Booking Through Thursday - Recent Funny

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Today's question: What’s the funniest book you’ve read recently?

My Response:
Although I love to laugh, I haven't read many funny books. Whenever I come to a place in a book that causes me to laugh out loud, I'm delightfully surprised. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen often. So I had to think to answer this prompt.

According to Their Deeds by Paul Robertson is one book that had me chuckling several times. Although it's a mystery, there's a play on words going on throughout the novel. The protagonist and his wife dialogue like the Thin Man. This is a book about the operations of a bookstore, and I think that anyone who loves books will enjoy it. My review is here.

How about you? Have you read any funny books lately?

Unread and Waiting

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Today's question: An idea I got from The Toddled Dredge (via K for Kat). 

“Today I present to you an Unread Books Challenge. Give me the list or take a picture of all the books you have stacked on your bedside table, hidden under the bed or standing in your shelf – the books you have not read, but keep meaning to. The books that begin to weigh on your mind. The books that make you cover your ears in conversation and say, ‘No! Don’t give me another book to read! I can’t finish the ones I have!’ “

My Response:
Books are heavy! When we moved, I decided to be strong and give away boxes and boxes of books. Therefore, today's question is an easy one for me to answer. These few books on the top shelf of my office bookcase are waiting to be read.


This stack sitting just inside the front door are ready and waiting to be read. Notice the darling bookends that BJ sent me are holding them in place.


Here's the one I'm currently reading. 


I've dramatically slowed down in my reading. Hey, something had to give! 

How many books do you have calling out to you? 

Booking Through Thursday - Library Week

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Today's question: I saw that National Library week is coming up in April, and that led to some questions. 

• How often do you use your public library and how do you use it? 
  
• Has the coffeehouse/bookstore replaced the library? 
  
• Did you go to the library as a child? 
  
• Do you have any particular memories of the library? 
  
• Do you like sleek, modern, active libraries or the older, darker, quiet, cozy libraries?
  

My Response:

• I used to go to the library a couple of times every month. Now I'm kept busy with all of the books that publishers send me for review. If ever I run out of reading material, I'd return.
  
• I do not think that coffeehouse/bookstores will ever replace the library. Even though a customer may pick up a book and read a bit of it, the book cost money if you want to finish it. In today's economy, people appreciate that a library offers books to read for free.
  
• I got my first library card at age five and went there each week. I wrote about that here and here. 
• I worked as a library clerk for six years in a high school. I wrote about that here.
• I prefer an active library to a dark, quiet one. I've never stayed to read anything inside a library; I just get what I want and take it home to enjoy. However, while in college, I did use a quiet room to research material that could not be checked out.
  

I'm interested in reading your answers.

Take note of my book giveaway in my sidebar.

Booking Through Thursday - Movie Potential

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Today's question:
Tami inspired this week’s question:

What book do you think should be made into a movie? And do you have any suggestions for the producers?

Or, What book do you think should NEVER be made into a movie?


My Response:
My mind clouds with plots, characters, and titles. There are so many good books, and any good book would make a good film. Of course, a film would have to cut some good parts and characters; after all, that is why a book is superior to a film! I can't list all the possibilities, so I'll give one example of a recent book that would make a fun film.

Last Mango in Texas by Ray Blackston is written in first person narrative, and this humorous Christian chick lit couples an oil man with an environmentalist. That's creativity! The Texas man, Kyle, and the tree-hugging Gretchen are strong characters who pull apart toward their own special interests while being drawn together romantically.

Imagine an escape from a fraternity during a frat party. How could it happen with the brothers watching? What background music will be playing? Ah, you'll have to read the book--or see the movie--to see the answers those questions. If you're interested in a FREE copy, check my sidebar.

What title did you suggest?

Booking Through Thursday - Collectibles

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Today's question:
* Hardcover? Or paperback?
* Illustrations? Or just text?
* First editions? Or you don’t care?
* Signed by the author? Or not?

My Response:
As much as I love reading, I don't collect books. Shelves and shelves of books equate the tedious job of dusting, not the joy of reading. Since I do not re-read, I pass the vast majority of my books along--even those that have been signed by the author.

I do have a few coffee table books. I have one on England, purchased when Johnny and I traveled there. I have two others that I put out for a change.

I no longer choose to read paperback books. Paperback books use such a small print that my eyes tear. I like hardcovers or softbound books.

How about you?

Take note of my book giveaway in my sidebar.

✻Blogger is still not functioning well. For some reason, I am unable to leave comments on some blogs I visit. Some of you have told me that you've experienced glitches too. I have emailed some, but I will leave my comments for you whenever Mr. Blogger gets running correctly.

Booking Through Thursday - Storage

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Today's question: This week’s question is suggested by Kat:

I recently got new bookshelves for my room, and I’m just loving them. Spent the afternoon putting up my books and sharing it on my blog. One of my friends asked a question, and I thought it would be a great BTT question. So from Tina and myself, we’d like to know “How do you arrange your books on your shelves? Is it by author, by genre, or you just put it where it falls?”


My Response:
I love organization! I have more books than shelves, and so I have arranged them in the following fashion. On the top shelf of one bookcase, I have books I have purchased or had given to me that are waiting to be read. To the left are Christian fiction, and to the right are secular books--arranged by copyright date, from oldest to newest. I review every book I read, but some are sent to me expressly for review. Those are on the next shelf, stacked on their side by date needed, with next-to-be-read on top. (I keep them organized by sticking a Post-it on each book as it comes into the house. I write the date the review is needed and the organization/author sending the book. (I later use that same Post-it as a bookmark.) Other books on lower shelves are those I keep. I have them separated by author. On the bottom shelf, I have reference books.

On my desk, I have two stacks of books. These are books that I am planning to list on eBay. Once listed, they move to another bookcase, to wait for shipping. On the shelf below, I have books that failed to sell. They are my problem books. I may donate them to the local library. I'd happily send them to you, but postage...

In addition, I have a closet with built-in shelves for books, filled with several versions of the Bible along with Bible study books (concordance, dictionary, atlas) and books for my work such as classics, poetry, operas, plays, and textbooks. Even though I am retired, I cannot dispose of them. In the kitchen pantry, I have a stack of cookbooks--not used much these days!

Where do you keep your books?

Booking Through Thursday - Authors Talking

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Today's question: From Barbara H: Do you read any author’s blogs? If so, are you looking for information on their next project? On the author personally? Something else?

My Response:
Yes, I do read author's blogs. When I first began blogging, I used to maintain a separate blogroll for authors. I was curious and thought that a blog maintained by a professional writer would be more entertaining. I'd check in each time they'd post, but most proved too tedious as their blog was one long commercial about their up-coming work.

Now, I read Angela Hunt's blog each day and other author's only sporadically. I read Angela's for the same reason I read any blog: because it's interesting. She often has funny tidbits, videos, and thoughts to ponder. She has a book of the month, takes her readers through the writer's process, and recently held a question/answer forum. Her posts are short and to the point. Like others on my blogroll, I think of her as a Blogland Buddy.

How about you? Why do you read any blog?



Check out the LOVE book giveaway on my sidebar!

Booking Through Thursday - Too Much Information?

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Suggested by Simon Thomas: Have you ever been put off an author’s books after reading a biography of them? Or the reverse--a biography has made you love an author more?

My Response:
I seldom read the author's biography--that small snippet on the back of the book cover--before I dive into the novel. My habit is to read the back cover material relating to the tale, skip the part on the writer, and then begin the story. As I read, I sometimes pause to go to back to the book cover to read the author's tidbit. However, most often I read it after I've finished the book, particularly if I've enjoyed the read.

I don't see how information could cause me to think less of a person's work. There have been times that I have an "ah-ha moment" after seeing a tidbit about the writer. For instance, I just finished Inside Story, a book about an award-winning correspondent. After turning the final page, I read the material on the author, Susan Page Davis, and discovered that she had worked as a journalist. Then I thought, "That's why the novel read so realistically." (I'll have that review posted tomorrow.)

What about you? Does the author information persuade you to read or bypass a book?

Check out the LOVE book giveaway on my sidebar!

Booking Through Thursday - Inspired

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Since “Inspiration” is (or should be) the theme this week--what is your reading inspired by?

My Response:
I love learning, and I like to learn while I read. When I stumble upon a book that has an interesting story line, believable characters, and information that I had not known prior reading, I am inspired. Learning new things makes me smile.

As a caveat, I must say that profanity and graphic sex turn me off. I actually threw a book in the trash can after I read only one page and found it full of the famous f-word. I don't need to fill my brain with garbage. You've heard, "What goes in, must come out." I intend to protect what goes in.

I appreciate reading to experience problem-solving, distant lands, diverse cultures, and the goodness of God in man. I revel in books that make me THINK. I enjoy books with happy endings. The best moments are when I close the cover of a well-written novel and sigh, hoping that author writes again.

What is your reading inspired by?

Check out my giveaway on my sidebar.

Booking Through Thursday - New Year’s Resolutions

Happy New Year, everyone!

So, any Reading Resolutions? Say, specific books you plan to read? A plan to read more ____? Anything at all?

Name me at least ONE thing you’re looking forward to reading this year!

My Response:
I do have a special book that I've been salivating over. She's in a Better Place by Angela Hunt. It's the third in the Fairlawn trilogy. It releases in March. I have a copy, but I've put off reading it. It doesn't make sense to review a book that people can't purchase. The first two books in the series, Doesn't She Look Natural? and She Always Wore Red are excellent.

I've joined five reading challenges. You can find them here. I guess you could call that a resolution. I'd rather use the word, "decision."

How about you? What are you looking forward to reading?

Booking Thrugh Thursday - Generosity

Do you give books as gifts?

To everyone? Or only to select people?

How do you feel about receiving books as gifts?

My Response:
I carefully choose each gift for each person. Like most of you, I've spent hours trying to find the perfect gift. I have given books as gifts and plan to continue in the future, but I am very careful about matching the book with the reader. Some people on my gift list don't like to read, and I'd never give those people a book; that would be thoughtless.

Once I was part of a group that received the same book for a Christmas present. A member of my book club gave everyone in the group the same book with the intention that the gift would be our next group read.

My family and friends know the way to my heart. Most special occasions in my adult life have been punctuated with me receiving books. There's something about opening a book-shaped package that causes me to twitch with excitement. I generally squeal and hug the precious tome once I've seen the title. That's my Perfect gift.


BTW: I'm having several book giveaways now. Check my sidebars.

Booking Through Thursday - Time

1. Do you get to read as much as you WANT to read? (I’m guessing #1 is an easy question for everyone.)

2. If you had (magically) more time to read–what would you read? Something educational? Classic? Comfort Reading? Escapism? Magazines?

My Response:
Since I am retired, I do have more time to read. And yet, I would like to have even more time to read, and with more reading time, I'd read exactly what I choose to read when I do have time. In other words, I'd read novels, primarily Christian Fiction novels. I'd guess that would fall under the category of comfort reading.

How about you? If you had more time, would you spend it reading?