Teaser Tuesday: The Only True Genius in the Family

Happy Tuesday everyone!! It's time for another Teaser! You know the rules -

• Let your current read fall open to a random page
• Select two sentences to share
• Name the title of the book so we know where your teasers came from
• Be careful not to include any spoilers in your teaser!

Today I'm sharing two sentences from THE ONLY TRUE GENIUS IN THE FAMILY by Jennie Nash . . .

"I met you when you had a camera in your hands," Harrison said, "and I've lived with you for twenty-three years, most of which time you've had a camera in your hands. It's ridiculous to suddenly say that you don't have the right DNA to be an artist." ~ page 117

I am really enjoying this book that I've wanted to read ever since it came out last year. It's very interesting to read about different types of photography while readimg a good story.

To read more fun teasers, visit Should Be Reading, hosted graciously by MizB.

The Sunday Salon: Changing Habits and a Rant

Good Morning Saloners! I thought I'd post about my reading this week, but then something else came to my mind that has been gnawing at me lately. Not really a big thing, more like a wondering. But I'll get to that in a minute . . .

I've had a great reading week, which always makes me feel good! I finished THE HOUSE AT RIVERTON by Kate Morton the other day. It was kind of a big book (470 pages), so it took me a bit longer. I'll be posting my review very soon. For now, I'll just say that after reading it, I'm looking forward to her latest book, THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN.

Usually, I only read one book at a time, but after taking a trip to the library this week and coming home with 5 books, I've decided to try the multiple book reading thing again. So far, it's working OK for me. Maybe it's because of the variety of books. All I know is, I'm making good progress on 3 of them.

My main focus has been on THE ONLY TRUE GENIUS IN THE FAMILY by Jennie Nash. I'm a little more than half way through it. It's such a quick read and I'm enjoying the story very much. Another one I'm reading is THE #1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY (Book One) by Alexander McCall Smith. I've been in the mood for a series and I've heard so much about this one that I had to see for myself. I don't get HBO so I've never seen the show based on this series, so I didn't really have any specific expectations. What I've discovered is a wonderfully sweet character in Precious Ramotswe. This isn't your typical mystery. It's so much more than that, and the simplicity of the writing just adds to it. I'm pleasantly surprised by Mr. McCall Smith. And I love that it takes place in Africa! I'm also reading NO ONE YOU KNOW by Michelle Richmond. I've been wanting to read this book for so long! I'm not very far into it, but I can tell I'm going to like it a lot.

Now, on to the thing that I've been wondering about: Now that I've been unemployed for a few months and I've seen some of the daytime talk shows, I'm wondering: Why don't they have any authors as guests on these shows? Especially on the morning shows like TODAY or Good Morning America etc.? Especially now that's it's summer and that seems to be the only time the media promotes books. Instead all we see is a long line of actors/actresses promoting movies. And let's face it, most movies start out as books! It just bugs me! Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against movies - I like movies - but I can tell you that a good book stays with me longer than any movie does. It's been said that people, in general, aren't reading . . . well maybe if books were promoted like movies are promoted, that could change. As it is now, the only place the general public learns about books is from the library and book stores. It just seems to me that with so many great authors out there, they deserve some attention too. A little more than a three minute segment on a morning show between skin care tips and how to grill the perfect burger! Come on people!!

Something that I have seen that surprised me was a commercial for a James Patterson book. I think there should be more of these. Again, I have nothing against James Patterson, but contrary to what a lot of people probably think, he is NOT the only human being writing books! Personally, I'm not a big fan, but at least his publicists are on the right path! I understand advertising like that takes money and many authors, especially new ones, can't afford that, but I would like to see more book promotions in different media sources. Spreading the word of books can only lead to more people reading! And that's a good thing!

OK, I got that off my chest and I feel better. Like I said, I'm not against movies, I'm just tired of the media pushing their idea of what entertainment is on us. They over-saturate us with celebrity-related topics. I would much rather tune in to an interview with the author of a book that interests me. Maybe get some insight as to how they came up with the story - that sort of thing. Am I the only one that feels like this? I certainly hope not. What are your views? Do you think people just wouldn't care? I hope not.

Well, that's where my head is today. For now, I'm going to go get another cup of coffee and read for awhile then catch up on my blog reading. I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing day doing whatever it is that makes you happy.

Booking Through Thursday: Unread Challenge

Today we were presented with the Unread Book Challenge. We are to either list or take a photo of the unread books we have stacked on tables, floors or where ever. These are the books that we've always meant to read, but for one reason or another, haven't gotten around to it. They are also the books that make us feel guilty about bringing other books home!

I think this is a great idea for a BTT post. It's just the thing I need to make me realize I've got some great books laying around the house waiting to be read! Although, it's a bit ironic that I just brought home five books from the library this week! Oh well . . .

Here's my list of unread books (in no particular order):

• Matrimony by Josh Henkin
• The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
• Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner
• All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve
• The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• The Lace Reader by Brunonia Berry
• The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond
• Whistling in the Dark by Leslie Kagen
• The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
• Man of the House by Ad Hudler
• Down River by John Hart
• The Associate by John Grisham
• Run For Your Life by James Patterson
• Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult
• The Poisenwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards
• The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty
• The Moment Between by Nicole Baart
• Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

And those are just the ones that I can think of right now!! There are more, I'm sure tucked away in places gathering dust! I've got some really great books! What books do you have laying around?

Library Loot July 8-14

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva (A Striped Armchair) and Marg (Reading Adventures) to encourage book bloggers to share the books they've checked out from the library. If you'd like to participate, simply link your post using Mr. Linky any time during the week. Eva is hosting this week. It's a great way to share books!

Here's my Library Loot for the week:

• THE ONLY TRUE GENIUS IN THE FAMILY by Jennie Nash
• NO ONE YOU KNOW by Michelle Richmond
• THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY by Alexander McCall Smith
• THE NIGHT GARDENER by George Pelecanos
• STEALING WITH STYLE by Emyl Jenkins

I usually don't take out this many books at a time, but I think I ended up with good variety to choose from. I spen

t a couple hours just browsin

g and it was so enjoyable. Most of the time I'm in such a hurry that I just run in and run out, but I didn't want to do that today. I'm really looking forward to diving into these books!

What books did you borrow this week?

It's Monday! What are your reading?

Each Monday, J.Kaye poses the question - What are you reading this week? Sometimes I know exactly what I'm going to read, and other times, it changes as the days go by.

This week, though, I have a pretty good idea. I've been reading Kate Morton's THE HOUSE AT RIVERTON and I should be finishing it early this week.

As for what's next, I'm hoping to borrow a copy of THE ONLY TRUE GENIUS IN THE FAMILY by Jennie Nash from the library this week. I read the first chapter as part of Books-A-Million's Preview Club several weeks ago and was immediately hooked by her writing style. It just seemed so readable and something I would enjoy.

While I'm at the library I'm going to check out a few authors and see what is available. They are:

• George Pelecanos - THE TURNAROUND or THE NIGHT GARDENER I'd be thrilled with either of these two books.
• Emyl Jenkins - STEALING WITH STYLE. This is the first in the Sterling Glass Mystery Series and it just soundS like good fun. The second book, THE BIG STEAL is to be released later this month so I want to be ready!
• Charlaine Harris - The Southern Vampire Series - I've never been one to read vampire-themed books, but this series has my attention. I've heard so many bloggers talking about Sookie that I have to meet her!
• Elizabeth Berg - I've been wanting to read one of her books for awhile.

I could list several more, but I'll stop there! I'm anxious to see what I bring home. What about you? Do you have a plan for the week, or are you like me and it's up in the air?

[TSS] Just When I'm Feeling Low, My Blogger Buddies Lift Me Up!

I must say, I've been feeling a little inadequate lately. Let me tell you why. As hard as I try to find more reading time, it just doesn't seem to happen. There's always something (or someone) to muck up my plans. It's very frustrating! I do have a lot of personal stuff going on that takes my attention, but we all have that, right? Anyway, I had a real blow to my bookish ego last Monday. I'm a regular participant in Musing Mondays, hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page. The musing for last week was about mid year statistics and how your 2009 reading is going. Well, I tallied up the books I've read and I felt pretty good about it. My number was 20. OK, that's not a staggering number, but hey, I'll live with it.

THEN, I started reading other responses to the musing. OH MY GAWD! I am in complete awe of my fellow book lover buddies! You guys ROCK! The numbers I saw were beyond impressive. I'm talking - 114 books read so far this year!?! . . . and several were in the 50-ish range and beyond. Wow! While I was so impressed with y'alls numbers, I quickly wished I'd skipped that week's musing. But it was too late to go back and hit the 'Delete' button!!

So, I've been a reading fool this week. However, I only read one book at a time and the book I'm reading this week is a bit of a chunkster, (470 pages - anything over 400 is a chunkster to me!) so I still haven't finished it! And that hasn't helped my feelings of inadequacy at all. But I decided to put it out of my mind and try not to think about it. Easier said than done.

THEN, something happened to make me say, 'Hey, I don't care about that anymore'. I was the recipient of two blog awards, both signifying friendships made through my blog. I was so touched. The first was from Laura at Laura's Book & Movie Reviews. It was the Proximidade Award. The second was from Missy from Missy's Book Nook and it is The Bookworm's Award for BookFriends. Both of these awards represent friendships made through blogging and that is very special to me. And here's why. . .

In the last couple years, my eye disease has progressed and has taken some of the freedom to come and go as I please with it. My world had gotten kind of small - then I found the blogosphere! That changed my life! I have met some of the most awesome and kind people all over the world and I am so proud to call them 'friends'. That's why these awards mean so much to me. If you haven't visited Laura or Missy's blogs, please stop by and say hello to them.

I will be passing both of these awards on to other bloggers in the coming days. But right now I have to go get ready to attend a surprise birthday party for my cousin. Probably won't get much reading done today, but . . . at least I have my friends!

Booking Through Thursday: Memoirs

Do you read celebrity memoirs? What ones have you read or do you want to read? Which non-existant celebrity memoir would you like to see?

This is a pretty simple one for me. I'm not generally a big reader of memoirs. Twenty years ago I read a biography of Marilyn Monroe, that I found very interesting. I also read Dolly Parton's memoir, which was very good and eye opening. One of the most difficult ones I've read was Christopher Reeve's STILL ME, that I read in 1998. More recently I read Elizabeth Edwards' SAVING GRACES. I have a memoir on my TBR pile and that is THE GLASS CASTLE by Jeanette Walls, that I'm hoping to read this year.

I can't really think of a celebrity memoir that hasn't been written yet that I am anxious to read. Most times, if they are a celebrity, I'm a fan because of their talent, not for their personal life, so I feel like it's not necessary for me to know everything about them in that regard. Case in point, Michael Jackson. I respect him tremendously for his musical genius, but I don't really understand or feel the need to know more about his eccentric personal life. These days, the media over saturates us with celebrity coverage, making me far less likely to pick up their memoir. Even with Farrah, I've seen so many television reports and shows on her life lately, I don't think theire's anything in a book that probably hasn't already been aired. That's not to say I won't read memoirs, I'm just very selective of the ones I do read.