My life in snippets...

2/16/2014

     It's been quite a while since I wrote last and I feel pretty bad about that. I've had a lot of things going on in my life that have gotten in the way of my site. 

     Though I haven't been updating, I have still been reading and trying to post my reviews. I have been sent many books by authors and publishers that I will make my way through and post reviews for. (It just may take me a bit of time.)

     Sometimes an author or a publisher will ask me to have a review posted by a specific date/time and I do my best to make it happen. Most of the books that are sent to me I just read on my own timetable and post when I'm done. 

     I'm also usually reading two to three books at a time. I love to read but sometimes I feel like I have ADD with my books. Usually one of the books I'm reading will pull ahead of the others and that is the one that gets finished first. (I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has this problem.)

     I also have MANY books that weren't sent to me from anyone, ones that I just purchased myself, and I have to fit them in as well. (So many books, so little time.) My goal is to read at least four to five books a month this year. I would like to aim for more but I need to be realistic. I didn't start out the year well but I'm picking up a bit of speed in February. (Fingers crossed.) 

     I think that's all for now. I wish you all happy reading for the rest of February and the months to come.    

5/26/2013

       May is coming to a close and I feel like I haven't done enough reading this month, but I usually feel that way at the end of the month. My goal is to get through my current (blog) to-read list by the end of the year. I read over a hundred books last year so I think it is doable. I don't think anyone really knows how much I appreciate each and every book that is sent to me from authors and publishers/publicists. When new books are sent to me it feels like Christmas. This is my routine when a new book arrives:

*I hold the book. (Just to get the feel of it.)

*I admire the cover. (This is an important step.)

*I read the back cover or the inside flap.

*I add it to my excel book list.

*I add it to my blog.

*I email whoever sent it to me to thank them.

*I post on Facebook (with pictures) that a new book has arrived.

*I go to rifflebooks.com and tweet about the book.

*Then I carefully place it with my other books to be read and reviewed. (Right next to my bed.)

I know it seems like a lot but I try to do my very best to get these books as much attention as I can. I also order the titles available into my Barnes and Noble so I have some on the shelves to hand sell. Each of my books is important to me and I never tire of discovering new titles and authors. I have seven more months in "2013" and each one will be filled with wonderful stories and adventures. Thanks again to everyone who sent me books. You are all wonderful!

3/1/2013

       Two months into 2013 and I have plenty of books in my review lineup for the whole year. I just reorganized my review books two nights ago and I wish I could read them all at once. I have some wonderful titles and I can't wait to get into them. I must admit that I have a hard time limiting myself when it comes to books. I feel like a person can never have too many books. (Not everyone would agree with me) Many people who know me would tell you that I reached my limit a very long time ago but they would be wrong. Anyone who has a love of books will know exactly what I mean. 

       As I got older and my collection grew I realized that the bookshelves I was purchasing weren't working out the way I wanted them to. I decided to start building my own that I could attach directly to my walls and I have never looked back. I like the idea of my walls being covered with adventure, romance, and magic. 

       So my plan for March is to read eight to ten books. It's a lot for a month but I'm wanting to pick up the pace a bit. I think that's all for now but I wish everyone happy writing and reading. 

11/27/12

        Well we only have four more days of November left and then Christmas time is upon us. I have done my best to get caught up on my reading but sadly I am still behind. I have had a few personal issues that have gotten in the way and working in retail at this time of year is a bit crazy. I am currently reading "Breathe" by, Sarah Crossan. Then I unexpectedly received a copy of "Reached" by, Ally Condie and I am reading that as well. I try to only read one book at a time because I tend to finish them faster that way but sometimes I make an exception. Both books are very good and I am really enjoying them. I have also been distracted a bit by comic books. I love comics and I have a bunch of paper issues that have been calling my name for some time now. I try to slip one or two in when I get a moment.

        In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the holidays in general I just want to give thanks for all the wonderful things in my life. I am thankful to all the authors and publishers who have kindly sent me books. I am thankful for the opportunity to share my love of books and reading with others. I am so thankful for my family and friends and for each day that I get to live and enjoy life. I wish you all a very wonderful holiday season and hope all your dreams come true.

9/28/12

        I have never written about myself before, mostly because I think my life is pretty boring but also because I don't consider myself a writer. What am I doing writing book reviews? I write reviews because I love to read and my reviews help me share that love. Mostly I just hope that the reviews I post will make others want to read the amazing stories that I have enjoyed. 

        I came by the books in my review lineup a couple of different way. Most of the books I review are ones that have been sent to me from either the author or the publisher. If I am online and I see a book that looks fun I will generally make contact and see if a review copy is available. Sometimes I get lucky. I also get some advanced copies from working with Barnes and Noble (I usually have to share with the other employees). Finally we have the books that I have in my home library (which is extensive). I try to review everything in the order that it was sent to me and now with my website I find it much easier to keep things organized. 

        Sometimes I get books several months before the publication date. I try not to review titles too early because when people read my reviews I want them to be able to go out and get the book right away. If they have to wait too long then they could forget that they wanted to read them. (This has happened to me many times)  

        For September I had about ten books I wanted to read and review. I was on schedule until Tuesday evening when I started feeling sick. I went to see the doctor on Wednesday morning and got some antibiotics for a sinus infection (I am allergic to everything so I get several sinus infections a year). I have spent the last three days in bed and as a result I have gotten very little reading done. Don't get me wrong, I love to read in bed but I want to remember what I'm reading and I can't seem to keep my eyes open. Well things happen I guess. I'll just have to do my best to catch-up in October.