I have been working a lot lately. A lot of overtime the last two months but right now, so far I have been working 17 days in a row and still have 9 days left before some free downtime. So I don’t have much time for reading right now. It is like this every year but soon I will be back. Newer, stronger and ready to read.
I’m going on a vacation and will not be able to write any reviews in that period. But I will still read and when I’m back, hopefully I have lots and lots of books to review. (Probably not but hey, I can dream.)
A fun thing however is that I’m going book shopping while there, so I probably will have a little book haul to share with you. Wish to follow me on my travel? Take a look at my Instagram.
I found this article on Facebook (it is old and you have probably already read it) and found it a little funny. I didn’t think I had a favorite spot since I read everywhere, no mater where I am and also the reason why I always is dragging around books. I buy my handbags after the type of books it will fit and always discard the small cute ones for that reason. But after this article I have now discovered that the couch is my favorite spot. The text about the couch is like they are describing me. It is a truth about Book Chick and now you know that. He he
Click and find out which category you belong to. Let me know, where is your favoirt spot?
| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|
Goodreads synopsis: Josephine (Joe for short) and Eric, the EMT crew of Echo 17 have been best friends since they were eight years old. They’ve been through a lot together over the years, but nothing like what they’re about to experience.
As the only man in Joe’s life it’s Eric’s job to be there for her and take care of her even while he drives her crazy, especially if he’s driving her crazy. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her and when things go south he decides that maybe it’s time that Joe moved on, but could he?
My thoughts: After HEX I needed something quick, fun, light and fuzzy. Something that made me feel sweet and giddy. A book with some great characters and an easy plot. And I knew I would get just that from Mathewson and I was not disappointed. This is the 9th book by Mathewson that I have read and the most of them are really at the top score in rating. These are great books and if you which something easy, light, fuzzy and funny, this is perfect for you.
Joe (girl) & Eric is some great characters to follow. They have an huge and funny history and are the best of friends. They are both hotheaded and keep kicking each others asses, which by the way is hilarious. And it is so clear that they are lying to themselves and each other. When that finally comes up to the surface, it is hilarious to follow the growth of their relationship and the struggle they both are dealing with. The situation is hot and tense and it was hard to put the book down. And I even shed some tears. It is a understandable situations and as a reader it is impossible to not get invested.
I’m a huge fan of epilogues and specially if they take place in the future and this one has the perfect epilogue. It gives you answers on almost everything, it is cute, funny and just perfect. A perfect ending on an perfect book.
Stupid bookdepository.com has a up to 50% off sale and of course I needed to take a look. Only a look because I am on a “no buy books” ban, but hey, you see how that went. Did find some good books to a great price. And even tough Liar Liar by M.J Arlidge, not was included in the sale, it was finally in stock again and got to join the others in my basket. Well thank you so much BD for informing me about this opportunity by email. 😉 God, I never learn do I??
Have you bought anything from the sale?
Have you ever had that one book on your shelf, that you at some point really wanted to read, but something happened and suddenly years has gone by? You have started the book a couple of times before so you know beforehand how small the text is, how “proper” and a little hard the writing is. At least for a non native English speaker. Now every time you think on starting it, you feel a little intimidated. You are a little afraid. You are thinking “should I really spend my time on this one?”. You are wondering if it is worth the time. It has a lot of mixed reviews and you thinking what if it wont capture you and you do not finish, but in the end you misses some really great literature work of art? All those what if?
This 900 page monster of a book (The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton), is my nemesis. The book that have been on my shelf for years (since 2013) and laughing at me. Mocking me and making me feel a little guilty. Normally, big books, many pages or small print do not scare me. Come one, I read IT with its 1400 pages in just under a week. It was a work week to so time was not common and sleep had to pay for that. Anyway, I should not feel like it is a freaking two ton brick I want to start reading. But I do.
To solve this and to be able to give this book one last chance, I have parted it in sections. One tab indicating one chapter, until the end when there is like a chapter every page. There one tab indicating several. This is so it is more visual for me how far in the book I comes, and in the beginning where the chapters are pretty long, I’m thinking, One chapter a day! I should be able to manage that. Or in the end I will get bored and “DNF” the book. But at least I have tried and should not feel guilty for that.
What do you do, to overcome your intimidation before a book?
Do you have one of those books right now? Sitting on you shelf, mocking you to?
I was watching one of Peters (Peter likes books) videos on Youtube and he briefly talked about all the negativity a public reviewer get and specially when talking about audio books. And I thought I should write a post about my opinion since I have experienced some of that negativity personally from the bookish community for no other reason than that I read eBooks. I don’t write much about what format I read books in on my blog or GoodReads. I don’t feel the need to clarify if it is a physical, audio or a eBook in my reviews since that has nothing to do with the book itself. But apparently it is important when it comes to defining me as an real or a fake reader.
Some (note some, not all) people seems to thinks that a real reader are those who only read physical books and often feel them self compelled to tell everyone just that. Other thinks that if you read books (physical or not) you are a reader. That do however not include magazines, comic books or audio books (why not I wonder?). Then there are people, like me, who do not care as long as you read. Because isn’t that the most important thing in the end? Then I see arguments like “Listening is not reading”! Yeah? Says who? Okay, fine. Down to the core, listening is not technically reading since you do not “read” the words, but you still take part of a book right? And aren’t that reading then? If you are blind and “see” a movie, haven’t you seen the movie then because you listened and not seen it with your eyes?
I often get negative comments on that I read so many eBooks. I love all the formats that are available for me as a reader and I utilize them all to my own satisfaction. I will always love physical books! The feeling of them, the smell, the written word on paper, but I do mostly read eBooks. I could be full of myself and say that I read eBooks because I want to save the environment and all that blah, blah, blah. But no, I’m a lot more selfish than that. I’m stingy! English eBooks are often a lot more cheaper than the physical book, and I read mostly eBooks because I read 100+ books a year and do not have the money to buy them nor the room to store them all. And I do not see any fault in that. I don’t think I’m any less of a reader than you because of it. And I love audio books. It makes me able to take part in books, while working and earning my pay check so that I can buy all those books I read. How wonderful isn’t that?
So, to be mean and judgmental is something I don’t feel belong in the bookish community. Books should unites us and learn us that we do not have to think the same about everything. That we all should be able to accept and discuss the books we read without personal attacks just because you can’t change another person’s opinion. And I think we should be happy that the all the options are there and that it makes it easier for people to take part in the literate world. With all the social medias like Facebook and what not I think it is easy to get shallow and forget that there is more. In my humble opinion, books bring us back to earth.
What are your thoughts about the topic?
14 February, the day of love. Cupid, hearts, roses and chocolate. A little too much for my personally taste. A little to shallow and forced. Love should not be forced like that. It should come in the small, everyday life. I have been in a steady relationship for 10 years and we have never really “celebrated” valentine’s day so this is no “I’m single and hate Valentine’s day” rant. And since I’m not going to celebrate it this year either I thought, maybe I should. But instead of celebrating cheesy love, why not celebrate books? Romantic books. Because even if I don’t celebrate the day for love, I’m a total romantic buff. And of course, I read romantic books.
I have compiled a list with 10 of my favorite romantic books from different genres. We have some dark, some happy, some suspense and some contemporary. A little bit of everything and it is all romantic. Look and see what you think and please leave a comment if you wish before you go.
Happy Valentine’s day.
❤ XOXO ❤
King by T.M Frazier. This is not a book for the faint hearted or easily offended people. Here you get some heavy and hot sex, lies and destructive behavior but still a great story. I do however have to warn you that this is not a standalone series and it will end on a cliffhanger. But it is totally worth it.
Kidnapped by Suzanne Ferrell. Here you have a strong, opinionated, headstrong and lovable nurse who gets to experience her worst night of all nights. We have a strong, alpha male who work in law enforcement but risks it all to save this young, sweet little boy. Get yourself ready for the ride of your life and a love story who sparks from the darkest ground and lights up the sky. This is the first book in the stand-alone series about the Edgar’s family.
Can you keep a secret? by Sophie Kinsella. Imagine yourself in a position where you reveal your darkest secrets to a stranger and later finds out that this stranger can both save your ass or ruin your life for all eternity. What would you do? Well I would probably do as Emma does in this book. And it is hilarious.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. If you haven’t read it, at least you should give it a try. You may not like it, but then you don’t have to hear “what, you haven’t read it?! You must read it! It is just that good!” Yeah the book Is THAT good and I totally love it and I wish everyone would just read it so the mankind can move on to other books to rave about.
Preacher by Dahlia West. The book for you with an open mind. This one took me by total surprise and became one of my favorite books of all times. Yeah that is how good this is. And the female main character is everything I want to be and the story so catching that it is hard to put it down. And there is some heavy, sexy romance in it to. 😉
Playing for keeps by R.L Mathewson. I rave about this stand-alone series to everyone who would listen. I feel that this book does not get the recognition that it deserves and it is one of my favorites. Too bad the cover is so ugly. But do not judge the book by its cover and I’m so glad that I didn’t do just that because I love this and the whole series is just so heartwarming and wonderful.
Wait for it by Mariana Zapata. Did not know what to expect but I certainly did not see myself read this book, with its 670 pages, in one go with only bathroom and some small food breaks. I love when a book gets me that wrapped up, but it is total killer on my body and head. Still worth it and you still need to read this if you not already done it.
Spotless by Camilla Monk. Friend of mine recommended this series. Right now, I only have read this but it is so good and funny that the whole world need to know about it. This is also one of those few books I feel would be great as a comedy movie with the right actors.
Matilda’s last waltz by Tamara McKinley. An old-time, romantic book with family secrets, lies and love in the Australian farmland. The book that started my love for Australia and fire for historical suspense. Great read I need to read again soon someday.
The seventh hour by Tracey Ward. I’m not a big fan of the Young Adult genre so when I read one of these full score, hit me on the head and let me die, romantic books, AND no one is talking about it, it just makes me sad. This book is so good, so great and worth every penny. And it is not one of those mushy and meek type of YA romantic books either. It is just perfect.
I have decided to “move” my blog from the free section of WordPress to the Personal (pay) section at WordPress. With this, you my dear readers don’t have to see any more advertising and I got myself a much simpler adress.
Since I updated that, I though I also should update the pages design. To something happy and fun, but still be me.
So what I want to know from you. Do you like it? Is there something you are missing or wish that I changed? Maybe you got some constructive criticism you wish to share with me. Please, give me feedback’s if you have any. All I want is for the page to be better for you.
For you who have been following me for a while knows that I LOVE lists and Challenges. Last year I did not do one of those a year long book/read challenges but thought that this year I should do one. So I have two challenges besides the reading challenges at Goodreads. And I have put their own pages under Lists and Challenges in the menu above so if you are interested you can follow them from there.
2018 Reading Challenge – Who has 30 refrense to books I need to do, to be able to cross it off my list. For an example, read an book that is published in 2018.
The ABC challenge – Here the point is that I should read one book, who title starts with an specific letter in the alphabet and in the end I should have read a book for every letter.
