Have you ever read a book that wasn't quite what you expected, but which was quite good nonetheless? This is such a book. I expected that the author would employ a reader's advisory tone in his writing; however, he approached the subject from the perspective of learning to love books and literature. He demonstrated the value of reading both Christian and non-Christian books to one's spiritual growth. He also offered tips on how parents could inspire children to love books and to pastors on how to get church members appreciate and read books. There are many quotes from the Bible and from other writers throughout the book on the value of reading. He encourages readers to create marginalia, but only in books which are their own. Even though this book was not what I expected, I found it to be extremely valuable. I received an advanced electronic galley from the publisher through NetGalley for review, but I intend to purchase my own print copy of the book. I found myself highlighting many passages as I read through the galley on my Kindle which will be valuable to me as a librarian who enjoys promoting reading and literature. 4 stars.
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Booking Through Thursday: Evolving Reading Tastes
I spotted this meme over at the Should Be Reading blog:
Have your reading choices changed over the years? Or pretty much stayed the same?
They are not talking about differences between childhood and adulthood, but the reading choices that you make in adulthood. I do plan to comment a bit on my reading choices in my later elementary, middle, and high school years and how they evolved into some of my adult choices and then how my tastes have (or have not) changed.
In my later elementary years, I was hooked on the Hardy Boys series. I loved to follow Joe and Frank and all their sleuthing adventures. I basically loved any other book that involved a nice light mystery, although I never really read Nancy Drew. My brothers had owned some of the Hardy Boys series so I started with them and never really switched to Nancy. In fact, one of my classmates (who died earlier this week) was collecting the Hardy Boys books and often loaned his copies to me to read. As an adult, this love for the light mystery developed into a love of the cozy mystery. It's still one of my favorite genres -- but only if it is well-written. There are so many new cozy series that are developing right now that just are not that interesting or well-written. I guess that you could say that I'm more discriminating in series and know that I can't possibly read them all so I only read the ones which really appeal to me.
Beginning in middle school and lasting throughout high school, I developed a strong love for the "romantic suspense" genre. Some were marketed as "Gothic" novels, but the ones I really liked did not have (or at least I didn't notice) connections to the Occult. Most involved a woman who ended up at a country estate (or larger somewhat historic home). There would be something strange and life-endangering and the heroine would be both attracted to and frightened of a man whom she thought might be the one behind the problem. The first book I read in this genre was Phyllis Whitney's Window on the Square. I believe I was in about the fifth grade when I stumbled upon this book. I began reading other books by Whitney. Then I discovered Victoria Holt and others who wrote similar books. I checked them all out of our public library. This was back in the days when you signed the book cards. I used to looks for certain names on the cards to know if I might like the book. This genre has almost disappeared (or at least I only see a handful of books in the review sources). In my adulthood, I think this particular taste evolved into books (especially mysteries) that were set in English country estates and even into books that evoked English village life. (I think I enjoyed the setting the most about the romantic suspense books.)
During high school, especially during the summer months, I received huge quantities of Harlequin and Silhouette romances that had their covers removed. I know now that these had been reported as being destroyed, but I was a voracious reader, and it kept me occupied. I would often read two a day. I never was a huge fan of the romance, but I loved the settings -- Greek Islands, coastal locations in the U.S., Hawaii, etc. As an adult, I rarely read the romance. I'm not even a huge fan of "chick lit." What I do enjoy is a good travel narrative! I also enjoy reading books set in a variety of places.
Now, let's take a look at some of my reading tastes as an adult. In my early adult years, I read a vast amount of Christian fiction. It was a fairly new genre at the time, because prior to that most Christian fiction was a somewhat fictionalized biography of some Biblical character. I guess that I had read Eugenia Price books in high school, but I really think the birth of Christian fiction as a genre occurred with the publishing of Janette Oke's books. I used to read lots of Christian fiction books, but I got tired of them. It was the same formula over and over, and for many of them, the incorporation of the plan of salvation at the end of the book seemed rather forced. I won't say that I've entirely given up the genre, because there is an occasional Christian writer who writes well. If a plot sounds like something I would enjoy, I might give the author a try, but I'm not likely to give them a second chance if the writing does not measure up. It's just not a genre that I frequently read.
As far as mysteries go, I am much more diverse in my reading. I still don't really like hard-boiled novels, but I do like police procedurals as much as the cozy featuring the amateur sleuth. In recent years, I've begun to really enjoy some of the Scandinavian mysteries that are increasing in popularity with American readers. British ones are among my favorites.
I've always had a love for history. As an adult that love has increased. I read far more true histories now than historical novels as I did several years ago. I guess I'd rather make sure that the facts are there and properly documented!
I've also become more adventurous in my reading. Part of this is because a friend and I regularly exchange books. She has introduced me to some wonderful authors, and I've introduced her to some as well. The two of us decided to participate in some of the LibraryThing challenges. To complete some of the challenges, we are stretching our boundaries and discovering books that we otherwise would never have discovered. We both discovered a wonderful Canadian book called Mrs. Mike that is reminiscent of some of the prairie romances that are set in America. We've discovered other Canadian authors that we would not have discovered otherwise. The Europe Endless challenge encourages us to find a book set in every European country. We're really stretching in the boundaries here! Do you know how difficult it is to find books set in some of the smaller countries? The 1010 challenge encouraged us to read 10 books in 10 different categories for 2010. I have enjoyed this challenge and the discoveries of new authors. One of my categories is "Caribbean." I've read or will read books by authors such as Michelle Cliff, Jamaica Kincaid, and Andrea Levy that I otherwise might not have discovered.
I've discovered that I like diversity in my reading. I've got a huge to be read pile of to-be-read books with Asian (including some of the Asian Middle Eastern countries). I'm making Asia one of my categories in 2011. I had gotten turned off by mysteries featuring archaeologists a few years ago. (It was probably the presence of one snake too many. I really don't even remember now.) However, I've rediscovered these, and I have a lot of catching up to do. Many of these are some of the better-written mysteries out there.
So, yes, my reading has evolved over the years, but it has also stayed the same. I just have a more mature reading pattern that involves books written at more mature levels as well as those that are more "fluff."
Have your reading choices changed over the years? Or pretty much stayed the same?
They are not talking about differences between childhood and adulthood, but the reading choices that you make in adulthood. I do plan to comment a bit on my reading choices in my later elementary, middle, and high school years and how they evolved into some of my adult choices and then how my tastes have (or have not) changed.
In my later elementary years, I was hooked on the Hardy Boys series. I loved to follow Joe and Frank and all their sleuthing adventures. I basically loved any other book that involved a nice light mystery, although I never really read Nancy Drew. My brothers had owned some of the Hardy Boys series so I started with them and never really switched to Nancy. In fact, one of my classmates (who died earlier this week) was collecting the Hardy Boys books and often loaned his copies to me to read. As an adult, this love for the light mystery developed into a love of the cozy mystery. It's still one of my favorite genres -- but only if it is well-written. There are so many new cozy series that are developing right now that just are not that interesting or well-written. I guess that you could say that I'm more discriminating in series and know that I can't possibly read them all so I only read the ones which really appeal to me.
Beginning in middle school and lasting throughout high school, I developed a strong love for the "romantic suspense" genre. Some were marketed as "Gothic" novels, but the ones I really liked did not have (or at least I didn't notice) connections to the Occult. Most involved a woman who ended up at a country estate (or larger somewhat historic home). There would be something strange and life-endangering and the heroine would be both attracted to and frightened of a man whom she thought might be the one behind the problem. The first book I read in this genre was Phyllis Whitney's Window on the Square. I believe I was in about the fifth grade when I stumbled upon this book. I began reading other books by Whitney. Then I discovered Victoria Holt and others who wrote similar books. I checked them all out of our public library. This was back in the days when you signed the book cards. I used to looks for certain names on the cards to know if I might like the book. This genre has almost disappeared (or at least I only see a handful of books in the review sources). In my adulthood, I think this particular taste evolved into books (especially mysteries) that were set in English country estates and even into books that evoked English village life. (I think I enjoyed the setting the most about the romantic suspense books.)
During high school, especially during the summer months, I received huge quantities of Harlequin and Silhouette romances that had their covers removed. I know now that these had been reported as being destroyed, but I was a voracious reader, and it kept me occupied. I would often read two a day. I never was a huge fan of the romance, but I loved the settings -- Greek Islands, coastal locations in the U.S., Hawaii, etc. As an adult, I rarely read the romance. I'm not even a huge fan of "chick lit." What I do enjoy is a good travel narrative! I also enjoy reading books set in a variety of places.
Now, let's take a look at some of my reading tastes as an adult. In my early adult years, I read a vast amount of Christian fiction. It was a fairly new genre at the time, because prior to that most Christian fiction was a somewhat fictionalized biography of some Biblical character. I guess that I had read Eugenia Price books in high school, but I really think the birth of Christian fiction as a genre occurred with the publishing of Janette Oke's books. I used to read lots of Christian fiction books, but I got tired of them. It was the same formula over and over, and for many of them, the incorporation of the plan of salvation at the end of the book seemed rather forced. I won't say that I've entirely given up the genre, because there is an occasional Christian writer who writes well. If a plot sounds like something I would enjoy, I might give the author a try, but I'm not likely to give them a second chance if the writing does not measure up. It's just not a genre that I frequently read.
As far as mysteries go, I am much more diverse in my reading. I still don't really like hard-boiled novels, but I do like police procedurals as much as the cozy featuring the amateur sleuth. In recent years, I've begun to really enjoy some of the Scandinavian mysteries that are increasing in popularity with American readers. British ones are among my favorites.
I've always had a love for history. As an adult that love has increased. I read far more true histories now than historical novels as I did several years ago. I guess I'd rather make sure that the facts are there and properly documented!
I've also become more adventurous in my reading. Part of this is because a friend and I regularly exchange books. She has introduced me to some wonderful authors, and I've introduced her to some as well. The two of us decided to participate in some of the LibraryThing challenges. To complete some of the challenges, we are stretching our boundaries and discovering books that we otherwise would never have discovered. We both discovered a wonderful Canadian book called Mrs. Mike that is reminiscent of some of the prairie romances that are set in America. We've discovered other Canadian authors that we would not have discovered otherwise. The Europe Endless challenge encourages us to find a book set in every European country. We're really stretching in the boundaries here! Do you know how difficult it is to find books set in some of the smaller countries? The 1010 challenge encouraged us to read 10 books in 10 different categories for 2010. I have enjoyed this challenge and the discoveries of new authors. One of my categories is "Caribbean." I've read or will read books by authors such as Michelle Cliff, Jamaica Kincaid, and Andrea Levy that I otherwise might not have discovered.
I've discovered that I like diversity in my reading. I've got a huge to be read pile of to-be-read books with Asian (including some of the Asian Middle Eastern countries). I'm making Asia one of my categories in 2011. I had gotten turned off by mysteries featuring archaeologists a few years ago. (It was probably the presence of one snake too many. I really don't even remember now.) However, I've rediscovered these, and I have a lot of catching up to do. Many of these are some of the better-written mysteries out there.
So, yes, my reading has evolved over the years, but it has also stayed the same. I just have a more mature reading pattern that involves books written at more mature levels as well as those that are more "fluff."
Monday, June 01, 2009
Musings Monday
from Boston Bibliophile: How much time (or how many pages) do you give a book that you aren't really enjoying before you'll set it aside? If you're reading it for a book group discussion, or for review, will you give it more of a chance then, say, a book you're reading for your own interest? Why, or why not?
It's been awhile since I've participated in one of the book memes. That's partly because I've been so busy with other things that I've had less time to read. In fact, I've sometimes been way behind on blog reading and have just skimmed blogs when I've had a chance to do so. Many times it would be much later in the week before I got to a meme such as "Musings Monday" which was intended for a certain day. This one caught my attention, and I'm seeing it on Monday morning, so I'm going to attempt to answer it.
I will always try to read at least 50 pages, but I'm really far more generous and usually "grin and bear it" for over 100 pages before completely setting a book aside. If I'm supposed to write a review, I will often attempt to "skim" or "speed read" the rest of the book to the best of my ability so that I can fulfill my duties.
It's been awhile since I've participated in one of the book memes. That's partly because I've been so busy with other things that I've had less time to read. In fact, I've sometimes been way behind on blog reading and have just skimmed blogs when I've had a chance to do so. Many times it would be much later in the week before I got to a meme such as "Musings Monday" which was intended for a certain day. This one caught my attention, and I'm seeing it on Monday morning, so I'm going to attempt to answer it.
I will always try to read at least 50 pages, but I'm really far more generous and usually "grin and bear it" for over 100 pages before completely setting a book aside. If I'm supposed to write a review, I will often attempt to "skim" or "speed read" the rest of the book to the best of my ability so that I can fulfill my duties.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Teaser Tuesdays - August 19
I ran across this new meme over at Traci's Book Bag.
Here are the rules:
- Grab your current read
- Let the book fall open to a random page.
- Share with us two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
- You also need to share the title of the book that you're getting your "teaser" from...that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!
- Please avoid spoilers!
So here goes!
I'm actually in the middle of reading 2 books, but the one that is closest is the one that will be the subject of this Teaser.
He stood with his face to the sky and let the tears run down his cheeks.
He might have stayed there all night, but a distant explosion -- a lifeboat maroon which seemed unusually loud in the still night -- brought him to his senses.
These sentences are on page 90 of Ann Cleeves' Raven Black (New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2008). They are the closing sentences of one paragraph and the opening of the next.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tuesday Thingers - July 22, 2008
Today's topic: Recommendations. Do you use LT's recommendations feature? Have you found any good books by using it? Do you use the anti-recommendations, or the "special sauce" recommendations? How do you find out about books you want to read?
Yes, I look at the recommendations. Once in awhile I find something to add to my wish list. I have found the anti-recommendations to be less useful simply because I have eclectic tastes. I use a variety of methods to find out about books I want to read. Since I'm a librarian, I often look at publishers catalogs that I receive or reviews that I locate in publications. I also find things in the LibraryThing early reviewers program and its associated group (which usually contains links to the reviews as they are published). I have several book blogs in my feeds, and I am usually adding a few from those as well. I have more things in my wish list than I can possibly get around to reading in the near future, and it just keeps growing!
Yes, I look at the recommendations. Once in awhile I find something to add to my wish list. I have found the anti-recommendations to be less useful simply because I have eclectic tastes. I use a variety of methods to find out about books I want to read. Since I'm a librarian, I often look at publishers catalogs that I receive or reviews that I locate in publications. I also find things in the LibraryThing early reviewers program and its associated group (which usually contains links to the reviews as they are published). I have several book blogs in my feeds, and I am usually adding a few from those as well. I have more things in my wish list than I can possibly get around to reading in the near future, and it just keeps growing!
Friday, July 04, 2008
What an Animal Challenge!
Kristi at Passion for the Page is hosting the What an Animal Reading Challenge. The books can be fiction or non-fiction. You only have to read 6 books before June 30, 2009 that fit the criteria. Since I'm reading one at the moment that fits, I'll have only 5 more to go. Basically any animal will do. The animal role can be as simple as a picture of an animal on the cover or in the title of the book, an animal with a major role in the book, or a main character that turns into an animal (although I doubt any of mine will fit into that last category). You just have to sign up with Mr. Linky at Kristi's site.
My first book is the latest Miss Zukas mystery by Jo Dereske entitled Index to Murder. It has a cat on the cover. Those of you who have read previous Miss Zukas mysteries know that Helma's cat is Boy Cat Zukas. I'm going to opt to not list the other five I intend to read right now because I have no idea which ones from my stash, the library, or books that I purchase between now and the time I finish that 6th book I'll be motivated to pick up first!
UPDATE OF BOOKS READ ALONG WITH DATES COMPLETED:
Dereske, Jo. Index to Murder. (completed 4 July 2008) [You can find my review at LibraryThing]
Penney, Stef. The Tenderness of Wolves. (completed 31 Aug 2008)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
May 2008 Reads
Here is my list of books read in May 2008:
Riggs, Cynthia. Deadly Nightshade.
Stanley, J. B. Chili Con Corpses.
Page, Katherine Hall. The Body in the Snowdrift.
Gilbert, Elizabeth. Eat, Pray, Love.
Webb, James H. Born Fighting.
Rubin, Chana. Food for the Soul.
Foose, Martha Hall. Screen Doors and Sweet Tea.
Brandenburg, Molly. Everyday Cat Excuses. (This one does not necessarily meet the criteria for the book binge.)
Gilmore, Susan Gregg. Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen.
Taylor, Sarah Stewart. Still as Death.
Belmond, C. A. A Rather Lovely Inheritance. (I'm ready to begin page 145 of 355 tonight.)
Reviews of most of these are on my blog or in my LibraryThing reviews.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Southern Reading Challenge: Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen
Gilmore, Susan Gregg. Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen. New York: Shaye Areheart Books, 2008.
Catherine Grace Cline lives in Ringgold, Georgia. She is reared by her father, a Baptist minister. Growing up without her mother, Catherine Grace seeks womanly advice from the next-door neighbor Gloria Jean who has been married five times. Catherine Grace has one dream--to leave Ringgold on her 18th birthday. With Gloria Jean's help and advice through the years, she is able to accomplish this. Secrets from the past threaten Catherine Grace's future. I'll stop here because I don't want to give away the rest of this excellent coming-of-age novel. It is sometimes funny and sometimes tear-jerking. I didn't want to put it down and stayed up way past bedtime on a work night to finish reading it.
I forgot to scan the cover before I returned the book to the library! Sorry about that!
This was read for Maggie's Southern Book Challenge.
Catherine Grace Cline lives in Ringgold, Georgia. She is reared by her father, a Baptist minister. Growing up without her mother, Catherine Grace seeks womanly advice from the next-door neighbor Gloria Jean who has been married five times. Catherine Grace has one dream--to leave Ringgold on her 18th birthday. With Gloria Jean's help and advice through the years, she is able to accomplish this. Secrets from the past threaten Catherine Grace's future. I'll stop here because I don't want to give away the rest of this excellent coming-of-age novel. It is sometimes funny and sometimes tear-jerking. I didn't want to put it down and stayed up way past bedtime on a work night to finish reading it.
I forgot to scan the cover before I returned the book to the library! Sorry about that!
This was read for Maggie's Southern Book Challenge.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Non-Fiction Five Challenge
I'm sure that I can do this book challenge, so I'm signing up! Basically, a participant needs to read 5 non-fiction books between May and September. At least one needs to be a different category than the others. (I learned of this challenge via Maggie.) I'm sure several of mine will be history or genealogy related, but I've got a few others from different categories that I've been wanting to read, so I'm going to sign up. If I'm lucky, my Advance Review Copy from March will arrive from Gefen Publishing House that I obtained through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers' Program. It will fit nicely into this challenge.
May 20, 2008:
1. Gilbert, Elizabeth. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia. (read May 15, 2008)
2. Webb, James. Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America. (read May 21, 2008)
3. Rubin, Chana. Food for the Soul: Traditional Jewish Wisdom for Healthy Eating. (read May 22, 2008)
4. Maxwell, Nancy Kalikow. Sacred Stacks: The Higher Purpose of Libraries and Librarianship. (read June 30, 2008)
5. Andros, Howard S. Buildings and Landmarks of Old Boston: A Guide to the Colonial, Provincial, Federal, and Greek Revival Periods, 1630-1850. (read July 28, 2008)
May 20, 2008:
1. Gilbert, Elizabeth. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia. (read May 15, 2008)
2. Webb, James. Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America. (read May 21, 2008)
3. Rubin, Chana. Food for the Soul: Traditional Jewish Wisdom for Healthy Eating. (read May 22, 2008)
4. Maxwell, Nancy Kalikow. Sacred Stacks: The Higher Purpose of Libraries and Librarianship. (read June 30, 2008)
5. Andros, Howard S. Buildings and Landmarks of Old Boston: A Guide to the Colonial, Provincial, Federal, and Greek Revival Periods, 1630-1850. (read July 28, 2008)
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Let's Get Kids Reading Again
I find a new report that 4th graders in the United States lag behind other countries in reading skills very disturbing. We need to read to kids from an early age and then get them excited about reading. I invite all my readers to reply to this with their suggestions of books 4th graders might find interesting or which they remember reading in the 4th grade. I'll begin with a book that I picked up at Borders in Knoxville recently as I was browsing. The book was written by Deborah Wiles and is entitled Each Little Bird That Sings. I think it would make a great read-aloud book. In the book, Comfort Snowberger lives in a funeral home in Snapfinger, Mississippi. She enjoys writing obituaries. In the book, Comfort's Great-Uncle Edisto and Great-Great Aunt Florentine die. Comfort and younger cousin Peach have a near-death experience of their own.
P.S. - I've added another entry in the page 161 meme. I made some comments about a comment that George Morgan made regarding library funding that really ties in well with this.
Update: An interesting Wall Street Journal editorial on the subject of reading.
P.S. - I've added another entry in the page 161 meme. I made some comments about a comment that George Morgan made regarding library funding that really ties in well with this.
Update: An interesting Wall Street Journal editorial on the subject of reading.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Page 161 Meme
I borrowed this from Amy.
Open up the book you are currently reading to page 161 and read the sixth sentence on the page, then think of 5 bloggers to tag.
Last night, I started a "fun read." It's called Cooking Up Murder and is written by Miranda Bliss. The sixth sentence on page 161 is "I breathed a sigh of relief."
I am tagging:
Linda at The In Season Christian Librarian
Suzanne at CBCTS Librarian
Maggie at Maggie Reads
Taneya at Taneya's Genealogy Blog
and the footnoteMaven
Update (11/17):
First, I confess that I only had one of the 4 books I'm currently reading downstairs with me at the time, so I only gave you the book I really was reading between blogging and watching TV. I will give you page 161 of my other books in progress now.
I'm reading a children's book entitled Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles. It's aimed at about a 4th-6th grade audience and was a National Book Award finalist the year it was written. The "draw" for the book is that it is about a girl who lives in a funeral home in Mississippi and writes obituaries. What family historian can resist such a book description? Anyway, the 6th complete sentence of page 161 is "He nodded."
My most literary book in progress at the moment is Ross King's Ex-Libris. The 6th sentence of page 161 is actually a somewhat incomplete sentence in that the subject and verb are implied from sentence 5. It is "Records of your sales?" Let me just say that they are trying to locate a rare manuscript that has been taken from a home. In this sentence, the antiquarian dealer/investigator is asking the person whether he keeps records of the sales. I can't help but think about the sales ledgers from the store in Quincy, Mississippi that Terry posted.
The other book in progress is my non-fiction history book. I'm reading Communities of Kinship: Antebellum Families and the Settlement of the Cotton Frontier by Carolyn Earle Billingsley who blogs over at Life in Possum Holler. I've had the book for awhile but I'm just getting around to reading it. Page 161 is in the references of that book. I don't know how to count bibliographic citations. If I go with punctuation as a guide, the 6th sentence is "19. Woodman, King Cotton and His Retainers (see esp. chap. 9, "Bankers and Planters"); and Cashin, A Family Venture, 6-7."
Taneya reports that she's too busy with genealogical research to read at this time.
Here's a listing of bloggers that have participated in the meme. If you know of others, let me know, and I'll add them to the list (or you can just add as a comment).
footnoteMaven replies with The 161 meme.
Randy at Genea-Musings replies with The "161" Meme.
Terry at Hill Country of Northeast Mississippi responds with The 161 Meme. Terry challenged his readers to reply so there are several who have responded in the comments. I'll extend the invitation to my readers to reply in the comments as well.
In what may well be the most amusing entry, Jasia at Creative Gene who was reading a Janet Evanovich book (need I say more?) responds with 161 Meme, Oh My!
Becky at Kinexxions replies with The 161 Meme.
Update (11/18):
Maggie of Maggie Reads has responded with Sixth Sentence 161 Meme.
Schelly at Tracing the Tribe has entered with 161 Meme: Tracing the Tribe Tagged.
Lee at the I Seek Dead People Blog has posted The "161" Meme.
Steve at Steve's Genealogy Blog has asked "Do You Really Want to Know What I'm Reading?"
Miriam at AnceStories replies with Two Memes: 161 and Can You Top This?
Jessica at Jessica's GeneJournal responded with The 161 Meme.
George at Genealogy-Photography-Restoration has also entered The 161 Meme.
Chery at Nordic Blue has also submitted The 161 Meme.
John at Transylvanian Dutch responded with a meme of his own. He invites anyone who wishes to participate. No tagging required. It's called Can You Top This? I won't give a spoiler, but I can't top the number of children there! The replies are interesting too!
Nikki-ann has also entered the 161 Meme.
Karen at Passions of My Heart has replied with Naughty or Nice?
Apple at Apple's Tree has responded to The 161 Meme.
Craig at GeneaBlogie has added Page 161.
Bill of West in New England has responded with MEME 161. This one is rather colorful as would be any post which includes the word "entrails."
Update (11/19):
Susan at Family Oral History Using Digital Tools entered 161 Meme!
Paula Stewart-Warren of Paula's Genealogical Eclectica chimes in with Page 161, 6th Sentence.
Update (11/29):
George Morgan has replied with Do You Really Want to Know What I'm Reading? I will say that as a librarian, I really appreciated his comment about keeping funding for public libraries. I've seen too many public libraries closing their doors in the last few years because government officials decided it is an expense they can live without. Not everyone can afford to purchase books. Most of the free book programs such as Dolly's Imagination Library only extend to children up to age 5. If we are going to do something about the growing problem of illiteracy in this country, we need to be committed to public libraries and to their funding.
Open up the book you are currently reading to page 161 and read the sixth sentence on the page, then think of 5 bloggers to tag.
Last night, I started a "fun read." It's called Cooking Up Murder and is written by Miranda Bliss. The sixth sentence on page 161 is "I breathed a sigh of relief."
I am tagging:
Linda at The In Season Christian Librarian
Suzanne at CBCTS Librarian
Maggie at Maggie Reads
Taneya at Taneya's Genealogy Blog
and the footnoteMaven
Update (11/17):
First, I confess that I only had one of the 4 books I'm currently reading downstairs with me at the time, so I only gave you the book I really was reading between blogging and watching TV. I will give you page 161 of my other books in progress now.
I'm reading a children's book entitled Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles. It's aimed at about a 4th-6th grade audience and was a National Book Award finalist the year it was written. The "draw" for the book is that it is about a girl who lives in a funeral home in Mississippi and writes obituaries. What family historian can resist such a book description? Anyway, the 6th complete sentence of page 161 is "He nodded."
My most literary book in progress at the moment is Ross King's Ex-Libris. The 6th sentence of page 161 is actually a somewhat incomplete sentence in that the subject and verb are implied from sentence 5. It is "Records of your sales?" Let me just say that they are trying to locate a rare manuscript that has been taken from a home. In this sentence, the antiquarian dealer/investigator is asking the person whether he keeps records of the sales. I can't help but think about the sales ledgers from the store in Quincy, Mississippi that Terry posted.
The other book in progress is my non-fiction history book. I'm reading Communities of Kinship: Antebellum Families and the Settlement of the Cotton Frontier by Carolyn Earle Billingsley who blogs over at Life in Possum Holler. I've had the book for awhile but I'm just getting around to reading it. Page 161 is in the references of that book. I don't know how to count bibliographic citations. If I go with punctuation as a guide, the 6th sentence is "19. Woodman, King Cotton and His Retainers (see esp. chap. 9, "Bankers and Planters"); and Cashin, A Family Venture, 6-7."
Taneya reports that she's too busy with genealogical research to read at this time.
Here's a listing of bloggers that have participated in the meme. If you know of others, let me know, and I'll add them to the list (or you can just add as a comment).
footnoteMaven replies with The 161 meme.
Randy at Genea-Musings replies with The "161" Meme.
Terry at Hill Country of Northeast Mississippi responds with The 161 Meme. Terry challenged his readers to reply so there are several who have responded in the comments. I'll extend the invitation to my readers to reply in the comments as well.
In what may well be the most amusing entry, Jasia at Creative Gene who was reading a Janet Evanovich book (need I say more?) responds with 161 Meme, Oh My!
Becky at Kinexxions replies with The 161 Meme.
Update (11/18):
Maggie of Maggie Reads has responded with Sixth Sentence 161 Meme.
Schelly at Tracing the Tribe has entered with 161 Meme: Tracing the Tribe Tagged.
Lee at the I Seek Dead People Blog has posted The "161" Meme.
Steve at Steve's Genealogy Blog has asked "Do You Really Want to Know What I'm Reading?"
Miriam at AnceStories replies with Two Memes: 161 and Can You Top This?
Jessica at Jessica's GeneJournal responded with The 161 Meme.
George at Genealogy-Photography-Restoration has also entered The 161 Meme.
Chery at Nordic Blue has also submitted The 161 Meme.
John at Transylvanian Dutch responded with a meme of his own. He invites anyone who wishes to participate. No tagging required. It's called Can You Top This? I won't give a spoiler, but I can't top the number of children there! The replies are interesting too!
Nikki-ann has also entered the 161 Meme.
Karen at Passions of My Heart has replied with Naughty or Nice?
Apple at Apple's Tree has responded to The 161 Meme.
Craig at GeneaBlogie has added Page 161.
Bill of West in New England has responded with MEME 161. This one is rather colorful as would be any post which includes the word "entrails."
Update (11/19):
Susan at Family Oral History Using Digital Tools entered 161 Meme!
Paula Stewart-Warren of Paula's Genealogical Eclectica chimes in with Page 161, 6th Sentence.
Update (11/29):
George Morgan has replied with Do You Really Want to Know What I'm Reading? I will say that as a librarian, I really appreciated his comment about keeping funding for public libraries. I've seen too many public libraries closing their doors in the last few years because government officials decided it is an expense they can live without. Not everyone can afford to purchase books. Most of the free book programs such as Dolly's Imagination Library only extend to children up to age 5. If we are going to do something about the growing problem of illiteracy in this country, we need to be committed to public libraries and to their funding.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Love This Idea
One of the blogs I have in my feeds is that of the Lane Public Library in Hampton, New Hampshire. One may wonder why a Southern girl reads a blog from New Hampshire, but the reason is quite simple. I have ancestors who lived in Hampton for many years, mostly during the colonial period. Lane Public Library has done a great job putting many items online for those of us researching our Hampton ancestors. As many of you know, I'm also a librarian so I'm interested in books and reading. They've just come up with a summer reading game for adults where readers will read their way through all 50 states. It's a great concept. The rules are quite simple. It doesn't matter if the book is fiction or non-fiction, as long as it relates to the state. You just have to read one per state. They have prizes for every 5 books read. They even offer reading suggestions for each state.
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