My Crazy Reading Habits

I was just musing over my reading habits. I have three books going right now. One is an audio book. It is a contemporary YA called Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman. I chose it because I needed an audio book and it was one of the few available at the time. I am actually really enjoying it. I usually have an audio book going because it helps to motivate me to get things done around the house. You know, boring things like cleaning, folding laundry, dishes, even yard work.

Book number 2 is an ebook. It is a YA dystopian called Crossed by Ally Condie. I have been looking forward to reading it because it is the second in the Matched trilogy and the first was great. I am reading it on my iPod touch, as I do all ebooks, because it fits in my pocket and I can take it out at random moments.

Book number 3 is A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison. This is number 10 in the Rachel Morgan series and I am still loving them. I am reading the print version. This is nice when I can sit down for a stretch, like when the kids are in bed and I can relax. Maybe even with an adult beverage.

There you have it. I am currently reading three different books, in different genres and different formats. I am never without something to read.  If you want, you can be my friend on Goodreads and see more.

So that is a bit about me. Do you have any crazy reading habits?

How do you find books to read?

I am genuinely curious. I have been an avid reader since I learned to read. As a child, I would go to the library and check out six books at a time, which was the max. In the summer I would go every day. I remember having a hard time finding things to read. I would walk through the library and pick up books that looked interesting. In second grade I picked up a fat paperback with a purple cover. It was Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild. I loved it and if I had known there were more, I would have snapped them right up, but no one told me and I didn't think to look. I ended up reading many books by the same author, if I found one I liked, and reading a lot of series. Baby Sitters Club and Nancy Drew I remember in particular.

As I got older, I started sharing books with my sister who is also an avid reader. We still trade books and recommendations now and then when we find something good. My dad also passed books to us when he was finished with them, which introduced me to Stephen King. When my sister and I were in high school, one of our mom's friends heard that we like to read and gave us two or three of those old cardboard boxes for soda twelve packs, stuffed with Harlequin romances. I'm pretty sure we read every one.

In college, I made a rule that I could not read for fun during the semester. I would never have gotten any work done otherwise. One semester some classmates were talking about the Harry Potter series and how I should read it. I had no interest, but by the end of the semester they had talked me into trying it and I ended up picking up the first four and devouring them over Christmas break. Sometimes I will read a book if the movie is coming out and I think I will see it. The book is almost always better.

Now that the internet is available, it is a lot easier to find book recommendations. There is almost too much information to wade through, but I love it. Thanks to sites like Goodreads, I can put books I am interested in on my to read list and come back to it when I am looking for something to read. I also find a lot of new authors by checking out free e-books. Reading fan fiction also gave me a lot of great things to read.

The reason I stared this blog was to toss out some ideas for people looking for books to read. I read many different genres, so hopefully someone will find something that looks interesting. And sometimes it is nice to read something different.

So how about you? How do you decide what to read? Friends? Book reviews? Blogs? I want to know!

Audio Books

For years I thought audio books were for people who didn't read. I have no idea why, but I had no interest.  I can read myself, I thought.  I don't need anyone to read for me.  Then I got my iPod touch. 

I somehow came across audio books on my library's website and figured out how to check them out and download them onto my iPod.  Now I am never without a book.  I can listen to a book while I do dishes, fold laundry, drive the car.  When I am in the middle of listening to a good book, a lot more gets done around the house.

If you have not tried audio books, you should give one a try.  It is a different experience because a well-read audio book is like listening to a play, with different voices for each character.  You can listen to them on your computer or mobile device.

Some sources for free (I am a big fan of free) audio books:

Your public library (if you live in Wisconsin, click here) The following applies to Wisconsin, other places may vary.

     *You must have a library card in good standing. 

     *Can check out titles for 7-14 days; cannot be returned early.

     *Must have special software installed before downloading, such as OverDrive Media Console

BooksShouldBeFree.com

     *Public domain books

     *Download in mp3, iPod, or iTunes format

How do you feel about audio books? Ever tried them? Have a question or suggestion?  Let me know in the comments!

In Honor of Valentine's Day

Since Valentine's Day is this week, I thought I would post some fun, fluffy, or sweet romantic books.  Here are my picks:

Boycotts & Barflies by Victoria Michaels
This is one of my favorites.  Three boys, three girls two bets.  What happens when you take a break from dating? Funny and sweet. 

Take the Cake by Sandra Wright
This is a story about relationships. The characters are real and likeable and there are some great friend moments.  There is a great quote/cupcake war.  If you get hungry for cupcakes, check out the author's website for recipes!

Stitches and Scars by Elizabeth A. Vincent
A sweet and funny romance. Kate and Ethan meet through several chance encounters before finally getting together, one of which is in the grocery store and will make you crave produce. They have some bumps in the road, but nothing too heart-wrenching.

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
I always love Jennifer Crusie books because they always make me laugh.  More drama than the others on the list, but still a HEA.  Minerva is a 33 year old, overweight insurance acuary.  Cal asks her out on a bet, but she knows it's a bet.  She just got dumped and needs a date for her sister's wedding so she goes along with it.  What could possibly go wrong?

Aphrodite's Kiss by Julie Kenner
Zoe is a librarian with x-ray vision and supersenses.  She is a superhero-in-training.  Too funny.  I love this one.

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn
A sweet story about two perfectly nice people who know each other as children, become friends, and fall in love. It was also so funny that I laughed out loud several times. A fun, light historical.



I wasn't going to put this many, but once I started I couldn't stop! What are your light, fun, romantic picks?