Happy New Year, everyone!

So … any Reading Resolutions? Say, specific books you plan to read? A plan to read more ____? Anything at all?

Name me at least ONE thing you’re looking forward to reading this year!

Here is mine:

One thing I’m looking forward to reading this year is my TBR pile as it stands now.   It is lofty as of yesterday, Dec. 31, 2008, and I want to get through the TBR pile that was.

What is yours?

Today’s questions are so appropriate for this time of year.

Do you give books as gifts?

Yes, I do.  In fact, for Christmas this year, everyone on my list is getting a book.  My husband and I have had such fun trying to match the perfect book to the people on our list.  It has made shopping more exciting!

To everyone? Or only to select people?

This year, we are giving them to everyone.  On other occasions, birthday, etc., I always give books to our grandkids, at least 1.

How do you feel about receiving books as gifts?

I love it!  Books are such a treat!

How do you feel?  Leave your answers in the comments or join us at Booking Through Thursday.

1. Do you get to read as much as you WANT to read?

(I’m guessing #1 is an easy question for everyone?)

Of course not! My husband makes fun of me because I take books in the truck when we go ANYWHERE so that I can sneak in some reading time.  I would rather be curled up on the couch with a good book, than many other things I have to do.

2. If you had (magically) more time to read–what would you read? Something educational? Classic? Comfort Reading? Escapism? Magazines?

I would catch up on my TBR pile.  I have alot of books that I have bought that I haven’t read due to reading books to review.  Most of them are YA titles.  There are also many books on my Amazon wish list that I would read: picture books and YA titles.

What are your answers to these questions?  Leave your thoughts in the comments or join us over at Booking Through Thursday.

Today’s Booking Through Thursday asks us some questions about authors,

1. Do you have a favorite author?  Certainly; a children’s author – Jan Brett

2. Have you read everything he or she has written?  Yes, and I own almost all of them as well.

3. Did you LIKE everything? Yes!

4. How about a least favorite author?  Can’t really say that I do, but if I did, I wouldn’t give the name.

5. An author you wanted to like, but didn’t?  Danielle Steel.  My mom loves her, but I just can’t really get into her.

What are your answers?  Read others at Booking Through Thursday.

I woke up this morning ready to write a Thanksgiving post.  How great it was to find that BTT had beat me to it, so I’m doing my post this way since I may not be able to post later as I have family coming over in a few hours.

Today is Thanksgiving here in the U.S.

Now, you may have noticed that the global economy isn’t exactly doing well. There’s war. Starvation. All sorts of bad, scary things going on.

So–just for today–how about sharing 7 things that you’re thankful for?

This can be about books, sure–authors you appreciate, books you love, an ode to your public library–but also, how about other things, too? Because in times like these, with bills piling up and disaster seemingly lurking around every corner, it’s more important than ever to stop and take stock of the things we’re grateful for. Family. Friends. Good health (I hope). Coffee and tea. Turkey. Sunshine. Wagging tails. Curling up with a good book.

Here are my 7 today:

1. My husband – who loves me unconditionally and does whatever it takes to take care of us.
2. My family who is healthy
3. A place to live that made it through Ike unharmed.
4. A job where I get to help children everyday
5. Health – mine and my husband’s (he is diabetic and I worry about him constantly)
6. Soldiers who give of themselves to serve so that I may be free to celebrate this day.
7. Laughter – even in these times of crisis, it’s good to laugh at books, movies, jokes, etc.

There are more that I could list, but these, on this day of Thanksgiving, are the most dear to my heart.

So, how about it? Spread a little positive thinking and tell the world what there is to be thankful for.

To see more responses, head over to Booking Through Thursday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Suggested by JM:

I receive a lot of review books, but I have never once told lies about the book just because I got a free copy of it. However, some authors seem to feel that if they send you a copy of their book for free, you should give it a positive review.

Do you think reviewers are obligated to put up a good review of a book, even if they don’t like it? Have we come to a point where reviewers *need* to put up disclaimers to (hopefully) save themselves from being harassed by unhappy authors who get negative reviews?

I have not been reviewing very long, but my policy from the beginning has been honesty.  Why would I pick up the paper to read reviews if I was going to be lied to?  That’s what I feel about my blog.  Readers come to me looking for my thoughts and feelings about books…not what I think the author wants me to tell them.  I haven’t read a book for my blog, so far, that I haven’t liked.  I’ve been lucky I guess!  But, if I did, I wouldn’t lie about it.  I wouldn’t put the author down or be ugly, but I would give my honest opinion about the book.  I think it’s only fair to my readers.  Did I like it?  Yes or no.  Why or why not.  It really is only my opinion and others may read a book that I didn’t like and love it.  That’s the beauty of having opinions, likes and dislikes. 

To read others’ thoughts on this question, visit Booking Through Thursday.  What are your thoughts about this?

I’ve asked, in the past, about whether you more often buy your books, or get them from libraries. What I want to know today, is, WHY BUY?

Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident of your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So … why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?

If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?

I don’t buy alot, but when I do, it’s because I’m not good at remembering to return the books to the library on time.  Not because I don’t get them read, just because I forget to take them back.  Also, it is not usually in my schedule to go to the library, so I’d rather just pick up what I want at the store.  Lots of times I’m not the one buying though.  My mom buys alot of the books I read and then just passes them on to me when she’s done.  I also thank God for my school library because I can get books from there without worrying about the deadline.  Teachers are excused from that, as long as it’s turned in by the end of the school year.

Another reason I buy is for my classroom.  Those are books that I want the kids to be able to read again and again, so borrowing them is not really feasible.  I do get some from the library, but don’t like to keep them too long because other teachers may need them.  So, I buy at every book fair (2X a year), from Scholastic, and Half Price Books.  I do have books in my library that were donated, but for the most part, I have bought them all.

Okay, so I do buy, but usually not adult books.  If I just have to have it RIGHT NOW, I’ll buy it; otherwise, I’ll wait and borrow it from someone.

What are your thoughts on this?  See all the comments at Booking Through Thursday.

Today’s BTT idea came from Literary Feline during her recent contest:

“Name a favorite literary couple and tell me why they are a favorite. If you cannot choose just one, that is okay too. Name as many as you like–sometimes narrowing down a list can be extremely difficult and painful. Or maybe that’s just me.”

Not too hard for me this week.  As most of you know, I’m smack dab in the middle of Breaking Dawn and will not pick up another read until I’m finished.  That being said, the first couple that came to mind was Bella and Edward from the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer.

Another couple came to mind though: Romeo and Juliet.  Who’s your literary couple?  Join the fun at Booking Through Thursday.

If you have time, please read my post from yesterday and see what you think!

Here’s the latest from Booking Through Thursday.

I’ve seen this series of questions floating around the ‘net the last few days, and thought it looked like a good one for us!

What was the last book you bought?

It was a children’s book titled Those Shoes.

Name a book you have read MORE than once

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

can’t really think of one at this moment

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews

If I’m in the store or library just browsing, then it’s usually by the summary.  When I go with a specific book in mind, then it’s because of a recommendation or review.  Most of the books I’ve chosen lately have been because I’ve read about them on book blogs.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

Definitely fiction.

What’s more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

Gripping plot

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

Junie B. Jones – I taught kindergarten for 9 years and I can so relate to her actions.  She just cracks me up!

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

Twilight; I’ve heard all the hype and I just had to read it for myself.  So far, I am loving it!

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

Poison Ink; started on Monday, completed yesterday.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

Not since I was in High School, but yes.

If you have a minute, pop on over to Booking Mama and enter to win a great cookbook!  It is called I Like You! by Amy Sedaris.  It sounds like a must have for cookbook lovers.  She has 5 to give away…don’t miss out!

This just in!  Hey Lady! Whatcha Reading? is giving away a copy of The Last Beach Bungalow by Jennie Nash.  It is even autogtaphed.

Booking Through Thursday poses this question today…

What, in your opinion, is the best book that you haven’t liked? Mind you, I don’t mean your most-hated book–oh, no. I mean the most accomplished, skilled, well-written, impressive book that you just simply didn’t like.

Like, for movies–I can acknowledge that Citizen Kane is a tour de force and is all sorts of wonderful, cinematically speaking, but . . . I just don’t like it. I find it impressive and quite an accomplishment, but it’s not my cup of tea.

So . . . what book (or books) is your Citizen Kane?

For me, it would have to be Goodnight Moon.  I know it’s an award winner, but I just don’t care for it.  Many children ask for it over and over again, but me, no.  I enjoy the pictures, but that’s about it.

THIS JUST IN:  You have to check out Devourer of Books - there is an AWESOME giveaway!  Check it out!