Category Archives: Reading is FUNdamental

September 19, 2025 · 12:14 am

My Favorite Book?

Best Book Monkey

One of the things I miss about our former home in Arkansas is my book collection. We had bookshelves in every room and all of them were overflowing. That didn’t keep us from buying more or downloading more onto our Kindles…

We brought our Kindles to Thailand, and Brian pronounced them ‘ancient,’ as soon as we were settled. After my husband’s stroke and eventual placement in a nursing home, Brian bought him a new, simplified Kindle without all the bells and whistles that we thought he could operate. That turned out not to be the case, so we brought it home for me to use.

It’s very straight-forward and I like it a lot. Brian transferred the books I had on the old one to the new one. This is faster, easier to read, lighter weight. I stopped paying for the Unlimited plan, since I was paying more for that monthly than I would if I bought the books outright. I’m not reading as much because I simply run out of time. I can still find some free books to try, when I don’t know the author and am not interested in showing my support yet.

I put it in my carrier when we go to the cafe to get out of my housekeeper’s way on Friday afternoons. I switch between reading and sketching, and the time passes quickly.

Right now I’m enjoying the latest book in the “In Death” series by J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts. It’s called, “Framed in Death,” and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. (This is book # 61 in the series. #62 will be available in February.)

I learned to read when I was 5 because I had the wonderful example of my parents and older brother reading all around me. I’ve been a voracious reader ever since – except for while I was pursuing my Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist. THAT is a program designed to kill anyone’s love of reading! It took me two years after getting my degree to be able to pick up a book to read for pleasure without tensing up and feeling I would be ‘tested’ on all the details of the book when I finished.

One of the things I tried to do when I ran my own reading clinic for several years in Tulsa was to get my students to realize what joy they would find when they unlocked the key to reading well. Once we figured out the skills they were missing and what kinds of things interested them, we used their interests to fill in the blanks and they were on their way, grinning. It’s amazing how hard a boy will work on phonics, figuring out how to chop up a long word into a word he could pronounce and use, when it’s tied to reading a comic book starring one of his favorite characters. Some of our girls enjoyed reading about clothes available in teen magazines. Everyone seemed to get a kick out of reading cartoons of any kind.

I consider reading one of the many gifts we humans have in life. We can learn things we need or want to know. We can follow directions to make things we can use or can give as gifts to others. We can dive into a world filled with intriguing characters who live in a world totally different than ours, making our problems fade away for a while.

Thankfully, there are ways to enjoy reading without spending a lot of money or needing a lot of space to store books. I love the idea I saw about people building library boxes on poles in their neighborhoods, putting books inside they thought others might like. These are completely free. The idea spreads, others bring books to share. Everyone wins. 😁

6 Comments

Filed under Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

August 12, 2025 · 8:51 pm

Dreamy Book Nooks

Pinterest

“A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.” – Neil Gaiman 

Love Art USA Outfit

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King 

Pinterest

“Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift.” – Kate DiCamillo  

Pinterest

“Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” – Malorie Blackman 

Wooden Wonders – Pinterest.com

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,” said Jojen. “The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin 

In Design Live

“I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.” – Malcolm X 

4 Comments

Filed under Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , ,

June 9, 2025 · 3:22 am

The Gift of Reading

Michael Bednarek – Fine Art America

Reading is one of the MANY things that increases my quality of life.

I got in trouble as a 3 or 4 year old, sitting on the floor of our living room. My dad was reading a book on archeology. My mom was sitting in her chair with her 3 Chihuahuas working the Sunday New York Times Crossword Puzzle. My brother was on the couch with a whole pile of comic books. I looked around several times and then I said, in the middle of the silence, “I wish to HELL I could read!”

The silence lasted a bit longer while my brother looked smug that I would obviously get in trouble. Instead, my mom got up, gathered some things and sat down on the floor with me and began to teach me.

The only time I wasn’t a voracious reader for pleasure was when I was finishing up my Masters Program at Tulsa University. I had to read so many things and regurgitate them back to my professors to the point that when I graduated, I didn’t read anything for pleasure for a couple of years, and when I did, I found myself doing it as if I would be tested on it.

I’m reading Mind Games by Nora Roberts right now. I’m really into it. If you’ve already enjoyed it, please don’t tell me how it turns out. I think this is one of her best – and that’s a lot coming from an avid fan like me.

I love the way you can escape from whatever is bothering you in a book. You can visit a different place, meet different people, become engrossed in a different situation, learn things, and more.

I hope that you have found the joy of reading, too. I think it’s priceless.

8 Comments

Filed under Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

January 4, 2025 · 1:12 pm

Too Crazy…

This was sent to me by my friend, Cathy, and it is SO true of me.

I have books everywhere in our home – beside my living room recliner, in the kitchen for when I’m waiting for the stove timer to go off, beside my bed when I’m caught up and can’t let it go, in my art room where I need reference photos or notes I made from a YouTube how-to video, etc.

I love to hold a real book in my hand. I use a Kindle, as well, but it really lacks the FEEL of a book. I love it that I can learn so much from books. I love it that some make me laugh – or cry. I love being able to escape from worries or stress by diving into someone else’s world for awhile.

Books are a necessity in my world.

2 Comments

Filed under Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , ,

December 23, 2024 · 9:34 am

Books and Coffee

2nd Nature by Hand – Etsy

I can’t imagine a life without books. To say I’m a voracious reader is a vast understatement. I’m usually reading at least two at once. We have books in every room of our home. We built floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in almost every room and we still have to juggle to find room for our collection.

I’ve loved reading from the time I was very small. I sat in the middle of my parent’s living room, watching my dad devour a book on geology, my mother with her lapboard, working the Sunday NY Times crossword puzzle, and my brother reading a comic book. Frustrated, I finally blurted out, “I wish to HELL I could read!” After several moments of complete silence, my mom sat on the floor and started to teach me.

Now I have a master’s degree as a ‘Reading Specialist,’ taught in the public schools in Tulsa OK for 8 years (getting in trouble for teaching phonics to my kids while playing my guitar.) I ran my own reading clinic for three years, helping a lot of kids discover they WEREN’T ‘stupid,’ teaching them the keys to making sense of it all.

Between books, the Internet, and YouTube now, there isn’t enough time in the day to learn all I would like. I love the fact that you can learn so many things in the privacy of your home that may change your life.

I have favorite authors – Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb, Robert B. Parker, Lee Child, Grisham, so many others; and it’s a gift that I’m discovering new authors, such as R.G. Ryan.

I hope that kids are receiving books this Christmas and that their parents are reading to them, showing them how much fun it is to read and learn, helping them get books from the library and build their own collection – encouraging them to escape from current worries, to dive into other worlds.

@becauseallthebooks via G. Loganberry

Leave a comment

Filed under Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

December 1, 2024 · 9:52 am

Reading Addiction

Cheryl Silva Burrhus-Pinterest

I’m always reading at least one book for pleasure – not counting those I’m reading to learn skills, make new recipes, directions, manuals, etc. My husband and I spend some time before we go up to sleep reading. I love to escape to well-loved books or find new authors that grab my attention.

I told you I was in withdrawal yesterday having finished The 5th Doctor by R. G. Ryan – his Jake Moriarity series. We follow each other on X, and I complained to him about his not writing fast enough. (I’m old and I won’t last forever.) He answered, saying that there were 5 more in the pipeline for publication (HOOOOOORAAAAAAAY!) with a prequel to what I’ve read coming out next spring. I’ve written it on my calendar to start checking for it around March.

Meanwhile, I’ve downloaded a spate of poorly-written books on my Kindle. I read a few pages and then delete in disgust. I really enjoy finding new authors, but it’s a bit like kissing frogs.

I decided that I’m going to divide my time between two wonderful favorite authors, reading one book by each – rinse – repeat. SO – I’m re-reading the J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) “In Death” Series and the R.G. Ryan “Jake Moriarity” series. I’ll juggle between the two. Two strong main characters with a group of friends and family I love. A really nice way to spend my reading time. :0)

2 Comments

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

September 29, 2024 · 9:53 am

Unlimited

I have the old style Kindle Fire 7. If things go the way things have in the past year, it’s probably on its last legs and will die a cruel death soon. :0(

I have always liked REAL books. They are in shelves all over our house, plus in ‘discrete’ piles :0) elsewhere – I LOVE real books and fought the idea of getting a Kindle for a LONG time after my husband got one. He loves his and rarely reads a real book anymore. I do like the fact that I can throw my Kindle in my purse and take it places and read where I’m having to wait a long time.

I also fought the idea of Kindle Unlimited, where you pay a monthly fee in order to have access to lots of ‘free’ books at no extra charge. The main reason I like this now is that a LOT of books being written these days that are truly awful, in my humble opinion. I like characters with whom I can identify or I can admire. I like plots where I care what happens to those characters. I won’t read a book with lots of grammatical or spelling errors. I also don’t like ‘formula’ stuff that is predictable, being buried in questionable language, or kind of shocked by too much explicitness when I appreciate ‘romance.’

I can upload a book, get started with it, and send it back from whence it came in a matter of seconds without feeling guilty about having ‘bought’ yet another bad book not worth reading. There is no limit. I DO have to return one in order to download another from time to time, but that just takes a second.

I still prefer a real book, but paperbacks now, since the arthritis in my hands makes it uncomfortable to hold a hardback these days. The Kindle enables me to read as much as I like without guilt – a great thing for sure!

Leave a comment

Filed under Hobbies, quality of life, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

June 15, 2024 · 10:16 am

Books Are a Quality of Life Thing

sent to me by my good friend, Cathy

I’ve slowed down on reading lately, only reading one book at a time now. I’m switching between re-reading some from my collection and reading a new one from my Kindle.

Happily, I’m finding several authors new to me whose work I will see out every time I get the chance.

I found this project idea that I will definitely try at some point when I have time to do some more yard art. I have the leftover bricks. I’d have to figure out a way to display them (maybe on the edge of a brick planter – with ‘bookends’), but I LOVE this idea. :0)

Leave a comment

Filed under quality of life, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , ,

May 7, 2024 · 10:16 am

Three Authors I “Know”

The Last Flight of the Starleap – Simon Panneton – @spanneton on X

“Ghosts, after all, cannot mount daring rescue missions, they cannot pilot spaceships, they cannot fight, and they cannot save their loved ones, no matter how badly they may want to.
But I could, Ellie will say, if you show me how…”

When I Grow Up I Want to be A Chair – Ryan Rae Harbuck – @RyanRaeHarbuck on X

“Her story is not about a chair. Her story is about her strengths and how they rose out of her instinctive vulnerabilities.“

Watercolor Dreams – Book 1 of Jake Moriarity series – R. G. Ryan – @RGRyan777 on X

“Jake Moriarity…a lost soul in a desperate search to find this lost girl. Moriarity can save her, but first, he has to find her. And the only thing he has to go on is like a watercolor painting that has been left out in the rain with all the colors running together.“

___________

I’m an avid reader. I love to get lost in a book – a world different from mine – a place to escape and live in another’s shoes for a while. I have several favorite authors and a good collection of a bunch of their books. I re-read them in an ongoing basis, adding to my collection if my favorites are still with me and writing, treasuring the worlds and characters they created if they’re not.

Rarely I find new authors who speak to me. Somehow in the past year I’ve found THREE – Simon Panneton, Ryan Rae Harbuck, and R. G. Ryan. I found them on X and follow them – and have actually exchanged messages with them. I’ve found them to be caring and interesting people, in addition to writing books I love. Isn’t that amazing and wonderful?

I’ve read the three books I’ve listed above and highly recommend each of them to you. I’ve provided a link to each book so you can find them easily on Amazon. Each will touch you and leave you changed – enriched – MORE.

Go ahead – dive in!

Leave a comment

Filed under Book - Movie - TV Reviews, R.G. Ryan, Reading is FUNdamental, Ryan Rae Harbuck, Simon Panneton

Tagged as , , , ,

March 21, 2024 · 11:04 am

A Little Reading Is a Dangerous Thing

Angela Mia De la Vega -signaturegalleries.com

I have read several good books lately, am re-reading other favorites, and looking forward to more –

Watercolor Dreams – Jake Moriarty Book 1 by R.G. Ryan

I reread this one the past two days. I enjoy Ryan’s sense of humor, wit, and the interaction of the real characters he has created. My favorite line in this book is, “I’ll not describe what transpired next, because nobody wants to see a grown man cry.” Jake is a really skilled ‘finder of lost things’ but also has a heart that be touched by purity and love. I follow R.G. Ryan on X. He told me that he’s written 15 Jake Moriarity books, 8 are published with #9 scheduled for a May release. I have #2 Finding Wonderland, Jake Moriarity Book 2 downloaded onto my Kindle, ready to be enjoyed. :0)

Identity – Nora Roberts

“It was Morgan who let the monster in. “Luke” is actually a cold-hearted con artist named Gavin who targets a particular type of woman, steals her assets and identity, and then commits his ultimate goal: murder.”

This is a well-crafted story, as usual for Nora Roberts. You get caught up in the situation and the characters right off the bat and hate to stop reading. I bought this as a temporary-Kindle offering, but will probably buy it when it comes out in paperback to add it to my permanent collection.

Legacy – Nora Roberts

This is the one I’m re-reading now.

“Adrian starts getting death threats as a routine part of her celebrity, and she can’t help but find the vicious rhymes unsettling. Sometimes it even seems like the terrifying messages are indeed routine, like nothing will come of them. Until the murders start, and the escalation begins…”

I’m thoroughly engrossed in this one right now, having trouble stopping to get anything done. :0)

Finding Wonderland – Jake Moriarity Book 2 by R.G. Ryan

When I finish this one, I have R.G. Ryan’s Finding Wonderland waiting…

Leave a comment

Filed under Hobbies, quality of life, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , , ,

December 4, 2023 · 10:13 am

Happiness is a Stack of Books

“Reading In The Library” – Peter Walters via @GregCatarino1 on X

I’ve been enjoying re-reading my collection of J.D. Robb’s (Nora Roberts) In Death series in preparation for reading the latest ones in paperback.

Right now I’m re-reading Desperation in Death, #55 in the series. I have the paperback of Encore in Death waiting and will get Payback in Death at the end of this month or the beginning of next month. The newest hardback, Random in Death, will be released in at the end of January 2024. I’ll have to wait until that one is released in paperback to get it.

I’ve been doing five main things lately – working in the yard, trying to etch glassware, revamping my Etsy site, listening to music, and reading. This makes for some super nice days and evenings and I’m feeling quite spoiled. I’m THINKING about adding more housework and exercise to the mix, but am only doing the minimum on housework (I’m a slob) and only my yoga stretching on the exercises so far. Maybe I’ll do better when I’ve finished reading my new wealth of books…

Leave a comment

Filed under Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , ,

November 12, 2023 · 10:41 am

42

Gregorio Catarino – @gregcatarino on X

I have preordered the paperback version of J.D. Robb’s (Nora Roberts) “Payback in Death” that will be released December 26th.

To celebrate, I’m rereading the In Death series, totally enjoying being immersed again in LT. Eve Dallas’ world in about 2060 for book #42, “Brotherhood in Death.”

“Payback in Death” is #57 in the series, and #58 – “Random In Death” – is due out in hardback at the end of January 2024.”

Even though Eve Dallas is a murder cop and has to deal with the worst that humans can do to one another, the whole series is about grabbing what’s true, what’s good in life, trying to absorb as much of what’s right in the world as you can, treasuring the people who make our world special.

Eve has made it a point to be strong and independent, self-sufficient, almost impenetrable, and yet in each book in the series, she opens up a bit more, lets more in, cares more, understands what is important more. She prides herself on her objectivity and can-do attitude, but what makes her the best at her job is her humanity and caring.

Leave a comment

Filed under Book - Movie - TV Reviews, Favorite Authors & Books, Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as

Image

Dr. Seuss Wisdom

Leave a comment

September 19, 2023 · 9:54 am
July 4, 2023 · 10:12 am

My Book

Out to Lunch – flickr.com

sent to me by my friend, Carol

Leave a comment

Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, Reading is FUNdamental, Word Play

Tagged as , , ,

May 19, 2023 · 4:23 pm

Small Victory

Kindle Fire 7 (I think)

I’ve had an epic battle with myself to try to use my Kindle. I really prefer REAL books, rather than electronic, although I have to admit the Kindle fits in my purse much easier than a book, and the light it has is nice. My real preference is hard back books, but those are too expensive and take up too much room on my already stuffed bookshelves.

I’ve been using it recently because I’ve recently re-read all my paperbacks. I have some on pre-order, but I was spending more than I wanted on used paperbacks, and so finally decided to try Kindle Unlimited, since I could try new writers free (for three months) and then it would be $10/month to continue after that. (They have now emailed me that the monthly price will now increase to $12/month, but that’s still less than I’ve been paying for used paperbacks and I’m enjoying trying authors at no cost so far.)

I’ve already run into a problem – too many books on my Kindle for easy access. I can’t tell from looking at my Kindle which books I’ve already read and things were getting clogged up. I got on my computer a few minutes ago and started poking around to see if I could find out how to manage what was on the Kindle.

I poked and poked and finally found a ‘manage content on your devices‘ on Amazon. I’ve spent the last 20 minutes or so deleting the ones I’ve already read after downloading three more books from an author new to me. I guess that new authors allow people to access their work on Kindle Unlimited for a time and then, when the person has decided they like their writing, there are no more free books available. That makes sense, but I’m a bit ticked, to be honest.

I have now deleted everything I’ve read from three different authors and have only new stuff on my ‘device.‘ VICTORY! (A small one, I know, but can you see my hands in the air (virtually, since I need my fingers on the keys to type this) ? :0)

Now I’ll start a list on my computer of the new authors I’ve found, have read all the free stuff from, and want to continue to read in the future sometime. It’s nice to figure out a plan where I can feed my voracious reading habit without putting us in the poor house, plus be able to manage what is on my Kindle, plus not lose track of authors I enjoyed. HOORAY!

Leave a comment

Filed under Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as

April 6, 2023 · 10:37 am

Challenged

Unknown

I think I told you that I recently found some JD Robb “In Death” series novellas that I didn’t have. These were in-between the normal numbered series that includes 57 books so far. (I have 55 of them. “Encore in Death” is out in hardback now. I’ll wait for it to be available in paperback. “Payback in Death” will be available in hardback in September of this year.)

I read the JD Robb parts of each of the groups of novellas I bought in paperback. I’ve just finished going back and reading the novellas by OTHER authors in each of those books. I found one author who intrigued me. Her name is Elaine Fox. I bought three books and had them downloaded on my Kindle.

I don’t use my Kindle much. I mainly use it for cookbooks, since I HATE buying an expensive cookbook and only finding a few recipes we like in it. Buying them via Kindle makes them affordable and also DELETABLE if we aren’t happy with them.

I just tried to access the three new books I bought via Amazon. They weren’t showing, and then I got a notice my Kindle wasn’t connected to the Internet. The problem got worse from there.

Since my patience runs out like water from a cup on technological things, I quickly got frustrated. My husband is now trying to help me get things straightened out. Between the two of us, we can figure things out most of the time – eventually.

I’m thinking of advertising for a teenager to come live with us to help us with all things electronic. I’m also thinking of advertising for a big, hunky guy with a great sense of humor who will come live with us and help us with all the heavy stuff inside and outside the house that have become a challenge for us. Between the two “adoptees” we ought to be able to smile and enjoy life. :0)

Leave a comment

Filed under Challenges, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , , ,

February 25, 2023 · 10:12 am

The World of J.D. Robb

I’m starting to re-read this one today. It’s # 51 in the “In Death” series by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts). I only have 4 more before I dive into the newest paperback in my collection, “Desperation in Death” #55. #56, “Encore in Death” is due to be out in hardback at the end of this month. I don’t know how long I’ll have to wait – 6 months at least, before they will allow me to pre-order the paperback. It’s another character-building exercise for me. :0)

In the meantime, I’m thoroughly enjoying the world of Lieutenant Eve Dallas, futuristic murder cop in New York.

Leave a comment

Filed under Hobbies, quality of life, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , ,

January 1, 2023 · 10:58 am

Book Number 55

I pre-ordered the paperback several months ago. It came out finally on Dec. 27th and I received it yesterday. I have carefully put in on my desk, waiting for me to enjoy re-reading my way up to diving into the latest installment of the J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) In Death Series, Desperation in Death.

Nora Roberts has created a future world cast with characters that I find down-to-the-ground wonderful. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a lady who embodies courage, commitment, and determination to be the best, to get justice for people who have been murdered. I couldn’t admire her more. All the people in this series are fleshed out more and more as you read. You feel as if you could walk up to them and start a real conversation, knowing their backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses, considering them friends.

I’m starting to re-read the 13th book in the series, Seduction in Death, today. The newest one is #55. Nice way to spend part of the new year.

Leave a comment

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , ,

November 26, 2022 · 9:43 am

“Lovers and Dreamers”

I’m in the middle of a wonderful trilogy by Nora Roberts called, Lovers and Dreamers. The trilogy includes Daring To Dream, Holding the Dream, and Finding the Dream. Three women who were raised together, though one is the daughter of the housekeeper, and one was adopted as a child when her parents died, all have dreams that are quite difficult to achieve. It’s wonderful to see how they challenge each other, support each other, and love each other in their quests. Of course, they each find intriguing men they can’t resist. :0)

Terrific huge trilogy in one book for escape from whatever is bothering you. In reading about these three women, you are encouraged to have your own dreams, as well.

Leave a comment

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , ,

November 9, 2022 · 9:58 am

Favorite Day

tumblr.com

I’m enjoying working my way through some biographies of people I find fascinating. I’ve read one on Katharine Hepburn and Audrey Hepburn, so far. I’m reading one of Cary Grant now, and I have one on Johnny Carson and another on Rush Limbaugh waiting. I got these from the library book sale and they are a wonderful change from my usual reading.

I ordered some used books from ThriftBooks.com recently and they should be delivered soon. I feel rich when I have books on the way or have just received a good handful. :0)

Leave a comment

Filed under quality of life, Reading is FUNdamental

November 3, 2022 · 10:24 am

Character-Building Exercise – Patience?

I received the paperback The Becoming, Part 2 of the Dragonheart Legacy trilogy by Nora Roberts about a week ago. I reread, The Awakening first, then dived into The Becoming. I finished it and now I wait.

The hardback edition of The Choice is out this month. I don’t know how long I’ll have to wait for the paperback, but I’ll pre-order it as soon as it shows as available to do that.

I’m really caught up in the characters and story of this trilogy and I really don’t want to have to wait to find out what happens. That’s where the character-building comes in. You’d think with as old as I am, I would have developed more by now…

Meanwhile, The paperback edition of Desperation in Death (# 55 in the series) by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) will be arriving at my door around December 27th, a wonderful Christmas present for me. I may decide to reread all the previous books before the new one comes…

Leave a comment

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , ,

October 26, 2022 · 10:07 am

Book Delight!

ebay

I preordered a paperback of one of the Nora Roberts’ trilogy The Dragonheart Legacy books SEVERAL months ago.

I had the first one, The Awakening, and loved it. I had preordered the paperback of the second one – The Becoming.

I received it yesterday. I will re-read the first one before I dive into the second.

The third one – The Choice – won’t even be available in hardback until November. I’ll check in December or early next year to see if I can preorder that paperback.

I feel very lucky to be able to look forward to continuing this adventure.

Note: Speaking of lucky – I think I have another J.D. Robb IN DEATH series paperback book arriving at the end of December!

Leave a comment

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , ,

October 8, 2022 · 10:12 am

The Joy of Reading

I was on ThriftBooks.com looking for more paperbacks by Linda Howard and discovered, to my delight, books I hadn’t read by Nora Roberts! I didn’t think such a thing existed!

Now I have used books coming by BOTH and I feel quite rich in anticipation.

Leave a comment

Filed under Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , ,

September 27, 2022 · 11:50 am

Delight on the Way!

William Hazlitt-sayingimages.com

Linda Howard writes wonderful books into which I can escape – a priceless thing. I can immediately immerse myself in a world she has created, shedding my concerns, relaxing, and restoring.

Between Thrift Books and Amazon, I can get good prices on used paperbacks. I just bought 6 books online for the price of ONE hardback book. When I buy 4 or more, I can get free shipping from Thrift Books, though they take longer to arrive than if I order from Amazon. I just plan ahead so I don’t run out before I receive my next treasure trove. :0)

I’m saving these books because I know I’ll enjoy reading them again. I have so many I have a list in a spreadsheet on my computer so I don’t mess up and buy a duplicate. I refined my list today by alphabetizing the list, instead of just listing them in the order I’ve purchased them. Upstairs I’m shelving them by publishing year, so I can enjoy her earlier work first when I re-read. I also have any series of books she’s written placed together on the shelves.

I almost lost my love of reading when I was in school. I was forced to read so MUCH, having to regurgitate it in what passes for ‘learning.’ By the time I had my Masters’ Degree as a reading specialist, I read everything as if I would be tested on it, give a synopsis of it, discuss the symbolism, or other such drivel. I taught reading in public schools in Tulsa, OK for eight years and then in my own private reading clinic for another three. My students got me excited about teaching THEM the joy of being ABLE to read, and read for pleasure, but it took ME several years to believe it again for my own reading.

One grateful lady here that I got it back!

Leave a comment

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , ,

September 21, 2022 · 10:22 am

Remember When

John Drysdale-vintag.es

My SIL told me about “Remember When” – a book written half by “Nora Roberts” and the other half by “J.D. Robb.” I was unaware of this book and so searched, found, and ordered it. I’m reading the first part now.

The synopsis is – Remember When (2003) is a novel by Nora Roberts and J. D. Robb (the author, writing under two of her pseudonyms). The second half of the book is part of the In Death series, taking place between Imitation in Death and Divided in Death. The plot follows a diamond robbery, over a span of 56 years.

I’m not sure whether Nora was trying to introduce more of her readers to her pseudonym J.D. Robb with her In Death series, or was just intrigued by unsolved crimes. I’m finding it fascinating.

Leave a comment

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , , ,

September 9, 2022 · 9:28 am

Never Too Late

Turn the Page Bookstore-Instagram.com

I’m still enjoying my discovery of Linda Howard. She writes sensual thrillers, I guess you would call them. Her characters are strongly drawn, with the main character a strong woman facing character-building/scary situations. I get Amazon and Thrift Books websites up at the same time, seeing what each has to offer on her used books.

I finally finished cleaning out and reorganizing my bedroom bookshelves upstairs (HOORAY!) , and so I now have room for my new collection.

Leave a comment

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , ,

August 27, 2022 · 11:13 am

Happiness

Pat Hall
Hanford Sentinel

I read this book yesterday. I would LIKE to believe that Tyler Henry is, indeed, a medium and that he CAN be a conduit for people. I will remain skeptical until I can get my OWN reading by him, and that won’t happen. It is an interesting book. I was hard-pressed to put it down yesterday. I felt a push to read what he had to say. I will probably read it again soon, more slowly, trying to digest some of the profound things he said. A lot to think about. I will also get his second book, Here & Hereafter, when it becomes more affordable.

Leave a comment

Filed under Book - Movie - TV Reviews, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as ,

August 22, 2022 · 11:04 am

Lazy Monday

Barbara Trauch

This shows you how I feel today. I’m not aware of any sleeping problems last night – I just feel incredibly lazy today.

I made two phone calls this morning first thing –

  1. to our local library to see if they were now taking book donations. We’ve always made a point of taking our books to donate for their book sale/fund raisers, but during the pandemic they stopped taking donations or having the sales. The librarian sounded pleased I called, so I’ll turn my sights toward gathering a good donation.
  2. to our local propane supplier for fill-ups on our two propane tanks. We got one tank for the house when we built it in 1987. We got just another small tank years afterward to power the heater in our shop. We top both off once a year. In the last year they have gone to a phone tree system that is apparently service-area wide. Between bad choices and then too-loud music on hold, it’s quite annoying to get to a real person. THEN – that person is apparently in a call center, judging from the background noise, and English is a second language. It took me 20 minutes of giving information and answering questions to schedule the fill-ups for some time in the coming week or next. Nothing is easy anymore.
A Celebration of Reading

I’m pretty much deciding that my next big project will be getting my books under control – going through what I have, deciding what can be donated, and reorganizing the rest. I’ll continue what I have started upstairs and work my way down. We have books in almost every room, so this will take awhile.

fb/barefootfive – brooke hampton

I wish you a good Monday.

Leave a comment

Filed under Challenges, giving, Organizing/DeCluttering, Reading is FUNdamental, Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as ,

August 18, 2022 · 9:59 am

Thursday 8-18-2022

PH-Hay-whats-up-Reddit-user-ThraShErDDoS-via-Imgur

Hi! We’re having another ‘cool’ day, at 86, for the high this afternoon. We tried to just have open doors and ceiling fans yesterday, but it was too humid. It’s humid again this morning, so we’re going to keep the a/c on, but I’ll take it. Such a nice relief.

Active Babies – Smart Kids

I had a good time in the art room yesterday and finished the cards that I hope my friend will like. I sent her pics to see what she says.

Facebook

Today is DAY 34 of my daily yoga practice. I’m having to push myself again, because my hips and knees have been talking to me for the past several days, but I’m concentrating on slow and steady, with fewer reps to get me through it.

Times of India

I’m now muttering to my scales that I don’t appreciate “sarcastic scale humor” whatsoever, but mine is delighting in its newfound ability to smirk and laugh at me. One of these days, I’ll wipe the smile off its face.

Nizar Fahmi

Just as I’m finishing my ‘last’ Linda Thomas paperback, I received part of my new order of her books yesterday. It’s getting harder to find used paperbacks by Linda Thomas, but I’ll redouble my efforts when I start getting low again. Right now I feel rich in books. :0)

One of the things on my to-do list today is to work on reorganizing some of my books. Hopefully, by the end of the day, I’ll have a better handle on things.

Have a wonderful day.

2 Comments

Filed under DIET!, playing in my art room, Reading is FUNdamental, Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , ,

August 15, 2022 · 11:10 am

One Box

sent to me by a friend

Reading for pleasure is a very personal thing – unique to each individual.

My husband and I don’t even use the same SALT, so it hasn’t surprised me that our reading tastes are so vastly different.

We do agree on a few authors – Robert B. Parker and Lee Child – to name two just off the top of my head. I was surprised, though, that my husband decided to try one of Linda Howard’s books recently. She is a ‘new’ author to me – recommended by a friend – and I enjoy her writing a lot. I’ve just ordered my third ‘tranche’ of used paperback books by her. My husband likes her work, too, and so now we have a new thing so we can keep track.

I have a list on my computer of the books of hers I have ordered and read. We keep the actual books I’ve received on our communal desk area in the middle of the room between our computer areas in our office. They stay there until both of us have read them, and then they find their way upstairs. We have agreed to check with each other before the books go on the stairs to be taken up. :0)

Leave a comment

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Hobbies, quality of life, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , ,

August 11, 2022 · 10:27 am

Books

sent to me by a dear friend

I just ordered more Linda Howard books. My husband and I are both enjoying them. I’m keeping a list of the ones we have and have read, and ones we have ordered so it makes it easier when I’m trying to order more.

Since we try to watch our money, we buy used paperbacks or the Kindle versions when applicable. I toggle back and forth when I find a book we don’t have, seeing what it costs used on Amazon vs Thriftbooks, buying from both sources.

I feel rich when we have more on the way. :0)

Leave a comment

Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, quality of life, Reading is FUNdamental

Tagged as , , ,