I didn’t get much reading in this past week, but I did have a wonderful visit with my parents who were here from Oregon. I decided to work on putting together some photo albums, so we spent the afternoons sorting through stacks and stacks of old photos, laughing over some, tearing up over others. I’m all for digital photography, but there’s nothing like reminiscing over a pile of pictures. Sitting in front of a computer monitor just doesn’t cut it.
My mom is a voracious reader and kindly brought us a lovely stack of books, which I plan to share in a separate post later this week. Stay tuned!
Speaking of books, it feels like such a long time since I posted a book review, but I only have three more to write and then I’ll be all caught up. A few days ago, Nan wrote about book reviews and blogging and I found myself nodding my head in agreement. She said:
I don't always want to do a long book report. Sometimes I want to state 'just the facts,' with only a brief explanation of the book and how I felt about it. Once in a while there just isn't that much to say, but yet I want to write something because I use my blog as a book journal.
This is exactly how I feel, especially when I’m reviewing an audio book. So, things may change a little bit around here.
It looks like it’s going to be another beautiful Sunday, with temps reaching close to 80! I’m getting ready to head out for a bike ride with a friend and it’s not quite 40 degrees, but it shouldn’t be too bad since there’s no wind. I’m sure we’ll warm up after the first mile or two. I hope everyone is having a nice, relaxing weekend. Congrats to all of the Read-a-Thon participants. Maybe I’ll get a chance to participate next year. I could use a full day devoted to nothing but reading. Ten minutes before bed just isn't enough time to really get involved in a book, is it?
Glad you had a good time with your folks. I'm curious to see what your Mom brought you to read. She and I have a lot of the same taste in books. LOL
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm seeing the scaling back on book reviews thoughts all over the place these days. I know that you and I and Nan (and Teri) have talked about this. I'm glad to see everyone's thoughts on the issue and also to feel comfortable with a more informal sort of book talk.
Have fun on your ride. No dogs this time, OK? :-)
It's a beautiful day here too, Les! Thank you so much for dropping by and commenting on my blog during the readathon - I know I didn't get to respond to comments, but I totally appreciated the cheering!!!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing about photos just the other day. There's nothing like holding one in your hand. I've got some old photos of my dad and I treasure them.
ReplyDeleteI wrote one today that I listed as 'book notes' but it was a little longer than I really expected. It was easier though, and took less time than a full-fledged book report. I expect my next one to be shorter since I don't have much to say about the particular book. :<) I also look forward to the titles your mum left. And I too have much the same taste as she does. I could never do the readathon. Sounds good but realistically it couldn't happen in my house/life.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to review an audio book, there is nothing to go back and look at and refresh your memory!
ReplyDeleteI loved as a kid getting out the photo albums and pouring over the pictures! So glad that you had a great time with your parents. Your weather sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteNan's post struck a chord with me, too. I've been thinking about how to restructure my book posts, but no firm plans yet. Glad you had a good visit with your parents... look forward to seeing the books your mom brought.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing the stack of books your mother brought!
ReplyDeleteKay - I just got back from a long bike ride, but I plan to put together a list of the books and get it posted either tonight or tomorrow. I have a feeling you've read quite a few of them. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm also planning to work on a couple of reviews for some audio books I listened to last month. I'm not going to fret about writing a lengthy review. Just enough to jog my memory when I look back on this blog at a later. date.
No dog problems yesterday or today, although I came closing to having a very close encounter with a large hawk. Fortunately, it flew to the left instead of to the right (where it would have run smack into my face!).
Wendy - We are having another gorgeous day here. It was 79 and absolutely beautiful, so I hit the bike trail once again. Gotta get as many rides in before the weather gets nasty.
I'm so glad you had a good time with the readathon. I'm hoping I can join in next April. I've only participated in one!
Kathy - In addition to working on the photo albums, I'm getting ready to order a bunch of prints from our summer vacations. Once those get here, I'm going to update the pictures on our refrigerator and in frames around the house. I have so many, but they're all about 5-10 years old!
Nan - I think the key, at least for me, is to write with me as the audience instead of worrying about writing for my "readers." Remember when I used to write up an email (pre-blogging) of my monthly reads? I think I called it Book News or some such thing. That's more along the lines of what I'd like to start doing here. With photos and links, of course.
See my note to Kay about the books from Mom. Yes, you and she (and Kay) tend to have the same taste in books, don't you?
Pam - Exactly! Sometimes, I'll make a note of a chapter to go back to and look at the printed book at work, so I can copy down a particular passage, but that doesn't happen very often. (Terrible sentence, but I'm too tired to rewrite it!)
Staci - One of my favorite things to do when we used to visit my grandparents (oh, 40 years ago!) was to drag all the photo albums out and pour over all the pictures. I wonder if people do that anymore? So much is already shared in blogs and on Facebook...
Yes, our weather has been incredible. We sat outside before dinner last night. It was almost 80 today. Unbelievable for October, but I'll take it for as long as Mother Nature wants to dish it out!
JoAnn - I think a lot of bloggers are reevaluating how they will "review" books in the future. I know mine are going to be much less formal, and probably shorter, unless it's a book I fall in love with. Those are the ones I tend to ramble on and on about.
I should have a post up in a day or so with that stack of books. :)
Kailana - I'm hurrying! :)