Where Is Your Bookmark? (I'd Rather Be Reading / July's Spine Poetry / Reading & Music)

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

"Can you recommend a great book?" [from the introduction of I'd Rather Be Reading]

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In David Lodge's campus novel Changing Places, two college professors--one American, one British--swap teaching roles for a year. [Opening of chapter one, "Confess Your Literary Sins" from I'd Rather Be Reading]

With just that one question I am hooked.  The opening is a question I both love and hate. Too often my mind goes blank for a few minutes, but when I finally am able to think clearly again, I sometimes cannot stop thinking of recommendations. Though I hate to recommend books without knowing what a person likes to read. 

The first sentence of the first chapter tells me a story is coming. It's not a particularly strong hook, but it's enough to have me settling in to hear where the author is going with it.

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.

1. For beautifully styled bookshelves, follow this decorator's rule of thumb: each bookshelf should hold one-third books, one-third accessories, and one third empty space.

2. You're a book lover; you don't have enough shelves to begin with, Ignore the decorator. [excerpt from page 56 of I'd Rather Be Reading]

As I began reading tip one, I immediately began shaking my head. Yeah. My shelves look nothing like that. I may have an accessory on a shelf, but it's in front of or on top of the books. My books take up almost every inch of shelf space and then some. When I got to tip one, there was much relief. 

I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel

For so many people, reading isn't just a hobby or a way to pass the time--it's a lifestyle. Our books shape us, define us, enchant us, and even sometimes infuriate us. Our books are a part of who we are as people, and we can't imagine life without them.

I'd Rather Be Reading is the perfect literary companion for everyone who feels that way. In this collection of charming and relatable reflections on the reading life, beloved blogger and author Anne Bogel leads readers to remember the book that first hooked them, the place where they first fell in love with reading, and all of the moments afterward that helped make them the reader they are today. Known as a reading tastemaker through her popular podcast What Should I Read Next?, Bogel invites book lovers into a community of like-minded people to discover new ways to approach literature, learn fascinating new things about books and publishing, and reflect on the role reading plays in their lives. [ Goodreads Summary]

While considering books to use for this week's Connect Five, I came across I'd Rather Be Reading on my bookshelf and decided I didn't want to put it back until I read it. It is a quick read and I am enjoying it so far.

Have you read I'd Rather Be Reading? If so, what did you think? Does this sound like a book you would enjoy or could relate to?

Connect Five Friday is a weekly meme where readers share a list of five books, 

read or unread, or bookish things, that share a common theme. 

Hosted by the  Kathryn of of Book Date.

It is time for Spine Poetry (I love this concept)! It's kind of another depressing one. I complained to my husband that I keep putting together sad poems. He says it is because I own a lot of sad books. There is some truth to that, I suppose, but not completely. At least the poem ends on a positive note . . .

A Storm in the Blood by Jon Stephen Fink

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

World of Trouble by Ben H. Winters

I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

A Breath of Fresh Air by Amulya Malladi

I have actually only read two of these (A Breath of Fresh Air and World of Trouble--I recommend both), am reading one, and the other two are sitting on my TBR shelf behind me. 

Can you build a spine poem using books lying around your home or office? Please share! 

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.

Have you ever searched out theme songs for your favorite books? (submitted by Julie @ JadeSky)

While I have not come up with my own ideas of theme songs for my favorite books, I sometimes will seek out songs on an author's playlist if they include one at the back of their book. It's always fun to see what music authors associate with their own characters and books. 

Once--okay, three or four times--I bought CD's (or were they cassettes? It was a long time ago) of music recorded specifically for a series of books by Mercedes Lackey. I fell in love with her Valdemar fantasy series and maybe became a little obsessed. When I heard about the CD's and that that author had written many of the songs, I could not help myself. It was my introduction to filk music (music with a science fiction or fantasy theme and often a kind of folksy sound). Some of the songs even became songs I would sing to my daughter during her younger years. You can sometimes find me still singing parts of the songs now and then. [edited to add: My husband came downstairs last night and caught my daughter and I listening to a couple of the songs I had found on You Tube. Oh, the memories!]

What about you? Have you ever searched out theme songs or music for books you read?

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

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