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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Reading is FUNdamental!


 I love love love to read!   My mother instilled the love of reading in me.  I don't ever remember her or dad reading to us as kids, but I do remember Mom always had her book, her coffee, her cigarettes and ashtray, and her rosary and novena book right near her seat at the kitchen table.  

Growing up and until we got our first computer, I was a voracious reader! For a lot of years, the internet killed my reading time.  But when I was reading all the time, I'd read 2 or 3 books a WEEK!  My ex-husband used to say that the house could fall down around me, because when I was into a book, I didn't hear anything! 

I loved historical novels (Nicholas and Alexandra was responsible for me taking Russian Cultures in high school!) and books based on the bible (The Red Tent)   For a while I read the romance novels, but they got old real quick.  I read a lot of Danielle Steel but it seemed like her books were the same story over and over... just different names, locations and time periods.  So I don't read any romance novels any more.

My big favorites are mysteries and espionage!  I always say if my ex-husband were to die by questionable circumstances and the cops saw my book shelves, I'd definitely be considered a "person of interest"!  Ken Follett gave me my love for espionage with Eye Of The Needle.  I have one of his books on my Kindle right now, The Pillars of the Earth.  I'll be reading that one soon.

I re-discovered reading  in 2009.  I read 23 books that year.  I make time for reading now.  I love it.


I have 3 books going at all times.  John bought me a Kindle for Christmas (which I love!), so I'm always reading one there (Exposure:A Novel by Brandilyn Collins).  I don't bring the Kindle to work... I don't want it stolen or anything spilled on it.    


For work, I have one of the many print books I've purchased over the years.  The book in my work bag right now is The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden (I love beach books!).  I'm  alternating some books with Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, which are absolutely hysterical!!  I literally laugh out loud reading her books!  


Last but certainly not least is my newest genre... audio books!  I didn't know if I could listen to a book and drive at the same time.  I figured I'd forget to listen.  I had the chance to test it when my daughter, Gina and I drove to  Dani's college to see her perform in a play.  It was a 5 hour drive each way.  Gina rented a book on CD from her library for the trip, and I discovered to my delight that I can listen and drive at the same time!  YAY!!!  So now I download audio books to my computer from my library and transfer them to my Blackberry!  Whenever I'm alone in the car and driving for 30 minutes or more, I listen to a book.  I bought a Jupiter Jack and I can listen to the book right through my car radio!  Right now, I'm alternating between James Patterson's Alex Cross Series and Lisa Scottoline's Rosato and Associates Series

As you can see, I have my list of books on my sidebar, what I'm reading and what I've read already.  It helps me to remember and not purchase a book I've already read.  As of this writing, I've finished 31 books this year, most of them on audio.  That's 21 audio books, 5 print books and 5 Kindle books.  Waiting in the wings are 7 audio books (and 2 I've ordered.. I'm on a waiting list), at least 30 print books and 20 books on my Kindle (plus 1 book pre-ordered).  Did I mention that I love to read?

Some of my very favorite authors are Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton, Elin Hilderbrand, Janet Evanovich, Ken Follett, John Grisham, Jennifer Weiner, Lisa Scottoline, James Patterson,  Dan Brown, Sarah Pekkanen and many more that I can't remember off-hand!!

So what are you reading and who are your favorite authors?



15 comments:

Garret said...

Uhhhh, I'm reading your blog.

Eternal Lizdom said...

I've jsut started book #9 in the Sookie Stackhouse series. LOVE Charlaine Harris!!!

On my "to read" shelf at home, I have Eat, Pray, Love and The Time Traveler's Wife and The Life of Pi and Best Friends (by Jennifer Weiner).

Fave authors- Jennifer Weiner, Jodi Piccoult, Janet Evanovich. At least, those are my current faves.

Missy Wheeler said...

I have read the first 9 books in the sookie Stackhouse series. I am waiting for books 10 & 11 to come out in paperback.

Right now I am reading Nicholas Sparks, Dear John. Actually I started this book a couple months ago when I finished book 9 of the sookie series and I can't really get in to it.

I like mystery adventure, crime novels and of course a good love story.

I agree that the romance novels can start to all read the same.

Some of my favorite authors are Nicholas Sparks, John Grisham, Charlaine Harris, Julie Garwood & Sophie Kinsella.

unmitigated me said...

Love Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, and Robert B. Parker. Parker is the best ever. The Spenser series is my favorite, but I also love Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall.

Pearl said...

You know, I've been wondering about getting a Kindle...

Right now I'm reading something called "Crimestopping" a collection of short crime stories pulled together by the government of Edinburgh Scotland. Almost done there, and next on the docket is A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe.

Pearl

Pseudo said...

Me too, me too! I don't know some of your favorites so I am going to try and add them to my list.

Sueann said...

Me too!!! Right now my TBR list is huge. I haven't made time for the books. Sheesh! Must do that!
Love JD Robb
Hugs
SueAnn

Joanna Jenkins said...

OMG! I LOVE Garret's comment. He cracks me up.

Anyway, I'm reading the "Girl WIth The Dragon Tattoo" and really like it. I'm sure it will be made into a movie soon it's so good.

I wish I had as much time to read as you manage to carve out. I tried audio books and they put me to sleep :-(

And I love my Kindle too! It's nice to have multiple reading options with you at one time.

But I'm guessing pretty soon you'll be reading up on the baby books :-)

xo jj

~Thought's By Dena~/ JDs Gift Shack said...

Garret stole my comment...hehe

Joanie said...

He does that, Dena. He stole one of mine the other day on someone's blog.

Vodka Mom said...

I am such a reading )#R%^@)@.

I would READ in my SLEEP if I could.

xoxoxox

Vodka Mom said...

and by the way, I want to thank you for being such a great and loyal bloggy friend.

xxxxxxxx

Garret said...

Well don't blame your unoriginalismness on me.

Boozy Tooth said...

Patricia Cornwell!!! Anything and everything! I started out with The Body Farm and just kept going. Now I have "Scarpetta" on my nightstand.... all five inches of it, but I have to keep starting over because my reading time has really taken a back seat to exercise, cooking, and duck rearing! Gotta get back to the books! You've inspired me.

Tess Gerritsen is a good read too. I love all those forensic authors. Creepy and delicious.

Joanie said...

Tess Gerritsen. I'll have to look for her.

And I think Garret may have coined anew word!

Aw! My pleasure VM!! I just love your writing!