Musings Monday & An Early Chirstmas Present Revealed

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading on the go . . .

I always like to have a book with me at all times – call it a nerdy grown-up security blanket – and rarely do I leave the house without slipping one into my bag (even if I KNOW I’m not going to have a chance to read it). Do you take a book with you? Do you take whatever book you’re currently reading, or do you have a special on-the-go book? And do you have a preference for a these types of book (paperback, hardback; short stories; poetry etc)?

I have a little confession to make. When my husband and I went out to run errands yesterday, I did not take a book along. It is rare, however, when I do not have a book with me. I have been stuck at the gas station as my husband fills up the car without a book one too many times. Or stuck waiting in line at the post office. It really is no fun. You can only stare at the new stamp posters for so long before your eyes glaze over. Then there was the time I was at the doctor's office without a book. No magazine in sight! No television. I read posters on the wall. I learned all about viruses and colds, the digestive tract, and contraceptive options. I read those posters over and over until my name was called. It was awful. Never again, I decided. And so, more often than not, you will always find me with a book in hand or at least in my bag which is close at hand.

Any new bag or purse I buy has to be big enough for my book--preferably one that will hold a decent sized hardback just in case. While paperback novels tend to be easier to travel with, I do not limit the book I take with me based on the format since I read just about any size book. I most often take along the book I am reading at the time.

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I tried and tried to put off opening my Book Bloggers Christmas Swap gift. You know how that goes. I mean, how long could you have resisted opening something that looks like this?


Look at that cute little kitty face on the card! Underneath that blue wrapping paper was the promise of a book (yes, I felt it up)! It's like putting a box of chocolate in front of me and expecting me to keep my hands off. Yeah right.

So . . .


My Secret Santa sent me the most adorable bookmark with both a dog and cat on it (I collect items that feature both whenever possible, but it's not always easy to find them on the same item) along with a several stickers of dogs and cats that are just too cute. I am sorry that the stickers aren't visible in the photo above. They really are something! And then, of course, you see the book my Secret Santa so kindly gave me. I have wanted a copy of Why We Read What We Read for quite some time now and am looking forward to reading it.

I cannot thank my Secret Santa enough for the wonderful gifts! Thank you also to Nymeth for organizing the gift exchange again this year and to Dewey for her part in it.

My Riley waiting for me to come back to claim my chair.