My Recent Comments

American society today (in my opinion) seems to be going the way of the Victorians.  Too many people trying to tell us what is appropriate behavior, dress, reading material, etc.  

I've always been of the opinion that your beliefs are your own.  If you want to believe in God, Allah, Mother Earth, whomever, it's your business, just don't tell me who I should believe in.  Same with reading material.  If you believe the Harry Potter books are evil, that's fine.  But don't tell me I and my children can't read tem, or that my public library shouldn't carry them.  I always told my kids they could read what they wanted to - I never censored it.  

I like some inspirational fiction - Beverly Lewis's Amish books are great.  I tried a SHLI book once and couldn't even finish it.  I felt as though the faith was being shoved down my throat.  So, I avoid those and stick with the other lines....

 

Thanks!  You've sold me on it.  I went to look at it and it seems to be just what I was looking for !

 

I missed the one about the percentage of books being romance novels

 

Do you still want/need a copy of that?  I think I can get my hands on a copy for you, if you do

 

I know exactly what you mean. I'm a member of quite a few yahoo groups, and have noticed the same thing. Most of them have wonderful people who actually read and pay attention to what you've written, but there are always a few. Those are the ones who it would take a 2x4 to the back of the head for them to get what you're saying. I avoid getting into it with them, but it always makes me wonder how well they function in the real world if their (not they're or there - pet peeve) grasp of the basics is so limited.

BTW - if you're still looking for Long Tall Texans II, email me at scoutmomskf@verizon.net 

 

 

I was a voracious reader from the beginning also.  I remember learning to read from the Dick and Jane books.  My next real book memory is getting the first Bobbsey Twins book for Christmas in second grade.  That was the beginning.  From there it was Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys.  In middle school I was able to talk my study hall teacher into letting me help out in the library, where I was able to be the first one to get my hands on new books as they came into the library.  I read the whole Happy Hollisters series that way.  I also read my way through a whole series of career stories for girls.  The public library had a biography series called Childhood of Famous Americans (currently being reprinted in paperback) -- I read alot of those too.  When I got involved in a book, I didn't want to stop for anything, and would read anywhere - bathtub, schoolbus, by the light of the streetlamp outside my room....

In seventh grade I chose Gone With the Wind to read for a book report.  My teacher was somewhat doubtful, but I finshed it easily and wrote my book report on it (gaining an "I'm impressed" note from my teacher on it).  In high school I would finish whatever book we were reading in class long before the rest of them, and would read my own while they caught up.  I remember them reading "The Cay", a small book that took me one class period.  So I read "All Creatures Great and Small" -- and had a hard time not laughing hysterically at some parts, while the rest of the class was reading their boring old book.

My romance reading started around the age of 12 or so when I was babysitting for a lady who had a subscription to Harlequin Romance books -- I started out on Betty Neels, Margaret Way, and Violet Winspear.   I moved on to other authors as I got older.

I still read mainly romance, though I do read some other authors.  A high school friend got me hooked on Anne McCaffrey 30 years ago, and another friend got me hooked on Janet Evanovich.  The challenge blogs have managed to introduce me to other authors.  My biggest challenge these days is not buying new books as they come out -- I work in a bookstore, and I see the new ones before they even hit the sales floor .

I have been fortunate in that my husband is also a reader, though he doesn't have much time for it.  Both my kids are also readers, though my daughter is more of one than my son these days. 

I have a huge TBR list, and have put myself on a "book diet", buying only those autobuys until I have pared down the list a bit...

 

I did kiss the Blarney Stone -- it was the one thing from our trip that I absolutely wanted to do.  The climb up to it was a killer.  If it hadn't been for my husband I never would have made it (I have MS and climbing stairs is a real problem -- and there were more than 100 to get up there!).  It was raining too - but we did it anyway.

Ireland was wonderful, and I'd go back again in a heartbeat!

 

My picture is of me and my family on our vacation in Ireland last summer.  In the background is Blarney Castle.  It was pouring rain that day - made climbing the steps even more of a challenge for me.