Monday, January 17, 2011

It's Monday! Bookish Musings

Hosted by Sheila of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books
Weekly meme where we discuss the books you've read
and those you plan to read in the coming week.


One dangerous thing about packing up the majority of the TBR books is finding all the books I want to read "right now". I have set quite a few books aside, many of which I'm sure I won't get to anytime soon, but for, you know, just in case. For example, I found a couple of books dealing with exorcism on my shelves that I thought might be fun to read back to back--one if fiction and the other nonfiction. Something for next month, perhaps?

This past week I enjoyed Clea Simon's first in a new series, Dogs Don't Lie. I ended up staying up late one night to finish it because I was so engrossed in the mystery. I am currently finishing Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell about a girl who goes in search of her drug dealing father in order to save the family home. The main character, Ree, is amazing. I took to her right away and so want everything to work out for her in the end. Hopefully I'll be able to fit in the movie soon as well. I hear that's pretty good too.

After this, I'll likely start on The Matchmaker of Kenmare by Frank Delaney, a book which the wonderful Jill of Rhapsody in Books Weblog was kind enough to give me. She noticed how much I enjoyed one of Delaney's previous books and thought I might like this one.

What are you reading at the moment?



Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading
Weekly meme where we muse over a weekly question .

Do you prefer deep, intellectual, “meaty” books… or light, “fluffy” books? Why? Give us an example of your preferred type of book.
Why both, of course! I am something of an eclectic reader who likes to mix up my reading. I enjoy a good meaty book (the intellectual part might be questionable, but the deep and meaty definitely apply) now and then and will often follow it up with a lighter book. I probably fall in between most of the time, however. As I said last week, in response to The Book Blogger Hop question, I read for a variety of reasons and different books fit different needs I may have.

Something I have learned over the years in my reading is that some of the more deep and meaty reads (Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy) do have their lighter moments, and those lighter books (Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris) should not be discounted as having little substance.

I suppose too that a lot has to do with how a reader defines a deep or a light read. One reader's fluff is another man's meat. Or something like that.

Do you have a preference between a lighter or meatier read?



Mailbox Monday is hosted by Rose City Readers (January Host)
We share what books that we found
in our mailboxes last week.

No books arrived in the mail this past week; however, I did stop by Barnes and Noble this past weekend while running errands and picked up a present for my Dad's birthday, which is at the end of the month. My husband and I also each picked out a book for the baby. No new books for me. And after spending the weekend sorting TBR books, I feel as if I've discovered a long lost treasure as it is! Why am I still on the computer? I'm ready to read!

What books have received in the mail recently?


© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

19 comments:

  1. I like a nice balance. I don't like heavy, but I like meaty...I don't like pointless, but I like fluffy. Check out my answer for this weeks Monday Musing.

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  2. I prefer meaty books, but do like lighter works every now and then as well. I am reading The Tapestry of Love right now and am a little stuck. It's totally not the book, it's just that I am dealing with some pretty crazy stuff right now and can't seem to concentrate.

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  3. I like a mixture, too. I'm reading The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet right now. Very good!

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  4. here's mine http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/01/mailbox-monday-hunters-and-prey.html

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  5. I like a mix of books as well, but they can't be too meaty, or they're over my head.

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  6. I get that about packing up the books. Whenever I am on a blog and see a book I want to read and realize I already have it waiting for me....... GAH! LOL

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  7. Honestly, it depends on my mood. I get excited about delving into a meatier book, but other times, is so nice just to escape into something fun and light.

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  8. Jill is so kind and I'm sure you will love it!!! I like to read all types...but after a heavy read I always go for a fluffy one!!

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  9. I read mainly to entertain my brain so I like books with good stories. I don't tend to like very literary novels that focus on character over plot.

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  10. I like a mix of books as well. Varieties is always good isn't it. And the most wonderful moment is reading a new author/book you like and go out of the way to explore their backlist and to buy their new releases. :)

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  11. Lori - That does sound like a nice balance! I admit I like heavy books now and then--heavy in terms of emotional.

    Zibilee (Heather) - I hope everything is okay. Hopefully you'll get back into the reading groove when things settle down for you.

    Jenclair - That title alone is eye catching. I am glad you are enjoying it!

    Tribute Books Mama - Thanks for the link.

    Kathy - I agree-there is such a think as a book that's too meaty for me!

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  12. Sheila - If only there was more time for reading, right?

    April - I'm very much a mood reader too.

    Staci - I think I will like it too. :-) I find it's good to have a break after a heavier book now and then. It's refreshing in a way.

    Heather - Good stories are always good. I do prefer character driven novels more often than not, but they must have a good story or what's the point?

    Melody - Yes, variety is always good. :-) I love discovering new authors. I do need to read more by some of the ones I've enjoyed though. I always mean to and yet rarely do.

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  13. I like a good mix of heavy and light reads as well. It keeps reading interesting for me and helps me to avoid reading slumps. It sounds like you found some good books on your shelf...happy reading :)

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  14. I too like a mix of reading and also a mix of genres. It adds variety to the reading. I dont think about it very much but go with the flow.

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  15. Samantha - I agree. Those reading slumps are less likely to hit when I keep my reading varied.

    Mystica - Variety is definitely good, I think!

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  16. Sorry you had an empty mailbox! But thanks for participating in Mailbox Monday anyway!

    I love the kitty mailbox picture!

    Rose City Reader

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  17. Rose City Reader - It's probably best that I didn't receive any books in the mail since I'm working hard to cull my shelves.

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  18. I do like mixing things up and I'm focusing more on non-fictions this year, particularly business books. I really like that kitty pic!

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  19. Alice - Isn't that photo cute? I like it too. I have a couple of nonfiction books lined up to read soon--not business books though. :-)

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