As many of you know, I have a blog where I post reviews of
the books I've read, called
Rainy Day Reads at:
http://lenoragood.blogspot.com. I seldom post reviews of books I disliked; in
fact, I seldom finish a book if I dislike it, so most of the books I review get
4 or 5 stars, some 3, and I think there is one, possibly two, 2 in the mix.
Last July I bought and read an electronic version of
A Month in Mongolia –by Barbara A. B.
Seiders. I loved it. I enjoyed it so much, I not only gave it a 5 Star rating,
I also bought the hard copy, so I can pull it off the shelf and look at the
photos at any time I want. And read the words, even if my eReader isn't charged
;-).
The pictures on the Kindle are good, and can be expanded,
and there are hot links to maps, etc., but I like a hard copy of whatever
nonfiction I'm reading when possible ;-). I also read travel books of our
Southwest, and of Mongolia, and any other place that looks even mildly
interesting.
Sometimes, I follow a subject, such as Ancient China, and
will read as many books as I can find and afford on the subject. (I have over
six linear feet of books on China, most on Ancient China, and most nonfiction.)
Sometimes, I follow an author, such as John Man, an historian and travel
writer. I've bought and read just about all of his books. The ones that aren't
in my collection will be as soon as I determine which ones they are and where
to buy them.
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My six-foot shelf of books on China. I have more books on China, stacked here and there throughout the house |
If I'm reading a history, or memoir (both of which I love)
or any other nonfiction, I want the Truth of the situation as much as possible.
Always, of course, keeping in mind that history is written by the victor. Even
when written centuries after the subject, the historian/writer must use sources
that, for the most part, favor the victor/survivor. But not always. Especially
in this day and age of instant social media. Alas, I seldom read 'modern'
history. If I'm reading fiction, I want escape. I don't want someone's
problems, unless they are going to solve them. I want a happy ever after ending
at best and a thoughtful ending otherwise.
The books I read are an eclectic bunch. I read nonfiction
and fiction, history and memoir, science fiction and fantasy, so if you're ever
in the mood for a good read, but just don't know what book you want, check out
the books on
Rainy Day Reads. And, if you're thinking of buying Rainy Day a
present just because she's such a nice person, I prefer my nonfiction in hard
copy (used is fine and often preferred), and my fiction electronically.
Interestingly enough, there's been some research that people who read hard copy
books retain the information longer than when they read electronic books. Maybe
that's one reason I like my nonfiction in hard copy and my fiction
electronically?
I also have another blog,
Rainy Day Reviews at
http://rainydaysmovieoftheweek.blogspot.com
where I review the movies I've watched. Again, most of the reviews get high
marks, because if I don't like a movie, I don't watch it long enough to review
it. Again, it's an eclectic collection, but each review is kept to 150 words.
Many of the movies are Asian, with subtitles, and the movies run the gamut from
Samurai to memoir, from family to adult only, I'm a fan of Akira Kurosawa so
there are several of his movies, and I'm in deep lust with Peter Dinklage, so
there are a few of his, too.;-) I do let my readers know if it is violent and
or there is a lot of sex.
Then, of course, there is this blog, which is always a
crapshoot as to what will show up. (
crapshoot 1. A toss up, roll of the dice, or a gamble.
Anything could happen
. www.urbandictionary.com ) I've even
opened up the discussion, as to what you, my readers would like me to write
about, and I get no responses, so apparently you like whatever I write. Or are
too polite to tell me otherwise ;-)
And with that, Gentle Reader, I bid you a fantastical and
marvelous week. Go forth, read books however you like them, laugh every day and
keep a smile on your face.
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A few of my favorite things |