Musing Mondays - November 23, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading… Rustler's Moon by Jodi Thomas
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Musing Mondays is sponsored by A Daily Rhythm.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Why do you read?

I read for so many reasons.  First is enjoyment.  Reading relaxes me as I lose myself in a story that is different.  I also read for information and to keep informed on what is going on in the world around me.  I am a person who craves adventure.  Often there is not that much in my life but reading provides the adventure that is missing otherwise.  Last but not least I read because I love reading.

Musing Mondays - November 16, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading...
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Musing Mondays is sponsored by A Daily Rhythm.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What has been your most favorite book, so far, this year? Why?

That is a question I cannot even begin to answer.  My favorite is always the one I am reading now.  My most recent is Murder on St. Nicolas Avenue by Victoria Thompson.  My review is up on Goodreads and it is a very solid 5 stars.  This is part of the Gaslight Series set in the late 19th century.  The mysteries are always fun and the characters interesting.

Musing Mondays - November 2, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading… Archangel by Sharon Shinn
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Musing Mondays is sponsored by A Daily Rhythm.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book, mostly because of its cover art, and then regretted it because the content didn’t live up to your expectations?


More than once.  When that happens I am a unhappy with both the author and the publisher.  Usually when it happens the blurb is also misleading.

Musing Mondays - October 26, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Musing Mondays is sponsored by A Daily Rhythm.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Do you read any horror, or something scary, in honor of Halloween? Why, or why not?

I do not!!!  I won't watch horror or scary movies.  Same with TV programs.  Books are the same.  My adrenalin level spikes and I just want to crawl out of my skin.  Not for me.

Musinbg Mondays - October 19, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Musing Mondays is sponsored by A Daily Rhythm.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What fictional character would you enjoy meeting? Why?

I would like to meet Sebestain St. Cry from the mystery series by the same name.  Why?  To tell him to take very good care of Honor and forget Kate.  She was always wrong for him.

Musing Mondays - October 12, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Musing Mondays is sponsored by A Daily Rhythm.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What fictional world would you love to live in, even if just for a day?

I always loved the world C J Cherryh created in Downbelow Station.  I would love to live on one of the trade ships.  The people on them were family and very close.  Of course part of my wanting to be there is because when I was young I always wanted to go into space.  Now that am I much older I am happy here on Earth.

Musing Mondays - October 5, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Musing Mondays is sponsored by A Daily Rhythm.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Do you make a seasonal reading list? How do you choose what goes on it?

No I don't make that kind of list.  I do keep a list.  It is release dates of books I want to read. Most of those books are part of a series.  Sometimes it includes books by authors I have read and like.  Others are books I have seen reviews on and think I would like.

Musing Mondays - September 28, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Musing Mondays is sponsored by A Daily Rhythm.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What books about books do you own, or have you read & enjoyed?

I have several about types of books and how to write a book.  I think Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain is the one I enjoyed the most.  I often get the urge to try to write a book but then I see something I want to read and writing just goes down the tube.

Musing Mondays - July 20, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Are you able to read while in a vehicle (in motion)? Have you always been this way?

Good question!!  I am unable to read in a car in motion.  I have been that way since I was a child.  I always had to sit in the backseat and even without reading was often car sick.  If I tried to read as soon as I lifted my head I was sick.  Since I am doing most of the driving today I do not try to read.  What I do is listen to audio books in the car.  They do not make me sick.

Musing Mondays - July 13, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What book (or books) would you take with you on vacation? Why?

I settled down with Silver Master yesterday.  It is a book by Jayne

Castle set on her imaginary world of Harmony.  Published in 2006 it the 4th book in the series and one I read when it first came out.  I picked up this copy at our local libraries used book store.  I really enjoyed going back and visiting with some of the characters from the first books.  The series is still going and there will be a new one out soon but the setting has changed and there are new characters being introduced.  While I always look forward to a new book in the series it was fun to go back and visit with some of the original characters.  There are some books and series that I like to re-read.  I wonder how many of your do the same.

This week's random question:  I would go through my TBR pile and load up with the oldest first.

Musing Mondays - July 6, 2015

• Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:
  • I’m currently reading…
  • Up next I think I’ll read…
  • I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
  • I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
  • I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
  • I can’t wait to get a copy of…
  • I wish I could read ___, but…
  • I blogged about ____ this past week…
  I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: So, apparently Amazon is now going to pay its Kindle Unlimited & Select authors by pages read. You can read more about this {here}. What do you think of this? Share your thoughts!

I realized something this past week.  All of the books I read for review are part of a series.  The same is true of most of the books on my TBR pile.  Several are book one and that lead me to wonder "Does anyone write a stand-alone book anymore?"

I can see why publishers want series.  If you get someone hooked you have a ready made audience each time a new book in the series is released.  I find that I do love many of the series but there are some that just get stale.  They have a lot of action but nothing really changes from book to book.  I give those up and many time also give up on reading anything new by the author as well.

How do you feel about series?  Are you finding more series than book that stand-alone?

About the Random Question - Like many of Amazon's policies I don't think this one is good for authors.  I don't belong to Kindle Unlimited so when I want to read a book I purchase and the author gets paid.

Musing Mondays - June 15, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Do you have a favorite book from childhood? What is it?  This goes with my post.  My favorite book was Trouble On Titan.  It was the first SciFi book I read.

Today I am musing about something related to my favorite reading group.  I love SciFI and have been a fan since I was very young.  I always wanted to go to space and when we landed on the moon I though that space travel would be possible in my lifetime.  We do have some.  Things like the space station but not what I had envisioned.  I think it is coming and I am supporting a project that might help make it possible.  I joined a Kickstarter campaign for the Light Sail.  Keep reading to learn more about Light Sail. If this fully funds my name will go to space.  All supporters will have their name on the sail when it deploys in 2016.  A test run was just completed and some glitches were overcome as the test sail fully deployed.  It was in low Earth orbit and has since burned up in the atmosphere.  The next launch sends it on it way across the solar system.  If you want to help with the journey into space join me in supporting Light Sail.  There are only 10 days left in the campaign.

Musing Mondays - June 8, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What book would you currently recommend to someone? Why?

I just finished Murder on Amsterdam Street by Victoria Thompson.  It is part of the Gaslight Mystery series and I would recommend both the book and the series to any mystery fan.  I does a great job setting the historical detail of the time and has great characters.  Both add to the suspense and tension of each mystery.  To add a little cream to the mix there is also a long running romance between the two main characters, each from a very different social background.

Musing Mondays - June 1, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Do you have different genres for different seasons? For example, do you choose lighter reading material for the summer, and chunkier books in the winter?

I am going to talk about Midnight's Kiss by Thea Harrison.  This is the new novel in the

Elder Races series.  I won a ARC of the book but because of other books I had scheduled to review it just sat on my TBR pile.  Last week I picked it up and started reading.  This story brings Julian, the Nightkind King and Melisande, daughter of the Light Fae Queen back together.  They had a really bad break up 20 years ago and have only yelled at each other any time them meet.  Now they have to work together to stay alive.  It is a really nice story with two interesting characters.  Julian is very dark while Melisande is just the opposite.  There is tension and danger for both as they work toward their HEA.  A great addition to the series.

I don't do different genres during different seasons.  Really never even thought about it.  I do read more in winter but my choices do not change.

Musing Mondays - May 25, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Where is the strangest place you’ve ever read a book? OR… Where is the strangest place you’ve ever found a crazy-good book, unexpectedly?

I am excited to tell you about the Liaden books by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.  The series

started in the late 1980's.  Was stopped by the publisher and brought back when a new start up arrived in the publishing world.  That company went out of business and Baen picked up their contract.  Dragon in Exile is the latest book and I started it yesterday.  Love, Love, Love the series.  For long time fans this is extra special as we get to catch up with many of the major players in the series.  If you like SciFi/Space Opera with some romance start this series.  I think you will Love, Love, Love it too.

Strangest place to read a book.  I really don't know but I expect it was when we were doing a lot of camping with our three young sons.  In those days I always had a paperback book with me when we hiked.  I would read anytime we rested or found a place where the boys wanted to spend some time.  No ereaders in those days.  

Musing Mondays - May 18, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What types of “special” books do you own? For example, do you have any really old books? Any collections based on your interests (eg. architecture, etc)?

I have built in bookshelves in what was a living room/dining room in my house. (Now is a library office)  They are on one wall and parts of two others.  I have a big collection of Science Fiction books.  Some are from the 70's and range all the way to today.  SciFi has always been my favorite and I have purchased a lot through the years.  The hard copies have slowed as I buy more eBooks today.  That is good as I am running out of shelf space.

Musing Mondays - May 11, 2 015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Do you have a “kindred” reading buddy — someone who very closely shares your taste in books? If not, do you wish you did?

We had a lot of rain over the last week and I used the time to do some serious reading.  I had 3 library books that I wanted to read and I got them all read.  I listened to Midnight Texas by Charlaine Harris and wanted to see how the series would progress.  Day Shift started off interesting but kind of tapered off a the story progressed.  It did give a lot more history about the main characters and there was a mystery to be solved.  I have not read her other series.  There is a little tie in between the two but that part just left me in the dark.

J.A. Jance has a new Ali Reynolds book and that was one of my other reads.  Cold Betrayal featured Ali and Sister Anselm.  There were two mysteries and both were interesting.  I like the series and love Ali and B her much younger husband.

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson was my other read.  This is book two in the series and both books were very long.  This is a series I share with one of my sons and he brought me up to date on the next book.  Sanderson has just started it so I have quite a wait to see what will happen next.

Two of my sons are my reading buddies.  I do belong to a Sci Fi Books club where some of the members share my taste.

Musing Mondays - May 4, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
 
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What would you do if you wanted to buy a book for someone, but didn’t know what they like to read? Would you ask them? Would you choose something you, yourself, like? How would you go about buying them something?

If I knew they liked to read but did not know what I would get them a gift card at Barnes and Noble.  I would choose that card because you can get paper or ebook.  That way they could get what they wanted in the format they wanted.  I would need to know a book they really wanted to give an actual book.