Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s muse:
What is your least favorite book? Why?

My Thoughts:
I am a bit confused by this question, but then so is the host.   Does it mean that the book is a favorite, but in ranking, on the last rung?  Or does it mean what is the book, of all read, that you liked the least?

I’m going to answer the latter.  However, even that is a tough question.

If it was a book that I didn’t like,  of all the books I have read (at my age that’s a lot of books), I still don’t know the answer.  If it was a specific book, that I didn’t like it, then I have no memory of it.  The only books that make a memorable mark, are the good books.  I know I have read many books, that I have put aside because I didn’t like or DNF, but once I put it aside, I never think about or recall it unless I look at my spreadsheets.

 I would have to say, generally, my least favorite books are those that are by authors that are on my “authors to read” list, books that I can’t wait for publication so that I can read it, and then it turns out to be a disappointment.  Now that has happened on many occasions.  And if it does, I tend to take a break from that writer.  For example.  I HAD to read Danielle Steel’s books as soon as one came out.  I don’t remember the titles, since it was years ago, but I do recall that I read 2 of her subsequent books and both seemed to be written in a rushed manner, not like the early Danielle Steel books, like The Ring, which I do remember  was the first Steel book I read and which was the book that that made me put her on “authors to read list” and that was eons ago (approx. 40 years ago).  Maybe it’s time to pick up one of her recent books since it has been years since I have read one of her novels.

What about you?  Do you have a least favorite book?

 September is being hosted by BookNAround

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.”

No books this week, but then, it is a good
thing.  I need to get up to speed with reading.

http://btt2.wordpress.com

This week’s question:
How do you organize/store your books? Do you go through them often? Or
do you pretty much just shelve them and then leave them alone until
you need them?

My answer:
What a fun question!!  However, looking at my shelves, it’s time to do a little rearranging.

I am surrounded by 3 different shaped bookcases, each with it’s own purpose in my office/reading room.   The corner bookcase is for books I have finished reading and are lined up by height with photo albums on the bottom shelf.  The top shelf is for electronics.  Th 3 shelf bookcase holds my precious signed copies of books. And the bottom 2 shelves are books I have won over the years.  Again all shelved by height.  And the big 5 shelf one holds 2 shelves of requested review books, cataloged with a post it that holds date received, from who, date of review and any notes.  These are stored in the order that I receive them.  The next 2 shelves are TBR personal shelves that are lined up by height.  The bottom shelf is TBR PBs, which are doubled up in width and height so that they fit.  And my EReaders sit on the table next to my recliner.

Most of the shelves are left alone except for my requested review shelves. Those shelves I visit often especially when I’m almost done with my current read and need to decide what’s next.

What about you?  Do you organize your books in a certain way?

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

I didn’t put in much reading time this past week, real life was quite busy.

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s question:
This week’s musing — courtesy of http://abookandashortlatte.wordpress.com – asks…
Do you take notes while you read?

My answer:
Yes.  I started taking notes when I started reviewing requested reads.   Prior to finding this book blogging community, I never did.  And the notes are always written on a notepad, never in the book, if I’m reading a print.

My notes usually will contain facts about the characters, especially if there are a lot of them, emotions and thoughts that I feel about certain scenarios as I’m reading, will note the page numbers if there is a quote or paragraph that I feel I will need in writing my review, where the book takes place for one of the challenges I signed up for, etc.

I usually write my review as soon as I finish one book and before starting my next book.  I feel that I want all the content to be fresh in my mind plus not getting anything confused between books.  Guess that is why I don’t read multiple books at the same time.

What about you?  Do you take notes?  Anything specific?

September is being hosted by BookNAround

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 title for synopsis via IndieBound.

Tuesday: 
*The Prophet by Ethan from The Story Plant
*Leaving the Hall Light On by Madeline Sharples from Dream of Things
Thursday:  EBooks from Authors via  author, Melissa Foster, for Thriller Event
*Last One Chosen by Stephen Woodfin
*A Death on The Wolf by G.M. Frazier
*Omar: A Novel by Craig Thompson 
*Chasing Innocence by John Potter
*After The Fog by Kathleen Shoop
*River in the Sea by Tina Boscia
*Project Moses by Robert B.Lowe
*Pegasus Falling by Wm E. Thompson
*The Fall of Billy Hitchings by Kirkus MacGowan

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!

Now that the political conventions are over,  the TV                       ads abundant, the phone and mail pitches are daily,                                       My questions are:                                                                                                              1.  Do any of the above sway your decision?                                                          2. Do you exercise your right to vote in all elections?

My Answer:
I do try to watch a couple of debates to make                                                                                                                                                                                                               up my mind and do vote 99% of the time.

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s muse:
Have you ever considered writing a book before? What genre would you write?

My response:
No, however my husband has said on many occasions that I should.  It would be a memoir.  And those who know me and know my story, have said that they can’t believe all I have lived through.   Not a normal, typical, average life.

I will share one incident that happened when I was approximately 8-9 years old, that even to this day, I can recall every minute of an eight month period because of it’s impact it left on me.  My father, a business man, was approached by the state police, to tell him that there was credible information that my family was a target by people who had been following my parents, knew our life and who would shoot to kill if necessary.  They then asked if they could set up a sting operation.  My father agreed.  The next 8 months were terrifying as to the things we had to do, knowing we were being watched, seeing the police laying in wait on the floor in our dining room with their guns aimed at the doors and enough ammunition to “take the side of our house off”.   There is much more to this story, that could fill at least 4 chapters, except it wasn’t fiction it was my reality.  I did state, not a typical 8 year old’s life.

September is being hosted by BookNAround 

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 to read synopsis via IndieBound

Wednesday:  I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson–won from Bookin’ With Bingo
Saturday:  Low Pressure by Sandra Brown–The Hachette Book Group

Hosted by Acting Balanced 

1. What was the toughest job you ever had?
One that I didn’t get paid but received the greatest rewards for and that was being a parent and raising my sons. I was lucky to be a SAHM and quite honestly, those were the happiest years of my life. The hard part was being structured and with consistent follow through. It would have been so much easier giving in but I knew it would pay off in the end. Today my sons are men, with successful jobs in their fields, presently working on their Master’s and my oldest bought a house on his own and my youngest  just got engaged.

2. What one characteristic makes a good boss?
Respect

3. How did you celebrate ‘the end of summer’?
Getting ready for the movers tomorrow that will be bringing furniture from my Mom’s house here and to the assisted living facility where my sister lives.

4. Do you follow the fashion rules about Labour Day being the end of wearing white etc?
Not sure if that rule exists anymore. But I usually don’t wear white so it doesn’t apply to me.

5.  Any special plans for today?
Working around the house, hopefully get some posts drafted, and some work done for Partners In Crime Tours.