I had a fairly good week but had to take on a last minute appeal for a client when I had other projects planned. *Sigh* I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy!
Thank you to all who shared last week.
The word used most to describe why we read was "enjoyment." I added joy and fun to that group to get 10. There were five who chose "entertainment" and five chose "escape." There were a couple of "relaxation" and 'to learn' or 'be informed' seekers too. I liked Janhvi's statement: "Reading takes you to another horizon and I like to get blissfully lost in it sometimes." And also Sarah's "...to experience something outside my normal life." Whatever our reasons - we all clearly love to read! :-).
I was impressed with the lovely gifts mentioned as favorites. Some were not necessarily expensive -- family pictures or a handmade calendar -- but they were special because they had such meaning. Birgit got tickets for a trip (oooh!) and scottsgal got a diamond necklace (aaah!). And of course several people were happy with GCs to pick out gifts they wanted, including Books of course!
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The Winner from SBB #82 comments is: #22 Rocky4patter. (Oh how I love when new visitors win!) There are still 4 'love' books to pick from and new Christmas choices. Rocky4patter please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining five Love Books List for Giveaway, the new Christmas Giveaway Book list, OR pick from the Updated ARC/Review List and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM. [I hope to add some additional Christmas books, Valentine titles and ARCs to the books available in the next week or so - Oops forgot this week]
WEEK #83 Questions
Q1. Carol L asks: Have you ever started a series that started with a bang and fizzled out half way through so that you quit reading that series ??
I guess there are several series that I just haven't gotten around to finish but I plan to. Usually I will try to finish a trilogy or up to five series if it is connected (i.e. Hunger Games) and not just separate stories or a series which could be okay as stand alones that you can read when you get to them (i.e Dee Davis "A Tac" series).
One series which fizzled for me is the Stephanie Plum series - Sorry Stephanie fans. I sort of got stuck on Book 4 and just couldn't get interested enough to get back into it. I have it on Audible which usually makes for easier reading/listenint. The stories all seemed the same pattern and I wasn't crazy about the unresolved relationship confusion - which I understand goes on for many books. On the other hand I enjoy the stand alone romantic comedies by Janet Evanovich and need to get reading from that collection box! .
Q2. My Question this week: Do you ever make personal gifts like jams, jellies, bookmarks or other??
A: I don't take much time for crafts although there were times in the past when I would at least make a plate of cookies or a small basket of teas and candles for gifts. But normally I don't cook or make things. But I LOVE the idea of homemade gifts like the bookmark that Miki sent me as a RAK gift in December - it may seem simple but it is so special. I also like getting handmade soaps and chutney from the ladies in my office or at church.
Thanks again to Miki for this touching gift. :-)
Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! I STILL HAVE A GROUP OF QUESTIONS AVAILABLE BUT THEY ARE FROM ABOUT FOUR PEOPLE SO SOME OF YOU MAY WANT TO ADD A QUESTION OR TWO! We can always use fresh questions.
Your turn to share:
1. Carol L asks: Have you ever started a series that started with a bang and fizzled out half way through so that you quit reading that series ??
2. My Question this week: Do you ever make personal gifts like jams, jellies, bookmarks or other??
SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining Valentine and "Love" books (4 left) or the new Christmas Giveaway Books. Also I have added the Updated ARC/Review List now.
SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, January 25, 2013 at 10 PM central.
The series I liked was the Morland one. It is a very very long one and I got a bit bored by the end but that was my fault for reading the series in one go!
ReplyDeleteThe days of doing anything handmade is long gone for me. Far too much work these days!
1. I'm not reading all that many series to start with, and when I do I often read in a total chaotic order (especially all those cozy mysteries). So far I haven't found any series which I stopped reading because the fire was gone.
ReplyDelete2. Now that I have taken up knitting again I certainly plan on giving many handmade gifts this year!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteso 1) this question made think immediately about the series by dianne duval. i loved book 1 darkness dawns it was well written the story was captivating but book 2 night reigns crushed my hope, the characters change their priority, there are a lot of inconstancies so i was deeply disappointed but while i didn't completly stopped the series i won't buy the book anytime too ( still follow the author and if i win it i will read it but i'm not trusting enought so spend money on it anymore)
2) ^^ Obviously i love make personnalised hand made gifts^^ i really love that because it's a way to share my feelings with the person in questions, i work on the gift while thinking about her and even if it's more expensive that it seems it's worth it. since they are all different teh receiver knows he/she is important special and that's part of what i want to share.
Now i dod bookmark and keychains mostly because they are the most easy to send. i also make earings sometimes but it takes me really longer and unfortunately it's difficult to send ( still i keep this option in special case). i do cookies, truffes au chocolats and jam too but those are for local persons. i also did bracelets for the christmas gifts i've sent.... now i will try to find new idea for next christmas but for the bookmarks and keychain i'm trying to add regularly new design so everyone can find something he/she likes ( and it was really a pleasure to make it for you Martha^^)
1. Sometimes...however, I usually try to finish reading a series.
ReplyDelete2. Previously, I've made various homemade gifts, but I've not made any recently. :)
1. Yes! Anita Blake comes to mind,
ReplyDelete2. All the time.
1. There are quite a few series I have lost interest in. I don't know if I would say they fizzled halfway through or that I just got into something else. Most recent would have been The House of Night series.
ReplyDelete2. I have made book thongs as gifts before, using the receiver's favorite colors and finding a charm to represent them.
1. Carol L asks: Have you ever started a series that started with a bang and fizzled out half way through so that you quit reading that series ??
ReplyDeleteYeah, The "House of Night" series. I thought it was fresh air in the vampire YA scene... but with book 3, it got so horrid that I had to quit reading it...
2. My Question this week: Do you ever make personal gifts like jams, jellies, bookmarks or other??
I <3 making bookmarks and magnets for my readers-friends xD And sometimes I can work up and make some journals also ^^
I almost put down Asimov's Galactic Empire trilogy. It's not really a trilogy, but got labeled that at some point. Each story stands on it's own with hundreds of years between the books, different locations, different characters. And they are not his best writing. But the library has all 3 as audios, so I plan to listen to the last one.
ReplyDeleteWe make homemade gifts every year for the Yuletide celebration - jams, roasted, dried corn, knitted items, etc.
1. no
ReplyDelete2. no
1. No I haven't yet.
ReplyDelete2. No.
1. If I like the first installments of a series I'll keep reading - tho some do ebb & flow a bit.
ReplyDelete2. I haven't made any gifts in a while, but I used to do some sewing & embroidery pieces.
1. There are so many series around right now. In general I don't begin a series until it's complete, so that discounts one reason I don't finish a series.
ReplyDeleteIf I begin & enjoy it I will continue on, but with so many other books around if it's just so-so I will probably not go on.
2. I love my craft work & always have a project on the go and another being planned in my head. For Christmas I made tote bags to use instead of gift wrap. The packaging was part of the gift.
At the moment I'm knitting up some kitchen washing up cloths. As soon as I make them, friends & family put their hands up for them. They work brilliantly & last 10 times longer than anything you buy.
My next project is to embroider some pillow cases.
I also crochet.
1. I typically don't read series - I'm not crazy about the Sue Grafton alphabet series with Kinsey Millhone I guess
ReplyDelete2. No crafting or "domesticated" abilities at all !!
msboatgal at aol.com
Yes, I have run into a few series that have started to fizzle and the Stephanie Plum books is among those. Though they start to fizzle, I just can't walk away from a series I have started. Too many questions are left running around in my head and I have to see it through to the end....it just takes me a little longer. Once I feel like it's lost that fizzle, I'm not in a rush to run out and grab the rest of the series but either go to the library or grab a used copy and finish what I started when I have a lag in my reading or am waiting on a book I am anxious for
ReplyDeleteNo, though I keep saying I want to. I am hoping to do more homemade gifts down the road, when my kids are a little older and I have more time. I have a million ideas I've pinned from pinterest and I swear I will get to some....someday :) hmmmm- I see a new years resolution for next year :)
I read the 1st book of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series but when the series started going into the XX number of books I gave up.
ReplyDeletethumbelinda03@yahoo.com
1. Not really. I try to stick to short series. Except for 2 really long ones but they seem fine for now!
ReplyDelete2. Not yet. No time although I'd love to start making my own greeting cards!
1. Not really as I don't think I've ever quit a series.
ReplyDelete2. No, unfortunately, there's just no time for me to make crafts for personal gifts anymore.