Thursday, September 20, 2018

Where Is Your Bookmark? (A Peek Into Phoenix Unbound/Cloudy Covers/Polygamous Reading)

I am just over halfway through Lyndsay Faye's Jane Steele and enjoying it quite a bit. Unfortunately, I was in a position yesterday in which I didn't have my copy handy (it's a trade paperback), and so I started reading Grace Draven's Phoenix Unbound on my phone.  I am already hooked.

A woman with power over fire and illusion and an enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital--her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses.

But this year is different.

Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion--and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. And unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will risk everything to return to the Empire--and burn once more.  [Goodreads Summary]

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.
For Gilene, spring was the season neither of rain or planting, but of suffering. 
She waited beside her mother, sister, and brothers as the caravan of shackled women plodded down Beroe's market street toward the town square. The slavers of the Empire guided the line, shoving their cargo forward with harsh commands and the occasional warning crack of a whip. 
My thoughts: Already the oppressiveness of living under the Empire's rule can be felt in just those first two paragraphs.

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A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.
Summer had finally settled hard on the steppes, chasing away the rains that had lingered for weeks and turned the land into a vast quagmire. The relentless wet had left everyone and everything a soggy, miserable pile of foul-smelling wool. The people, the sheep, the qaras, They all reeked and were in desperate need of drying out. Only the horse herds and the wandering chickens escaped the stench. Today was the first dry day, and the wind galloping across the plains was finally dry instead of damp.  [56%]

My thoughts: I feel miserable just reading this scene. Wet and uncomfortable. It seems like they are in for some relief, at least weather wise.


What do you think? Does this sound like book you would be interested in reading? 

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Originally hosted by Books by Proxy, Friday Face Off is now hosted by the fabulous Lynn of  Lynn’s Book Blog. Participants are asked to feature two more more covers of the same book with the week's assigned theme, and pick a favorite. 


This week the theme is a book whose cover features clouds ~ I wandered lonely as a cloud.

I read She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb years ago. I remember being really moved by it.


I found quite a few covers for this one, not all of which I included believe it or not. My personal copy of the book matches the cover in the last row on the left, the head surrounded by water coming out of the water. My favorite of the covers is actually the top middle one with the blue dress. It's simple and yet detailed, and I just love the blue hues. 

Which cover do you prefer? 

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Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you like to finish one book before starting the next or do you read several at once? (submitted by Cathy @What Cathy Read Next)
I used to be a monogamous reader, preferring to finish one book before starting another. When I began listening to audiobooks, I realized that was not very realistic, especially given how long it takes me to get through just one audiobook. And then I began juggling more than one book at a time, depending on where I was at any given moment and how best to sneak in some reading time. A paper book, a book on my e-reader and another on my phone perhaps? Sometimes it's a matter of wanting something quick to read while in the middle of a longer book. Or something funny and light to take the edge of a more serious or depressing read.

I currently am taking part in two different year long read-alongs, one for Les Misérables and another for War and Peace. As a result, I have had at least three books going at once, sometimes more (four right now, in fact), since the beginning of the year. My fear of forgetting or not being able to keep a story straight hasn't been a problem, thankfully, even when the books are in similar genres. Sometimes I do struggle with which book to read when they all are good

What about you?


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44 comments:

  1. I am usually juggling at least two books, one being an audiobook, but often I have four or five going at once, though I kind of hate that. My Friday Quotes

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    1. Anne - I think the most I have had going at once is five. This year is my first year really getting into so many at once thanks to my two read-alongs. I sometimes feel like my reading has slowed down considerably as a result. Thanks for visiting!

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  2. I am still not a 'more than one book at a time' person. However, I do often have one book going as an audiobook and one on my Kindle or in print. And sometimes I'm doing a read/listen. Or I get to a point in the audio and want to find out what happens, discover I actually have the book or the library has it available in e-book right then and finish up in print. I'm in awe of the people that can do several at once - that's not me though. LOL

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    1. Kay - I haven't tried a read/listen. If I ever get wireless headphones for my Oasis, I might give it a try. I used to not be able to juggle more than one book at a time, but audiobooks changed that. Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Because of audiobooks, I almost always have at least 2 books going at once. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Kathy - I hope you have a great weekend too! Thanks for visiting. :-)

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  4. I'm always sampling, if not outright reading, more than one book. I like your way of thinking, Wendy--I have both eBooks and the Audible app on my phone so I'm never without a book, even if it's not the book I left behind at home.

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    1. Catherine - I do too! I have apps on my phone for audio and Kindle/Nook and the library apps as well. I am never without a book. Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I usually juggle several books at a time, and one of them is always an audiobook (it takes me at least 2 weeks to get through the average audiobook but lately I've only been listening to one a month).

    I think I might have trouble keeping War and Peace and Les Mis separate if I were reading them at once, although probably not because the Russian names are pretty distinctive.

    Have a great weekend. - Katie

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    1. Katie - It's been awhile since I last listened to an audiobook. I started one about a month and a half ago, but I just haven't made time to listen to it again. I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep War and Peace and Les Miserables separate either--but it's been fairly easy. The two writing styles are very different as are the characters and the stories. The time periods are different too--although there is some overlap in terms of references. Since in War and Peace the Russians are fighting the French, I sometimes have to remind myself whose side I am one when I go from one book to the other. LOL Thanks for visiting, Katie!

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  6. Your excerpts are so descriptive that I felt drawn into the scenes.

    I love those cloud covers.

    I only read one book at a time...unless one is a nonfiction book, like a memoir.

    Enjoy your weekend, and here's mine: “WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LULULEMONS”

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    1. Laurel-Rain - The novel has really pulled me in, and I am liking it so far. I love looking at the clouds, and so like covers with clouds. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. Great excerpts! I have this book ordered already since it got a good recommendation from Ilona Andrews. I'm usually a one-book-at-a-time reader. This week I am featuring The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - Thank you! I hope you enjoy Phoenix Unbound when you read it! It's good so far! Thanks for stopping by, Kathy!

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  8. Suffering in Spring and the stench of Summer - sounds like this book is sad. Hope it picks up as it progresses. But beautiful cover, and the premise sounds amazing.

    I'm featuring Broken Ground this week.

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    1. Bev - It has been rather sad and dark so far, but I don't mind. It's good so far and I cannot wait to see how everything plays out. Thanks for visiting!

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  9. Those snippets definitely put you into the story. I usually have 2 or 3 books going at once as I listen to audiobooks in the office at work and then have another book I'm reading at home. Depending on if that one is a paper copy and I find myself out somewhere waiting, then I will start another one one my ereader. See the book Susan is featuring today at Girl Who Reads

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    1. Donna - Yes, they certainly pulled me in! I am like that too--I read different formats in different situations. It works for me--and that way we are never without a book in one way or another. Thanks for visiting!

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  10. I've seen Phoenix Unbound popping up on a few blogs now, so glad to hear it's good. And I like the cloud topic this week- I think I like the bottom left one the best, I'm always a sucker for covers that have water and sky for some reason!

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    1. Greg - It isn't quite what I was expecting, but that's not a bad thing in this case. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Love the phrase polygamous reading.

    A read-along sounds fun, especially if it's drawn out for an entire year. I may have to try and find one (or two) for next year!

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    1. Shannon - I guess it is an actual term someone coined. I like it too. :-)

      With this two tomes a year I can do! Les Misérables is perfect for it because there are 365 chapters in the book--so one a day. And most aren't that long.

      Thanks for visiting!

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  12. Sounds like it is beautifully written and lulls you into the story! Happy weekend!

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    1. Freda - Yes, it is good so far! I hope you have a good weekend too. Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. Hi, I think I like the 3rd one. Her coming undone with a rope tied around her in the clouds. I'm not familiar with the book so I don't know. Your choice with the head is interesting and because of the clouds it fits quite well.
    Friday Faceoff


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    1. Jackie - That is a good one too. Thank you for visiting!

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    1. Nicki - Thank you! So far so good. Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. I'm usually a "one book" kind of reader, however I'll most likely juggle two if one is an ebook and the other is a physical book. Other circumstances is two physical books because both are good but they've to be of the different genre. ;)

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    1. Melody - I think my multiple book reading habit kind of snuck up on me over the years. I used to adamantly be a one book at a time kind of reader. Thanks for visiting!

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  16. I juggle a few too though I don't think I did until I got a Kindle and started on audiobooks. And then blogging of course changed a lot about how I read! I've seen She's Come Undone around for years but I didn't realize how many covers there were and just how different they all are!

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    1. Katherine - I hadn't thought about the e-reader contributing to my reading multiple books at a time, but that and the audiobook--yes, I would have to say it's the same for me. I was surprised by all the covers for She's Come Undone too. Thanks for stopping by, Katherine!

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  17. I read She's Come Undone as well, it's a good one. I actually read it twice and I read I Know This Much Is True, which was very moving as well. Enjoy your week! Phoenix Unbound sounds interesting too.

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    1. Naida - I loved This Much Is True, and agree, it was very moving. I hope you enjoy your week too! Thanks for visiting!

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  18. I really enjoyed Phoenix Unbound. That first chapter completely grabbed me. I always have an audiobook and book to read going but I have started having books in different areas of the house and trying to make some progress on all of them everyday. It seems to be working so I am going with it.

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    1. Carole - I am nearly done with Phoenix Unbound. I hope to finish it tonight. I am really enjoying it! That's neat that you have different books in different parts of your house going at once. :-) Thanks for stopping by, Carole!

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  19. Nice cover(s), I generally read only 1 book at a time
    That only changes when I leave it at homework or struggling with a book. Xxx

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. Lainy - I like the covers too! I hate it when I leave the book I am reading at home. :-( It's good to have other options in situations like that, isn't it? Thanks for visiting!

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  20. I always have an audiobook going with one or two books on my Kindle. 📚✨

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    1. La La - That works well for me too! Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. This is a book that definitely stays with you. My copy was the same as yours - the strange cover with the disembodied head floating about the waves. I like your choice, it's got an understated elegance to it.
    Lynn :D

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    1. Lynn - I think so too! Thank you for visiting, Lynn (and hosting!).

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  22. Ooooh....VERY late comment here, and I do apologize, Wendy.... I just get SO behind at times! :(

    You know, what you mention about not having a book you're reading handy, and picking up another, just because you HAVE to read, is EXACTLY the type of thing I tend to do! Lol. Yeah, I can't STAND it if I can't read at least a little every single day! Especially when I have to wait in line for something, or am sitting in the doctor's office! :)

    Your reading choice looks VERY intriguing! Since you pick such GREAT books, I'm DEFINITELY adding this one to my GR shelves!! And those quotes from the book have clinched it!! :)

    I see you've joined "The Friday Face-Off"! That SURE is a GREAT meme! Those are some terrific covers you've collected, too! But I do prefer the cover you own, with the head coming out of the water. Must be all that blue! Lol.

    As for your BBH answer, I LOVE how you put it: you used to be "monogamous", and now you're "polygamous" -- in regard to books, of course! HILARIOUS!! Yeah, I used to be "monogamous" myself, but several years ago I joined the ranks of the "polygamous" readers! Lol.

    Mostly, I try to juggle one or two fiction books and one nonfiction book, although sometimes it's the other way around. I'm also a mood reader, and will often select a book according to my feelings at the time.

    And by the way, books (and book blogging) keep me sane. If not for these two things, I'd be foaming at the mouth!(Just kidding!!)

    Thanks for sharing another one of your TERRIFIC posts (or rather, post combos!), Wendy!! HUGS TO YOU AND MOUSE!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :o


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    1. Maria - No need to apologize. There's no such think as a late comment in my mind. I feel like something is missing if I am unable to fit in any reading during any given day. Unfortunately it does happen, but I try not to let it when I can control it.

      I am almost done with Phoenix Unbound and really enjoying it.

      I wish I could claim creation of the terms monogamous and polygamous reader, but those are terms I have heard over and over again over the year and think they are fitting. :-)

      I should probably read more nonfiction than I do. I have plenty on my TBR shelves! I just tend to go for the fiction over the nonfiction almost every time.

      Thank you for visiting, Maria!

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