Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s question:
Do you set goals for yourself, while reading? For example, “I want to get this book finished this weekend“, or “I will read __ pages today“, etc. Why, or why not?

My answer:
I think this is a great question!!   I do, however, I don’t always succeed.  Because I had a very bad reading year in 2011, I wanted to try to read at least 2 books a week.  But, of course that doesn’t always happen depending on RL, size of book and Partners In Crime Tours work.  Another reason I try to put goals in place is due to the problem of not being able to say NO to a book.  At times I have more books coming in than me finishing, and then I become anxious that I am getting back logged.  I tend to be more disciplined with my goals if I sign up for a Read-A-Thon, which I have been trying to participate in more this year to reach my goal of one of my challenges, which is Outdo Yourself.

What about you?  Do you set reading goals?

June is being hosted by Alternative Read

Hosted by  Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s question:
I read an article, this past week, about book covers, and the difference between print & digital covers; about how the digital covers have almost disappeared entirely, while publishers decide to just skip right to the content.
What do you think about this? Do you think the book cover is “dead”? Do you care whether the “covers” on digital books exist or not?

My answer:
Oh how I hope this isn’t true!!  Before blogging/reviewing, covers are what drew me when I would be either on a book buying errand and/or when looking for books at our local library.  After blogging/reviewing, covers are still important but not as much when deciding on a personal purchase compared to the plot and/or a blogger’s review.

Since the majority of books I read are sent to me from authors, publishers, publicists, etc, again it is the synopsis as to if I accept a book to review not the cover.  However, once I receive a print edition from the above, I do tend to judge the cover.  I also like seeing the cover of my current read when it is sitting on my table next to my reading chair, on my nightstand or when holding the book reading.  Like my current read, which I love the cover:

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As for the EReader, I disagree with the writer of the article.  He mentions how the reader skips over everything to get to page 1.  I don’t.  I, even if I have to go back many pages, I always start a digital version from the cover page.  It is probably an idiosyncrasy of mine, but it doesn’t “feel” right not starting a book from the cover page.  But I do agree with him, that after that one look at the cover, I tend to forget about it.   Definitely a drawback with EReaders, if one is a visual reader, like me.  I wish that when I do pick up my Kindle to continue reading, instead of the page I’m on opens up, I wish it could be designed that the cover is shown once I turn it on and then go to the last page read.  Hmmm…maybe I should write to the person who designs/programs/whatever and whomever is in charge of this and aks/suggest if this could be done????!!!!

What do you think about covers?  Do you think covers will “die” in the future?  And do you think it is either a good idea and/or would like to see my suggestion implemented?

June is being hosted by Alternative Read 

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

                                  Author                      Author/WOW

          

The Hachette Book Group

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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s muse:
What is the longest book you have ever read? How long did it take you to read it?

My response:
To be honest, I can’t remember.  It must have been one that was mandatory reading in HS because, what I do remember, is that I bought Cliff Notes on a couple of occasions. I do have quirks with books greater than 300+ pages.  I’m sure it’s mind over matter and recently did read a book that was 438 pages that proved me wrong.  I start to think anything greater than 300 will take me so much more time to read, taking away time from other books.  Or what if I invest all that time and it turns out to be a soso book?

The book that proved me wrong was Love Thy Neighbor by Mark Gilleo, a book I read for a tour I booked through Partners In Crime Tours.  You can see my review here.  It proved me wrong on so many levels.  I remember thinking it had 3 strikes when I picked it up, one being 438 pages, a storyline about terrorism (not high on my list) and a debut novel.  The publisher did tell me he was “very excited about this book” so I hunkered down for a very long read.  However, the plot was page turning, the debut read like it was written by a seasoned author and the 438 pages….thinking it would take me weeks to read…..turned out that I read it in a couple of days because I couldn’t put it down.  Even though this book proved me wrong, I have since received some review books that are >350 pages and that little quirk is still present.

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June is being hosted by Alternative Read

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Click on text below for more information via IndieBound.

        The Hachette Book Group            Sapphire Star Publishing

                                

I have an embarrassing issue to confess to.  The BEA starts today.  How I so wish I could attend one year but due to the difficulty of walking, I know that it is something I probably will never be able to do.  Last year I saw Armchair BEA  around bloggyland but thought that it was just bloggers relaying their experiences while they were actually present at the event.  

Yesterday, via another blog that I visited, sorry can’t remember which one to give them the credit, but they had the link for the Armchair BEA.  I did not realize that I could actually participate virtually so I signed up yesterday and am so excited about being part of this event.  Today’s assignment is getting to know each other.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:
Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
My name is Cheryl Masciarelli (pronounced Mash-a-relli, hence the nickname Mash. Have been married for 31 years with 2 phenomenal sons, who both live out of state due to jobs :(.  I have been blogging for 2+ years and am now also a partner in a virtual tour company, Partners In Crime Tours, with Molly, from Reviews By Molly. I stumbled onto a book blog, never knowing they existed and for that matter, didn’t even have a clue at that time, what a blog was. I stalked a few for a month or so and it looked like so much fun that I decided to join the club.

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?
I am currently reading The Bright River by Patrick Somerville, from The Hachette Book Group. Favorite book?  Tough question, since I have to say that this year there have been quite a few that were 5+.

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.
For those who follow me, there really isn’t one thing as I tend to share my real life experiences on my blog also.

What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?
Favorite? I love everything, the daily memes, guest authors, giveaways, challenges, and most importantly, the people I have met because of my blog and working with authors, publishers and publicists.

Where do you see your blog in five years?
Still here but hopefully that I will learn more about the social media sites and understanding and navigating the platform of wordpress.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?
It would have to be 2. One when my Mom passed and the other would be about the special angels that took care of her.

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?
Ironically, yesterday plans were made to meet and have dinner with an author. I was contacted a while back to read and review a book, Ragdoll Redeemed by Dawn Novotny and to host a showcase through WOW Tours. The book was phenomenal and really left an impression. Since she wasn’t scheduled for the spotlight until this Thursday, June 7th, I decided to send her a copy of my review so that she wouldn’t have to wait to see it as it was her first tour. We started emailing and clicked. She is a kind, nice, genuine, amazing, strong and down to earth person. We developed a friendship and found we had some similarities in our life through emails. She is attending a conference in the state I reside and we made plans to meet. I can’t wait because I feel that I have known her for years.

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?
Meeting other bloggers and forming friendships is first and foremost. The other is sharing thoughts on books read since I am not surrounded by readers in RL.
Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?
Yes. I have read books with the premise and/or genre that I wouldn’t have chosen prior to blogging.

I can’t wait to see what is next in Armchair BEA!

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

This week’s question:
Do you have a reading goal for the year, such as __ books? Why or why not?

My response:
Last year was awful in the number of books that I read.  Due to many personal issues/real life interference, I read a total of 50 books.  This year I signed up for both Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, which I put 75 books as my goal.  I also signed up for the 100+ books Challenge, which I knew was wishful thinking on my part, but will sign up every year until I make it.  As of today I am at 34 books read.   I need to pick up the pace a bit to make my goal.  But once again, there are a couple of issues I am dealing with but at least I am reading several books a month, whereas last year, there were months where I only read 1 book.  I also need to be more disiplined and spend less time blogging and more time reading, which I hope to do for the second half of 2012.

Good luck with your goals!  Do you keep track of the number of books read?  If so, what is your goal and how many books have you read?

June is being hosted by Alternative Read

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

                   Gina from Hott Books      The Hachette Book Group

                 

                Author                                               Author

               

Today’s question:
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?

My answer:
It depends on the edition I am reading.  If I am reading from my Kindle and/or Sony, then yes, I will look up the definition right away.  If it is a print copy, I may look it up at a later time.  What I try to do is read the sentence/paragraph and try to figure out the meaning from the context.   Sometimes there isn’t the opportunity of having a dictionary at hand, for example if I am reading at a doctor’s office or waiting in the car waiting for my husband to “run in, I’ll only be a second” at one of his favorite stops like Home Depot/Lowe’s because I know that his second gives me at least 30 min of reading time.

May is being hosted by Martha’s Bookshelf

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

           Author (PICT)       Hachette Book Group    Author (PICT)

         

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

This week’s question: (not up at time of posting.  Will update later today.

My answer:

May is being hosted by Martha’s Bookshelf

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

        The Hachette Book Group           Media Muscle (The Book Trib)

              

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s question:
Do you tend to read to the end of a chapter or can you stop anywhere?

My answer:
I usually read to the end of a chapter, however, if something interrupts me, I have to stop where ever I am.  When that happens, I do find myself having to go back a page or 2 and reread to refresh my memory.

May is being hosted by Martha’s Bookshelf

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

May is being hosted by Martha  from Martha’s Bookshelf 

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

     Media Muscle (Book Trib)           Personal-free Kindle books

by Laurel-Rain Snow

(author and one of our own special bloggers)

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