Book Worm

So I have gotten back into devouring books now that I have more time on my hands, and I live 2 blocks from the library. I love the library in the Twin Tiers where I live, it consist of tons of libraries that share books. The website is fantastic, great search engine and you just simply place a hold on the item you want they will have it ready for you at your library of choice and you have a week to pick it up. They also let you download audio books! 5 at a time for 2 weeks. Since I walk the girls to school, weather permitting, I love having a book to listen to. I even put some on the girls mp3 players when we travel, they love it. And Ben enjoys listening to one while we travel as well, I think he just enjoys not having be constantly switching the radio stations. Anyways, this posting was supposed to be more about books than the library.
I have had tons of paperbacks that have been passed to me or picked up at garage sales, that I have packed and moved around the country with me, but have neglected to read most of them. I have read a few but it seems like for each one I read, I accumulate 2 or 3 more to add to the stack. Carrie and I have been sending our paperbacks back and fourth to each other..keeping the us mail busy. Now I have found a place in Baltimore that is a free book exchange, you don't even have to bring books to donate really, you can just go and pick up as many books as you would like. It is only open on Sat and Sun., it just so happens that Ben and I will be in Baltimore on a Sat. in May, I can't wait. I know I need to clear off room on my bedroom dresser that is holding all the paperbacks. I have every intention of coming back with a van load! Don't worry Carrie, I will certainly pass them on!

One of my favorite past times is to wander around Barnes & Noble with a good mocha and look for reading inspiration, when I find it, I jot down book titles and authors and pull them out when I go to the library. As I have stopped collecting books as they are a pain to pack, unpack, find a space for and repack. And honestly, I very rarely want to re read a book...with so many that I want to read, who has time to go back? and again, if the mood does strike, just rent it again from the library.
An ways.....I just got back from a productive trip to the library. Picked up the latest Alex Cross murder mystery series, a new mystery series that I have wanted to try but keep forgetting when I am at the library, its about a scrap booking mystery...nothing like combining my interest...might read it while drinking a good mocha. And finally the first two books in the Confessions of a Shopaholic.
Now that is something I want to talk about. I know its a popular book that was made into a movie..I haven't seen it. And so far I am on page 80 something. I have to say, I am not liking it. So far its a diary of all her embarrassing moments and her outrageous spending habits and how she justifies her purchases. I don't find humor in someone Else's embarrassment. Throw embarrassment in a book or a movie once or twice okay, but constantly and having that be the only source of humor, I am not a fan. The Meet The Parents movie series, not my idea of humor. I just end up feeling sorry for the person and actually get a stomach ache. Guess its because I hate feeling embarrassed.
Also I have worked really hard at eliminating debt, and I now live by the rule, if you don't have the money now, you won't have it later, so don't buy it. I also realize that less is more and I don't need a lot of material things. So reading about her piling on debt because of buying things she does not need, is very frustrating to me not entertaining. I so hope it will get better and there will be a point to this book.
Another thing I have decided, is I am no longer a fan of Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta novels. I loved the series at the start. For those of who aren't familiar. Kay Scarpetta is a medical examiner of sorts and solves the cases forensically. The first, I don't know, ten or so books, have all revolved around the case, with the same set of characters solving them. But all of a sudden the books were more about the characters than the cases and the characters were getting very dark and going through big personality changes. I was not enjoying them, and finally I just could not force myself to continue reading. I have not read the last two in the series. This saddens me greatly, as I have enjoyed the series so much, and I have a hard time quitting things. But as I said there are so many books I want to read...what is the point of forcing myself to ready a book I am not enjoying?

A while back I got turned onto the website Goodreads.com. Its like a mini social network for book worms. You can see what your friends are reading, what they read in the past and what they want to read in the future. The site allows you to leave a review and rate the books. You can also search for a book and read reviews that people have posted about it. That is great, because I recently picked up a 700 plus page book and found the first 10 pages not that intriguing. So I read the reviews, which were pretty good, most people gave it 3 stars, but one person wrote a in depth review and had the same thoughts I had 10 pages in. So I thought hmm...if I feel like this 10 pages in, I will probably feel just like this reviewer at the end of these 700 some pages. I returned the book to the library today.
So if you are still reading this...you must care what I am reading...look me up on Goodreads.com if you are ever wondering what I am reading, be sure to give me your opinions on the books or authors.