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Showing posts with label Kindle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kindle. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025
6:02 PM
So, you know how Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter? Well, someone forgot to inform Arizona. We've barely had any cold weather at all. Instead, we're breaking winter heat records. It was 83 degrees today and it's supposed to be 86 on Wednesday! That's just insane. Ick. Why do I live here?
In other news, today is Tuesday, meaning we have a new TTT topic du jour: Top Ten Book Covers Featuring Cool/Pretty/Unique/etc. Typography. I enjoy a fun font as much as anyone, but since I didn't get a chance to do last week's prompt—Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025—I'm going to do that one today instead. As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025
1. Bluebird by Sharon Cameron—Okay, this one is a cheat. Not only is it a re-discovery, but I also experienced it last month. Ahem. ANYway, I first read (and loved) Bluebird when it was published in 2016. The story captivated me because it was such a gripping and moving read. Even though I have read tons of World War II fiction, it's one that has really stayed with me. I recommended it to my book club, which prompted a reread. Guess what? Although I remembered some of the twists, Bluebird still kept me riveted. My husband just finished it for the first time and loved it as well. My book club is meeting in a few hours to discuss the novel. I can't wait!
Here's the publisher's blurb: A historical novel, set in postwar New York City.
In 1946, Eva leaves behind the rubble of Berlin for the streets of New York City, stepping from the fiery aftermath of one war into another, far colder one, where power is more important than principles, and lies are more plentiful than the truth. Eva holds the key to a deadly secret: Project Bluebird -- a horrific experiment of the concentration camps, capable of tipping the balance of world power. Both the Americans and the Soviets want Bluebird, and it is something that neither should ever be allowed to possess.
But Eva hasn't come to America for secrets or power. She hasn't even come for a new life. She has come to America for one thing: justice. And the Nazi that has escaped its net.
Incidentally, you can't go wrong with Sharon Cameron. I've read all of her books but one and they're all excellent. I'm planning to read Rook this year as well as Up From the Ashes, which comes out on October 6.
3. Connie Berry—My favorite author discovery of 2025 is mystery writer Connie Berry. Last year, I enjoyed the first four books in her Kate Hamilton series, which stars an American antiquities dealer who solves mysteries in her adopted U.K. home. There are two more full-length novels and a novella in the series so far, and I'm planning to read all of them in 2026.
4. Audiobooks + cross-stitching = a winning combination—I've enjoyed cross-stitching since I was in my 20s, but I haven't always done it consistently. I rediscovered the hobby during the Covid lockdown when I got bored with just reading all the time (Right? I didn't know that could happen!). I would stitch for hours while watching t.v. with the kids. A few years later, I stopped stitching when I started having trouble with severe tendonitis in my hands. After having surgery in mid-2025, I am able to enjoy cross-stitching without pain again. Huzzah! However, I'm no longer much of a t.v. watcher. Enter audiobooks. Now, I can enjoy my two favorite hobbies at one time. With that discovery, I hope 2026 will be the year I finally finish the birth announcement I've been working on for my granddaughter, who turns three this year!
5. Celebrity memoirs on audio—Maybe it's because I'm not big on t.v. or maybe it's because I'm really old, but I don't care much about celebrities. Their dramatic, glamorous, disastrous lives are just not of much interest to me. Shockingly, I've actually listened to two celebrity memoirs over the last few months: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey and Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins. Both are narrated by the authors. Both are funny, poignant, interesting, and entertaining. The former is weirdly reverent and irreverent at the same time; for a book about spirituality, it's actually quite crude. The latter is better written and more engaging than I thought it would be. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed either book as much had I read them. Listening to the authors' own words in their own voices seems to be the key for me. I'm not saying I'll be listening to a lot of celebrity memoirs in the future (although I admit to being on the waitlist for Dick Van Dyke's 100 Rules for Living to 100 on Libby), but I did discover that I don't hate them. Who knew? P.S. My husband and I also enjoyed listening to Surrender by Bono a couple years ago.
6. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins—I read the original Hunger Games trilogy as the books came out, and I have never reread them, although I've definitely thought about doing so. Finally reading this much-anticipated prequel reintroduced me to the HG world, reminding me how engrossed I was by the books, and rekindling my desire for a reread of the original trilogy. Will it happen this year? May the odds be ever in my favor...
7. Barbara Ross—This cozy mystery author is another writer I discovered last year. I enjoyed the first book in her Maine Clambake Mystery series in 2025 and am currently reading the second installment. The story revolves around a New Yorker who returns to her Maine hometown to help save her family's long-running clambake business. Along with that, she gets to tangle with family drama, troubles with townspeople, a new boyfriend no one approves of, and, oh yeah, murder.
8. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt—When books are really hyped up, I tend to avoid them rather than snatch them up. And, you have to admit, the plot of this novel sounds a bit strange. An octopus narrator? Count me out. Then, it came up as an "Available Now" audiobook on Libby and I remembered how much Athena had been raving about the greatness of the audio version, so I caved. Spoiler alert: I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures. Spoiler alert #2: Athena was right—the book is excellent on audio.
9. The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman—As a member of the Whitney Academy, I'm invited every year to help judge the Whitney Awards, which is a program that celebrates fiction written by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This year, one of the finalists in the Middle Grade category is The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. I enjoyed Hartman's first book, but I was still a little skeptical of her sophomore effort becuase its plot sounds a little...odd. Plus, animal narrators and I don't always get along. I read it anyway, and loved it for its uniqueness and heartwarming vibe. Guess who agrees with me about its awesomeness? The American Library Association. The book just received a well-deserved Newbery Honor Award. Congratulations!
10. Books read counter—Another bookish gift my husband got me for my birthday/Christmas was this cute counter for my desk. I enjoy tracking what I read on Goodreads, but it's also fun to count my books this way. My husband purchased this particular one on Amazon (he's addicted), but there are all kinds of cute ones on Etsy as well.
There you go, ten bookish discoveries I made in 2025 (and one re-discovery from this year). What did you discover last year? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. If you posted for last week's TTT, leave me a link so I can check out your 2025 discoveries.
Happy TTT!
Friday, February 22, 2013
TGIF - Time to Hop!
5:44 AM
It's Friday and that means it's time for the Book Blogger Hop. If you haven't heard, the Hop is being revived by Billy over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. It works the same way it always has -- sign up on the Linky at Billy's blog, the Hop around and visit the other blogs on the list. The point? To find new book blogs, visit old favorites and have a good time. It's fun, trust me!
So, the question of the week is: Do you prefer reading printed books or using an e-reader?
- Well, not so long ago, I refused to even hold an e-reader in my hand. I loved "real" books too much—I loved the feel of them, the smell of them, the whole bit. Then, NetGalley came along and I needed a way to read e-galleys (I still won't read a book on my computer!). So, I caved and bought a Kindle Fire. And guess what? I love it. I didn't think I would, but I do, I really do. These days, I still mostly read printed books, but I enjoy a fair amount of e-books (most of which are e-ARCs), too. I'm no longer anti e-readers because I believe what Stephen Fry said: "Books are no more threatened by [e-readers] than stairs by elevators." Too true.
If you're new to BBB, welcome! I'm so glad you're here. Please take a moment to look around my blog, make a comment (or two or ten) and, most importantly, come back often. I promise to return the favor.
Happy reading!
So, the question of the week is: Do you prefer reading printed books or using an e-reader?
- Well, not so long ago, I refused to even hold an e-reader in my hand. I loved "real" books too much—I loved the feel of them, the smell of them, the whole bit. Then, NetGalley came along and I needed a way to read e-galleys (I still won't read a book on my computer!). So, I caved and bought a Kindle Fire. And guess what? I love it. I didn't think I would, but I do, I really do. These days, I still mostly read printed books, but I enjoy a fair amount of e-books (most of which are e-ARCs), too. I'm no longer anti e-readers because I believe what Stephen Fry said: "Books are no more threatened by [e-readers] than stairs by elevators." Too true.
If you're new to BBB, welcome! I'm so glad you're here. Please take a moment to look around my blog, make a comment (or two or ten) and, most importantly, come back often. I promise to return the favor.
Happy reading!
Labels:Book Blogger Hop,Kindle | 9
bookworm(s) said...
Monday, March 19, 2012
To Kindle Or Not to Kindle? That Is (No Longer) The Question.
4:58 AM
Quick! Peek out the nearest window. Are pigs flying? Are zombies shuffling down the street? Is the apocalypse commencing? 'Cause I'm pretty sure this is the end of the world.
Why?
I bought a Kindle. And not just any Kindle, but a Kindle Fire. Yes. I. Did. Me—the one who's so anti e-reader that I had never actually touched my husband's Kindle (the one he's owned for nigh on 3 years) until last week. I
have always sworn that I would never ever ever contribute to the death of real books in any way, shape or form and now I've gone and done it. Oh, the shame.
Even worse? I like the Kindle Fire. It's a fun little gadget. I'm so not a gadget kind of person and yet, I'm enjoying this one. Not only can I read books on it, but I can also play games (Anyone into Words With Friends? Play me—I'm sjwordnerd), listen to music, watch movies and so much more. I kind of love it.
Here's the real question, though: How does reading on the Kindle Fire compare to reading real books? It doesn't, of course. I still much, much prefer the latter. But, I don't mind reading on the Kindle, which totally surprises me. I don't think I'll ever be a total e-reading convert—I'm not that much of a sell-out—but I'll definitely be using my Kindle reading to supplement my real reading.
You may be wondering about my policy (stated so vehemently on my left sidebar) to not accept e-books for review. That will stand for now since I'm still learning all the ins and outs of e-reading. Rest assured, though, that I'm sloooowlllly making my way into the 21st Century, so maybe I'll allow e-books sometime soon. Maybe.
For now, I'm reading PDFs of some of the Whitney finalists. My first Kindle read was Dan Wells' novella, A Night of Blacker Darkness, which is hysterical and by far my favorite of his books. As for the first full-length novel, that honor goes to The List by Melanie Jacobson. Since the author will be my instructor for the Publication Primer class I'm taking at the upcoming LDS Storymakers conference, I was a little worried about reading her. Turns out, I enjoy her writing style. Her book's lighthearted and fun. It could use a plot, but still, I'm liking it. Look for reviews of both these titles soon (well, sort of soon).
So, what do you think of my Kindle-buying decision? Are you shocked? Outraged? Or just told-you-so smug like my husband? What's your opinion on the Kindle Fire? If you haven't abandoned me yet for being such a hypocrite, I'd really like to know what you think: Real books or e-books? Kindle v. other e-readers? Susan's a sell-out or just a practical person facing the inevitable? Discuss.
Labels:Kindle,Misc. | 18
bookworm(s) said...
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