I just went to see the new Harry Potter movie. While I really enjoyed it, I still missed the nuances of the book. Not only did the movie, by virtue of having to capsulize a huge book into a two hour event, have to eliminate some of the scenes I'd like to have seen, it also didn't quite capture the emotions of the characters.
Don't get me wrong, I love seeing the books I enjoy turned into movies. And in a reverse manner, many people who see the movie first pick up the books and become readers. But I still prefer the written word. I relish the feel of the words in my head, the images only I can dream up when I'm reading about a world the author has created. My heroes may have a different build than the author intended, but it's still a great book to read.
So, I'll see the rest of the Harry Potter movies when they come out, and enjoy them. Then, I'll return to the written word, and reread the books for the fun of it.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Books are overrunning my house!
It's summertime and the reading is great. But I've discovered something. I have to either get rid of some of my books or move to a larger house. I'm a packrat in all things, but especially in my reading material. I had magazines from five years ago that I finally put in the recycling bin this spring and now I'm facing my book situation.
I know I have a problem, but it's so hard to give up a book that:
1. I haven't read yet but plan to eventually (my paranormal romance novels).
2. I haven't read yet, it isn't in any fashion a genre that I usually read but someone gave it to me and I don't want to part with it (westerns, horror, war books, self help).
3. I started to read it and it didn't catch my interest but may in the future (all of the above, plus every other genre of romance).
4. I read it and kinda liked it, may like it more with a second read (ditto).
5. I read it every year (my favorite authors, like Linda Howard, and favorite books like Lord of the Rings).
So, here is the plan. I weed out the books on the bookcases that are the most overflowing and take them to the used bookstore for credit (to get more books), give to the library (so I can check them out later), and give to friends (who'll have books for me to bring home). Great plan, huh?
Did I mention that I'm going to a writer's conference next week and plan to bring about forty pounds of books home?
Maybe I should just start looking at real estate.
I know I have a problem, but it's so hard to give up a book that:
1. I haven't read yet but plan to eventually (my paranormal romance novels).
2. I haven't read yet, it isn't in any fashion a genre that I usually read but someone gave it to me and I don't want to part with it (westerns, horror, war books, self help).
3. I started to read it and it didn't catch my interest but may in the future (all of the above, plus every other genre of romance).
4. I read it and kinda liked it, may like it more with a second read (ditto).
5. I read it every year (my favorite authors, like Linda Howard, and favorite books like Lord of the Rings).
So, here is the plan. I weed out the books on the bookcases that are the most overflowing and take them to the used bookstore for credit (to get more books), give to the library (so I can check them out later), and give to friends (who'll have books for me to bring home). Great plan, huh?
Did I mention that I'm going to a writer's conference next week and plan to bring about forty pounds of books home?
Maybe I should just start looking at real estate.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Library books
Don't you just love going to the library? I have had a love affair with libraries since I was five and got my first card. Nowadays, I can check out ebooks and have them downloaded from the library straight to my computer or PDA, but there's nothing like going to my local branch and getting lost in the shelves, finding new (or old) titles by my favorite authors.
There's only a couple of drawbacks to libraries. I have to wait sometimes to get a book I want to read, especially if it's a new release or a book in a series. I've learned over the years to time my requests for transfers or getting put on hold lists, but still, my need for instant book gratification sometimes is thwarted by another fan of a series or author. Also, I love having a stack of books to read and when I borrow a book from the library, I know it has a finite shelf life for my bedside table. So, my bought books get shuffled back farther down the line as far as reading and my library books get put in my bookbag for reading at lunch.
So, library? Yes, and I'm going by tomorrow to pick up another book to read over the weekend.
There's only a couple of drawbacks to libraries. I have to wait sometimes to get a book I want to read, especially if it's a new release or a book in a series. I've learned over the years to time my requests for transfers or getting put on hold lists, but still, my need for instant book gratification sometimes is thwarted by another fan of a series or author. Also, I love having a stack of books to read and when I borrow a book from the library, I know it has a finite shelf life for my bedside table. So, my bought books get shuffled back farther down the line as far as reading and my library books get put in my bookbag for reading at lunch.
So, library? Yes, and I'm going by tomorrow to pick up another book to read over the weekend.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
New versus used books
Are you a new only person? I have a friend who won't buy used books. Says they don't feel right to her. For me, used books have always been an option, for various reasons. Price, yeah that's one. When I was a student and for many years afterward, the only reasonable way I could afford to buy books was to go to used bookstores. Now, even when I can afford to buy new, I still travel to my town's largest used bookstore and meander down the aisles. Which brings up another reason I buy used books. I discover authors all the time and guess what? They have back lists. Often, the romance and fantasy authors I discover have written a series and the only way I can find the book in the middle of the series is at the used bookstore, so I haunt the aisles until it pops up. I spent over a year finding all of the books in one series I discovered several years ago. I guard those books now, they were too tough to find!
And finally, I love to discover new and different used books. I found a storybook series a couple months ago that had fairy tales I hadn't read in them and the artwork was stunning. I wouldn't have found this in a new bookstore, the books are out of print.
So, yes, not only am I addicted to books, I'm also a used bookstore junkie.
And finally, I love to discover new and different used books. I found a storybook series a couple months ago that had fairy tales I hadn't read in them and the artwork was stunning. I wouldn't have found this in a new bookstore, the books are out of print.
So, yes, not only am I addicted to books, I'm also a used bookstore junkie.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
E books versus traditional books
As a reader, I've embraced ebooks for years. I use my Palm as an ebook reader and have relished the convenience of having dozen of books at my disposal in a very small space, great when I'm traveling. Are there advantages to reading traditional books as opposed to ebooks? Sure, I suppose. The smell and touch of turning the pages, the surety that your energy level and sunlight or ambient room lighting is the only "battery" needed for reading, and the availability of traditional titles are a few. But, in my mind, ebooks definitely have carved a niche in my library.
As a writer, I've struggled with the idea of writing ebooks. Not because I think any less of the publishing houses, there are very stringent editors out there. It's the availability of my books that would be the issue. I know some people who barely get on a computer, much less know to access websites or use portable ereaders to read books. And what about the availability to buy ebooks? Right now, they're available through the publishers' websites and through Amazon, as well as some of the other bookstore websites, but what about the person who goes into a brick and mortar store and asks for a certain author's ebooks?
So, after all this ranting, what's my opinion? I vote that the ebooks are here to stay and though they may be "generationally prejudiced", will continue to evolve as our reading needs do.
What's your thoughts on ebooks?
As a writer, I've struggled with the idea of writing ebooks. Not because I think any less of the publishing houses, there are very stringent editors out there. It's the availability of my books that would be the issue. I know some people who barely get on a computer, much less know to access websites or use portable ereaders to read books. And what about the availability to buy ebooks? Right now, they're available through the publishers' websites and through Amazon, as well as some of the other bookstore websites, but what about the person who goes into a brick and mortar store and asks for a certain author's ebooks?
So, after all this ranting, what's my opinion? I vote that the ebooks are here to stay and though they may be "generationally prejudiced", will continue to evolve as our reading needs do.
What's your thoughts on ebooks?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Rereading old favorites
Have you ever noticed when you reread old favorites? I do at different times. I love to reread "keepers" when I want to revisit the emotions or experiences I've had the first time I read a book. When I want to have that "falling in love" experience, I read Linda Howard. She has great Alpha males as her heroes and strong heroines, and she makes the characters work when they fall in love. Her books? In the pile that I read yearly. My favorites are some of her older books, After the Night, Dream Man, and the Mackensie Series.
I also notice that I reread books when I'm stressed. Right now, I'm having a slight writer's crisis, so I'm rereading one of my favorites, the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, by J R Ward. Not only is she a great writer, but the characters are so strong that I get lost in the story and forget my stress for a while. Right now, there's another purpose in rereading the series. She's coming out with another book in April and I want to be caught up in the series' events.
Which brings me to the last reason (I think) I have for rereading. When I love a book I read it so fast that often times I miss nuances that rereading will pick up. When I reread a book, I can slow down and savor it.
So, do you reread books? How often? And do you have a pile of "to be read" books that is gaining height as you reread?
I also notice that I reread books when I'm stressed. Right now, I'm having a slight writer's crisis, so I'm rereading one of my favorites, the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, by J R Ward. Not only is she a great writer, but the characters are so strong that I get lost in the story and forget my stress for a while. Right now, there's another purpose in rereading the series. She's coming out with another book in April and I want to be caught up in the series' events.
Which brings me to the last reason (I think) I have for rereading. When I love a book I read it so fast that often times I miss nuances that rereading will pick up. When I reread a book, I can slow down and savor it.
So, do you reread books? How often? And do you have a pile of "to be read" books that is gaining height as you reread?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A Writer's addiction- books!
Hi, my name is Kate and I love books. I get lost in them, from the joy of finding new authors that I love to reading new and different genres. I've only found one genre I can't get interested in and that's horror. Too graphic for an imagination as vivid as mine.
When I lived in another city, I worked about six blocks away from a used bookstore that was fantastic. The store was three stories of every kind of book you could think of. Often, during my lunch hour, I'd sneak a sandwich in and spend forty five minutes of my hour browsing and narrowing down the books I could afford from the massive pile that I wanted to buy. Once, though, I forgot the time and was extremely surprised when a coworker came by and found me in the basement, where the romances were housed. I'd been away from the office for two and a half hours.
I hope to share not only my favorite books with you, but also my love of reading. I hope you have as much enjoyment from your reading as I get from mine.
When I lived in another city, I worked about six blocks away from a used bookstore that was fantastic. The store was three stories of every kind of book you could think of. Often, during my lunch hour, I'd sneak a sandwich in and spend forty five minutes of my hour browsing and narrowing down the books I could afford from the massive pile that I wanted to buy. Once, though, I forgot the time and was extremely surprised when a coworker came by and found me in the basement, where the romances were housed. I'd been away from the office for two and a half hours.
I hope to share not only my favorite books with you, but also my love of reading. I hope you have as much enjoyment from your reading as I get from mine.
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