Tag Archive | E-book

Summer Reading/Summer Blogging

English: Photo of Bonnie Jo Campbell

English: Photo of Bonnie Jo Campbell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As usual, I’m not sure where to begin.  This summer has personally held some nasty surprises for what passes for my life.  Then again, I suppose I have to start somewhere if I am going to achieve anything at all.  I’ll spare everyone the details for now, so I’ll get right to the point.

Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde has unfortunately suffered as a result.  I’m trying to get things back on track.  It just may take a while.  I’ve sorely neglected the feature that inspired so much this year:  My Life In Pop Culture.  I’ve also neglected to do my part for two new blogging award nominations I received as of late.  Blogging awards are a wonderful way to show appreciation to those bloggers nearest and dearest to your heart.  I’m honored to have received them.  Thank you for the nominations!  I’m looking forward to correcting this error on my part as soon as possible.  Also, I’ve been haphazard in sharing some of my favorite bloggers here.  I’m finding it difficult to balance my own blog posts with reblogging wonderful posts from the likes of Childhood Relived.  I somehow have to strike a balance.  I love creating my own content, of course; at the same time, I come across so many wonderful/funny/inspiring posts, I instinctively want to share it with the most wonderful audience of all:  my readers.  When I reblog, I do it out of sheer admiration.  I just want everyone, readers and bloggers alike, to realize that fact.

And then there are books.  I’m not sure if many of you’ve paid attention to my running reading list stuck to the top of my blog, but I’ve had my nose stuck in various books for the last two months.  It can be blamed on learning how to borrow e-books for my Nook Color from the Bay County Library System.  I’m getting a lot of mileage out of my Nook Color.  I love it to the point where I’m seriously considering asking for a Kindle Fire for Christmas and/or my birthday.  I love to compare/contrast.  It isn’t that I favor e-books over hardcovers or well-loved paperbacks – nothing will ever replace the feel and heft of a physical book – I just read that much more with an e-reader.  My next experiment:  Audio books on my laptop and/or Nook Color.  This may sound stupid, but at times I wish I could commute via Metro instead of having to personally drive 40 minutes each way to work every day.  Think of the reading time I could get in if I lived in a large city!  Ah well.

The books I’ve read so far this summer will have a lasting impact on me, my writing, everything.  I love them that much!  Each one deserves its own post and review.  The problem is that I never feel I do a book justice when I review it.  I always seem to leave something important unsaid – and that infuriates me.  Just don’t be surprised if I finally establish a series of book reviews here.

I hope to soon create a flexible schedule/outline for content.  Stay tuned, as always.  I still plan a series on Linda McCartney’s photography, Paul McCartney himself, and more.  That, of course, doesn’t even begin to cover politics.  I also, regrettably, haven’t written a personal post about Turner Syndrome, outlined my thoughts on reproductive rights, and so much more.  I just need to get organized and go for it.  What saddens me is that people are clicking on those links to Turner Syndrome and Reproductive Rights only to find nothing there.

By the way, I’m well on the way to achieving my reading goals for the year.  I’ve read 17 of the 25+ e-books I pledged to read in 2012.  I’ve read a total of 28 books, both traditional and e-books, out of the 60 I hope to read in 2012.  With five months to go, my goals are in sight!  That is a wonderful feeling after coming so close to my goal of 48 in 2011.  Oh, and congrats to Bonnie Jo Campbell, one my favorite Michigan authors and the author of one of my favorite books, Once Upon A RiverOnce Upon A River was selected as a 2012 Michigan Notable Book!  Well deserved.  I discuss Once Upon A River here.

2012 Goals, Dreams, Ambitions

Here’s to the Past « Life, In General

What do I wish for 2012?  I hope to finally move on with my life, whatever road that may take.  It would be wonderful if Brian and I could finally get started on our careers in a real, tangible way.  I also hope to move forward with my writing and reading.  My reading goals this year include reading at least 25 e-books and 60 books in general (the e-books definitely count towards the 60 total).  My goal for 2011 was to read 48 books throughout the year.  I missed the goal by 5 measly books.  I know I can do 60.  I’m convinced the only way I have a shot at even becoming a mediocre writer is to read widely, both good and bad.  It is amazing what I’ve learned thus far and the authors I discovered for myself along the way.

If anyone asked what book I enjoyed most in 2011, I’d be hard pressed to give an answer.  I have yet not to finish a book or come away feeling as though I’ve wasted my time reading.  There is no way I could pick one favorite book.  That said The Help by Kathryn Stockett left a huge impression on me, as did the books of Harry Bernstein and Frank McCourt.  I also enjoyed meeting in person Michigan author Mardi Link, as well as reading her true crime books.  There are many more books and authors I could mention here.  This is precisely why I continue to read as well as write.

In addition to continue blogging and writing, I plan to get back to journaling in 2012.  Also, I can’t wait to help my Mom continue with her series of children’s books.  I love them.  Even if her books are never published, I will always cherish them.  There is so much of my Mom’s personality contained in them I can practically see her reading them to classrooms of small children, creating a myriad of voices along the way.  That, in a nutshell, is my Mom at her best.  There is no doubt we share a common vision for her books.  I hope that 2012 is a better year for everyone.

Cover of "The Help"

Cover of The Help

The Eclectic Bookshelf: 2012 E-Book Reading Challenge

The Eclectic Bookshelf: 2012 E-Book Reading Challenge

I’m signing myself up for the Mega Size Challenge, pledging to read 25+ e-books in 2012.  With my new Nook Color, it’ll be fun!  I love it so far.

Kids bookshelf with German and American childr...

Kids bookshelf with German and American childrens books (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2012 E-Book Reading Challenge

A Picture of a eBook

Image via Wikipedia

The Eclectic Bookshelf: 2012 E-Book Reading Challenge

I’m thinking about participating in the challenge outlined above.  It would be an interesting way to try out an e-reader to see if it is something I would use on a regular basis.  Here’s the issue.  Currently I do not own an e-reader.  I am considering putting a Kindle on my Christmas list.  I’m not completely sold on e-books.

I suppose I would have a completely different attitude towards e-readers and e-books in general if I lived in a large city and commuted to work via metro.  My daily life is very different though.  My commute to work is slightly over half an hour each way.  Carpooling isn’t much of an option, so I drive my personal vehicle every day.  I wish I could use that time to read!

Maybe I should look into audio books?

By the way, the e-book reading challenge happened to be on yet another great blog.  Just a glance at the reviews listed on the site caught my eye.

The Eclectic Bookshelf