Friday, January 15, 2010

Books Galore!

Posted by MANDI at 9:50 AM
If you know me in real life you'll know how much I love to read. I'll read pretty much anything though chick-lit and thriller/mysteries are probably my favourite genres at the moment. I love a well-written chick-lit book: something with likeable characters, that makes me laugh out loud at the dialogue, smile with satisfaction at the turn of events and shed a tear or two (ok, occasionally sob my head off) at the inevitable sad stuff. There's nothing worse than reading a book where you don't actually like the main characters all that much. And yes, it happens more than you'd think. I also love a well-written thriller, one that keeps me guessing and frightens the daylights out of me at the same time. I hate working out who the killer is on page 12 and having to read another 200-odd pages to be proved right. It's okay to have a hunch, and even better to change your mind about who the villain might be three or four times through the story, but it's just plain annoying when it's so completely obvious right from the get-go.
Maggie Alderson, who incidentally is one of my favourite chick-lit authors - heck, she's just one of my favourite authors all round, recently tweeted that she was going to keep a list of all the books she reads in 2010. I tweeted back asking if she planned to count re-reads or if they had to all be new reads and... she replied to me. OMG. I just about fell of my chair. My brushes with famous people are few and far between and this one ranks right up there! Anyway, she said she was planning to count re-reads but would mark them accordingly. So... I've started my own list. It's down a ways on the side bar and I'll add to as I read more. I don't have a goal number or anything like that, I'm just interested to see the volume I read (I know it's generally what other people term 'a lot') and the kind of stuff I read.
My rules for my list?
- Pretty much everything I read will be added. Except crappy little romance novels. Like Mills&Boon. Because it's kind of embarrassing to admit that, yes, I do read them and, because they take me about 45 minutes to read and are fluffy and light I particularly like them when life is heavy and I need to chill out a bit. But I will include the heftier historical romance-y ones that I'm quite enjoying at the moment. By the end of the year you'll no doubt be horrified by the amount of utter crap that I read. And enjoy.
- re-reads will be marked with an * and there will be re-reads. There are several books that I read once every year. You'll see them as time goes on. There are already a couple on there.
- I won't include books I don't finish. Although for me to not finish a book is pretty rare. It's more common that I'll get to the end and then exclaim, "That was the worst book I ever read." And then hubby questions why I bothered finishing it and I tell him I need to know how it ended and he shakes his head and wanders off muttering about mad women. And yes, I am one of those annoying people who check the last page before reaching the end of the book. Can't help it, won't apologise for it.
- I'll only include cookbooks if I read them sort-of properly. Not if I just skim through and look at the pictures. There's one coming up.
- If I love a book I'm going to blog about it. Again,there's one coming up. If you love a book I'd really like you tell me about it. At least recommend it to me so I can check it out.
So, any thoughts? Anything you want to suggest for my rules? Any books you want to recommend? I'd love to hear what you think. And if you want to play along, let me know.

13 comments:

Samantha Marshall on January 15, 2010 at 11:42 AM said...

Great idea!

Iris Flavia on January 15, 2010 at 2:32 PM said...

I started my list this summer in my blog, too :-)

I loved Bill Cosbys books (Time Flies, Fatherhood) and Tim Allen, too (partly not in the list cause been before summer).

Hehe :-) Tend to finish bad books mostly also. Weird, actually a waste of time!

Chantalle said...

Alright! I love this idea - I'm sure I shall take inspiration from some of your choices...some.
I notice that some of your pictured books have films or tv shows made of them. I've been bitterly disappointed almost every time this has happened - what are your thoughts?
ps - fave film adaptation - High Fidelity. For it's originality amd truth to the feeling, if not the setting of the film.
pps - good to have you back.

Deborah Cornwell-Kelly on January 15, 2010 at 6:30 PM said...

Try bookmooch.com if you run out of reading material. Oh, for slightly older and less dependant kids..I'm afraid my list would never get beyond 2 or 3.

Donna said...

Cool, book ideas, as well as food ideas!

Anonymous said...

The last book I read was My Sister's Keeper. I am sure you would have read that one. This is a great idea and I look forward to seeing your list grow. I too, love reading but don't get much of a chance to do it (demanding toddler doesn't like playing second fiddle to a book!). My biggest problem is not being able to put a book down if it is a good one. Enjoy your books but don't forget to keep cooking! Kaz x

Anonymous said...

Just read your list...12 books already this year??? I would be lucky to do 12 in a year! Who am I kidding...I would be lucky to do 6 in a year! Happy reading! Kaz x

Red Dirt Mummy on January 16, 2010 at 7:47 AM said...

Thanks Sam.

I'll check your list out Iris!

LOL Chantalle, yeah just some. I'm not a fan of movies made from books. I remember being bitterly disappointed by Gone With The Wind at 13 and it's all gone downhill from there. That's why I won't be seeing The Time Traveller's Wife or any of the Twilights.

Thanks Deborah - I had a look at the BookCrossing site but I'll be sure to check out that one too. You're right, slightly older kidlets makes it a lot easier.

Hey Donna! Just remember to share your books too - I always need new material :)

I loved My Sister's Keeper Kaz. It's my favourite Jodi Picoult book. Yeah, 12 already but not a lot else is getting done LOL (and I had a great haul from the libaray last week, that's rare in itself.)

Chantalle said...

Ha! I've stayed away from the Time Traveller's Wife and The Lovely Bones for the same reason. I'm apprehensive, but I think I'm going to have to see Where The Wild Things Are sooner or later.

Amanda on January 17, 2010 at 7:46 AM said...

If you like chicklit you'll love Jen Lancaster (if you haven't already read any of her books)
I love her wit and sarcasm. I have read her first 4 books and eagerly waiting for her 5th
I've only managed to read 2 books so far (half way through my 3rd)and one of them I didn't really like and didn't finish !!

Anonymous said...

I'll join in with you, however don't get around to reading nearly as many as you. Could be coz I have to be at work 5 days a week, but I do manage to read each day on the train. Never mind my time will come. (Mum)

Donna said...

Ok. I've just finished reading 'A Place Called Here' by Cecelia Ahern. Couldn't put it down! Prior to that I have been reading Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilts Novels.

Red Dirt Mummy on January 21, 2010 at 3:10 PM said...

Thanks Amanda. I've added her to my 'look for' list.

Not long now Mum, then you'll be free to laze about and read all day long :)

Hey Donna - I've read that Cecilia Ahearn book, I really liked it. I think partly it appealed to the OCD 'a place for everything' side of me LOL. I think I've read some of the Elm Creek Quilts books but I'll check them out to be sure. Thanks!

 

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