link to your post!
• Ask 10 questions for the blogs you nominate to answer in their post.

 Questions from highway-Y.A.How long have you been blogging? I made my first post 12/6/2010, so am closing in on three years.

What inspiration do you get from blogging? Blogging is the release for me. The inspiration comes from all of the bloggers I follow and read. There is such diversity and interest and passion.

What is your favorite book series? My favorite series is still The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien created a world complete with languages, traditions, and history. Notice the plurals.

If you could meet one author which one would it be? Piers Anthony. He is much more than an author. His intelligent observations of the world and his life as a part of the world he lives in, connected, would make for a fascinating conversation.

While you are reading which is better: Coffee or Tea? As with my reading my beverage of choice is eclectic. Sometimes coffee, sometimes tea, sometimes beer or water.

Besides blogging what other things are you passionate about? I love to write. I have three thin volumes of poetry published as well as nonfiction articles and historical fiction shorts.

What book would you like to see turned into a movie? None. I am so often disappointed by the movie.

Paranormal Romance or Science Fiction? Science Fiction.

What is considered to be the perfect day to just cuddle up with a good book? Any day with no other responsibilities.

What is your favorite genre of books? Favorite depends on mood. History, Western, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Poetry, General Fiction, Classics can all fit the bill at different times.

Questions for my nominees:

Paper or ebook?

Where do you prefer to read?

What is your favorite book?

What is the first book you remember reading?

How have your reading habits changed over time?

Who (character or author) would you most like to meet?

Who is the best new author you've read this year?

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Why did you start blogging?

How much time do you spend on your blog?

 

My nominees:

 BohoBookLover

Ramblings on Readings

The Demon Librarian

Books and Books

My Home of Books

Reading is My Treasure

The Nerd Herd Reads

Donnie Darko Girl

The Housework Can Wait

Never Too Fond of Books

 

Feature and Follow - Favorite Reading Spot

I read when I can these days, mostly in bed just before going to sleep. When I have free time I really like being outside.

 

Here's a photo I took recently from a perch where I sometimes catch a few chapters. I liked the cloud curling around the crescent moon in the bright sun.

 

What do you think?

Feature and Follow - One Book for the Rest of Your Life?

As our hostess, Alison, says, this one is exquisite torture. I have to go with The Lord of the Rings, Omnibus Edition. The story has so many layers that rereading it gives you something new every time. (And its very thick so it takes a while to get through each time!)

Feature and Follow - After the Reading

What do I do with books once I have read them?

Depends. They go one of three ways. One, about half, go on my shelves either because I think I might read it again or because I might use it as a reference. Second, a few, I pass on to someone else directly or donate. Third, I post them for sale on one or more of the online sites that I sell used books through.

Feature and Follow - Reading Outside

 

I read outside only rarely, mostly because by the time I am settled into reading the mosquitoes are out (in the summer) or it's 20 degrees out (winter). I.e. it is late at night.

When I do, I like to cozy up in the shade, on the grass under a tree, on a chair, or even just back to a wall. I do enjoy it, especially if there is a soft breeze and the sun is out. 

I actually spend more time writing outside than reading, mostly in short bursts as I wait for the next event or am picking up from an activity.

What about you?

The Library

#ClassicReads
The following is included in my collection Observations available for Kindle or in paperback.
It is not classic, like Frost or Wordsworth, but if you're here, it likely makes sense to you. Enjoy it and please, leave me a comment on the poem, the blog, or life in general! Thank you!

Library

The library beckons

With promises of adventure,

Of faraway lands and fantastic creatures.

Fascinating people

And puzzles whose solution

Is always revealed in the end.

Take me away from today

Show me the past, the future,

A different present.

Teach me, entertain me

In whatever direction I choose.

I’ve gotten lost in the library

More often than I can recount.

Pleasantly lost, willfully lost

Mayhap I’ll get lost today!