Slapdash Sunday (Part 2) Topics: Changes, EReader Questions

CMash December 26, 2010 7 Comments

SUNDAY

How is everyone today? Did Santa treat you well? Are you exhausted? Glad it’s over? I think it is kind of sad that we get stressed out, trying to get everything done, not having enough hours in the day and in a snap of your fingers, it is over. I hope that everyone got to spend a wonderful time with family and friends, shared memories, laughed a lot, ate too much, and of course, got a book related present. And now,as book bloggers, we have something else to look forward to…..our 2011 Challenges!!!!

Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?

That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

Last week I mentioned that I have been doing a lot of reflecting over the past couple of weeks as I wrap up 2010, my first full year of blogging, and preparing for 2011. I have learned a lot and know there is much more to learn. They say “change is good” so am going to try some new blog related issues to see what works better. I am also going to make a big New Year’s resolution and may need your help with it lol. Also, my bloggy friend Gina from Hott Books has decided that I need to join Bloggiesta in January and has generously offered to help me with the computer issues. Because of this, there may be even more changes that I am not yet aware of.

ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more

Here are a few changes that I am going to implement for 2011.

1. BIGGIE…being able to say NO to so many requests…..ROFLMAO (this is where I need help)

2. Have modified my “Review Policy” whereas I will guarantee 3-4 review requests per month for ARCs, agreed upon by author/agent and myself if I receive book 6-8 weeks before date. If not, I will review requests in the order of receiving as I have done in 2010.

3. In 2010 every book I read was in the order received, however, I signed up for the Just For Fun Challenge hosted by Lori from Dollycas’s Thoughts. So I will be taking the liberty of, whereas, that each month, I will select 1 book of my choosing, from either my tbr request pile (out of sequence) or my tbr personal bucket list pile to read.

4. I hope that the above 2 changes will not cause too much of an inconvenience to those that are on my TBR Request Reading Schedule

5. Set aside one day per week to draft 7+ future posts: daily memes, Guest Author and giveaways (hoping that this will cut down daily computer time to allow more reading time).

6. ?

Which brings me to today’s topic. Are you making any 2011 book blogging resolutions? Are you making any changes regarding your requests, reading, blogging issues? Do you have any suggestions that you think I need to or should make? Any items that you think I should continue or delete? Would love to hear your thoughts!!! Let’s have a Slapdash Discussion!!!

?? EReaders:

Last year hubby bought me a Sony EReader PRS600, which I feel have both pros and cons. One of the biggest negative was that it came with absolutely no operating instructions. Does anyone own one of these because I would love to know how to archive a book read and/or mark it as read. Since I suffer from “senior moments”, I have to keep another spread sheet (more work) to list what is in my library and what I have read.

Another question is, for those who do own EReaders, do you own more than one, different makes? I received GC to Amazon and am wondering if I should put it towards a Kindle, which there is a model now priced at $139.00?

I find that the majority of time, an Amazon GC is given, which the ebooks from Amazon are not compatible with my Sony EReader. Also another negative with the Sony is the battery life, which is only a few days before needing to be recharged whereas I just read that the above Kindle has a battery life of a month. Or do you own a Nook? Have you compared the different makes and models? What do you have or want? What are the pros and cons of your EReader? Would love to read your reviews of the EReader you own!!!

Let’s have a Slapdash Review!!!!

Slapdash Sunday

Slapdash Sunday (Part 2) Topics: Changes, EReader Questions

CMash December 26, 2010 7 Comments

SUNDAY

How is everyone today? Did Santa treat you well? Are you exhausted? Glad it’s over? I think it is kind of sad that we get stressed out, trying to get everything done, not having enough hours in the day and in a snap of your fingers, it is over. I hope that everyone got to spend a wonderful time with family and friends, shared memories, laughed a lot, ate too much, and of course, got a book related present. And now,as book bloggers, we have something else to look forward to…..our 2011 Challenges!!!!

Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?

That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

Last week I mentioned that I have been doing a lot of reflecting over the past couple of weeks as I wrap up 2010, my first full year of blogging, and preparing for 2011. I have learned a lot and know there is much more to learn. They say “change is good” so am going to try some new blog related issues to see what works better. I am also going to make a big New Year’s resolution and may need your help with it lol. Also, my bloggy friend Gina from Hott Books has decided that I need to join Bloggiesta in January and has generously offered to help me with the computer issues. Because of this, there may be even more changes that I am not yet aware of.

Here are a few changes that I am going to implement for 2011.

1. BIGGIE…being able to say NO to so many requests…..ROFLMAO (this is where I need help)

2. Have modified my “Review Policy” whereas I will guarantee 3-4 review requests per month for ARCs, agreed upon by author/agent and myself if I receive book 6-8 weeks before date. If not, I will review requests in the order of receiving as I have done in 2010.

3. In 2010 every book I read was in the order received, however, I signed up for the Just For Fun Challenge hosted by Lori from Dollycas’s Thoughts. So I will be taking the liberty of, whereas, that each month, I will select 1 book of my choosing, from either my tbr request pile (out of sequence) or my tbr personal bucket list pile to read.

4. I hope that the above 2 changes will not cause too much of an inconvenience to those that are on my TBR Request Reading Schedule

5. Set aside one day per week to draft 7+ future posts: daily memes, Guest Author and giveaways (hoping that this will cut down daily computer time to allow more reading time).

6. ?

Which brings me to today’s topic. Are you making any 2011 book blogging resolutions? Are you making any changes regarding your requests, reading, blogging issues? Do you have any suggestions that you think I need to or should make? Any items that you think I should continue or delete? Would love to hear your thoughts!!! Let’s have a Slapdash Discussion!!!

?? EReaders:

Last year hubby bought me a Sony EReader PRS600, which I feel have both pros and cons. One of the biggest negative was that it came with absolutely no operating instructions. Does anyone own one of these because I would love to know how to archive a book read and/or mark it as read. Since I suffer from “senior moments”, I have to keep another spread sheet (more work) to list what is in my library and what I have read.

Another question is, for those who do own EReaders, do you own more than one, different makes? I received GC to Amazon and am wondering if I should put it towards a Kindle, which there is a model now priced at $139.00?

I find that the majority of time, an Amazon GC is given, which the ebooks from Amazon are not compatible with my Sony EReader. Also another negative with the Sony is the battery life, which is only a few days before needing to be recharged whereas I just read that the above Kindle has a battery life of a month. Or do you own a Nook? Have you compared the different makes and models? What do you have or want? What are the pros and cons of your EReader? Would love to read your reviews of the EReader you own!!!

Let’s have a Slapdash Review!!!!

Friday Memes

Friday

CMash December 24, 2010 10 Comments

FRIDAY

Hosted by An Island Life

From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My Question:

What are you hoping Santa leaves you?

My Answer:

My dated Hallmark ornament and anything to do with books.

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

From Java’s blog:
Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club!

Friday Memes

Friday

CMash December 24, 2010 10 Comments

FRIDAY

Hosted by An Island Life

From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My Question:

What are you hoping Santa leaves you?

My Answer:

My dated Hallmark ornament and anything to do with books.

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

From Java’s blog:
Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club!

Thursday Memes

CMash December 23, 2010 13 Comments

THURSDAY

I am apologizing in advance for my responses to today’s meme. As you may have noticed, I tend to be a bit of a chatter box, not only in real life, but here in cyberland where my fingers take over for my mouth. So just warning you that because of today’s questions, my answers might be lengthy.

http://btt2.wordpress.com/

This week’s question:

I’ve seen this question floating around the blogosphere a few times the last couple of days, so thought I’d pass it forward.

Which Book Changed Your Life?

I really had to think about this one. There have been so many books in my life that I have taken much from but the first one that came to mind after reading the question is the Left Behind series (13 books total). It is written by 2 ministers that have taken The Revelations from the Bible and incorporated it as a fictional read.

The Left Behind Collection I (Volumes 1-4) by Tim LaHaye: Book Cover

If you believe in God and the afterlife, you need to read this collection. A friend, who doesn’t enjoy reading, was the one who introduced me to this collection. It read like a fast paced action novel and it only took the first chapter of the first book and I couldn’t put it down, and read the entire collection in a few weeks. I knew about The Revelations but reading it in a fictional light was both eye opening and enlightening. I have many relatives that have read this book and we have had some really profound discussions about this series. (I do not want to say too much in case you decide to read this series). This is a collection that should be read!!!

Hosted by Lori from Dollycas’s Thoughts

From Lori’s site:

It struck me recently how much time I spend on this computer every day, blogging, chatting or playing games on Facebook, emailing friends and relatives, making cards and calendars, etc. etc. etc.

We depend on each other for book reviews, giveaways, encouragement, friendship, but how well do we really know each other?
WEEK 17 QUESTION
I know you are all busy with the holidays so I am only asking 1 question this week.

1. Share with us a favorite childhood holiday moment?

This is going to be a very bittersweet answer for me, as I sit here typing, and remembering like it was yesterday. This childhood memory goes way, WAY, back. I was in 2nd grade.

My Dad loved the holidays and buying gifts. Every year it was a tradition, that he would take my sister and I Christmas shopping for my Mom and then out to eat. But this year he didn’t and we couldn’t figure out why. So that Christmas Eve morning, there were 3 brown lunch bags tied with ribbons, one for my mother, sister and me, under the tree. Of course we had to shake, feel, etc. because Mom, my sister and I couldn’t figure out what he was up to. After the three of us did the shaking and feeling we all came up with the same answer, it felt like there were walnuts in the lunch bags. I can picture my Mom’s face as she said to us….”I think your father has lost his mind…..walnuts? in brown lunch bags?” We couldn’t wait to see what was going on but Dad said we were not opening presents until Christmas morning. And of course, we wanted to open those first but he said those would be opened last. We ripped through all the other presents because we wanted to know what was in those bags and what he was up to. Finally, it was time to open our lunch bags that were tied with ribbons!!!! And sure enough…..walnuts!!!! However, there was a small jewelry box that the walnuts were surrounding. And in each jewelry box was a diamond ring!!! The look on his face was priceless, which I can still recall, because of all the emotions he was feeling….he was so happy that he pulled this off, so happy when he saw the look on our faces, so happy that he was able to give the three of us diamond rings, he loved diamonds!!

Of course my Mom got the largest diamond, my sister’s was a little smaller than Mom’s and mine, remember I was only in 2nd grade…about 8 years old, got the small diamond ring. From that day to today, I have had that ring on my finger. Sadly, I lost my Dad when I was 16, but have so many precious memories, because he was always up to something and he lived each day like it was his last. One thing that makes me really sad when I think about him, is that he never got to meet his grandsons, and my oldest son looks just like my Dad!!!

Lori: thank you for this question…even though it was a bittersweet memory, I got to share a little bit of my Dad with you.

Thursday Memes

CMash December 23, 2010 13 Comments

THURSDAY

I am apologizing in advance for my responses to today’s meme. As you may have noticed, I tend to be a bit of a chatter box, not only in real life, but here in cyberland where my fingers take over for my mouth. So just warning you that because of today’s questions, my answers might be lengthy.

http://btt2.wordpress.com/

This week’s question:

I’ve seen this question floating around the blogosphere a few times the last couple of days, so thought I’d pass it forward.

Which Book Changed Your Life?

I really had to think about this one. There have been so many books in my life that I have taken much from but the first one that came to mind after reading the question is the Left Behind series (13 books total). It is written by 2 ministers that have taken The Revelations from the Bible and incorporated it as a fictional read.

If you believe in God and the afterlife, you need to read this collection. A friend, who doesn’t enjoy reading, was the one who introduced me to this collection. It read like a fast paced action novel and it only took the first chapter of the first book and I couldn’t put it down, and read the entire collection in a few weeks. I knew about The Revelations but reading it in a fictional light was both eye opening and enlightening. I have many relatives that have read this book and we have had some really profound discussions about this series. (I do not want to say too much in case you decide to read this series). This is a collection that should be read!!!

Hosted by Lori from Dollycas’s Thoughts

From Lori’s site:

It struck me recently how much time I spend on this computer every day, blogging, chatting or playing games on Facebook, emailing friends and relatives, making cards and calendars, etc. etc. etc.

We depend on each other for book reviews, giveaways, encouragement, friendship, but how well do we really know each other?
WEEK 17 QUESTION
I know you are all busy with the holidays so I am only asking 1 question this week.

1. Share with us a favorite childhood holiday moment?

This is going to be a very bittersweet answer for me, as I sit here typing, and remembering like it was yesterday. This childhood memory goes way, WAY, back. I was in 2nd grade.

My Dad loved the holidays and buying gifts. Every year it was a tradition, that he would take my sister and I Christmas shopping for my Mom and then out to eat. But this year he didn’t and we couldn’t figure out why. So that Christmas Eve morning, there were 3 brown lunch bags tied with ribbons, one for my mother, sister and me, under the tree. Of course we had to shake, feel, etc. because Mom, my sister and I couldn’t figure out what he was up to. After the three of us did the shaking and feeling we all came up with the same answer, it felt like there were walnuts in the lunch bags. I can picture my Mom’s face as she said to us….”I think your father has lost his mind…..walnuts? in brown lunch bags?” We couldn’t wait to see what was going on but Dad said we were not opening presents until Christmas morning. And of course, we wanted to open those first but he said those would be opened last. We ripped through all the other presents because we wanted to know what was in those bags and what he was up to. Finally, it was time to open our lunch bags that were tied with ribbons!!!! And sure enough…..walnuts!!!! However, there was a small jewelry box that the walnuts were surrounding. And in each jewelry box was a diamond ring!!! The look on his face was priceless, which I can still recall, because of all the emotions he was feeling….he was so happy that he pulled this off, so happy when he saw the look on our faces, so happy that he was able to give the three of us diamond rings, he loved diamonds!!

Of course my Mom got the largest diamond, my sister’s was a little smaller than Mom’s and mine, remember I was only in 2nd grade…about 8 years old, got the small diamond ring. From that day to today, I have had that ring on my finger. Sadly, I lost my Dad when I was 16, but have so many precious memories, because he was always up to something and he lived each day like it was his last. One thing that makes me really sad when I think about him, is that he never got to meet his grandsons, and my oldest son looks just like my Dad!!!

Lori: thank you for this question…even though it was a bittersweet memory, I got to share a little bit of my Dad with you.