So the last question of this fun-filled week asks what do you like about your blog and where you would like your blog to be in a year.

I just started my blog in July. I am not sure there is anything I particularly like as of yet of the blog itself. I am okay with it overall but it is a work in progress.  The interaction with other bloggers has been such an added and unexpected bonus!!!!! (50 on the dot not including what is in these parenthesis)

I would love my blog to reflect my thoughts and feelings of the books I read and tidbits of book related info I find written in an engaging and provoking manner so others will wonder “hmmm, let me check what Christine has penned today!” Simply, something I am proud of. (50 again)

This has definitely been a great experience. Hope to do it again next year!

My blog in 50 words or less is a post from: booktumbling

©2012 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• September 14, 2009 -- My personal BBAW shortlist (3)
• March 25, 2010 -- The River Kings’ Road – Review/Tour (0)
• November 12, 2009 -- This and That (new winner, awards, e-reader giveaways) (10)
• October 30, 2009 -- A Book Blogger’s New Discovery (10.30.09) (1)

There is a reading meme idea hatched at the Book Blogger Appreciation Week site asking some questions about reading habits.  Without thinking too long, let me reveal a little about myself as a reader:

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?

Not usually (I don’t want to get any cheeto stains on my books) but if I do, I love those vanilla wafer cookies…mmmmm!

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?

It is difficult for me to write or highlight textbooks!

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?

I try for bookmark always but have been guilty of bending that little corner.

Laying the book flat open?

Not usually.

Fiction, non-fiction or both?

95% fiction though I have been reading more non-fiction lately.

Hard copy or audio?

Hard copy though have thoroughly enjoyed some audio.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of the chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?

I like ending at a chapter but it doesn’t usually work that way.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?

Nope, I can usually figure out the meaning (close enough) by how, where, what context it is used in the story. I will double check after I have finished the book if it is really bugging me.

What are you currently reading?

Just finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy and am currently debating what to dive into next.

What is the latest book you bought?

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee.

Are you the type of person that reads only one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?

I prefer to devote my time to one book at a time. They deserve it (chewing gum and walking can be a challenge for me).

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?

Before bed on the living room sofa.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?

No preference!

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over again?

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

How do your organize your books?

Hahahahaha!  Organize?!?!?!?!

What are some of your reading quirks?  You can share your own and check out others at the BBAW post!

Me as a reader is a post from: booktumbling

©2012 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• September 15, 2009 -- The great eReader quandary! (4)
• September 14, 2009 -- The Gift of An Ordinary Day – Giveaway and Review (37)
• December 8, 2009 -- Teaser Tuesday (12.08.09) (20)
• December 1, 2009 -- Deconstructing Sammy: Music, Money, and Madness (Matt Birkbeck) – Review (2)

I want one! Simple as that! When eReader’s first showed up on the scene, I was salivating (reaching for napkin even now).  I was never a techie nerd but in the last few years, I am becoming a full-fledged geek about those shiny, sparkly, blinged out gadgets.  I may not be able to tell you one iota of how these devices of sublime joy function, why they function or even be able to get them to function but as a book lover tech nut, an eReader is the ultimate “have to have”.

My daughter asked what I am posting about?  I told her there was a great tidbit from a representative of IREX on the Book Blogger Appreciation Week website generously offering their latest eReader to a book blogger. She exhaled loudly as she rolled her eyes. Her question has always been why oh why do you want one when you know you will still buy the actual, physical books.  She is right about this one. I could never give up my books with their lovely covers and the scent of the paper within.  But, I know I wouldn’t buy as many. Think of the trees I would save not to mention, the space (to fill with more books – did I just say that out loud)! And oh the convenience, plop the little buddy in my purse and off we go. My daughter wouldn’t be embarrassed that her book reading mom is sitting there in the doctor’s office or some other place where you have to wait – I could be cool techno mom!

You may wonder what my dream eReader would consist of:

• a styling stylus
• easy navigation
• easy on the eyes screen
• automatic page save
• ability to purchase books (and other reading materials) from a variety of sources
• easy to clean screen
• easy download
• fair prices
• ability to make notes, highlight, annotate
• ample up-front memory with options to expand in future

Okay, that is enough. Heck, if you have to dream, dream big!

The great eReader quandary! is a post from: booktumbling

©2012 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• September 16, 2009 -- Me as a reader (4)
• September 14, 2009 -- The Gift of An Ordinary Day – Giveaway and Review (37)
• December 8, 2009 -- Teaser Tuesday (12.08.09) (20)
• December 1, 2009 -- Deconstructing Sammy: Music, Money, and Madness (Matt Birkbeck) – Review (2)

The Gift of an Ordinary Day: A Mother’s Memoir is an intimate memoir of a family in transition-boys becoming teenagers, careers ending and new ones opening up, an attempt to find a deeper sense of place, and a slower pace, in a small New England town. It is a story of mid-life longings and discoveries, of lessons learned in the search for home and a new sense of purpose, and the bittersweet intensity of life with teenagers–holding on, letting go.

Poised on the threshold between family life as she’s always known it and her older son’s departure for college, Kenison is surprised to find that the times she treasures most are the ordinary, unremarkable moments of everyday life, the very moments that she once took for granted, or rushed right through without noticing at all.

The relationships, hopes, and dreams that Kenison illuminates will touch women’s hearts, and her words will inspire mothers everywhere as they try to make peace with the inevitable changes in store.

I immersed myself into this book over the weekend.  I knew I would be offering a giveaway today and wanted to include my review.  Author, Katrina Kenison (40ish) is facing a time in her life when her sons are quickly running towards adulthood and there is a yearning in her to move from their technology driven, suburban home in search for a wider spaces and a reconnection of her family.  She did not expect to sell her current house before buying a new house, moving back home with her parents, losing her job and dealing with teen-age angst.  That goes a little beyond when it rains it pours. Yet, the struggles the family faces are exactly what is needed to bring them together.

Ms. Kenison describes her fears of an unknown future – where will we live, high school, college, finances – and how this time of upheaval can actually be viewed as a time of freedom, an opportunity to start over and live a fulfilled life.  There are many instances of reflection to when her sons were young and so much time was devoted to fulfilling their days. Now, with her boys requiring less of her and beginning to live their own lives, she realizes her own thoughts on what she desires has changed.

Ms. Kenison’s writing is very poetic. Perhaps a little too poetic bordering on the very flowery.  Mind you, I am not a flowery gal and while there were times I found my mind wandering during the story, I certainly appreciate the author’s meaning.  I too am 40ish, lost my job and have a teen-age daughter who is ready to take on the world. This is a turning point in my life. This book did poke my brain and has caused me to take a look at what I want for my future.  Do I take any job that comes my way or try to wait it out for a job I may actually enjoy most days?  Should I go back to school? How much leeway and assistance do I give my daughter?  How much do I insist she finds her own way? What do I want her to learn from me and how I handle this stressful period? I believe this book has fulfilled it’s mission! Thank you to Hachette Book Group for providing me a copy of this book for review.

Have you ever been at a cross-roads in your life? What was your inspiration to get through it?

Book information:

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Springboard Press (September 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446409480
• ISBN-13: 978-0446409483

Giveaway winners announced!

The Gift of An Ordinary Day – Giveaway and Review is a post from: booktumbling

©2012 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• November 2, 2009 -- Loving chocolate in style (reviews/giveaways) (47)
• October 26, 2009 -- Simon’s Cat – Review/Giveaway (32)
• October 19, 2009 -- A Spooky Giveaway! (60)
• October 12, 2009 -- The Lovely Bones – Review/Giveaway (34)

Let the fun begin!!! Book Blogger Appreciation Week has commenced and a little assignment has been put forth – some of your favorite book blogs that didn’t make the short list? This is not an easy task to narrow down to just a few, but since I cannot have a post that lasts until next year, here are just a sampling of the many blogs I visit:

• Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia – I so enjoy Celia’s insightful reviews, comical non-book quips and I have found some great ideas for my next great read.
• Hodgepodgespv – sweet, personal, I feel like I am sitting in the coffee shop across from Sandy, yakking away about books, dogs and funny stories!
• Bloody Bad: A Book Blog – the name Trin chose for her blog is what first attracted me, the fact that we are on the same wavelength in book taste made me a fan, such thoughtful reviews that reveal just enough to make me think “hmmm, I need to check that one out!”

Which blogs provide you with your daily fix?  You can check other choices and add yours at the BBAW website.

My personal BBAW shortlist is a post from: booktumbling

©2012 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• September 18, 2009 -- My blog in 50 words or less (9)
• March 25, 2010 -- The River Kings’ Road – Review/Tour (0)
• November 12, 2009 -- This and That (new winner, awards, e-reader giveaways) (10)
• October 30, 2009 -- A Book Blogger’s New Discovery (10.30.09) (1)

I have thought and thought about participating in this great idea.   With the deadline to submit a blog fast approaching (August 15th), I decided to throw caution to the wind.  This is a very, and I mean very new blog and while pondering whether to submit or not to submit, my voice noted that this would be a great opportunity to get to know others that share the same book love.  So, here are my answers to the meme questions:

1)  What has been one of the highlights of blogging for you?

It has to be discovering so many wonderful blogs!!!  My list of needed books has grown and grown.  And, this has brought back my passion for reading.  I really did forget to stop and smell the roses (or read a book in my case) for quite some time.  My blog has reminded me that books are not only fun but also a much needed release from everyday stresses.

2)  What blogger has helped you out with your blog by answering questions, linking to you, or inspiring you?

I have had only positive experiences from all that I have been in contact with.  I do want to make a special thanks to J. Kaye of J. Kaye’s Book Blog.  Not only an inspiration but responsive and always positive!!!

3)  What one question do you have about BBAW that someone who participated last year could answer?

What tips would you give to someone to get the most out of this experience?

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is a post from: booktumbling

©2012 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• October 29, 2009 -- Found it – another award! (0)
• October 25, 2009 -- Read-A-Thon Hours 17 through 24 (6)
• October 24, 2009 -- Read-A-Thon Hours 15 and 16 (8)
• October 24, 2009 -- Read-A-Thon – Hours 6 through 14 (and a little music) (5)