Tag: reading

Reading block…?

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For those of you out there who like to read like me, have you ever gotten reader’s block? Have you ever gone a certain amount of time where you couldn’t get into reading? What happened that stopped you from reading for that length of time? How long did it take you to get back into reading?

I don’t remember having to stop reading, especially for a long period of time (at least, not in recent years). Now, there might be a day here or there that I am unable to sneak in any reading time because I am sick but those days are usually few and far between. But I’ve never gone several days or longer without reading something. Even when I go on vacation, I usually manage to take my e-reader or some book with me.

Smarter…?

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Do you think people who read are smarter than people who don’t read? Why or why not?

I think there are benefits to reading, regardless if you are reading for the fun of it or you’re reading for learning purposes. You can broaden your vocabulary/grammar, learn some valuable lessons from the author, etc. But at the very least, I believe you can keep your mind sharper by reading (especially if you read on a regular basis). What about you?

Have you ever….?

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Have you ever been turned off from reading? Why or why not?

I don’t think there was anything that has turned me off of reading. Now, I’ve had books that I’ve lost interest in because they didn’t hold my attention but I’ve never lost interest in reading completely. Even if I wasn’t the fastest reader or the best reader in my class, I still enjoyed reading. It was never a contest to me. I read because I find it entertaining and not to be better than anyone else. It’s like giving your brain a little vacation without having to leave the house (and books are much cheaper than going on an actual vacation).

Is it rude…?

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First off, I want to wish a happy Halloween. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday, especially for those going trick or treating at some point today.

Now, to the topic at hand. Do you consider reading to be rude rather than interacting with other people around you? Why or why not?

In this day in age, I see people buried in their cell phone all day. So, my question is how can someone accuse a person of being rude to read a book instead of interacting with the people around them when other people bury themselves in their phones? I’ve always been kind of on the shy side so it was always hard for me to interact with others. That may have been something that helped draw me to reading. So, I don’t consider it rude when someone reads instead of interacting with other people….some people are just introverts.

Biggest problem?

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What is your biggest problem with reading?

For me, it’s finding enough time to read. I could spend all day reading if I am allowed to. Unfortunately, I have a job that I have to go to in order to help pay the bills. I do try to do chores and stuff like that on the days that I work so that on the days that I have off from my job, I can spend those days doing stuff I enjoy….like reading. If I could get paid to read, that would be a dream!

Finding enough literature to read is not a problem. You’d see what I mean if you could see all the books I’ve got on my bookshelves and the books I have on my Kindle. I’ve got three bookshelves in the spare bedroom and they’re nearly full. It’s the reason I had to get a Kindle so that I could have books without them taking up a lot of space.

One more round at the bookstore!

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I was able to make one more purchase today at my local bookstore. This may be the last time I am able to make a book purchase for a while. I kind of went book crazy while I was off from work and I’m going to have to save my money for a while before I can buy more books again. The good news is I’ll have plenty of books to read for a while.

Anyway, you can see below what I was able to purchase with the money I had left. I think I’ve made out like a bandit but I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got.

“The Collector” by K. R. Alexander
“The Fear Zone” by K. R. Alexander
“Remember Me” by Chelsea Bobulski
“The Ghost Road” by Charis Cotter
“The Girl in the Locked Room” by Mary Downing Hahn
“After the Fire” by Will Hill
“The Complete Horowitz Horror” by Anthony Horowitz
“Ghost and Bone” by Andrew Prentice
“The War in the Dark” by Nick Setchfield
“The Spider Dance” by Nick Setchfield
“The Shapeshifters” by Stefan Spjut

Which one next?

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The nice thing about having a Kindle Fire is that I can take a bunch of books with me without taking up a bunch of room in my carry on when I travel. So, my question is…..which book should I read next when I take my next trip? Keep in mind, I’ve marked the e-books that I’ve read already and there is one that is currently in progress, however, which one should I start next when I finish that one? Do you have any other suggestions besides what is on this list?

A Haunting by L. I. Albemont (already read)
The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs (already read)
Craven Manor by Darcy Coates
Quarter to Midnight by Darcy Coates
The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates (already read)
The House Next Door by Darcy Coates (already read)
Night Music (Nocturnes Volume II) by John Connolly
Aberrations by Joseph Delaney
Murder has a Motive by Francis Duncan (already read)
Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan (already read)
The Magician’s by Lev Grossman
The Magician’s King by Lev Grossman
The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman
The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton (already read)
The Mystery of Drear House by Virginia Hamilton (already read)
The Small Hand by Susan Hill
Pet Sematary by Stephen King (in progress)
1922 by Stephen King
The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye by David Lagercrantz
Darker Daze: The Storms Within Volume I by A. L. Mabry
Hell House by Richard Matheson (already read)
Awake by Natasha Preston
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

What would you do?

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What would you do if you didn’t have any books to read? What would you be doing in your spare time?

I honestly can’t see myself not being able to read. Burying myself in a good book allows me to go to my “happy place” and helps me to relieve stress from the day. Nothing helps me get over a bad day more than a good book (except for maybe my awesome hubby or favorite little puppy dog).

Reading can also be informational because I know some people enjoy reading for learning purposes. Other people read in order to keep up with the news and what all is going on out there in the world. I think reading helps to enrich our lives is some form or fashion.

How fast do you read?

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How fast are you when you read? I know I’m not the fastest reader out there but I’m not the slowest reader either. I’m sure I’m about average when it comes to the pace. However, I normally like to take my time when reading. I do that on purpose so that I can enjoy the book I am reading, especially if the book is really good. Do you ever do that….read slower than you normally do so that you can enjoy the story? Or do you read fast no matter what?

Recommendations!

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I’m always looking for that next book to read so I’m willing to take recommendations from others, especially if I know that person likes to read similar books. Anyway, if you like to read, I wouldn’t mind hearing your recommendations for some new literature for me to read.

Genre: Horror, science fiction, fantasy, mystery & thriller. I can take in the occasional romance if it’s good.

Have read: The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, the Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis, the Last Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney, the Locke & Key series by Joe Hill, the Stoneheart trilogy by Charlie Fletcher, the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie, Murder Has a Motive by Frances Duncan, Murder for Christmas by Frances Duncan, The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly, The Cellar by Natasha Preston, The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox, Carrie by Stephen King, The Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, etc.

Books I refuse to read: The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian. I read this book once upon a time and I really got into it at first but the ending disappointed me. This book really turned me away from that particular author and I won’t read anything remotely similar again.

Age Range: I normally read young adult and up. I will read children’s literature if it’s good enough to hold my interest (Harry Potter series is a good example).