I'm incredibly flattered that people other than my mom (Hi Mom) are reading my blog. Thank you for popping by my little journal. Even though I'm just in Tacoma, instead of Ireland, it's pleasing that folks still find it entertaining. Still working on getting pictures up, though.
Over the past week, life has been thankfully mundane. I went to work. I worked in the yard. I worked around the house. Work Work Work. So after two very stressful days at work (with a lovely, yet very sick, pregnant girl), and grubbing around the house the weekend before, today was a touch more relaxing. I had grander intentions. I was going to plant loads of lovely annuals with an ardent prayer that they wouldn't die. I was going to cook....something. But my plan (and I always have a plan) was spoiled by a death in the Myers automobile family. The Ranger's battery died. Luckily, it died conveniently in our driveway. We jump-started the truck with idiot-proof jumper cables, and got ourselves a new battery. Then, a journey to one of my favorite places: Half-Price Books. Kevin found a prize, Highlander: The Series on DVD. I had some decent luck, and found four books, although none from the clearance $1.00 rack. And while I love reading, I have a hard time at bookstores.
It comes from my inherited frugal nature. How terrible to waste money on a bad book. I love to read. I've always been a reader. I can spend the whole day on the couch tearing through multiple novels. As a child I brought books to restaurants, sparing myself the trouble of talking with my family. Kevin and I both find it perfectly normal to set the table, make a nice dinner, and exchange comments between our various chapters. So a book I buy can't just be a good book for one read. I'm a re-reader. It's like visiting old friends, where the conversation skips along familiar paths but remains interesting all the while. I have bought the same book twice over because my first copy was destroyed (Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins) on the worst camping trip of my life. And there are times when I don't want the risk of a boring book, so I return to comfortable characters and a predictable plot. Therefore, I don't want to buy any book, I want to buy a book that is interesting through several readings.
Such a challenge. Sometimes it's easy, like buying favorite authors. Tom Robbins, Jimmy Buffett, Dan Brown, Jasper Fforde, and JK Rowling are safe bets. But I've been reading Romance Novels lately (more on the topic later) and it's tough call. While I might love one book or series by a particular author, another title might not appeal. As in any genre, there are two sides to the coin. Many books are delightful: engaging characters, witty dialogue, unexpected twists to a familiar storyline of girl-gets-boy. Then there is the dark side: too stupid to live girls, borderline abusive boys, predictable plotlines, no way in hell would that happen sanarios. Or simply, an idiotic cover and title. So if I'm going to purchase a romance, I want a near guarantee that I'll like the book enough to return to it.
The library has been a godsend. I've explored loads of authors and found many series worth buying. And having enjoyed one or two books from it, I feel safe getting the whole dang thing. So I have a list that I take with me, and check off books I buy. This makes my husband giggle. I've also been able to cross authors off my list, although I'm always willing to try again...at the library, of course.
Who has my current attention:
P.C. Cast: Her Goddess series has a paranormal bent, taking familiar myths and giving them a contemporary twist. Goddess of Spring takes a 35+ divorcee and plops her in the Hades/Persephone myth. Sounds dumb, but the fun banter and steamy scenes make it work.
Celeste Bradley: Two series, The Liars Club and The Royal Four. The are intertwined but not dependent on each other.
Eloisa James: The Duchess Quartet and The Four Sisters. In "real" life she's a Shakespearean professor at an Ivy league university.
Julia Quinn: The Bridgerton series started off as a duo, then snowballed into an eight book series, one for each of the Bridgerton siblings. The final one comes out next fall.
Mary Balough: The Bedwyn series, six books, again one for each sibling. The family is introduced in A Summer To Remember, also a fine book.
Here are two other blogs to check out, both about romance novels. Squawk Radio, hosted by multiple authors, discusses books and other funny life topics. The second needs no explanation, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. Take a peek.
Kisses
Jenny
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