Have a cozy night...

I saw this cute image and message on the facebook page of Goodwill Librarian and thought about sharing.
Happy reading!

Happy weekend

Despite the times, have a happy weekend, read books and try to stay well at home.

Happy reading!

(image here)

World Book Day

The world is crazy right now and I can imagine many people not being able to cope or to distract themselves.
However, we must find peace and normalcy wherever we can and, for me, books are friends and a means to escape, to carry a lighter cross.
Therefore, I hope that like me you can also read a book and spend some time with something you can trust and enjoy. 

Today is the world book day, many bookshops have promotions and discounts online, this is as a good excuse as any other to buy a new book!

Happy reading, let's hope for the best!

Image from here

Thought for the weekend

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Find a book and be happy!

 (image here)

Thought for the weekend

Happy weekend, everyone.

Spend it reading! 😊

Image from here

A book; an image

Comment: I've recently brought from the library and read a book by a Portuguese author. A literal translation of the title can be "Ecology". In this book the author picks the simple task of speaking and turns it into a dystopian future where words start to have a price and people must pay for using them.

The novel has many interesting elements and some main characters that help things follow a certain main idea. However, this being the first book by the author I try (and having never heard of her before), I'm a little confused by the writing style. Everything is random, vague and without an obvious development. Or, I should say, not a traditional one.

The story presents many thoughtful questions, many issues we can see in out everyday lives, especially with social media exacerbating how trivial any subject can be and how people in general don't even care or think about the weight of the words said/spoken.

I think this was a clever idea to exploit, I also liked how the author uses countless examples from the internet to put in evidence how ridiculous some things are and, still, people adhere, people defend, people do, people stick to many of those notions which involve consuming words in many different ways. Would a famous couple really try to trademark their daughter's name so no one else could use it? I would say this is the fake rumor of something only rich people feel entitled to but there was a link to see it was attempted.

There are many reflections, thoughts, ideas the author develops in relation to the importance of words and how we link them to feelings and situations in our lives.

I liked the idea of this book but I'd say this is more an essay or a defense of language and the richness it gives a person and a nation rather than a romance where characters deal with this possibility. 

Therefore, I liked the information and ideas but the fictional sections were poorly presented and I think this would have been a better non fiction book.

Grade: 4/10

-//-

Winter usually means cold, rainy or windy days and total lack of will to work or be outside.

As any book worm would like, I'd rather be at home reading...

Here's an image (from here) that certainly inspires me to dream about that scenario...

My Life According to Books 2019

Here is the little fun exercise I've been doing for some years now, copied from another blog, also years ago. The idea is to present a list of random life related questions and answer them with titles of books we read in a certain year. This is for 2019!

 

Describe yourself:

Forgotten and Remembered, Bree Wolf

How do you feel:

My Brain on Fire, Susannah Calahan

Describe where you currently live:

Bay of Sighs, Nora Roberts

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:

Shifter Planet, DB Reynolds

Your favorite form of transportation:

  Tailspin, Sandra Brown

Your best friend is:

A Brilliant Friend, Elena Ferrante

You and your friends are:

Love and Loyalty, Tere Michaels

What's the weather like:

In theDays of Rain, Rebecca Stott

What is life to you:

The Bravest Thing, Laura Lascarso

Favorite time of day:

Mist of Midnight, Sandra Byrd

Your biggest fear:

The Shadow Land, Elizabeth Kostova

What is the best advice you have to give:

Silence is Golden, Robert Thier

Thought for the day

This is Going to Hurt, Adam Kay

How would you like to die:

Shinning Through, Susan Isaacs

Your soul's current condition:

Flawless, Jan Moran

Happy reading, everyone!!

Blog anniversary

 

We're in October and although I wasn't this thoughtful each year, the reality is that this month my blog has its anniversary.

I've started this in 2010 so this little corner of the internet is 9 this year.

I've started it with no real purpose, it was just a way to convey some thoughts on books and things I read. I had in mind when I started something quite simple, like a sort of "hello, I'm here" kind of blog but after a while it stopped being what I wanted.

It got to a point I felt small comments and updates on what I was currently reading were not really my thing nor did I think it would interest anyone. I don't really mind only a few read this but well, Isomeone out there does read some content here and there.

suppose the goal is to know

With time I kept changing a few things, adding others as time went by but it was not long after starting I realized I had to have some structure to my posts and to how I could organize things.

Therefore, I just decided to use this as a sort of diary for the books I read and I have always tried to write my comments in order of reading. I try to mix my books so I don't get stuck in the same genre that long. I used to binge on authors but nowadays what I prefer to do is to space series/authors more, it seems those "last longer".

I've said before, I think, I also like to write down monthly lists with books I have languishing in the pile. It's odd to pick in advance things to read. Sometimes I don't feel like it but I think I'd postpone ad infinitum many things otherwise.

Recently published books part of series I follow or by author I like I always tend to add anyway. It's a weird method but so it is to just pick something from the shelf without order.

Back to the blog, this means my reading choices are not really thought of to suit the blog. I often read hyped books way later so those who like those things rarely find this blog or if they do, it's not because they like what I write but one title, one author might have showed up on google search.
I suppose I thought about this blog more as a way to keep busy, to have an idea of why I liked or not in a book. After some years (in some book's case, months) it can be difficult to remember details or why it was good/bad outside of the generic appreciation. This, I felt, was a good way to keep those details in order without having to hand write, which I don't mind but it's not as appealing anymore to do that often.

I've seen some friends from the romancelandia stop writing in their blogs, taking huge hiatus from them... some I don't see interacting online that much, others use only goodreads... I don't know what I'll do if one day I just don't feel like writing anymore.

What I know is that I definitely want to keep writing my little comments for at least one more year so, all things considered, I'm as surprised as anyone coming here by how long this has been lasting.

Happy reading, everyone!

Images here, here and here.

Enjoy the weekend

I wouldn't mind, at all, to spend my weekend in the library below. I don't have that kind of scenario around my house but if one is to dream... I wouldn't mind having a cozy day reading in such a place...

Happy reading, everyone!

 

Image from here.

World Book Day

Today is the world book day!
This means there's nothing better to celebrate such an iconic day for readers but... read!
I hope everyone has a book handy or has the time to spend some hours with one :)
Happy reading!

(image from here)

Happy weekend!

Enjoy the weekend!
Especially if you can spend it reading!
(image here)

Thought for the weekend

Happy reading for the weekend, everyone!
Image from Pinterest.

My Life in Books 2018

As I have done in previous years, according to a post I originally saw at Christine's blog a long time ago, here's a little game with some titles read in 2018.

Happy reading!

My List of 2018!

Describe yourself:

Bad to the Bone, Debra Dixon

How do you feel:

Nearly a Lady, Alissa Johnson

Describe where you currently live:

Belgravia, Julian Fellowes

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:

Aleksey's Kingdom, John Wiltshire

Your favorite form of transportation:

The Wind Off the Small Isles, Mary Stewart

Your best friend is:

Something Wonderful, Judith McNaught

You and your friends are:

Nobody's Hero, Bec McMaster

What's the weather like:

In the Midst of Winter, Isabel Allende

What is life to you:

Nothing Personal, Jaci Burton

Favorite time of day:

Awaken the Darkness, Diane Duvall

Your biggest fear:

Shadow Falling, Rebecca Zanetti

What is the best advice you have to give:

Don't Look Back, Amanda Quick

Thought for the day

Truth or Dare, Jayne Ann Krentz

How would you like to die:

Immortal Ever After, Lynsay Sands

Your soul's current condition:

Ruthless, Anne Stuart

Reading resolutions for 2019

Unlike many other readers, I don't always plan much on which changes I'd do the years after one ends. 

I have many books to read and I do distribute a certain amount through the months, so that I can follow a list and not get to the point I debate on what's next. However, I don't usually binge on an author for weeks in a row nor do I plan ahead themes I like or a specific genre. I tend to mix everything up so that it feels like I'm getting to all types of books equally. 

Yes, I like to read things in order when I start a series and if possible, I like to space the installments to not get bored or too dedicated to just one style/genre.

I'm a pretty much simple reader when it comes to reading tactics.

However, until now, I have been a firm believer that all books must be read. Whether it was a paperback, or an ebook, a book I own or a borrowed one, I'd look at them all the same.

In some situations, it was a martyrdom to finish some, especially if was borrowed from a friend or if it had been pricier. Books from the library or cheap ones wouldn't give me the same "vibe" but I'd finish them all anyway.

I have always told myself I'd make the effort, that I'd sort of honor the author's work and time put into it by simply reading.

Alas, my goodwill can't last forever. I'm not getting young, my TBR is constantly around the 600s (according to GR but there are plenty more I felt lazy adding there) and no matter the fact I read around 200/year, the waiting to be read it always in the same 500/600 mark. I just can't read fast enough so sadly, I've decided to join the dark forces of those who abandon a book. 😞

I'm starting my DNF career this year - not that I do plan on doing it often of course and it's not like all not-as-good books should be easily put aside! - and part of me feels a little like a cheater, I mean, just because it's not perfect, it should be given a chance!

However, the terrible loss of time and will and fun and enjoyment I felt with the experience of reading some books... I really am going to become just another reader who will not finish books.

Thinking about this, I remembered that over at Book Riot I've read a post about this subject and it can be found here: https://bookriot.com/2018/11/14/how-i-learned-to-embrace-my-dnf-pile/

It's easier to compute not finishing a book if one feels more people think alike lol

So, for everyone happy reading, happy resolutions and of you also decide on not finishing books not being enjoyed by you, never fear, there's always more in the pile!!

(Images here and here)

Happy New Year!

And now it's time to wish you all a wonderful new year, 

lots of fun and joy!

May it being health and peace and quality time 

to enjoy all the books you can read!

****

TBR Challenge 2018: summary

Another years ending and with it, another TBR Challenge complete.
For me, this challenge isn't difficult to accomplish because I have many books and I'm always looking for to finish them for the challenge. As expected, some picks are better than others but the fun part is to prove a book has been in the pile for good reasons. If it ends up being a bad choice, then we can just rant about it.
Here follows a little summary of each of my twelve picks for the challenge of 2018. I also have a small comment about the challenge in my challenge's page.
By the way, happy reading year for those who will do the challenge again, like me 😊😊

January: One Part Human by Viola Grace (shorter read) 

I liked this one. It's the second of a trilogy and in terms of plot and execution it isn't that great but for a shot read, I think it provided enough elements to be appreciated. Basically, a supernatural community has problems and the four protagonists must deal with them while becoming a good partnership.

February: Eidolon by Grace Draven ( backlist glom) 

This is romantic fantasy and it was good but not as addictive as other readers said. The relationship of two different beings makes their marriage rocky but the real affection and love between them makes everything easier.  

March: Protecting What's His by Tessa Bailey (spice romance)

This is a contemporary described as erotic but for me it wasn't as amazing or as spricy as intended. I think the relationship between the main couple wasn't as special as I imagined by the description, especially when I expected their falling in love to have been better done and longer in happening.

 

April: Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught (kicking it old school) 

An oldie, as some readers would say, this romance is very special although a little dated in some situations comparing with some styles of nowadays. However, the drama is only another element and the end compensated immensely.

 

May: Manwhore by Katy Evans (Contemporary)

I'm not even going to describe it. I didn't like this one and my grade wasn't lower because of one or two elements. Terrible plot for me.

 

June: Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt (comfort read) 

I confess I expected more of this one since I'm a fan of the long series it is a part of. Nevertheless, the general feeling of seeing beloved characters and situations fit the bill for the theme and of course  liked the romance, overall.

 

July: Heroes Are My Weakness by SEP (Favorite Trope)

I liked this one, prey much as I have almost all the books of this author. Again, her plots are a little over the top and the execution slightly unlikely but the effect is amazing and I did like how the couple bonded and the dynamics of their relationship.

 

August: Immortal Ever After by Lynsay Sands (Series)

The Argeneau vampite series is a very long one and I'm constantly behind but this installment met all the usual criteria of the "mate" trope. It wasn't as funny as the early books were, but for me the heroine made me consider this one a winner.

 

September: Slightly Shady by Amanda Quick (historical) 

The author has a very unique style of writing, sometimes bordering on the too simple, too predictable but I like reading her novels. This story about the sort of enemies-to-lovers trope made me have a great time and that was almost perfect for my taste. 

October: Death Is Not Enough by Karen Rose (romantic suspense) 

The books by this author have become way long, way detailed, way focused on situations sometimes difficult to believe in. The relationships between protagonists less and less romantic (we don't see much development on the page considering the amount of time dedicated to the crime solving) but still I can't just ignore them and all are addictive. 

November: The Chateau on the Lake by Charlotte Betts (beautiful cover) 

I expected more of this book, considering the premise and the beautiful cover but the first person narrator and the too dramatic storyline for such a "childish" style of narrating made this book feel a little unbalanced. Still entertaining, though, to read about the heroine's adventures.

December: Anthology A Victorian Christmas by several authors (holidays) 

Five stories where Christmas is around the corner or center stage, two were great, another not really and the other two meh. It was nice to have smaller stories focusing on specific themes but of course some suffered from the small page count vs plot development issues.

Happy reading, everyone, and happy new year!

Merry Christmas!

Dear readers,

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a great season, 

many books and joy and 

wonderful moments with your family!

Have a great time!

 

An idea to consider...

I was checking some book sites and memes and saw this one here.
Not that this is rule for life but it does allow interesting ideas to consider... lol
Enjoy the weekend!

Yet another list of reading nooks

At my end today, the day is grey and not very inviting to be outside, unless one likes outdoor activities. For me, days like these mean a fireplace, a book and some background TV to give the idea of something happening.

I was googling this idea and I found the following list:

http://www.demxarchitecture.com/thedemxbuzz/2017/6/1/15-cozy-reading-nooks-for-rainy-days

This list has 15 images with ideas of reading nooks that could be useful while it rains, for they give the perfect "atmosphere".

Of them all, my favorites are #3, #7, #11 and #14. I'd love to have either in my house but since I don't and won't be able to, I can still dream...

What about you, any good ones?

Happy reading!

Quote for the weekend

Happy weekend of reading!
Image from here.