Kindle Reading

When I first got my Kindle last birthday, I was ecstatic and cautious all at once. After all, I have an enormous pile of to read books that occasionally gets whittled down by me changing my taste in books and giving them away. My fear was that the impulse buying issue I have in bookstores that leads me to avoid them in the same way an alcoholic avoids bars would be free to deplete my bank account unchecked.

My fears were thankfully unfounded. I do impulse shop, but mostly from Pixel of Ink's free (or nearly free) daily listings. I prefer to visit the website rather than get the email notifications, mainly because the former has pictures and the latter, only text. I highly recommend it if you're in tough financial straits because you can get some good, well-reviewed (by readers) books in a decent range of genres (ie. not just romance).  I do have a pile of cool books I might end up reading, and a shorter pile of must reads, but they no longer take up so much space.  :)

My other big discovery was Instapaper. The site calls it, "A simple tool to save web pages for reading later." For example, say you're websurfing during your lunch hour and you encounter a neat, but very lengthy article. In the past, you might bookmark it for later, but you'd have to remember it was there and be on a computer to read it. With Instapaper, you click your "Read Later" bookmarklet and through the magic of computing, the article is sent to your Kindle via your Amazon account. That means it comes over wirelessly. Now they have iPhone and iPad and Android apps for those wanting to read it that way too. I've been using it for a couple of months now and it is super cool and very easy to use. I highly recommend it.

Now, if only I had more time to read...

More Hobbity Goodness

I swear, this is not going to become a Hobbit Blog. Eventually, when my knee is better, we'll get back to pictures of tasty food, camping trips, maps of motorcycling trips, etc. But for now, I'm (quite literally) sick and tired and will post a cool link instead of saying something pithy.

Hey, look at this cool link for some beautiful Russian illustrations of The Hobbit! I love the furry legs on Bilbo and Smaug is gorgeous. I'm pretty sure the dwarves would object to being depicted like something out of Snow White, but the simplicity of the drawings is lovely.

Cool Things: Stone Papers

My new composition book, in which I write my blog posts, was an impulse buy at Target.  When I picked it up, it felt different -- heavier, softer, more flexible.  I looked at the label and it read:
Stone Papers
Made from stone
tree-free, acid-free, natural paper products made from all natural stone

Cool!  I looked for them online, but their website was under construction when I visited it.  I did find another, similar (I think) product that outlines the process (I'm assuming it's a similar process.  It may not be.) pretty well.

I admit, I'm using my favorite pen, but the ink is received by the paper very smoothly, and I love how it feels!
I'm not sure if every Target has this product (online they do not) but it's worth checking out.

Birthday Weekend, Part 1

I have a brief lull in my work schedule and I'm trying to get the Bathroom-in-the-Basement done, so I decided to take a couple days off work to do that and to relax a little for my birthday. The progress on the BitB is going well. I managed to get the tile walls grouted and Sunday I'll do the floor. Hopefully I can set up an appointment for the plumber to install the plumbing fixtures early next week. There are still quite a few things to do, but the end is in sight!

The birthday weekend had a good start when I found a box from Amazon on my doorstep. I opened it to find three books from my Amazon wishlist:

The packing slip said "Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday to YOU! Love, Michelle and Michael"
Thank you so much, Michelle and Michael! You guys are awesome. I love that you picked such a diverse selection. Big hugs!

Today I'm going to a friend's to help with a school project, to Janiece's for a little R & R, and then to another friend's to cook up some Indian food and do some socializing.

I love long weekends. You can get stuff accomplished AND relax!

P.G. Coming To the Rescue

I was at the library today to refresh my stock of audio books (did you know they have this series of educational audio books that covers everything from philosophy through physics? Very tempting if I could only decide where to begin!) and I came upon an old favorite, A Damsel in Distress by P.G. Wodehouse. I like it so much, I'm considering buying a copy of the audio version (already have it in print).
I was listening to it and while sympathizing with dear old George Bevan, also thinking on how he and his author take some of the same themes I've got in my life story and how they manage to turn it into a comedy. Granted, George has only just come to the realization that what he is missing is love, when he sees and falls in love with the adventurous Maude and she precipitously hops into his cab. Luck favors him during his moments of doubt and surrender. He is a fictional character, after all, and one cannot have him moping about for years on end as sometimes happens in real life.
That tiny detail aside, one can draw hope and inspiration from the example of a character who perseveres against seemingly insurmountable odds, (and to be truly Wodehousian, I need to insert a golfing metaphor here...) as a man might encounter when, off the tee, he finds that his drive, which seemed to fly towards the green as an arrow from the bow, has inexplicably sliced at the apex of its flight and deposited the ball betwixt a particularly rough patch in the weeds and the inviting curve of a sand trap. He does not bemoan (for long) the placement of Providence. No, he turns his mind towards a viable solution... wedge or niblick?

Thank you, P.G., for aiding this particular damsel.

Quality of Writing

While I've been working, I've been listening to audiobooks borrowed from the library and stumbled across an interesting contrast.

I read a couple of murder mysteries by Kate Wilhelm, the first two books from the Barbara Holloway series (Death Qualified and The Best Defense). (Mysteries are generally lightweight enough that I get the right level of involvement.) Her books were readily available, so I didn't have to wait. They were both good. The intricacies of the plot were reasonably handled, though in both there were a couple points that didn't carry through -- that might have been because I wasn't paying attention all the time.

Then, a book I had requested came available -- James Patterson's 1st to Die, the first book in his Women's Murder Club Series. It is definitely not as good. The heroine is melodramatic and the secondary characters are highly stereotypical. Peoples' actions appear nonsensical because he's pushing them unnaturally into a predetermined plot. The plot was very intricate and dramatic and had some interesting twists, but the characters were like a faint fingernails-on-the-chalkboard in the background. He uses what I call "literary shortcuts" that I dislike, especially when I see them in my own writing.

I think, in the future, I'll go for Wilhelm's more realistic plots and characters, even if they are less thrilling.

Slight SPOILER below:
_______________________________

(As a side note: What IS it with female leads falling deeply in love and then having their beloved die at the end? Can't have happily married (or otherwise relationshipped) women... no conflict, I suppose. That is one reason I like the TV show "Medium." The lead is happily married - though they have the inevitable occasional squabbles - with fairly realistic children.)

Temptation

I've been blessed with a windfall of gifted cookbooks lately. Above (being investigated by Martin) are Comfort Classics : 150 Favorite Home-Style Dishes by Weight Watchers and The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook: 101 Asian Recipes Simple Enough for Tonight's Dinner by Jaden Hair, given to me by the Hot Chick with a fabulous bod and her Smart and thoughtful hubby. I can't wait to try some of the recipes within. They all look healthy and tasty and really, who could ask for more?
Well, there IS more! Michelle randomly ;) sent me another cookbook, Rose's Heavenly Cakes by Rose Levy Beranbaum. I don't bake a lot of cakes, except when prompted by nostagia (sorry, the only post on that I could find did not have a good photo of a poppy seed cake), a special occasion, a dinner party, or a fabulous photo, which this book has in spades. Now, keep in mind, one of my most spectacular food related failures was cake related, but that's never stopped me from trying something new. And I can't wait to try one of these.

Except that I do have to wait.
For the last month or so, I've been forging on steadily towards two deadlines that occur in the next two weeks. For the last fortnight or so, I've been doing quite a bit of overtime. Enough that Janiece took pity on me and froze some homemade meals for me to eat for dinner when I'm working late. Thank you, my dear. They are providing me with a smile and sustenance in the evening hours before I dive back into the work.

Why do I work so late or so hard? Because I like for my projects to succeed and for my work product to be something I'm proud of. I also often do projects that are stretches for me professionally. This doubles my interest in doing well (I'm not really into excuses) and increases the steepness of the learning curve. Luckily, I love a challenge and have a knack for learning quickly. My job keeps me on my toes, and with any luck, there'll be a brief lull in the work load in the next month or so during which I can take some time to get back to some of the chores (and delights) that are being pushed into the corners right now.

___________

In other news, my friend Shawn, of whom I spoke in my last post, is doing fine. He and his family are experiencing what it's like to be bathed in the light that humanity can bring to dark situations. His primary emotions are Profound Gratitude and Humility and if you'd like to see his own words, you can read it on his blog (this post is a particularly interesting way to describe his last month or so).

Not AFK

I can't even claim my recent blogging silence has been due to being busy or "away from keyboard."

I've had a few little post items (that you'll see in the next few days), but I've been feeling pretty escapist lately. I spent a day off work (don't remember if it was a weekday or a weekend) last week simply reading a book. I recently (in the last couple months) picked up the third book in Lynn Flwelling's Tamir Trilogy and reread the first two, which I don't usually do. She's a great writer. The subject matter is a little dark, full of vengeful ghosts and blood magic, but the characterization is done very well. It's a coming of age story, but doesn't feel teeny-boppery in the slightest.
I've finally finished watching all the Get Smart episodes (will return to Stacey next time I see her!) and caught up on the TiVo.
I've been getting SOME stuff done:
- Demo in basement (found a 35 year old porn magazine - BONUS!) for the BITB project.
- Buying up a storm for the BITB project (my savings account will take a nose dive after my next credit card payment)
- Making donations of crap from the garage and basement to clear up space for the BITB
- Making up a cool acronym for the "Bathroom In The Basement" Project

- Making Homemade Oreos a la Michelle

- Making Sugar Cookies for a fairy-tale themed Baby Shower (last weekend)


- Making cards with the cool book Janiece got me
- Sending out a package or two
- Making catfood to stock up for my trip over Thanksgiving
- Editing my new writing project, Midnight City and thinking through the next steps.

Work has been a bit lightweight, though my next project is this:


OK, yes, it sounds like I have been busy, but I have had time to blog and I haven't. :/

Good Boys

I finished Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys over the weekend. The characters were well drawn (though one of them makes a transition at the end that is a hair's breadth too quick) and the arc of the storyline is very comfortable, but still entertaining and surprising. My favorite part is that he used stories within the stories (I love that kind of structure). In short, it was the sort of good book that inspires me to write. Bravo, Mr. Gaiman!

Treats for Me

My dear cousin Susan took pity on me and my poor demolished basil and bought me a new one. It came in a really cool biodegradable pot. Here it is next to its older brother. Thank you so much, Susan! You are the sweetest! (I got to see her for the ladies luncheon and she looked gorgeous in an almost Edwardian style black gown.)

On my way home, I stopped at Barnes and Noble and finally used a gift card a friend gave me as a thank you gift way back around January. I got three cool looking books: The Art of War by Sun Tzu (always wanted to read that), 101 Things You Didn't Know About Jane Austen by Patrice Hannon (essentially a biography), and Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman (no, not Neil Diamond). This last one ought to be pretty darned funny.
I forgot to mention last weekend that Janiece, my fairy godsister, gave me a lovely book called Paper Architect. It's a fabulous book and once I get to a craft store, I'll see about doing some of them myself. ;)
I also stopped by Cost Plus World Market for something and was intrigued by a bar of dark chocolate with sea salt. Sound weird? Essentially it tastes like chocolate covered pretzels without the pretzel. Pretty yummy!


And here's the cards I've gotten recently. Do I know some lovely people? Yes, yes I do. :)

Audio Books

I've been listening to Neal Stephenson's Anathem (an 800 page doorstop in its printed form) while walking, and I have to say, it's been a rousing success.

There are certain aspects of the story that I know I am missing. Stephenson has invented some of the language, and I'm sure I'd be picking up nuances better if I could see the structure and spelling of the words. In fact, I'm tempted to borrow the printed version too, just so I could flip through and catch a few of the things I think I'm missing. The complexity of the story is begging for a timeline, glossary, and a map. I believe at least two of these can be found in the book.

Part of the reason I'm missing nuances is that listening to an audio book is a little like riding in a car instead of walking. When you read and you come upon a difficult or interesting bit, you can stop, digest it, read it over, puzzle over the words. Listening to an audio book, difficult or interesting bits just fly by. "I'll get the gist of it next time they mention it," you think to yourself. This is sometimes justifiable, like now, when I am "reading" a book that is the equivalent of Montana. Interesting and beautiful, but geez, just too big! (The book actually IS quite enjoyable, despite a tendency to wander off the main topic to explain some minutiae.)

Review: The Late Bloomer's Revolution

Jen A was kind enough to send me this book after I was laid off (we had discussed it on her blog, but I had forgotten she was planning to send it) and had a sudden influx of reading time. I actually finished this book last week and meant to send a commentary to Jen, but today I had a lack of blog fodder (other than I am SO not used to working at home!) so here's my review.

The Late Bloomer's Revolution, by Amy Cohen
Amy is a wonderfully descriptive writer - an overdramatic and slightly neurotic New York writer - but very descriptive. Her talent for story-telling, I believe, may be behind some of her troubles in the book. She is constantly imagining what other people think and do and is super-conscious of her own life *as a story.* (This latter, I have experienced myself. It only becomes a problem if you start judging your life as if it should be structured like an epic tale and start making decisions accordingly.)
The stories she tells about herself are wonderfully humble. She doesn't do everything well, in fact, her failures and frustrations are very human. It makes for a fast read.
Her theorizing about what her life is about and why why why is it not going the way it "should" be going just about drove me up the wall. When I got to the end, I understood why. She was working her way towards a realization that she (I don't think I'm "ruining" the end here) is ultimately responsible for all the choices in her life and the reason she is where she is is that she chose to be there. "This was my shit. For better or worse." I came to the same understanding in the last few years and as Amy also experienced, it's terribly liberating. And the funny thing is, I don't think that she learned it that late (I think she was around 40 at the end of the book). I think everyone else is also working toward that kind of understanding and acceptance of who they are and some are just doing it a different way. Marriage (which Amy both avoids and longs for in the book) is not a storybook ending, it's a carnival, complete with rollercoaster rides of emotions and a fun-house of mirrors presenting you with both real and distorted images of yourself. It's a school where you learn about yourself and how you deal with other people. The unmarried do it too, just with different players in the key roles.
This realization is, I believe, the next step after the realization Amy came to - that of taking responsibility for one's choices. Accepting your choices (good and bad) is the first step to accepting yourself, as you are (good and bad). Accepting doesn't mean you don't try to work on expressing what you value, but it does mean giving up on comparing yourself with those around you. When you do that, marriage becomes not a Holy Grail, but merely a different road.
So, I think Amy's book describes a portion of this journey. I'm glad she shared it with the world, as I'm sure there are many people who identify with her. I'm just glad I'm past that portion myself. It was hard! And I learned something! :)

Review: The Shape of Mercy

The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

Michelle gave me this book for winning this contest.
Michelle has her own review of it which I pretty much agree with (except for which character's story I identified most with).

It's about three women - a college student who is hired by an old lady to translate the diary of an ancestor who was tried as a witch during the Salem trials.

I most identified with Lauren, the college age gal, mostly because I over think things like she does and puzzle over my own thought processes like she does. I found a few lines particularly profound, like when her dad points out that even if you manage to see people as they are (and not assuming they are), that still doesn't justify judging them. [It lost something in the paraphrasing, but you get the idea.]

It's well-written, and light, kind of like eating a good salad. Enjoyable, good for you, doesn't seem like it'll fill you up, but then it does. It is skewed toward a female audience (all three main characters are women) and there are aspects that would appeal to a young audience. It's very well done.

The book gave me much to think about afterwards, but interestingly, one of the most striking points of thought was not prompted by the book but by some of the reviews on the book's Amazon.com page. Turns out that in some circles this book is idenified as "Christian Fiction." This brought up an immediate reaction - and judgement! - but in looking for another link, I stumbled across an excellent review page that said pretty much what I was thinking, only better than I could have said it:

As a Christian myself, I honestly didn't realize it was Christian Fiction until I saw it called so. The only religious aspect to the book, aside from the Salem witch trials, is that the characters believe in God and in passing the author mentions that they pray or go to church. While the theme of the book is a Christian one of not judging others that theme transcends Christianity to all walks of life. [emphasis mine]

I love that the reviewer, ElizaJane, pointed that out. (There's HOPE for the world!)
Religion in this book is perfectly appropriate for each character. The woman from the past was embedded in a highly religious society and people were being accused of allying themselves with The Devil.
Interestingly for me (and this fact is cited by another reviewer on that page), If I had known about the label, I would have either not read it (for fear of finding it too "preachy") or started reading it prejudiced. In both cases, I would have been the loser, as it is a lovely book that transcends its labels. Plus, I wouldn't have had such a great opportunity to think about my prejudices, my judgments, and how I think about myself.

The link I was looking for when I found the good review page was a blog that follows the story of the characters after the end of the book. The author says she wasn't ready to leave these characters just yet. Kinda cool!

Highly Recommended: 8/10

Prize Loot

My prize for winning Michelle's short story contest was a book, which arrived... well, sometime in the last week or so. I opened the package, thought "Cool! This looks good!" and then was picked up again by the whirlwind that's been my life lately.
The book is The Shape of Mercy, by Susan Meissner. Michelle has already done a review, but I'm trying to hold off reading it until after I read the book.

Also pictured above is a postcard (coincidentally, also from Michelle) is from San Antonio, TX. I'm thinking of starting a UCF postcard scrapbook with all these cool postcards. :)

Thank you, AGAIN, Michelle. :)

Turtlesque

When I was a kid, I read a lot. I recognize now that it was to escape. I slowed down the pace of my reading when I started building a life that included entertainment with friends and family as well as the obligations of living (vacuuming, cooking dinner, emptying the cat box, etc).
The last few weeks, I've regressed. I not only read at night (which means I'm sliding on some of my obligations of living), but also in the morning, before work. This morning, I seriously considered taking a mental health day and just reading all day, but I promised to do a jobsite walk this afternoon. Plus, I'd rather really get away if I'm going to take time off work.
I'm uncertain if I should cut myself some slack and just move through the phase without the self-flagellation or if I'm being self-indulgent to do so. If I were to just apply a little discipline, would it help? We'll see.

It's very much like having a recalcitrant child, but without the extra cost of food, schoolbooks, and clothes.

Later: Jeri (in the comments) put it best when she describes reading as "an inexpensive mental vacation."

You all will be pleased to learn that tonight I finished the book I was reading - Young Miles (a compilation of The Warrior's Apprentice, "The Mountains of Mourning", and The Vor Game) by Lois McMaster Bujold - and am moving on (in the absence of the next Miles book, which I will be purchasing momentarily from Amazon) to The Mislaid Magician, or Ten Years After by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer.

Even Later: There, the remainder of the Miles series has been ordered, mostly through Amazon, but a couple from Paperback Swap. [cue evil chuckle] While I'm waiting, I'll decimate my "to read" list as well as I am able. :)

Free Book Followup

Well, the Free Book Giveaway is over. I've posted the remaining books on PaperBackSwap. I'll wait to go through my current "To Read" pile before getting more from PBS. (If one of you ends up signing up and wants to credit me with the reference, just use my email address.) At present, I have 16 books (not all paperbacks) posted. Considering how long it will take me to read my backlog, I should have quite a bit of credit built up. I'll let you know how it goes. :)

Oh, a word on the Book Giveaway. Three strangers contacted me for books after having found me by Googling for "free books." Amazing that people will search for such things. Two of them followed up by sending me addresses (both in OK, oddly enough), so I sent them the books they requested. Interesting, eh?

AWOL

Sorry I've been away from my blog without providing entertainment. Work's been a bit crazy. Building "completion" (which I put in quotes because it's a phased completion and we're approaching the first, if largest, phase, not the final completion) is scheduled for next Tuesday. Normally, this is a big deal for the contractor, but not so much for me, as all critical questions should have been resolved long ago. HOWEVER, there are a couple things that have come up late in the game that require my knowledge of code and my communication skills to bring to a close. So, it's been a bit hectic. It should be fine in the long run, but things are a little stressful until then.
The day before yesterday, I was home in the evening, but I was busy wrapping up books and putting addresses on them. Yep, I've sent out the Free Books. I did have one more salvo, but am too tired and lazy to post them here at the moment (they were kind of random books anyway), so I'll probably put them up for grabs at Paperback Swap. So, huzzah! If you asked for a book, it's on its way to you! Media mail, of course, so slower than first class mail, but I think you'll manage.
Tonight, after a little work overtime, I wasn't feeling up to going grocery shopping for dinner fixings. So, I had to be creative when I got home. I pulled out some frozen pasta, little ravioli-type pouches filled with a lemon-chicken filling, cooked it up, and then, while it was still hot, mixed it with frozen peas and canned chicken (that I really need to use, 'cause I need to cycle my canned backup foods). That seemed a bit dry, so I added a few tablespoons of sour cream and then a bit of dried dill and some salt and pepper. Voila! Yummy dinner. The only thing that it lacked was color (see photo, left). Nice to know I've still got the improv cooking mojo.

Anyway, I missed you guys and I hope to catch up on your blogs this weekend!

Free Books! (Part 2)

UPDATE: The book giveaway is over. Thanks for playing!

This is the second half (first half here) of my book giveaway.

Fantasy

The Painter Knight, by Fiona Patton: Apparently (I didn't realize this until I just looked up the link on Amazon), this is the middle book in a trilogy. However, the blurb on the back did not make it sound like it was. It's a straight out fantasy with magic and gods and dragons (as it seems from the cover - Jody Lee is usually pretty accurate). The hero is a painter who must save the heir to the throne from (of course) evil plotters. (Great cover art.)
Kingmaker's Sword, by Ann Marston: First (ha HA!) book of the Rune Blade Trilogy. From all the flowing red hair and tartan on the cover, I'm going to hazard a guess that this is a Celtic fantasy. (Again, great cover art.)
Ship of Magic, by Robin Hobb: It's books like these that make me wish I had unlimited reading time. It looks very good - Fantasy on the High Seas - but I just don't have the time. :( The Amazon review says "reminiscent of Moby Dick and Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series in its details of shipboard life." It's Book 1 of The Liveship Traders.
The White Raven, by Diana L. Paxson: This is a story based on the legend of Tristan and Isolde, and is (obviously) another Celtic/Arthurian Fantasy. From the reviews, the central story is one parallel to the Tristan/Isolde story.
Dragon's Blood, by Jane Yolen: Book 1 of the Pit Dragon Chronicles. The Amazon description says, "Training a dragon to be a fighting champion is the only way to freedom for fifteen-year-old Jakkin." That pretty much says it all.
Swords of Haven, by Simon R. Green: The adventures of Hawk & Fisher, a fantasy cop duo. It's actually a compilation of a trilogy about the pair, so all three parts are here. I actually read the first one, but it didn't suit my taste, so I didn't finish the book/trilogy. From the Amazon reviews, others liked it though.
Til We Have Faces, by C. S. Lewis: This is a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche and is one of Lewis's classics. I just flipped through it and it looks very good too, darn it.
Moll Flanders, by Daniel Defoe: This is a book about a strong female character, scratching her way up from poverty to success in 17th century England. It was made into a movie in 1996 starring Robin Wright (now Penn). The frontpiece of the book, written by Defoe is quite telling. "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, Etc. Who was Born in Newgate, and during a Life of continu'd Variety for Three-score Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother), Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv'd Honest, and died a Penitent." Hmm, sounds a lot like the Angelique series I would sneak from my mum's bookshelf. I don't know how racy Moll Flanders (pub. 1722) is though, and so cannot comment on its suitability for Michelle's grandmother. Technically, I suppose, this qualifies as a Romance or Historical, rather than fantasy.
On the Night of the Seventh Moon, by Victoria Holt: This is also a hisorical/gothic romance, and from the reviews on Amazon, one of the author's best. As usual, it looks interesting, I just don't have the time or inclination anymore.
The Ruby in the Smoke, by Philip Pullman: Book 1 of the Sally Lockhart trilogy. I bought this because I liked The Golden Compass, but I was never able to really get into it. Another case of a good-looking book with no time to read it.

Speaking of having no time, this post has been taking too long to write. I need to get some household chores done! I will try and finish this process with the Misc. books in Part 3 tonight or tomorrow.

Again, if any of these sound interesting to you, let me know and I'll send them to you, free of charge. If I can't read them, I want them to go to a good home. :)

Free Books! (Part 1)

UPDATE: The book giveaway is over. Thanks for playing!

I am clearing off my shelves (trying to reduce clutter) and decided to finally cull my unread-books shelves. These, appropriately enough, are the shelves that contain books that I either purchased or obtained (in some fashion or another) that I have not yet read. I am slowly coming to the realization that I may never read these books.
When I was a kid, I read pretty voraciously, mostly because it was an escape from a world that I didn't think suited me very much. I still love to read, but now I also love to see friends, watch good movies, watch good TV shows, read my friends' blogs, write in my blog, write fiction, go outside, cook meals, bake brownies and cookies, and do household projects, not to mention the time needed to do things that I previously didn't have to do clean the house, go to the gym, cook meals (yes, that's in there twice), and have a social life if I ever want to have a mate. Plus, I don't need to escape as often.
So, now I have books I've had for years (I figured out how to beat the book buying addiction: don't go into bookstores, especially during a sale) that frankly, don't interest me anymore. I'd like to give them to a good home, and know of a good second-hand store, but wanted to give you guys a first crack at them. There is another option. Recently Shawn posted about a book exchange club called Paperback Swap. It looks interesting and I am sorely tempted, but I don't know that I'd use it all that much. Like I said, I don't read that quickly anymore and I do have a big backlog of books.
In the meantime, I thought I'd have a book giveaway. It's the opposite of those posts on Scalzi's Whatever, where he posts (brags) about all the free books he's gotten lately and posts a picture. It kills me that there are books sitting here unread and unappreciated and I know I just won't read them, no matter how long they sit on that shelf. So, thank goodness I didn't inherit the collecting gene (that my mum has), 'cause here goes...

My current offerings (loosely grouped by genre):

Science Fiction (not many of these, as I am currently on a SciFi bent)

The Ugly Little Boy, by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg: a time travel book about a little Neanderthal boy brought into the present. Given to me 15 years ago by a pen pal and I... dammit, can't give a gift away until I've read it. ***If you want this, let me know and I'll read it ASAP and send it to you.
Writers of the Future, Vol. IX, presented by L. Ron Hubbard: collection of short science fiction, with a few essays by L. Ron Hubbard, Octavia Butler, and Kevin J. Shwartz Anderson. (I originally had Songsmith up here, until I realized it's not in the photo, so you'll have to wait til I read it and have another giveaway to get that one.)
The Day the Televisions Stopped, by S. B. Sutton: Title is self explanatory.
Hook Man Speaks, by Matt Clark: This is more comedy/suspense, I think, and tells the story of the guy in all those campfire tales. It looks really good, I just haven't gotten around to it and admit now I won't.

Mystery

The Cat Who Blew the Whistle, The Cat Who Saw Red, The Cat Who Said Cheese, and The Cat Who Talked To Ghosts, all by Lillian Jackson Braun: This is a really cute series (these are only part of The Cat Who Series, so linear readers, beware) about a journalist who solves mysteries with the aid of his two very well drawn Siamese cats.
Jane and the Wandering Eye, by Stephanie Barron: I like Jane Austen, so I thought I'd like this (picked it up at a library sale, so it's a hardback). Unfortunately, never got around to reading it. It's a mystery and the main character is Jane Austen and it's the third of the series (again, linear readers, beware).
The Wandering Arm (heh two wanderings in a row), by Sharan Newman: This is a mystery set in 12th century France. Again, looked interesting, former library hardback, third in a series (sorry!).
The Victim in Victoria Station, by Jeanne M. Dams: British mystery of some sort, hardback, 5th in a series (dammit)

OK, I've got to go, but I've got more to post - Fantasy and Historical/Nonfiction. So, I'll post part 2 of this series tonight or tomorrow morning. :)

Ah, perhaps I should say more explicitly -- let me know if you'd like any of these books and I will mail them to you, free of charge.

Now We Know Where To Go

Gabe and Krissy spotted this sign in Steamboat Springs and had to take a photo.

If you don't know why, just pretend you do. :)