A cute banner picture for taking a survey on the Winter Reading site.
Hello and welcome to my reading web log! This blog is my reading journey. Here you can find my book reviews, anything related to books, and even some of my original writing. Keep going down for posts and don't forget to look around the blog. Thank you! (this blog is best viewed in desktop mode/web version)
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Review: French Twist
French Twist by James PattersonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
My last reading session was 42 minutes. I finished reading this book on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 1:21 a.m.
View all my reviews
French Twist: A Detective Luc Moncrief Mystery (Detective Luc Moncrief #3) by James Patterson with Richard DiLallo
So the day that I finished reading Murder at the Bookstore by Sue Minix (Thursday, December 7, 2023) was the day that I decided to see if I can get a library card from the Maricopa County Library District. I went on their website and signed up and got my electronic library card in my email. I looked around to see if I could get a physical card version, but I didn't see anything. So then I went to return my Phoenix book and drove to the Fairway library in Sun City, which is the closest library in the MCLDAZ system to me. I scanned the shelves for the thinnest books I can find. XD Then I asked for a physical card and checked out with the librarian. I thought it was small in there. I like that this book is a short read.
I also wanted to add that I was thinking in my head that if I go to the Fairway library, I just have to get a book! It's like I can't go in there and NOT get a book! That would be rude of me as a certified bookworm! XD <3
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Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Novel Talk
With so much content available in video form these days, reading is on the decline. But when you're feeling vaguely dissatisfied with your life, there's nothing better than picking up a good novel and imagining yourself right there in the action with the characters. That's the power of a novel. Novels can suck you in and make you forget about the bills that need paying, the house that needs cleaning, and your approaching medical tests and treatment. If you're looking for advice on what to read, Novel Talk has you covered.
Plenty of people out there have convinced themselves that they don't like books. If you're one of those people, we've got news for you: you just haven't found the right book? Finding the right book is about matching the tone and plot of the story with your day dreams. Avid readers who long for adventure will love the latest Michael Crichton thriller while lonely singletons will devour romances by Nora Roberts. Even children who swear up and down that reading is for losers will soon be lost in the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. What's the right book for you? We can help you figure it out.
Reading can be an expensive hobby - hardcover novels retail for about $30 apiece while paperbacks and ebooks cost about $10. If you read more than a few books a month, you can reduce your book buying budget with a few Novel Talk tricks, such as checking out your local library, buying second hand, and trading among friends in your art group. If you're looking to save money on books or find a hard to locate book that's out of print, we can point you toward valuable but under utilized resources such as Amazon Marketplace and Google Books.
Most people think of reading as a solitary activity, but did you know that reading can actually help you meet like minded people? It's true! Whether you decide to share your thoughts about a book you read on a popular topic or join a book group at the library, talking about reading can not only deepen your understanding of the novel but also strengthen your connection with other people who share your opinions on the book. If you're bursting with opinions on what you've read and have no one to share them with, we can give you some outlets.
Reading is also an important first step in learning the elusive craft of writing. If you spend a lot of time at home reading novels, you may eventually find yourself thinking: I could do this. If it feels like time to put your money where your mouth is, we can share tips on planning, writing, editing, and publishing your own novel. Who knows, someday we may end up talking about your book here on Novel Talk! But for now browse our store of articles on the popular novels of today and yesterday.
Friday, December 15, 2023
Guilt
Hello, reading blog. I am feeling guilty about not reading for this first week of the Winter Reading Program For Adults. I was quite busy this week with a new work project that took up a lot of my time. I felt tired from that and reading was not in my cards sometimes. I was planning to continue reading Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, but that has to wait until I finish my two library books from two different library systems! LOL XD Anyways, I think my new plan is to prioritize the Sarah Dessen book and then the shorter book from the Maricopa County Library District second. I hope to catch up to Ale in her reading! Wish me luck, reading blog! :-*
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
❄️Winter Reading Program For Adults: Let's Get Started!
I like that pic for my avatar.
The Winter Reading Program is an online reading program for adults! The program runs from December 11, 2023 – February 11, 2024.The goal of the program is to foster a love of reading, promote the value of adult literacy, and build a sense of community among adult readers.
📚Closest Library: Fairway Library
15 mins. away
9.2 miles away from my house
Friday, December 8, 2023
🪪 All Of My Library Cards!
The first one is my ☀️ Phoenix library card. I got it on Sunday, August 21, 2011 (I was 13 years old).
The second one is my 🌞 Glendale library card. I got it on Saturday, June 11, 2022 (I was 24 years old).
The third one is my 🌵 Maricopa County Library District library card. I got it on Thursday, December 7, 2023 (I was 25 years old).
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Now I have an eCARD from the 🐦 Peoria Public Library. I got it on Friday, April 3, 2026 (I was 27 years old).
I went to get a physical version of my Peoria eCard like I did with my MCLD eCard. I think I went on Friday, July 17, 2026 (I was still 27 years old).
Review: Murder at the Bookstore
Murder at the Bookstore by Sue MinixMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I finished reading this book on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 10:01 a.m.
View all my reviews
Murder at the Bookstore by Sue Minix-Notes & Highlights
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| This is my copy from the library. |
I went into the Desert Sage Phoenix Public Library and browsed the book sale, and there was nothing good, per usual. Then I went into the actual library space and walked to the right where the new books section is and browsed there for anything good to read. I found this book and liked the book cover, so I thought that I would enjoy it.
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| From Libby |
1. Went to return book
2. Drove to Fairway Library and got physical card and checked out short book
3. Went to Main Library to check out Ale book to read w her separately (what happened to goodbye Sarah dessen)
* I love the little kitty on the book cover, the coffee aspect, and that it takes place in a bookstore. I also really love that the bookstore on the cover says, “Ravenous Readers.” That is so adorable!
* I just noticed that the pages of this book remind me of those magic treehouse books I used to read. I really liked the book pages from those books.
* I smelled the book pages, and since this is a new released book that was in the new books section of the library and was released this year, the book pages smell like new book pages, a hospital, and a nursing home for some reason. Very nice! It smells like an office building too.
* Damn! I’m only five pages into this book and it’s already a big mood!
* Large coffee mood in here too!
“In a display of coordination I’d never even experienced in my dreams, she settled with a dancer’s poise into the seat opposite me and placed a cardboard cup of coffee on the table. ‘Here’s another round. Cream, two sugars, the way you like it.’
I hefted it toward my lips, and the picture that always made me smile caught my eye. Aletha in an oversized wingback chair with a tiger-striped kitten asleep in her lap and an open copy of To Kill a Mockingbird in her hands. Ravenous Readers in cloud letters floated above her head and below: Books Make the Best Friends.
‘Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.’ Steam tickled my nose, and just one small sip instantly warmed me all the way down. Perfect” (2-3).
I love the coffee cozy vibe and the bookstore name!
“Aletha had named her new bookstore Ravenous Readers with the hope Riddleton actually had some. She’d lined the walls with hand-hewn cherry bookcases, giving the place the feel of some rich guy’s private library” (4).
I like how that bookcase looks! It’s like the one on my wish list.
“In the front of the store, more tables, and a comfy couch with a couple of wingback chairs covered in low-key brown-and-gold-striped fabric tempted folks to settle in for a good, long read.
‘I love this place.’ Circulation restored, my bottom reunited with my well-padded seat. ‘You’ve made it personal, not like one of those chain stores.’ I twirled my not-so-lucky monogrammed pen on the table. ‘You have a gift for atmosphere, and I can’t imagine writing anyplace else” (4-5).
The atmospheric description here is perfect. From the chairs and tables, this really sets up the story!
* This book reminds me so much of Gilmore Girls!
“I took a large swallow from my cup. With luck, the caffeine would travel straight to my brain” (6).
“A hint of coffee mixed with ink filled each breath” (63).
* So I have started listening to the audiobook for this book, and the narrator keeps putting on a country accent for any other character that’s not the protagonist. I find that very annoying of her to do. It’s like she doesn’t know how to do any other kind of accent!
“I inhaled the bouquet as if the mug contained expensive red wine instead of store-brand java” (131).
“I paused at the steam spiraling out of my cup, but ventured a careful sip” (132).
* I love that Jen and Russell went to Burger King when they went for lunch in Savannah! I love Burger King! Now that I read that I want some Burger King damn it! Haha! XD Jen said that she got fries and a Whopper Junior. Russell got a Double Whopper. I would have gotten an Impossible Whopper if I joined them in on their lunch.
* I love the part at the end where Olinski gave Jen a puppy from that dog who saved her. I thought that was so cute!
“The past had no place in my new future” (326).
I like that quote! <3
Friday, December 1, 2023
December Library News (Maricopa County Library District)
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| New Library Card Designs |
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| Winter Reading Starts Soon! |
Get ready to read with us this winter! Starting December 11, log your points for the Winter Reading Program. You just might win some prizes along the way -- including tickets to a spring training baseball game!
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Winter Reading Program For Adults
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| winter-banner@1x.png |
I'm ready! =D I love the vibes in this banner! <3
The color of the hot chocolate is a dark shade of orange = 5c2f10
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Review: The Story of Chūgorō by Lafcadio Hearn
Review: Will by Vincent O'Sullivan
Review: Blood by Fredric Brown
Review: Lonely Women Are The Vessels Of Time by Harlan Ellison
Review: An Authenticated Vampire Story by Franz Hartmann
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Review: My Name Is Lucy Barton
My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth StroutMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I finished reading this book on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 1:36 p.m.
View all my reviews
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout-Notes & Highlights
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| This is the library book that I borrowed from my local library. |
So, I don't know. I've been feeling kind of in a reading rut where the books that I'm currently reading. So I decided to use my beautiful ideal bookshelf tote bag / birthday tote bag that Senia got me for a library visit. I absolutely love that tote bag and I feel that it deserves an outing where other library patrons can see it. I took it with me to go to the library to browse the shelves. I don't usually do that, but I really wanted to use my new book tote bag that I will only use for the Phoenix Public Libraries. I wanted to look in the large print section, and I wanted a book that was less than 300 pages. This book has 172 pages. And! Of course I looked at the cover and couldn't resist the Chrysler building that's located in New York! I love any story that's set in NYC! So I was intrigued right off the bat! Then I read the summary on the back of the book and I thought that it was perfect for a quick read! Throughout this book I managed to shed a tear or two in some parts of the book.
“‘[Strout’s] themes are how incompletely we know one another, how “desperately hard every person in the world [is] working to get what they need,” and the redemptive power in little things — a shared memory, a shock of tulips.’” — People
I like the praise on the back of the book.
“Keenly observant, deeply human, and truly unforgettable.”
I also like the last of the summary on the back of the book.
* Damn, this books is depressing.
* This book reads like a journal.
“He had come originally from France, from the aristocracy, and he gave that all up to be in America, starting as a young man. ‘Everyone different wanted to be in New York back then,’ he told me. ‘It was the place to come to. I guess it still is’” (38).
<3
“‘Jeremy!’ I would say, and he would smile and lift his hat in a way that was courtly and old-fashioned and European—this is how I saw it” (39).
I love that. I imagine Jeremy to be a handsome Frenchman. ;)
“Lonely was the first flavor I had tasted in my life, and it was always there, hidden inside the crevices of my mouth, reminding me” (42).
* As I was reading today I thought about how this author writes. I really don't want to sound selfish or conceited, but it reminds me of how I write. Like how her thoughts keep coming and she just writes them down.
“I allowed myself into heaven this way” (57).
I like how she worded this sentence. Like her own personal heaven when she felt scared and alone.
* I was smelling one of the book pages, and I swear that it smells like that blue plastic kitty pool we used to buy during the summers when I was a kid.
“...and I looked out the window and I saw a yellow taxi and I thought, I am in New York, I love New York, I am home” (153).
I ♥️ NYC
I like the part in the quote where Lucy says that she owns the inside of her head. I like that very much. I relate.
I like the cute quotation mark separators on page 156.
“Chrissie said, not long ago, about the husband I have now: ‘I love him, Mom, but I hope he dies in his sleep and then my stepmom can die too, and you and Dad will get back together.’ I kissed the top of her head. I thought: I did this to my child.
Do I understand that hurt my children feel? I think I do, though they might claim otherwise. But I think I know so well the pain we children clutch to our chests, how it lasts our whole lifetime, with longings so large you can’t even weep. We hold it tight, we do, with each seizure of the beating heart: This is mine, this is mine, this is mine” (171).
The whole chapter on page 171. I like the quote in the second ¶ (paragraph). It’s so sad.
I like what she says about what she wants people to leave with this story.
I really liked this book review.
I also like how this person reviews this book.
I like how she mentioned the parental topic.
Now that I've watched all these book reviews I really do think that this book makes you think about your own life because of the way the book is written.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Drink My Red Blood by Richard Matheson
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| https://magicmonkeyboy.blogspot.com/2012/06/drink-my-red-blood-by-richard-matheson.html |
I read this story from this book I borrowed from the library. It was quite a disturbing story.
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