Friday, January 23, 2009

TGIF: Weekly Meme Fun (01/23/2009)





As has become my habit, I am behind in posting my recent Mailbox Monday discoveries. It was a good week, I have to say!


De Marco Empire by J. Lou McCartney (from the author)
The Pages In Between by Erin Einhorn (from my good blogging buddy, Florinda--thank you!)
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah (This one was a complete surprise from the publisher.)




A little Teaser from what I've been reading lately:

He drew back towards his table, and said nothing. His face showed plainly that he thought my delusion had got the better of my reason, and that he considered it totally useless to give me any more advice. [pg 437, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins]
and
Our first stop was to be Paris, but at the last minute, and for no particular reason, we changed our minds and jumped a train to Spain. Maya spoke the language, and it seemed as good a place as any to start our adventure. [pg 195, Walking Through Walls by Philip Smith]




Since “Inspiration” is (or should) the theme this week … what is your reading inspired by?

If you have ever taken the time to read my profile, you know how much I am drawn to stories. I crave them. I need them. The written word is but one form of story telling, but it has a magic all its own. My father and mother encouraged my reading from an early age and I was always surrounded by books. Is it really any wonder then that my personal library rivals that of my parents?

It is hard to put into words what inspires me to read. So much does. I have an innate curiosity about the world around me. I am fascinated by other cultures, history, human behavior and thought processes, religions, and other worlds. Both fiction and nonfiction inspire me. I am inspired by books that make me feel and think just as much as I am by books that offer me an easy escape. Books are inspirations all on their own. I am inspired by beautiful writing, complex characters, settings (locations and time periods) that are characters all on their own, and story lines that capture me in their spell and hold on even after coming to an end.

Where I am in my life often plays a part in what I read at any given time. That could be based on my mood or general interest. I could be inspired to pick up a book based on current events or perhaps I just want something to lighten my mood when I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I am often inspired to read a book based on a recommendation from a friend or fellow book blogger--or perhaps a heated discussion about a particular book that has me curious over what that fuss is all about. Sometimes an interview with an author or finding a random book while browsing through the bookstore will be inspiration enough.

My passion for reading and stories knows no bounds. I never know what might inspire me to pick up that next book. It could simply be because the subject matter or genre calls out to me at that moment or perhaps it was just the first book my cat set his paw on when I was struggling over what to read next.






1. Oh, I am so behind with my reading!

2. I always except changes, big and little. Change is inevitable after all.

3. During my lunch break today, I will be hiding somewhere in my office building reading. It's sad that I have to hide, I know, but it's the only way I will get any peace.

4. You did what again? Are you kidding me???

5. Right now I'd like to be farther along in The Woman in White than I am right now. That isn't to say I am not enjoying the book. I am. I am just finding it slow going. And let's not talk about all the interruptions.

6. An iPod is my favorite gadget. Actually, this isn't true. I've never had an iPod, much less used one. It just seemed like the thing to say at the time.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to starting on the second season of Charmed; tomorrow my plans include dragging my husband to see a movie; and Sunday, I want to finish reading The Woman in White!

30 comments:

  1. You're truly an inspiration, Wendy! :D

    I enjoyed reading all your posts. I'm looking forward to reading your review on The Woman in White... I don't know why I still haven't got around to reading it, yet. Ah yes, we're talking about mood, aren't we?! ;)

    I hope you've a great weekend, Wendy!

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  2. My motto for 2009: You are never behind!

    Sher

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  3. I love reading your posts...you put so much thought and care into what you write! Plus I want that kitty at the top of the page...

    Inspiration is a fickle thing. What you draw it from today is gone tomorrow. It is all about the mood you are in, and I find that to be very cool. I like to go off on tangents based on my whims.

    I have to say my iPod IS my favorite electronic on the planet. It is my tool to crank through my audio books while I am doing some drudgery. You can imagine how I felt when I fell in the pool once with it on my hip...

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  4. Personally, I like all the weekday things you participate in on one post. It's fun to read them all at once.

    Have a good weekend!

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  5. I got De Marco Empire too. It looks really good. I hope you enjoy your books.

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  6. Hi Wendy,
    I've heard so much about THE WOMAN IN WHITE. Seems it is a very popular book in France. I think I am going to look into it but will wait for your review.
    I love the new Website, format, color etc...

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  7. I loved The Woman in White and re-read it a couple of years ago for the RIP challenge. It is dense reading, though. Wilkie Collins loved words!

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  8. I love the mailbox image you have...fantastic...looks like some more great reading for you.

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  9. I hope you enjoy The Pages in Between, Wendy! I'll be interested in your thoughts.

    Great answer for this week's BTT. It was an excellent question - simple, yet surprisingly challenging. My inspirations are similar, but I think you said it better :-).

    I LOVE my iPod - I just wish I could listen to it in the car!

    Enjoy your weekend, Wendy! What movie are you planning to see? As for us, we have three hours of Lost on the DVR to get through... :-)

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  10. I know I already answered, but I had to comment to Florinda...

    One of the main reasons (I'm not kidding) for buying my new 2009 Honda Pilot was because the iPod is fully integrated into the navigation screen. There is a little plug in the middle console that goes directly to your iPod, and then you can control your iPod through your nav controls on your dash. Music, audio books, everything. Once I saw that, I was sold!

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  11. "Woman in White" is looooong! Last year I should have signed up for the Chunkster Challenge. Without meaning to, I selected about 6 books for the TBR Challenge that were over 400 pages (Woman in White was one of them). No wonder I didn't quite complete the challenge! I hope you can find a quiet place to hide during lunch ;o)

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  12. Oh what movie are you guys going to see? I would love to see something this weekend but I think we'll have to wait until next.

    Have fun finishing up the Woman in White!

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  13. What movie are you gonna see, Wendy?

    We're trying to decide between The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Valkyrie.

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  14. I've been intending to read The Woman In White ever since I saw the old movie on TV when I was a child. That's a lot of years on the TBR pile! I'm looking forward to seeing what you think about it.

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  15. How about your favorite kitchen knife? Or the night light? LOL! Your answer to #6 just cracked me up!

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  16. Thank you for stopping by the 'mailbox' this week. I, too, received 'De Marco Empire' - it'll make next week's post. I've read 'Firefly Lane' and enjoyed it.

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  17. I have Firefly Lane in my pile too. It's a long one!

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  18. I've heard a lot about Firefly Lane and I have it on my wishlist. I might have to go to the bookstore this weekend!

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  19. I had such a heartfelt smile on my face the whole time I was reading about your reading inspiration. That was lovely!

    And that teaser really has me wanting to pick up The Woman in White. Hope you get it finished up this weekend!

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  20. I hope your husband finally takes your repeated hints and gets you an ipod soon! ;)
    I enjoyed reading about your reading inspirations. I can relate to so many of them.

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  21. Wendy, I LOVE your new look!! Awesome! I received De Marco Empire also and am looking forward to reading it! Firefly Lane sounds soooo good! I will be anxious to hear your thoughts on it!
    I loved your "Inspiration" post! Wonderful! I am right there with you on the passion for reading and feel so lost if I have nothing to read.
    Lol, I have am mp3 player, not an iPod, and love it. I pretty much listen to books on it and is like my new left arm, lol!

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  22. How are you liking Walking Through Walls? I really look forward to reading your review. I used to hide or leave the office during lunch to read, but now I just read in my cube. Luckily everyone knows not to bother me (although I don't mind interruptions now and then).

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  23. Great list Wendy! Enjoyed your answers too (I doubt you can ever get too far behind on reading though!).

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  24. Loved this post..there's so much to digest here.

    I want your mailbox. Just the books, no bills please.

    Your teaser was great...wouldn't it be heaven to say oh no, I'll take this train to Spain instead of going to Paris?????

    Your BTT was fabulous and you summed it up for me. I wish I could write as eloquently as you did on this post.

    FFI- I've felt the need to hide-out at work so that I could read without interruptions!! My iPod is my favorite gadget. I just got it and I'm having a blast listening to author chats right now!! I love Charm! my boys and I have watched this together!

    Hope you enjoyed your movie and that you finish The Woman in White!!

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  25. I can't agree with your answer on inspiration more. Since I always read for escape, the realm of novels and stories have no bound. I follow the trail of my mood and heart for my next book.

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  26. Melody - Thank you, Melody! What a sweet thing to say! The Woman in White does seem to be one of those that's best read while in a certain mood. That mood has just been a little bit elusive for me lately. I hope you are enjoying the weekend too!

    Sher - Good motto! Now to get my brain to believe that. LOL

    Sandy - Thank you, Sandy. I was just telling my husband the same thing about your posts--and comments--over lunch today. :-)

    You are so right about inspiration being fickle. It's constantly changing.

    Oh, no! Not the pool! I don't exactly know when I will find the time to use an iPod, but I've decided that if I had one, I would make the time. :-)

    Nikki - I'm so glad, Nikki! I like doing them all at once too, to be honest. It frees up the rest of the week to post other things; although I don't always have other things to post. :-)

    Kathy - Thank you! I look forward to reading what you think of De Marco Empire.

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  27. Sylvie - You may be waiting awhile for that review. LOL And thank you! I'm glad you like the new template!

    Jenclair - I've discovered that! Wilkie Collins does love words. :-) It's so beautifully written too.

    Serena - Thanks! I was going through my photo file the other day and discovered the mailboxes image hidden among a few others I'd forgotten about.

    Florinda - I'm looking forward to reading The Pages in Between. Thanks again for giving it to me. I am determined to get an iPod one of these days. :-) I ended up needing to buy new glasses since my driving glasses somehow broke last weekend. I could have used that money for an iPod. :-(

    I'm hoping hubby and I can catch up on Lost tomorrow (now today). I'm so glad it's back on. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    Terri - It definitely feels long! LOL Some big books I breeze through like there is no tomorrow, but not The Woman in White. I wasn't able to find a quiet place for lunch. I thought I had, but I soon discovered it wasn't so secret after all. Ho hum.

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  28. Iliana - There were quite a few movies I wanted to see. Inkheart was at the top of my list, but my husband nixed that one this round. We considered seeing Frost/Nixon, but settled on Defiance today. I'll probably drag hubby to the movies again next weekend if he's up for it. We have tickets to see Phantom of the Opera though so that might be enough for him. :-)

    Shana - I hadn't decided yet at the time I wrote the post, but we ended up seeing Defiance. Which movie did you end up going to?

    Joy - That is a long time! :-) I am sure you will get to The Woman in White eventually. I will try and see the movie once I finish the book.

    Janet - Oh, no! No knives please. Besides, my husband's more likely to be found in the kitchen than I am. LOL The night light's not a bad idea. I don't currently have one plugged in, but it does come in handy sometimes. My husband suggested I list my favorite gadget as the microwave. LOL

    Marcia - Thank you for hosting the Mailbox Monday! I already have books to add on to next week's list. :-) I am glad to hear you enjoyed Firefly Lane. I hope I do too!

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  29. Lenore - I noticed that too; but it will probably be a faster read than The Woman in White. Haha!

    Myckyee - I was really surprised to find a copy of Firefly Lane in my mailbox. It does sound like a good one.

    Debi - Ah, thanks! I am still working my way through The Woman in White. It's just not holding my attention the way I hoped it might. That doesn't mean I am not enjoying it when I do read it though, but it's probably not going to end up being a five star book for me.

    Nat - Oh, Nat! I hope he does too! LOL Someday . . .

    April - Thank you! I think I've finally grown completely used to the new look. :-) I look forward to reading your thoughts on De Marco Empire. It sounds like it will be a good one.

    I don't really understand the difference between an MP3 player and an iPod. My husband says I want an iPod though so I just assume he's right. LOL

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  30. Trish - I am enjoying Walking Through Walls, Trish. I hope to finish it soon.

    If only my lunch time interruptions weren't work related, not to mention long drawn out questions I am expected to answer, I might feel the same as you. I can't sit at my cubicle and expect not to be bothered with people needing something from me work wise, even when I set that boundary. I'm a high demand commodity, I'm afraid.

    Jen - Thanks! It sure feels like I'm behind though. LOL

    Staci - Thank you. Haha! I would love to have the bills go elsewhere too. :-)

    I was thinking the same thing as I typed out that particular teaser. How nice it would be to choose on a whim which direction to go, especially if meant traveling to other countries.

    I didn't manage to finish The Woman in White. Maybe I can claim that I have next weekend. One can hope! Haha!

    Matt - It can be an adventure in figuring out which book to read next. :-)

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