So I Think...

... that I'm going to start cross-posting my book thoughts here as well as over at BookLikes.  There seems to be some chatter that BookLikes has been sold and no one seems to know what's going to happen, so the prudent thing would be to set up a parallel shop.  I may, at some point, migrate all my BL reviews over here and backdate them, but that'll be a big job, so we'll see.

For now, this will run parallel to my BL blog and we'll see how it goes!

Bump in the Reading Road

So I've finished 14 of 63 chapters... yes, that's right, 63 chapters of Riders by Jilly Cooper and I have found one small character that I like. One. A 12 year old girl. All the others, the adults that the book is about are so unsympathetic, I want to smack them all. So, I'm setting it aside for now - not crying uncle - and starting on Jordan L. Hawk's Threshold, before I throw my eReader across the room. *LOL*

A Murmured Musing

Y'know what? Even though I think the pairing could be fun and Kelly Abbott has become my favourite character in the Cut & Run Universe, I still don't see the obvious chemistry between him and Nick in Touch & Geaux. Yes, Abi writes Kelly and Nick very well, very hot, very fun and it's obvious that she's ready to move on to them as her main squeezes, I just don't see that supposedly obvious moment when it was so apparent. (I honestly think it was fan pandering, but...)

And I still loved Ball & Chain except for that one scene. And I still love Ty and Zane. And my dearest wish is a sequel to According to Hoyle.

And that reminds me... y'know what else? I often wish authors wouldn't listen to their fans and create stories about characters that were better left as supporting characters. Not every best friend, mouthy next-door neighbour or high school enemy needs their own book. Seriously.

Found on FB...

... and I thought it would be fun here too. :) So, copied from my FB page...

So Amy Lane had this up on her FB page, and I loved the idea. Only I won't tag anyone. If you go ahead and do it, please tag me so I don't miss what you wrote.

Rules: In your status line list books that have stayed with you in some way. Don't take more than a few minutes and don't think too hard they don't have to be " right" or " great" works just the ones that have touched you.

So...

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
3. Deryni Rising & Harrowing of Gwynedd by Katherine Kurtz
4. Practically Perfect by Janet Lambert
5. Roots by Alex Haley
6. The Robert the Bruce Trilogy by Nigel Tranter
7. Still Glides the Stream by D.E. Stevenson
8. Dance with Me by Heidi Cullinan
9. Beau Geste by P.C. Wren
10. With Angus in the Forest by Meta Mayne Reid

Book Collector Software

I am really thinking of getting the Book Collector program from Collectorz.com so that I have my own personal database of books as well as what I have here at Booklikes. I just have to pull that purchasing trigger. *LOL*

I've been playing with their trial version (100 book capacity) for the past couple of days, an I really like everything I can do with it. It speaks to that inner organisational demon that lives inside of me. Decisions, decisions... :)

Thinking about Reviews

When I review a book, it's more about me putting into words my own reactions to what I've just read. My reviews aren't critical in that I don't give a critique. That's not my place. I write down my emotions, I squee, I grumble, I try to explain why I liked or didn't like the book in words I might use over a cup of coffee with my friend. I wish I could write those insightful critiques, those clever and humourous reviews that everyone seems to like and reblog or totally hate and call the reviewer a bully.

So my reviews might not be things of epic beauty, but they will be heartfelt. :)