Tag: reading

Posted in Answer a question

Horror Classics You Need to Read

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

I found an article online that recommended some horror novels that should be read. I thought it fitting to share it since Halloween will be here before you know it. I’ve provided a list of what the article suggested but you’ll find the link to article at the bottom.

I’ve only read one book off this list and it happens to be the first book on the list. I read it then I watched the tv series that was based on the book. The other stuff on that list, I haven’t read yet but there are a couple of them that sound interesting so I’m tempted to go out and read them.

What do you think of the list? Do you agree or disagree with the list? Why? How many of the books on the list have you read? Which ones do you want to read?

“The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson
“Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice
“Dracula” by Bram Stoker
“Frankenstein” (The 1818 Text) by Mary Shelley
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
“Gothic Tales” by Elizabeth Gaskell
“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier
“The Best of Richard Matheson” by Richard Matheson
“The Woman in Black” by Susan Hill
“Phantoms” by Dean Koontz
“The Damnation Game” by Clive Barker
“The Bloody Chamber” by Angela Carter
“The Bad Seed” by William March
“Geek Love” by Katherine Dunn
“The Turn of the Screw and other ghost stories” by Henry James
“American Psycho” by Bret Easton Ellis

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/horror-classics-you-need-to-read/?ref=PRHFF5AAAC444&aid=40811&linkid=PRHFF5AAAC444
Posted in Answer a question

Book problem?

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

Do you think you have a book problem? Do you think you have an addiction to literature? How far do you think your addiction goes?

I have quite a few books at my home, however, I don’t think it’s a problem. It doesn’t interfere with my job or keep me from going to work. I could see it being a problem at that point if I got caught reading at work and it caused me to get fired. But I’ve never let it get that far. I would love nothing more than to stay home all day and read but that doesn’t pay my bills unfortunately.

I’ve always had a love for reading my entire life. Even before I learned to read on my own, I enjoyed it when someone would read to me. I can’t pinpoint it to just one even in my life or to someone who got me interested in reading. Reading is just something I do in my free time to help me relax (if I’m not spending time looking for more books to read).

Posted in Answer a question

Book club?

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

Do you belong to a book club? How do you go about choosing which book to read together? Have you thought of starting a book club? Why or why not?

I don’t participate in any book clubs. I’m not sure how I would go about starting one. I could probably post something interesting at the local book store (if they allow such things) or maybe I could post something online.

You could still have a book club during the current pandemic. You could just have your meetings online rather than meeting in person. My biggest problem would be my schedule at work. I don’t work a set schedule at work, it will fluctuate quite a bit. So it would be hard for me to meet with a book club unless I could convince my work to give me a specific day or time off…

Posted in Answer a question

Reading to someone else…?

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

Do you read out loud to anyone? If so, who do you read to? Do you ever read aloud when you are reading by yourself?

I don’t really read to anyone or have anyone to read to. My nephew is old enough to read because he’s learning to do so in school. I’ve let him read to me a couple of times. But I don’t get to really do that with him very often because he kind of lives far away and I’m usually working most of the time when he comes to town. The few times he’s gotten to read to me, I’ve let him read whatever he wants. Last time, I think he read one of his Star Wars books.

I don’t really read aloud when I’m reading to myself either. I just read quietly to myself so that I’m not disturbing my hubby when he watches his tv or whatever he’s doing at that particular moment.

Posted in Answer a question

How do you pick….?

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

When shopping for new stuff to read, how do you decide on what literature you take home with you?

I have few authors that I enjoy reading so part of it is just keeping up with my favorite authors. The other part of it is, while I’m browsing, I’ll see books that attract my attention or books that speak to me. Part of it is how the cover looks but the main part is when I pick it up to read the synopsis. If the synopsis makes it sound good, then it goes in my basket. If it doesn’t sound good to me then it goes back on the shelf.

If I’m shopping online, I’ll do the same thing. However, I can search more directly when I shop online. I can look for books in a specific genre or written by a certain author. I can narrow it down a little easier instead of just kind of wondering around the store. Don’t get me wrong, I like browsing the bookstore. It’s just a little easier to narrow down your search online.

Posted in Literature

Latest haul!

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

I made a visit to the local bookstore today. I received a gift card to the local bookstore for my birthday and I got to spend it earlier. You’ll see below what I purchased with said gift card. I always enjoy shopping at my local bookstore. I can always find what I’m looking for and the store is always clean.

Lucy Crisp and the Vanishing House by Janet Hill
Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin
Killing November by Adriana Mather
Hunting November by Adriana Mather
High Crime Area by Joyce Carol Oates
This Lie Will Kill You by Chelsea Pitcher

Posted in Answer a question

Tsundoku

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

Tsundoku is a Japanese word that means you have a bunch of books piled up somewhere and then you don’t read them. Do you have a bunch of unread literature at your house? Do you plan on reading them at some point? Why or why not?

Apparently the term tsundoku also refers to books stacked on a bookshelf that you plan on reading later. So I guess it applies to me anyway because I have books on my bookshelves that I haven’t read yet but I do plan on reading at some point. I add books to my shelves before I’ve finished reading the ones I’ve already got. What can I saw…..I like to read. At least you’ll never hear my neighbors complain about my books being too loud.

Posted in Literature

Recent purchase for birthday!

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

I was able to make a purchase at the bookstore for my birthday over the weekend. I feel happy with what I picked up. I could have spent more time at the book store than what I did but my hubby was waiting for me. My hubby got me other stuff for my birthday but this is the literature I got.

What Happened That Night by Deanna Cameron
The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel
The Secret of White Stone Gate by Julia Nobel
Daphne and Velma: The Vanishing Girl by Josephine Ruby
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan
Escape Room by Maren Stoffels

Posted in Fun

Explore Science Fiction & Fantasy Week!

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

At Goodreads, they’re celebrating science fiction & fantasy week. One thing they’ve done is listed the 100 most popular science fiction books on Goodreads, the 100 most popular fantasy books on Goodreads and more (you can view it all at the link below). What are some of your favorite science fiction and fantasy novels? Which do you like more…..science fiction or fantasy? How much time do you spend reading each? What are you doing to celebrate science fiction/fantasy week?

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1890-explore-science-fiction-fantasy-week

Posted in Answer a question

Most in a year…?

Posted on by The Fireside Chats

What is the most books you’ve ever read in a year? Was that a goal you set for yourself or did you just reach that amount by accident? Do you think you’ll ever beat that number at any point in the future? Why or why not?

In 2018, I did not have a set amount of books I wanted to read. I just kept track of how many books I read that year (I read 22 by the way). Then, I set out to see if I could read more books in 2019 then what I read in 2018 and I did (I read 28 in 2019). Now, I’m trying to see if I can read more this year than I did last year. If I continue the way I’m reading now, then I should be able to beat what I read last year.

So, I’m not really setting out to read a certain amount. I’m just trying to see if I can read more than I did the year before. It’s kind of like I’m trying to see if I can increase my personal best with each passing year. There may come a year when I don’t beat what I read the year before and that’s okay. It’s still interesting to see what I read this year versus what I read last year. There can also be some other challenges I can add to make things even more interesting (like reading more on my Kindle than I normally do or reading some books outside my comfort zone). Feel free to let me know what reading goals you are doing, or have done in the past, in the comment section of this article. I’d love to hear from you.