Sandi Shilhanek | Hurry Up And Wait...How To Stay Occupied?

This weekend I pretended to be the good wife, and took my husand’s car to have the oil changed.

While I sat in the waiting room I not only typed this blog, but observed the other people waiting with me.

One man was smarter than I and able to figure out the wireless connection the dealer offered and get online, two men had some sort of conversation about their cars, and the rest just sat their twiddling their thumbs.

I’m sure like me they were thinking about the zillion of chores awaiting them at home, but that’s just a depressing thought isn’t it? Then they were watching some sort of news debate about the state of the economy, another really depressing thought…where were the books? Not a soul brought a book.

To read more about Sandi's waiting experience and to comment for a chance to win a prize please click here.

Sandi Shilhanek | Is It Just About The Decorations?

Wednesday night the DFWTea Readers met at my house for our annual Halloween dinner. I know that I’ve blogged about the group and the fun we’ve had before, but I thought it was time to do it again.

The dish (and I just don’t mean the edible kind) is almost always delicious, and I use that qualifier because as my friends know I’m far from a cook, so I question when I host the dinner whether or not the food is good, but I think that this was the third year of my hosting and cooking and I’ve yet to kill anyone.

While I’ve yet to scare any one off with my culinary skills my husband does his best to scare people with his decorations. This year he had to scale back, because as hard and fast as he was decorating our puppy, Travis decided things needed to be undecorated. Unfortunately, a few items were lost, but fortunately nothing of a real monetary value.

To read more about Sandi's thoughts on the Halloween dinner and to comment for a chance to win please click here.


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Sandi Shilhanek | Wish Upon The Bookstore

This week I had trouble coming up with a topic for discussion. Then I finally thought of something, and realized I couldn’t’ post it because of some technical difficulties…such as I wrote it at work, and forgot to put it on my memory stick so I could bring it home, and get it edited and posted. OOPS! Look for that idea next week. So, I had to start fresh and as I was chatting with an online friend she told me about the great books she was pre-ordering.

That chat sent me to Amazon to see what I thought would be a good title to pre-order or to place on my wish list. I was amazed at the plethora of titles that I had no clue were coming! I’m now blaming this friend for my wish list exploding, and in the future my bank balance going out faster than it’s coming in!

To see what is on Sandi's wishlist and to comment for a chance to win please click here.

SANDI SHILHANEK | WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

This last week my seventeen year old high school senior finished the first six weeks of school. I can remember quite clearly when I found out I was pregnant with him, and now he’s preparing to graduate from high school at Christmas. Yes, he’s going to be an early graduate, and we couldn’t be prouder, but where did the time go?

I can also remember being in second grade and the teacher reading Charlotte’s Web and Mr. Popper’s Penguins to us. I don’t recall the teacher’s name, but do recall having to hurry home to ask for my own personal copies of these books. As I’ve aged many things have changed, but I still have and will never willingly part with copies of Charlotte’s Web and Mr. Popper’s Penguins.

To read more of Sandi's blog please click here.

Sandi Shilhanek | How Do YOU Balance Kids And Reading?

In many parts of the country school has been back in session for almost six weeks. To me it’s amazing to think that the first six weeks of school is coming to a close. By now everyone should be adjusted to the new schedule and managing to fit everything together and leave time for yourself.

Are you busier now that your child is back in school, or do you have more time to do things like read? One of my friends said that September was not a good month for her to be reading as she was trying to get everyone on a school schedule.

I decided to check my own reading for September, and found it was my most successful month to date! I read 14 books in the month. That is a record for me for this year. Yes, I read some short books, but I did read some great stuff!

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Sandi Shilhanek | TAKING A RIDE ON THE READING ROLLERCOASTER

I’m sure we’ve all had weeks full of ups and downs, because after all isn’t that part of life? This week has been full of them for me, both in my family life, and in my reading life.

I was fortunately enough to read The Perfect Couple and The Perfect Liar by Brenda Novak . I totally enjoyed both books in the series, and was truly satisfied when I had turned the last page. The new trilogy is an extension of last year’s trilogy featuring The Last Stand.

Do not however despair if you have not read last year’s books. This year’s
books are in my opinion totally independent not only of those, but of each
other as well. Previous characters do have cameo appearances, but each story
is written as to truly stand alone quite nicely.

So as you see the books I was able to read were a definite up for me. So, you may ask what did you read or hear that caused a downturn in the reading side of your life. I discovered that two authors I have read and enjoyed will no longer be under contract.

Want to know more... read the rest by clicking here

Sandi Shilhanek | I Wonder Whatever Happened to...

The other day I found myself thinking about people I’ve known in my life and haven’t seen for awhile. I got to wondering what they were doing now, and how their lives have changed, and whether or not we would still enjoy spending time together.

Taking that thought and extending it to the books I’ve read over the years I’m wondering what might have happened to the Mackenzie family from Linda Howard, or the MacGregor Family from Nora Roberts. Both these families have older generations who if they were to be continued today would have to have died off. How would we as readers feel about losing a beloved character? Probably not very happy, which is why we don’t have updates, but like finding out a once dear friend has passed away wouldn’t we grieve and move on in order to find out what newer generations of these families are doing?

I know I’ve mentioned two much loved families, but who are some characters that made an impression on you that you would like to see today and see if as your life has changed, and their lives have changed would you still love them?

Until next week happy page turning!

Sandi Shilhanek
DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions

Sandi Shilhanek | Wow...Everyone Was SO Right! This book is terrific!

Last week we talked about books that we had heard a lot of hype about and that disappointed us, so I thought this week we'd discuss the books that got a lot of hype and we loved!

A few years back I was seeing a lot of stuff about Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard. Everyone was just raving about it, and it was in my TBR so I decided to go for it.

Well, I absolutely loved it! If I were a keeper I would have kept Mr. Perfect. All these years later I can't tell you anything specific about Mr. Perfect, but I do remember thinking it had the perfect combination of suspense, romance, and humor.

There are of course other books I've read because of the hype and loved but Mr. Perfect is the one that sticks in my mind because it’s one of the rare books that the DFW Readers all agree on.

So what book did you read and enjoy because of the hype?

Until next week happy page turning!

Sandi Shilhanek

DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions

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Sandi Shilhanek | Sorry, But It Wasn't That Exciting...

Last week while I was in Chicago I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I’ll admit that I bought this book because of the hype and the fact it was written in letter format intrigued me. I will also admit to not fully being aware of the setting of the book.

I feel fairly confident that you would have had to be something of an ostrich with your head buried in the sand in the last year if you’ve not at least heard of this book. I feel like I belong to a vast variety of yahoo groups, and freely admit to not being great at blog hopping. Therefore the comments I can recall hearing about this book were all fantastic and led me to believe this was a book to be read sooner rather than later.

With that in mind my trusty Kindle provided me with the book, and I was set to lose myself in the correspondence. While I can’t say that The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society book was bad I also have to say that I didn’t get the hype that led up to this book.

Read the rest ... click here

Sandi Shilhanek | Vacation Packing...what's in your bag?

I have decided that since the mountain won’t come to Mohammed then Mohammed must go to the mountain. Roughly translated this means that since my mom won’t come to Texas to see me I must head to Chicago to see her.

Planning a trip requires a lot of thought and attention to details. First you have to decide a destination (easy for me because if I’m going out of Texas it’s usually to see mom), then you must decide the best time of the year to go, and whether or not your budget can really afford the trip. Let’s not forget about the wardrobe that might be required for your trip, and then packing said wardrobe without making your suitcase exceed the airline weight limits. Last but not least is the hardest decision of all…which books to take and how many of them.

Before I owned an e-reader (I have a Kindle in case you care) I took a book per day of the trip. I didn’t really expect to read them all, but needed to have a variety to choose from because who knew what mood I would be in when I finished one. There was also that slight chance that I could get them all read while I was gone.

Since I now own that Kindle I can take hundreds of books to Chicago with me, and because of the wireless feature and lack of need for a computer should nothing appeal to me Amazon will gladly provide me with a new book for a small fee! My carry on is going to feel extremely light, and in fact might not be truly needed as I don’t plan on taking my computer.

Are you planning on a summer getaway? If so, where are you going? Are you worried over the books to take or are you one of the lucky people who own some type of e-reader and can take a library with you? Regardless of where you go or the books you take I hope you have a safe and fun summer vacation.

Until next week I wish you happy page turning.

Sandi Shilhanek

DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions

Sandi Shilhanek | Book Signings

This week I again went to a book signing. This time the author was MaryJanice Davidson. I don’t personally read this author, but have many friends who do, so were anticipating a big crowd. When I arrived at the bookstore it was obvious that they too were expecting a large crowd as there were plenty of seats available, but not enough to hold hundreds of people should they show.

I have to admit to being surprised by the low number of people who showed for the signing. Admittedly the weather was less than desirable, but when I headed out who knew that North Texas was going to be bombarded…certainly not I. I was inside and dry and warm. Yes, the lights flickered, and yes, I was worried about getting home but those things could wait to fret about until I had all my books signed.

What you don’t read her but you were getting books signed? Yes, I got books signed for friends. I’m trying to be good and let various friends around the country know when an author is coming to Dallas and getting a book for them should they desire. After all if I was honest wouldn’t I want someone to get a book signed for me if I didn’t have the chance to do it, so I’m just trying to play nice and hopefully along with getting reimbursed for the book will get reimbursed with someone going to a signing whether they want to or not and getting a book for me.

Is there an author whose autograph you’re dying to have? Perhaps an author you’d love to meet in person? It’s time to play the what if game…what if you could meet an author whether they be dead or alive who would it be and what would you be wanting to know about them personally or their plans for the characters?

I’d love to meet Nora Roberts. I’d probably be too dumbstruck to ask her a question should I have the chance to meet her. Another author I’d love to meet is Robyn Carr. What would I ask Ms. Carr? Hmmm…hard to know since I’m in her yahoo chat group and have talked with her as part of the DFW Tea readers phone in dinner clubs, but I’m sure I could think of something!

Until next week happy page turning!

--
Sandi

Sandi Shilhanek | Reading the Classics

With the schools in my area having graduated this weekend it got me reminiscing about my own high school years. There’s not a lot I remember about them, but I do remember in Freshman English having to read The Red Pony by John Steinbeck. I don’t want to dish any author, but have to honestly say I hated it. I didn’t care if I ever read another book by Steinbeck as long as I lived!

Flash forward to Junior English, and having to again read Steinbeck. This time we were given “a choice” of the book Of Mice and Men or The Grapes of Wrath. What was never stated but understood was that the better students were to do The Grapes of Wrath and the students who were struggling a bit could do Of Mice and Men. Even though I had that love of reading I so wanted to Of Mice and Men just because it was so much thinner than The Grapes of Wrath, but I knew which I must read, and so I did. I will admit to really liking The Grapes of Wrath and deciding that maybe Steinbeck wasn’t as boring as all that. Whether or not it made me read more of him back then I don’t recall, and I don’t really see myself rushing out to stock up on him now.

However, high school and college required reading to force me into books I might never have read otherwise, and truly enjoyed such as Native Son by Richard Wright and Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.

My own sons are not readers in any sense of the word. I’m not even sure my oldest really ever completed a reading assignment, but I know that my youngest read Pride and Prejudice this year and judging by his grades had to have enjoyed it. (Should I dare mention that I’ve never read it?) Will they take their reading experiences and remember it years down the road as I did? Very doubtful! What about you? Do you remember reading something in high school or college that you might not have read, but now think; Wow! I’m glad I read that. Would you read it now or recommend to someone who has never read it that it’s still required reading to be a well rounded reader?

Until next week happy page turning!

Sandi Shilhanek | Anthology - Book Counts

As I contemplated this week’s blog I was really struggling for a good topic, and decided to read instead of worrying over the blog…either an idea would come to me or it wouldn’t!

The book I chose to read is titled Believe by Sharon Sala, but what it is really an anthology collection of three of her earlier releases; Miracle Man, When You Call My Name, and Shades of a Desperado. Now this poses an interesting set of questions…when you read a book that has three complete stories in it, do you count that as one book or as three separate stories? Do you like when the book is stories by just one author, or do you prefer two or more authors to have a story in one volume? Do you want each book to be a full length story, or when you buy an anthology do you prefer short stories that you can read here, there, and everywhere?

Here my indecision comes shining through. I like to have more than one author in the book because it’s a great way to experiment with new authors, but I will only buy the anthology if an author I either love already or having been wanting to try is featured.

I guess this week my question boils down to are you an anthology lover or hater? Longer previously released single titles or a variety of short stories? Do the stories need to have a common link or just be entertaining?

Until next week happy page turning!

Sandi Shilhanek | Are you Impulsive?

For the last two weeks or so I’ve been listening to the radio station I listen to at work advertise Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol. I’ve been sitting at my desk wishing I had a ticket for what has to be a fantastic show. Today I decided that there was really no harm in getting online and checking out prices. Called Mike, my husband and said would you like to go? I’d really like to go. He of course can’t go because of work commitments, but he said I could go.

Okay, how fast can I get online and buy a ticket? Should I be really cheap and buy any ticket, or do I deserve a great seat and maybe even valet parking? Debating this makes me think of trips to the bookstore. How often do I go thinking I need a book such as The Warrior by Sharon Sala (who also happened to have been the phone in guest for this week’s DFWTEA READERS dinner), but end up bringing home a huge stack!

This week’s question is are you impulsive like I was on Wednesday, or do you plan precisely and stick to the plan. If you are impulsive what was your last impulse buy regardless of whether or not it was a book? If you’re a planner how long do you have to plan before you attack?

Until next week happy page turning!

Sandi Shilhanek | Timing Says Something About You...What?

Sandi has a sweet spot
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

This last week found me once again attending a book signing with the wonderful ladies of the DFWTEA Readers. We were attending assigning Jen Lancaster who was signing copies of her latest book Pretty In Plaid.

Per my usual style I arrived with plenty of time to spare. As I wandered the bookstore I noticed it was 4:00 and that would mean plenty of browsing time before the 5:00 dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. As I browsed I saw that there were already people sitting in the chairs at the signing area and the signing didn’t start until 7:00!

Never having read Jen Lancaster before I really didn’t understand why these people would be lining up (well sitting) so early. Later I would find out, but that’s another story! So anyway back on track…with them arriving so early I wondered what kind of person some of you are. Are you like me and like to be early, and might find a corner to read in while waiting? Are you a right on time sort of person? Perhaps you are a better late than never type of person.

Until next week I wish you all happy page turning!

Sandi Shilhanek

DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions

Sandi Shilhanek | Thank you Mother

When I sat down to write this blog I really wanted to write something that would honor the connections between books and mothers. My first instinct was to talk about some books were mothers where featured prominently such as Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinksy, but then I worried that you as readers of the blog would want to know some impression I had from the book and while I read it and can remember totally loving it, I can’t remember anything else about it, and felt that was cheating.

So now I think that I’m going to take this opportunity to publicly thank my mom, Betty for fostering my love of reading. Growing up there were things I didn’t want to do such as wearing my glasses, taking various meds when ill, doing my math homework if I did these things for a specified period of time I would get a new book. What a wonderful treat!

So with the thought of honoring a special woman in your life is there someone who helped to foster your love of reading? How did they do that? If you can’t recall a special woman who fostered your love of reading, is there a special book that touched you and featured a mom who made you think of your mom fondly, or make you wish you could be that sort of mom to your own children?

I hope that all the moms here have a very special Mother’s Day. I hope that all the sons and daughters, who read this entry, remember to kiss their Mom and tell her they love and appreciate all she does for them.

Until next week I hope you all have happy page turning.

Sandi Shilhanek | READ ME RIGHT NOW!

Recently I attended a book signing for Kate Jacobs the author of several books including The Friday Night Knitting Club, Comfort Food, and Knit Two. Ms. Jacobs was promoting the paperback release of Comfort Food, and as she read a scene from the book it made me want to race home, and find the book in my TBR stack (well, really on my Kindle, but we won’t argue the semantics of it), and begin reading immediately.

What you ask stopped me from doing just that? Two things…one I was already in the middle of a great romantic suspense, Behind the Shadows by Patricia Potter, and two I have review books that I am committed to getting finished before I do any pleasure reading. Can you hear the big sigh I have given out for not being able to just read whatever book is sounding good to me at any given moment?

One solution that I have come up with is to do the audio version of the book yelling READ ME RIGHT NOW!!!! However, that’s not really the best solution either because my audio pile is also growing, so when I hear about a good book that I have on audio I want to listen to it immediately!

As you can see I have a dilemma…it’s a good one in that I have lots of choices, but it’s a bad one in that I have lots of choices. What about you? Do you have read one book, and know immediately which book is going to be next? Is there anything that can derail your reading train? What are you reading? What will be next?

Until next week I wish you happy page turning.

Sandi Shilhanek | Retail Therapy

On Tuesday I let my emotions get the best of me and stormed out of my job in the direct vision of my boss, and quite possibly other employees. Did I care? No, not really. Was I thinking sanely? More than likely I wasn’t. What did I do next? What any self respecting woman/bookaholic might do I took myself out for some retail therapy.

Where else would a self proclaimed bookaholic go for retail therapy, but to the bookstore? My reason for going to the bookstore was really twofold….one in my haste to leave school I had left my book, and two who knew what new treasures might be awaiting me?

I went to Half Price Books, a chain store that sells used books, music, DVD’s etc. If you’re just going to wander and don’t have a specific title in mind you might be able to spend hours and hours in the store. If however you want a specific title and don’t find it your disappointment might be so overpowering that you leave the store almost immediately.

The book I was hoping to find a replacement for was Behind The Shadows by Patricia Potter. Unfortunately for me they didn’t have it. I was fortunate instead to find Taming The Fire by Sydney Croft and Vision in White by Nora Roberts. Finding these two books while exciting does produce a whole new set of problems. Do I feel elation about the additions to the TBR pile or do I feel sorrow for the books that are destined to be sucked into a deep dark hole quite possibly to never be seen again?

Do you have an opinion? Do you use retail therapy to ease your emotions be they good, bad, or indifferent? If you can answer yes to either of these questions then please comment and share either that opinion about how I should be feeling with great books in the TBR or what your last retail therapy purchase was.

Until next week I wish you happy page turning.

Sandi Shilhanek | Personal History of Reading...or Why I'm a Reader

Yesterday Sara discussed what bugged readers and made them turn away from an author. I want to know why readers read. What is your favorite thing to read about? Do you remember discovering reading?

I personally don’t recall when, where, how, or why I learned to read. I also don’t remember the first book I read independently. I do know that my parents thought I could read until they caught me with the book upside down, and backwards, and realized I hadn’t learned to read it all, but had instead memorized it.

Buy Your Copy today

Buy Your Copy today

Buy Your Copy today

I’m sure I became a reader because I remember growing up somewhat lonely and friendless. Board games required at least one other person, but reading is totally independent and can be pretty much done anywhere! I know that some of my favorite books were those read to us at school, and to this day I still own copies of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlotte’s Web, and Mr. Popper’s Penguins.

I remember being bribed to do things with a new book, and of course that almost always worked, but how do you decide which book? Choices were and still are limitless! I don’t recall the first grown up author I read, but something tells me it was more than likely Danielle Steel’s The Promise.

So as you see I read to combat loneliness, but continue to read to venture to places that I probably won’t ever be able to afford to go to in person. I read to escape the chores that are required of a wife and mother, and which I really don’t like doing. I read to escape the frustrations that being that wife, mother, and employee often bring to me.

Now it’s your turn…why do you read? Do you remember the how, the when, the why or the what that turned you onto reading? Do you feel like the day just isn’t complete without a certain number of pages or perhaps a certain amount of reading time?

Until next week happy page turning.

Sandi Shilhanek

DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions

Add your thoughts to Sandi's blog at Fresh Fiction and be entered to win the Fresh Fiction weekend grab bag!

Sandi Shilhanek | Readers are Discerning, or Buying a Book By Its Cover

Saturday the DFW Tea Readers were invited into the home of local author Dakota Cassidy for a truly delicious barbecue instead of our usual monthly tea. As always the conversation was lively, diverse, and I found myself trying to decide which conversation I truly wanted to follow.

However, the one the got my attention was the discussion about book covers. What type of book cover is best? What type of book cover makes you pick up a book to investigate further? What type of book cover makes you think "no way am I reading this book," and you don’t pick it up to check the back cover blurb. Then came the question I think most authors dread most, "how do you feel when the hero/heroine on the front looks one way, but the hero/heroine in the book is described totally differently."

To be honest I think I do judge a book somewhat by its cover. If the cover appeals to me I’m more likely to pick it up to see the back cover blurb. However, if the cover really annoys me I’m also liable to pick it up to see what deserved such a bad (in my opinion) cover. I would say that there’s an equal chance that both books will end up in my TBR.

I also have to be honest and say that I don’t pay much attention to the cover once I get the book home. I use a protective cover when I read, so if there’s a discrepancy between the hero/heroine’s description and the cover I might not notice that.

Curious minds want to know what you think about covers? Do you have favorite ones? Do you have ones you despise, but bought the book anyway because of the author? What happens when those discrepancies appear? Spill it all!

Until next week happy page turning.

Sandi Shilhanek

DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions

PS: Comment HERE and be entered to win the Fresh Fiction Grab Bag Give-Away.
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Sandi Shilhanek | Favorite Reading Place

This week my friend Yvonne is visiting. We’ve of course done some tourist like things and we’ve hit the bookstores looking for some of the recommendations that everyone was so kind to have supplied last week.

We went to see the King Tut exhibit that is in my area, and Yvonne bought several souvenirs. I was however a bad hostess, and when we made a pit stop for a quickie snack I promptly forgot I was in charge of them, and lost them! I felt awful when I realized it.

The day however turned out to not be a total bust because when we arrived home sitting in my living room was a brand new hand made rocking chair. My 16-year-old son, Brian made it for me. Here is a picture of my new favorite reading place.

Do you have a favorite reading place? Is it something special and likely to be handed down for generations like my rocker or is it special just because it happens to be in a great spot and is super comfy? Perhaps even your favorite reading place changes depending on either your mood or the genre of book you’re reading at the moment. Inquiring minds need to know so spill it all!

Happy page turning until next week!

Sandi Shilhanek | Dining With Authors

In my little corner or the world this past week was quite exciting. I had the chance to not only meet but to have dinner with the entertaining author Lisa Lutz. I got books signed for several of my friends, and managed not to forget one for myself.

Saturday my friend Yvonne arrived from England, and her visits are always a pleasure, and while we do many varied things we always hit the bookstores;

To help welcome her to Dallas in a way that was more special than how I usually welcome her which is take her home and say now what I took her to dinner with the ever delightful Dakota Cassidy and some friends. While paranormal romance might not be my preferred genre I do read selected ones. So when a box from Amazon arrived on my doorstep I had to open it and see what Yvonne was ordering to be picked up when she arrived. The contents…the three current releases from Dakota Cassidy’s Accidental Series. The explanation…Yvonne said, “I’m meeting the author I’m going to buy her books so I can have them signed, and then read them.” I’m taking this comment to mean that Yvonne’s descent to the paranormal side or romance has begun.

So, now back to the bookstore visits, I believe that both Yvonne and I could use some recommendations for adding to our TBR piles. The preferences are for contemporary romantic suspense and biographies, but needless to say all recommendations are more than appreciated. Who knows you might find one yelling your name from another comment as well.

Until next week I wish you happy page turning

--
Sandi

http://readers-n-ritas.org/

Sandi Shilhanek | When Do You Read?

Are your real life friends like some of mine and amazed at how much you’re able to read? Do they look at you differently because you’re a reader? How often have they said how do you find time to read?

Since you read this blog I’m going to make the assumption that you’re like me and consider yourself to be a dedicated reader. That means you make the time to read anywhere and everywhere! I’m hopeful that many of are like me and household chores are often left undone because of the need to read that one last chapter.

I have to know where you think the most unusual place you’ve been caught reading is. Before I started audio books I would read in my car at red lights, during football games or at whatever sporting event my children might have been practicing for. Now I can be found sneaking pages at the bowling center or even during slow times at work. The only place I won’t be found reading is in the bath, as I’m not a bath person at all, and they haven’t (well to the best of my knowledge) found a way to waterproof my book while I shower.

Sandi

Until next week, I wish you happy page turning.

Sandi Shilhanek | To Finish or Not Finish?

Last year I did something I haven’t done in about 20 years. I set aside a book unfinished. This week I have been attempting to read another book by a different author, and am not very far into it, and am finding myself looking for chores that need doing rather than be lazing the day away reading.

While I feel guilty if I don’t finish this book I also feel horrid about all the books waiting so patiently for me to finally read my way to them. This leads to the subject of whether or not to finish the book that is going slowly, or to continue to persevere.

What would you do? Would you continue on with the book that isn’t working for you or move on? If you stopped the book would you set it back on the shelf or would you give it to someone else to hopefully enjoy? As for me I’m going to move on to a new book, and will keep this book in my stack because it’s on my Kindle, so it’s not taking up any space. Hopefully it’s my mood and some day this book will be right for me.

Until next week happy page turning to all.

Sandi Shilhanek | A Good Yarn

I am fortunate enough to be a reviewer, and have the opportunity to read some of my favorite author’s work early. This weekend I’m indulging myself with Summer On Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber.

As I read I find myself wishing that I knew a place like A Good Yarn, and a person like Lydia Goetz. To me that is the sign of a good writer…one who puts their reader right into the story.

This got me to thinking, is there a book or character who has struck a personal chord with you, and you find yourself wondering what you would do if you were a part of the book or a particular character?

So while I’d love to be a part of the community who shares their lives at A Good Yarn, I’m not sure I’d be successful at the knitting aspect of it. Which book do you see yourself as part of? Is there a certain character you’d like to be?

Until next week happy page turning to all.

Sandi Shilhanek | Typical Reading Choices

This week I somewhat succumbed to peer pressure. I have decided to request two books from the library that are outside my typical reading choices. Since I’m not sure I will enjoy the books I’ve selected I’ve also decided to do them on audio, as I tend to use my audio selections for those books I deem outside my comfort zone.

Now, I’m sure you’re interested in knowing what books I’ve requested. I’m going to listen to Water For Elephants by Sara Greun and The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry. Have you read either of these?

Is there a book that you’ve heard a lot about and thought I would never read it, but finally the hype has you so intrigued that you decide to find a copy either in print, electronic, or audio, and read it for yourself? What is it about the hype you’ve heard that makes you reach for the book? After you’ve read that book outside your comfort zone do you find yourself more willing to read more by the author, or is one enough?

Happy reading and listening to all, I look forward to your comments.

Sandi Shilhanek | Great Technological Advances for This Reader

This week I conquered one of the technological challenges that has had me frustrated for months. I couldn’t be more proud of myself, and thought what better way to celebrate than to share that achievement with those of you who read my blog.

In case you don’t know I’m a bookaholic! It’s an addiction that I really don’t want to find a recovery program for. I always have a book going that is either print or on my Kindle, plus an audio book either on my IPOD or my MP3 player.

Why you might ask do you need both an IPOD and an MP3 player? The answer is somewhat simple. When I got introduced to audio books I thought I could put everything on my IPOD, then I discovered downloading books from my local library, and discovered they weren’t compatible with the IPOD. Therefore I had to find an inexpensive MP3 player.

I did that quite well, and was happy until I ran out of memory. Was discussing that with my husband, and he showed me that my MP3 player had a memory card slot. So I gladly inserted said memory card into said slot, but have been unable to figure out how to put the audios onto the memory card.

Hooked? then read the rest and comment to be entered to win our blog contest

Sandi Shilhanek |The Great Debate: Read the Book or Watch the Movie?

If you follow my contributions to this blog you know that I often get my inspiration from one of my many yahoo groups. Thanks to one of those groups I have my idea for this week…. what is your opinion of books made into movies?



The book being discussed is The Secret Life of Bees, which I personally have not read. I have not seen the movie either, but am being led to believe it shall soon be available on DVD.

So the dilemma is…do I read the book first or watch the movie first?

What would you do?

What about when you have already read a book, such as when I had already read The Pelican Brief by John Grisham, and then it was turned into a movie.

Naturally I had to see the movie, and I felt very satisfied that the movie followed the book.

However, when I read The Client (my personal favorite Grisham book) I was disappointed when I saw the movie because I didn’t think it followed the book well at all.

This leads to the idea of Harry Potter…the books versus the movies. Naturally they can’t put everything from such a large book into a movie. Should they break it into several movies, or should they do as Reader’s Digest does and show a condensed version?

As you can see I’ve got lots of questions and not many answers about books and the movies they turn into. I’m hoping that because you came here to read this week’s contribution that you can provide me with some good answers, or at least some interesting ideas to ponder.

Until next week...

Sandi
DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas...celebrating literary obsessions

Don't forget to click here to be entered in the weekend Fresh Fiction Give-Aways grab bag! You may win a "bundle" of books from Fresh Fiction! Contest ends February 8th!

Sandi Shilhanek | January Reading

It’s extremely hard to believe that we are at the beginning of the second month of 2009. That leads to the question of how did your resolutions pan out so far?

Most of my self improvement resolutions have gone by the wayside, but my reading resolution to watch the personal outlay of cash for new books has held firm, though my TBR has grown a lot thanks to a great DFW Tea trade, and a very generous gift card from Amazon. I also belong to another trade site that has added a couple of books. Of all the new books in my pile only one was personally paid for with cash out of my pocket. Not bad!

Then I had resolved to participate in two more reading resolutions. One was to read the EYE SPY Challenge Word that one of my yahoo groups is doing. The word for January was Snow, and I read Not So Snow White by Donna Kauffman. While the story was enjoyable I personally liked Dear Prince Charming better.

Then I needed to read a title by the author of the month for the DFW Tea Dinner Group. January’s author was Laura Griffin, and I read her first book One Last Breath. I was totally hooked, and need to work the follow up book One Wrong Step into my reading schedule soon.

I only read 5 books in January, and I think One Last Breath was my favorite, and the one I’m going to recommend to all my friends. So, how are your book resolutions going? Got a book to recommend that shouldn’t be missed?

Sandi Shilhanek | Contests

I feel fairly confident in saying that everyone’s attention is on the economy these days. I know that it is the focal point at our house. This must surely mean that more readers are entering contests in the hopes of winning their favorite author’s newest title, or perhaps a backlist title in a new to them author.

I have been lucky this week, and won a one-day blog contest, one a guess the number contest in a chat, and today attempted to win an email contest, and while I supposedly did not win, the author was nice enough to send me an e-copy of a book from her backlist anyway, because in my email I mentioned that I had not yet read her, so anything would be new to me.

So, as you see I have entered a variety of contests this week, and been very lucky! The contests I have entered have all been easy to enter, and the prizes have all been books. Is there a certain type of contest that calls to you? Is there a certain prize you prefer to win?

To me, the simpler the contest the more likely I am to enter, and we all know you cannot win if you do not enter!

Sandi Shilhanek
DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions

Sandi Shilhanek | Biography

Friday night I went to dinner and a book signing with several members of the DFWTea Readers group. While at the bookstore what kind of reader would I be if I didn’t take a moment to do a quick perusal of the shelves?

That quick look had me spotting two books on Barak Obama. Then I came home to do an online chat with some friends, and again the talk turned to the incoming president. The combination of these two things has me thinking about biographies.

Do you read biographies? How do you decide whom you are going to read about? I personally am not a big biography reader, and if truth be told can’t remember the last time I read one. However, I did recently buy several about Lucille Ball. I also have a biography about the late Princess Diana in my TBR pile. Will I read them anytime soon? Unlikely. However, should I decide to get educated about either of these two women I’m ready!

Sandi Shllhanek
DFW Tea Readers Group
Readers 'n 'ritas ... celebrate
passionate literary obsessions

Sandi Shilhanek | Discovering a New Author

In several of my yahoo groups the conversation tends to run to discovering a new to you author. As you can imagine being dedicated readers someone in the group has usually read whichever author is being discussed, and being the eclectic readers that we are can we all agree on one good book? Of course not! That then leads to the person whose just discovered an author having to get not only one backlist book, but all of them!

Do you have an author that you can remember having to glom? I know that I was late to the party on several very popular authors. One that comes to mind is unfortunately no longer writing, but when she wrote I had to head off to the closest store and get everything she had written. Now I envy the person who is just discovering Lavyrle Spencer because she has a finite backlist!

I remember when I discovered Sandra Brown. I was on vacation, and figured that vacation money wasn’t like real money, and I could take a chance on an author I hadn’t read. I bought Mirror Image and was hooked on this author. Even all those years ago she had an extensive backlist, and I have made a serious effort to find it, and read it. Of course I’m not caught up, but I know that my TBR pile holds books I will be enjoying when I decide I need my Sandra Brown fix.

Now…how do you feel about backlists? Do you have to own everyone the author you’ve just discovered has to offer? Do you read the blurbs and only pick the ones that totally appeal? Do you even (imagine me shuddering as I typed this) ignore the backlist and just move on to the current work by a new favorite author.

Sandi
DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas...
celebrating literary obsessions

Sandi Shilhanek | My Reading Resolutions for 2009

I want to start by wishing everyone happy healthy new year! I hope that 2009 is a great year for all.

Every year there’s discussion in my yahoo groups about resolutions. Some people make more personal resolutions about things such being more fiscally responsible, getting healthier by exercising or watching their diets. Some are making resolutions about their TBRs and/or potential reading choices.

Last year I attempted to do an alphabet challenge. This was to have had me reading at least one book by an author whose last name started with every letter of the alphabet. I was doing fairly well at this, and even had been told who to read for X and Z, but then I lost my list of what I had read and gave up. This year I’m going to attempt it again, and can use those authors from last year’s X and Z challenge, because I haven’t read those books yet. I knew procrastination was good for a reason!

This year I’m also going to attempt to join in the challenge the same group is doing and read the selected word of the month. This means picking a title that has a certain word in it. To assist in that I’m currently reading NOT SO SNOW WHITE (snow is the January word) by Donna Kauffman.

Lastly I’m going to work really hard at reading the book for our the DFW Tea Readers Book Group. For January the author is Laura Griffin, and while I won’t read her current book I will be attempting to read her first book ONE LAST BREATH before our meeting.

So, now you know what I’m going to attempt with my reading. I want to know what your reading resolutions are. Would you also like to share your personal ones as well, and perhaps we can form a little support group and cheer one another on during the year.

Sandi
DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions

Sandi Shilhanek | 2008 Reading

As the year begins to wind down I thought it would be interesting to reflect back and share with one another how our reading year was.

Let’s start with did you discover a new author this year? As I looked at my list I believe I read about two dozen new to me authors this year. I was pleasantly surprised with Shadow Of Turning by Valerie Hansen as it is a Love Inspired Suspense, and that’s not a line I normally read. I also was totally hooked on Running Scared by Cheryl Norman. Of course there were a couple of books in the new author tryouts that didn’t please me much, but I’ve decided to only focus on my favorites.

What book do you think was the best one you read this year? Can you really limit yourself to only one? I of course cannot name just one. I loved everything I read by Susan Wiggs, and Robyn Carr. Both had books that had moments that made me cry. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs was a discovery that I wish I had been warned about because it also had me crying. Can’t even think about closing out a favorites list without adding Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.

Do you have a reading goal? Is it by books read or pages read? Is it to read so many group reads or perhaps so many new authors? I always hope to read 100 books, and this year I didn’t make it. I do have the page count for each book listed, but I haven’t mastered EXCEL enough to be able to figure out how to get it to add that up for me!

What about audio books? Do you count those as part of your yearly total if you listen to them? Was there a favorite there? A new author? This year I discovered Mary Kay Andrews, and Harlan Coben in audio. I enjoyed Charley’s Web by Joy Fielding and can’t recommend it enough.

Next week we’ll discuss reading goals for 2009. Start thinking...

Sandi Shilhanek
DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas

Sandi Shilhanek | Is Christmas really Thursday?

Christmas is Thursday. Can you believe that? Are you ready? Is the tree decorated to perfection? The presents bought and wrapped in such a way that no one wants to unwrap the gorgeous packages, or if they do they go so slowly in an effort to save the packaging just to get crumpled in the attic later? Is the grocery shopping done, and the meal preparations begun?

If the above describes you in any way then I need an invitation to spend the day at your house! My house has no tree, and the only reason I have any sort of decoration up is because I just bought some new ones, and as I unpacked them to show my husband he strung them on the credenza and china cabinet. I also have no Christmas baking happening as I’m so not a cook, and therefore there will also be no lovely smells coming from the kitchen on Christmas morning.

So you may ask what have I done since I’ve so obviously done nothing? I entertained my friend Yvonne from England. We scoured the bookstores, had some great meals, and went to see ICE at the Gaylord Texan. Now she’s gone, and while I should pretend to be a good wife and mother and fuss over Christmas it’s not going to happen!

So, are you like me, and having a really laid back Christmas, or are you more like Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray and going full out? If you’re planning a big party can I come, because really are you going to notice one more if the crowd is that large anyway?

Wishing you and yours a very merry holiday season no matter what holiday you’ll be celebrating.

Sandi Shilhanek | The Book Search

This week my friend Yvonne has been visiting from England. One of the things that we try to accomplish when she visits is to see how many bookstores we can peruse in the Dallas area. Often while we are in the bookstore Yvonne’s cell phone will ring, and it will be another friend of ours from Hawaii.

The conversation almost always starts with what book are you looking at? Does it look good? Oh, I think I might want a copy of it too. Yvonne being the generous sort is always willing to contribute to someone else’s tbr pile, so we add book upon book to the basket we’re toting, and eventually try to head to the checkout stand.

So last spring Yvonne is in Dallas visiting, and the phone call comes. This time it’s slightly different. I’d like a book that I think is red, it might have heart in the title and might have been written by someone named Kane, or is it Cain, is that a first or last name? She had no clue! How in the world did she expect us to find this book?

Well, Yvonne is nothing if not determined, and I’m not far behind her when the mood strikes. We were a sight to be seen scouring the stores looking for a book. The salespeople were trying to be helpful, but we’re like we have very little information, and don’t think you can help us with what we have.

Did we ever find the book? We did! Are you as surprised about that as we were? How did it happen you may ask? We were in line to check out, and Yvonne did a quick check of a bargain book table, and there was a red book with the title Heartsick, and the author’s name was Chelsea Cain. We had no idea whether it was the correct book or not, but thought we had nothing to lose by buying it. As it turned out it was the correct book, we lucked out!

So, have you ever tried to search out a book with little to no information about it? Were you as successful as Yvonne and I were? Did you give up the search? If you gave up the search did you ever end up finding the book?

Sandi

Sandi Shilhanek | Insomnia

Last week I talked about reading while you’re sick, and this week I want to talk about what happens if insomnia hits. I really don’t want to sound like I’m a complainer or a hypochondriac, but I’m curious!

I’m of an age where insomnia hits me on a fairly regular schedule. Some nights of course are better than others. Those are the nights I wake up squint at the clock (it’s across the room and without my glasses on I’m totally unable to see) and lie back down and immediately sleep comes back to me. Other nights I squint at the clock lie down again and it seems like 10 minutes later I’m still wide awake.

When I first started contributing to this blog and insomnia hit I opened up my laptop and made a whole list of topics I thought might be interesting. I felt like a real writer having to get up and put my inspirations down before they became something I just wished I had remembered. Like I’m sure many authors feel I’m wondering now if those topics are as good as I imagined them to be at 2 AM!

I know that some of my fellow yahoo group members grab their books and book lights or e-readers that are backlit and sit up in bed and read when they can’t sleep. Do you do that? Are you like me and can’t stand to be in bed if you’re not sleeping and truly wanting to? I get up and go to the living room. There I can turn on a light and read, mess on my laptop, and or watch TV.

I do sign on to my IM because maybe someone is going to be suffering along with me, and want to chat until we finally think we’re able to catch a few more ZZZZ’s until the alarm goes off?

So…how do you battle insomnia? Do you suffer from it? Do you have a great home remedy? Do you leave the bedroom and go on an unexpected cleaning frenzy (which I have been known to do) or do you curl up on the couch to read or watch TV? Inquiring minds need to know!

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Sandi

http://readers-n-ritas.org/

Sandi Shilhanek | Reading while Sick

I hope that everyone who is in the United States enjoyed their Thanksgiving, and had plenty leftovers so that there was plenty of time to curl up and read. My family always does Thanksgiving with Elizabeth, a long time friend. Since she’s the better cook all the cleaning and prepping is at her house, so I have plenty of time to read should I so desire or be able to.

However, as I write this I am stuck with a home in need of some good cleaning, and a cold attacking me and not letting me out of its nasty grip. My email often brings a message of someone’s illness and that the good thing that came out of it was how much they read.

I think if you’re sick and can read it’s fantastic. I however only want to hide under the nearest blanket and burrow into the best pillow and sleep until the illness has given up hope of something exciting happening, and moves on to its next victim.

Are you like me…a sleeping sick person or are you like others who can gobble up one book after another while fighting the cold, flu or other nasty ailments that come our way? If you can read do you read something new, or do you rely on a comfort read the way I rely on my favorite blanket and pillow?

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and that it was a spectacular start to a illness free happy healthy holiday season.

Sandi Shilhanek | Trying a New Author

This last Wednesday our book dinner group got together. As always is there any better way to forget the horrors of the day job than by getting together with some of your closest friends to discuss not only the book or author of the night, but also what made the day so horrific.

This time our author of the hour was Linda Howard. Of course who can resist Linda Howard and the chance to visit with her even if it’s over the phone, so we had new members to join our group for dinner. Overall the group tried really hard to be on their best behavior so that the newbies wouldn’t be scared off. I would say that for the most part we were very well behaved, though I can only behave for so long before I just have to blurt something!

O.K. I digress Linda Howard was awesome. How could she not have been? I think it’s really hard to find an author who really appeals to a group as diverse as ours, and if I remember correctly everyone in the group had something they wanted to ask or just tell Linda.

Every time I leave the book dinner I go home inspired to dig through my TBR and see if there’s an unread book by the author who we chatted with. If there is nothing by the author then I have to hit the store and buy the book we discussed.

What inspires you to try a new author or a book by an author you might have read in the past and not been particularly impressed by?

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Sandi

Sandi Shilhanek | Holiday Wish List Reading

Sandi and Candy Havens Reading on Sandi's Kindle
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

Just because I told you I feel like I’m in a reading slump doesn’t mean I don’t eagerly check Amazon each week to see what titles have been released for my Kindle. My wish list is growing by leaps and bounds, and unless I suddenly decide to not only play the lottery but also win it will most likely continue to grow.

So, as I scan this list I think to myself which book are you most looking forward to? Well, that’s easy the ones I’m really looking forward to are the upcoming Virgin River books by Robyn Carr. However, I’m sure you’re most tired of me being all fan girlish over Ms. Carr, so it’s time to see whom else is on the list and who else has me totally excited to be reading again.

As it turns out I have two wish lists. One is my I want these titles that are released list, and one is my I want these titles that are upcoming list. From my released list title I am most anxious to own Silver Bells an anthology, Home for the Holiday by Lisa Plumley, and a McKettrick Christmas by Linda Lael Miller.

So it appears that I’m quite anxious to help myself into the holiday spirit by getting lost in some good reads. What is on your wish list? Are you like me and have a list of released titles, and a list of upcoming titles? What makes you move a book from the wish list to the TBR pile?

Sandi Shilhanek | Reading Slump

Over the course of the last few weeks we’ve discussed many different things, and hopefully they’ve been as entertaining for you as they have been for me, but what’s on my mind this week might be a tad depressing.

At the beginning of a new month my yahoo groups discuss what they read the previous month, and what new books they’re anticipating during the current month. It’s one of my favorite times to see what books I might have missed out on, and what books I might not be aware are coming.

For October I only read four books. To me that’s a tad depressing. I know I can read more than that. Why didn’t I? The only thing I know for sure about that is that you don’t know because you’re not me, and weren’t there for my various moods, real life moments, and perhaps poor book choices. Do four books when I can read perhaps as many as 10 in a month constitute a slump?
Of course I want you to say no…four books is great you’re not in a slump. I only read three books, so you did one better than me, but realistically that’s not going to happen, so I’ll probably have to suck it up and admit to being in something of a slump. Now to figure out how to get out of it!

Here’s where I’m open to suggestions…what do you consider to be a reading slump? What do you do if you find yourself in one, how do you get out of it? Maybe the four new books I bought this afternoon will bring me out of mine…who knows, but I’m off to explore the shelves to see which book is going to be the slump breaker for me!

Sandi Shilhanek | E-Reader?

I think that sometime in the last week or so Oprah Winfrey was peeking at my list of topics I had written for this blog. One of my ideas was about e-readers. Now she’s made Amazon’s Kindle one of her favorite new things. Am I surprised? A little but only because it means she has now limited herself to purchasing books from Amazon, so I would have thought she’d like the Sony e-reader instead.

I have a Kindle and have had it for about seven months now. Yes, the downside is if I want an electronic book I have to order it from Amazon, but that doesn’t bother me. It also doesn’t have the backlight feature that many people like, but I’m typically in bed and asleep well before my husband, so the lack of a backlight doesn’t bother me.

I had seriously considered the Sony e-reader and well as another e-reader that many of my friends prefer, the E-Bookwise. However, the Sony wasn’t compatible with my MAC, so that eliminated that. Then I decided to get smart and compare the book prices between the E-Bookwise and the Kindle.

That comparison helped to cinch my decision. I would be able to save more with the Kindle and be able to buy books from anywhere without the need of a computer. For a book fanatic what could be better?

How about you? Are you thinking of getting an E-Reader? Have you done a lot of research? Have you discovered some up and coming reader that I’m unaware of, and anxiously awaiting its release? Do you think that e-readers will replace paper books? If you have a reader or intend to ask for one for the upcoming holidays will you convert your paper books to ebooks?

As for me, I won’t be entirely an ebook reader as I do have many “real” books still remaining unread on my shelves. However, as I add to that collection I’m going “green” whenever possible and getting a Kindle book instead of the paper version.

Sandi Shilhanek | Robyn Carr & Breaking Rules

This week I broke one of my cardinal book rules. I bought a book that I’ve already read, and I plan on keeping it. In case you don’t know I don’t keep books nor do I reread books. This being the case why then would I purposely buy a book I’ve already read? The answer is easy…due to the Readers-n-Ritas event I attended a few weekends back I was able to get two autographed books from the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr. I being the book fanatic than decided to see if Ms. Carr would be nice enough to autograph the third and return to me, and she agreed. So naturally I needed the book.

The trip to the bookstore went smoothly enough, but I didn’t walk out with just the one book. Does a book fanatic ever walk out with just one? I ended up buying the reissues of the Grace Valley books because of the beautiful covers. It didn’t matter that those books in their original covers are sitting on my shelf waiting to be read, the new covers call my name, and I had to have them!

I couldn’t believe I was carrying those books to the counter and willingly buying them. I never buy books because I have to have a certain cover! I know that people do it, and that some people are so fanatical about the reissue issue that they’ll buy a favorite book every time it comes out so that they have it in every cover or format available.

To buy the reissued Grace Valley books was a definite first for me. I need to know what about you? Do you buy books in their various forms and different covers? If you do does that mean you have multiple copies of the books on your shelves or do you replace the older perhaps less desirable cover with the one you like better?

Sandi Shilhanek | Readers’n’Ritas

Have you ever attended an event that while you were looking forward to the event you were a bit nervous about what would happen while you were there, and would it be an enjoyable time for all? That’s how I felt going into last weekend and the Readers’n’Ritas event.

On Friday as the committee was putting the finishing touches on goodie bags we received a once in a lifetime opportunity. Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love who were in town for both Readers’n’Ritas and another event the same weekend had no dinner plans, and would love to have dinner with the committee. Wow! What an opportunity for true Kenyon/Love fans of which I really wasn’t.

Dinner was at a fabulous place near my home, and to which I had never been. Now I’m wondering how I can get my family back there once again, but I digress. Having the chance to sit and chat almost one on one with these two wonderful ladies and hearing their stories of writing success has me thinking zillions of fans can’t be wrong! What am I missing by not having these authors in my collection?

The Readers’n’Ritas event gave me the opportunity to not only get to know these authors better, but also to gain some insight into the personal lives of several other authors. While there are too many to mention, the one who stands out for me the most is Lauren Willig, an author who writes historical romances another genre I don’t normally read. Once again in having the chance to chat with her about life, and the writing world from her point of view I’m thinking so all my friends who rave about her definitely know something that I don’t and that I should add this author to my shelves as well.

I really could go on and on about how Readers’n’Ritas went, but I have to go now…I have book shopping to do, and then once all those lovely books are mine I have reading to indulge in! One last thought though…who was the last author you decided to pick up and read because of having met them, or having heard something that so touched you you just had to support the author?

Sandi

Sandi Shilhanek | Reviewing

This past weekend I did something I can only remember doing one other time. I started a book and did not finish it. Worse yet, was the fact it was a review book. I always feel the need to finish a book I guess I have what might be considered an optimistic outlook that the book surely has to get better, thus my continued need to read.

The book I was reading for review was a bound and printed ARC (Advanced Reader’s Copy) and full of typos which as you know from a previous blog I don’t usually notice, but these were so glaring that they totally prevented me from being able to get a good reading flow going. My second problem with this particular book was that the storyline seemed to go from one idea to another without any really rhythm. These two issues made me decide to ask the person in charge of reviews if I truly had to read and review this book.

Luckily for me she did release from having to read this book, and I can move on to the next. Unlike what I think most people will do I think I shall put a bookmark in this book, and at some point in the very distant future I might pull it out and give it a skim to find out for sure how it ends, as it was the last book in a trilogy.

So this inquiring mind needs to know are you a die-hard finish to the end no matter what person, or are you of a mindset that there are so many good books to read why bother with a lesser one? What do you do with the unfinished ones? Do they go to the shelf for another try later, or move on to a new home?

Sandi Shilhanek | Yahoo Groups

In the last few weeks some authors are being discussed quite a bit in a few of my yahoo groups. Naturally, I expect to hear about authors and their latest works through my groups, but what surprises me about the ones I’m hearing a lot about is that people are just discovering them, and because they enjoyed the newest title having to go on a back list hunt.

One of these authors is Robyn Carr. I have to admit to being somewhat new to the Carr party. I once read a book for review (Down By The River) and didn’t enjoy it at all. What I didn’t’ know at the time was that it was part of a series, and the third in the series. Had I known that I might have been a bit more lenient in how I thought of it. Years passed and I had the opportunity to review her new book, Virgin River. Since I knew it was the beginning of a series I thought here is a way for this author to make my auto buy list. I was of course wowed by what I read, and told one and all you must read this series. It’s been over a year and I still am telling everyone run out and get The Virgin River books and read them ASAP!!!! What I didn’t know is how long Ms. Carr has been writing, and am amazed!

The second author I’m seeing a lot about is Susan Wiggs. Ms. Wiggs has just released a hardcover book called Just Breathe, which I enjoyed, and have been recommending whenever the opportunity presents itself. What I most like about Ms. Wiggs is that she writes connected series, and her recent Lakeshore Chronicles is another of those that I take every chance to say you haven’t read them….but you must! Again, I don’t know how long Ms. Wiggs has been writing, but suddenly I see her name a lot!

The last author I’m going to give a shout out to at this point is Debbie Macomber. Those who know me best know that I am a truly devoted fan and can’t wait for each release. I’m amazed by the number of people I’ve recently been chatting with either online or in person who are just discovering this author and her Cedar Cove Series. Like the others I know Ms. Macomber has been writing for a long time, but as with the others seems to be suddenly the author to read!

So I’ve noticed that these three authors have become something of an overnight sensation, even if overnight took them years and years of honing their craft.

Which authors have you been hearing a lot of buzz about? If they have an extensive backlist is there one book getting talked about more than another? If it’s a new to you author are you going to have to do a major backlist hunt?

Thanks for sharing with me because remember inquiring minds need to know!

Sandi Shilhanek | Series

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been reading the Bakery Sisters Trilogy by Susan Mallery. People who know me best know that I love connected stories. I tend to horde the first and second book until the third becomes available, and then read them back to back to back.

While for a short series that will release quickly this is a great plan, but for a longer series such as the In Death books this does not work. When Naked In Death by J. D. Robb first came out I bought the book even though I didn’t think it was truly my thing. I saved it knowing there would be more to follow.

What happened? I’m sure you know. I kept collecting expecting an end to this series so I could finally begin to read, but that end is still nowhere in my line of vision. Finally I saw a website that was beginning a book of the month read, and offered people several choices to choose from, and amongst the choices Naked In Death.

A few friends and I decided to all vote for Naked In Death and get one book or perhaps more should our choice win out of our TBR mountains. Luckily for us it worked! Now three years later the three of us are current and awaiting the next release.

However, I truly digressed, I’m reading The Bakery Sister books, and saved them once again until I could attain all the books. Thank you to the publishing person who decided to release the books in quick succession. I’m learning a bit about the bakery business and a lot about family dynamics. Would I be getting these lessons if I had had to wait for the books and read them spaced apart? That’s a question that will never be answered.

What about you? Do you save a book until you have all the books in the series or do you read them as they release? If books are spaced apart like the In Death books or the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by J. R. Ward do you have to reread them before you read the new release?

Sandi Shilhanek | Carpooling

Recently my husband and I had to begin carpooling. Our youngest son achieved one of his life’s goals…he got a driver’s license. That meant he could drive to school rather than horror of horrors take the bus. It also meant that because he was now 16 he could enroll in work-study and get out of school early. While he thinks he’s really hot stuff he hasn’t given much if any thought to the impact of being a driver without free access to a vehicle.

So that’s how my husband and I have come to carpooling. Today as we were driving in, and passed the light rail station, then we had to stop for a train, and as it passed I could see that someone had their bicycle with them. I turned to my husband and asked, “Do people often have their bikes with them?” See, even though I drive him to work he does take the train home in the evening because we can’t mesh our afternoon schedules as easily as we do our mornings. He said, “Yes, they get off the train and then bike to their final destination.”

Ok…so bikes on the train got me to thinking about how people could read on the train. I know it’s a strange leap, but there you are…now you know how my mind works. Then I wondered with the rise in gas prices how many people who didn’t normally ride mass transit are now using it, and are they sitting their staring into space, or making use of the new found time.

I’m hopeful that many people have begun to read on the train. I know that my husband has said he would read a magazine on the train, but I’ve yet to see him take one to read. I also know that with our October book club looming and it being at our house, and him being in charge of decorating that he did say he would read the book…The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox. He could do that on his evening commute, but alas the book remains on his dresser.

I don’t take mass transit, so I can’t read, but if I did I would surely love the extra reading time. Instead I drive, and have discovered the wonderful world of audio books. I drop him off and hit play on either my CD player or IPOD and am swept away by whatever story I’m listening to. I’m currently listening to Charley’s Web by Joy Fielding and the reader is Susan Ericksen. The bad part…the commute isn’t long enough because I love the narrator and the author’s story, and I could sit in my car forever listening!

How do you get to work? If you drive do you listen to an audio book? If you take mass transit do you read or otherwise entertain yourself, or are you using the time simply to relax? Remember inquiring minds have an undying curiosity and need to know.

Sandi

Sandi Shilhanek | Editing

When my TBR blog was posted last week I went back and read it. I was so embarrassed to have my name attached to it because of the mistakes I found where I obviously hadn’t gone back and proofread it. This got me to thinking about when I read a book with poor editing, and how it can pull a reader from the story.

I recently read a galley of Overnight Sensation by Karen Foley, and I was amazed at the number of mistakes I caught. It pulled me from the story, and truly affected my enjoyment of it. I didn’t mention it in my review, because I’m confident that in the editing process the mistakes were caught, because if I were to be honest I would tell you that for me to notice it has to be blaring, so I’m positive that a professional editor or proofreader would catch the errors and have the author correct them. I have no doubt that the final copies that readers are buying from their local bookseller are perfect, and that readers will thoroughly enjoy Overnight Sensation.

I am not trying to single out Ms. Foley’s work by any means, but this is the most recent book that I’ve read that immediately calls to mind how poor editing can affect a reader’s enjoyment of the book. I can remember reading a book, but unfortunately not the title where the character’s clothing changed in the middle of a dinner. How was something as simple as that not caught?

I can recall another book I had to read for review, and had a printed ARC complete with a back blurb. In the back blurb the hero had a different name than what he was actually called in the book.

These are just a few things I’ve noticed, and while not enough to affect the enjoyment of the story overall they are enough to make me wonder about the editing/proofreading process.

I don’t want to bash a book or an author because I do realize it’s difficult to be creative and continue to come up with the stories that entertain us, and take us away from the drudgery of our daily lives, but I’m curious to know have you read a book where the editing/proofreading was enough to make you stumble over the otherwise easy flow? Did that or did it not affect the overall pleasure you normally get from your reading material?

Sandi Shilhanek | TBR

I have to say I love the Internet! I learn such interesting things, and things I never knew I was truly interested in until someone either in one of my Yahoo groups mentions it, or I see it posted on a bulletin board at one of the websites I like to visit.

This week what is grabbing my attention is To Be Read piles, from here on out to be known as TBR’s. TBR’s are mentioned a lot as I visit different places, and they provoke a slew of different emotions from people.

Some people I’ve noticed are proud of their TBR’s and will gladly tell you all about how they have it organized, how much time they spend perusing it, and how it’s taken over their homes. Others are aghast that people allow books to have free range over their homes and lives, preferring to limit themselves to a small number.

Me? Well, my TBR is vast and definitely has overtaken the space in my small home. I unfortunately don’t have it organized well at all, and when I see or read about people who have alphabetized or arranged by publisher, or by size their TBR piles I want to say, “Hey don’t you realize that takes time, and you could be reading instead?” Then when I get over that I want to say, “Would you like to come organize my pile?”

I’m curious do you have a TBR? How old do you think the oldest book in the pile is? How often do you cull it? Is it a pile or more like a mountain range? Are your friends amazed by it? Have they given you a wish list based on it?

I will share that I don’t think I could read my TBR in my lifetime. I plan on it being my children’s inheritance. I’m sure that there’s a book or two, or even maybe a hundred that might be worth something on the open market. I will not ever admit to how many actual books the TBR contains, because isn’t it already enough to have admitted that it’s not in any way organized?

So now that you know something about my TBR I have some questions about yours.
I’m curious do you have a TBR? How old do you think the oldest book in the pile is? How often do you cull it? Is it a pile or more like a mountain range? Are your friends amazed by it? Have they given you a wish list based on it?

Sandi Shilhanek | DFW Tea Group

Recently I celebrated a birthday. How I wondered would this year be celebrated? The answer to that was really very simple. Go to the DFW Tea Group book dinner that is held monthly. Good food, good drinks (even if I don’t drink), wonderful conversation, and the highlight of the evening getting to chat via telephone with an author.

Many years ago, don’t ask how many because truth be told I really don’t know, I accidentally discovered the DFW Tea Group. My first event was interesting, but I was an unknown stepping into a world that was as well established as any writer who writes an ongoing series might have. As would be expected the members of the group had to scope me out, and at the same time I had to be both outgoing, and shy so as to ensure my spot at future events.

Now years later I’m a long established member of the group, and look forward to finding out what exciting events I’m going to learn about because of the DFW Tea Group. Do you want to learn about us? Go to www.dfwtea.com/ We really are a friendly group and always looking for new members.

Anyway I digress, the actual day of my birthday didn’t go quite according to plan. I didn’t get the time off work I was hoping for, I forgot the coffee I had promised to bring and had to run home to grab it. Lastly the store where I was sent to buy the wine didn’t have the wine I was told to bring!

Arriving at the home where the dinner was being held I got great doggie welcomes, followed by warm greetings from the hostesses. I was handed a copy of the book being discussed, Take Me If You Can by Karen Kendall, so I could finish reading it, as my copy was in another room. Didn’t quite make it to finishing before dinner was served.

Lovely chat with Karen, who even though she might have been being bombarded by rain(she lives in Florida) let her personality shine through while she talked with us. The only flaw to this point was I really like to know what the author of the month likes to read, and I nor any of my tablemates thought to ask that question before the end of the discussion. Next time!

The evening was topped off with chocolate birthday cake, coffee, and a wonderful present. So, while the day didn’t start out happy and celebratory as birthdays should, it certainly ended on a high note that I believe will be hard to duplicate!

So my day was almost perfection. Tell me what do you like to do to celebrate your special day? Does it include books, friends and/or drinks Inquiring minds want…no need to know!