Musing Mondays: Unfinished Business

Today's musing poses the question: What was the last book you couldn't finish and why? This musing is courtesy of Iamciska.tumbler.com.

My Answer:

Very seldom do I ever not finish a book. I'm usually pretty good about sticking with a book until I am done, even if I am not loving it. However, over the summer I was prodded by a close friend to read E.L. James' FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. I put it off as long as I could, then I finally gave in after she actually put her copy in my hands and said 'Just READ it!!'. What else could I do? She absolutely loved it, told all of her friends to read it and I knew it would make her happy. So, I began reading.

Now, I'll start off by saying, I do not consider myself a book snob at all. However, I generally don't follow the masses when it comes to my reading choices. (I still have not read the Twilight Series!! Shocking, I know!)  The thing I noticed right off the bat was the constant over-use of phrases such as "Holy*hit!", "Holy *uck!", etc. The expletives didn't bother me, but the repetitiveness certainly did. I was already sick of it just a few chapters in.  Even if I could overlook that aspect, what I really disliked was the story in general. I realize my opinion may not be a popular one, given the hoards of women who read and loved this book, but as an avid reader, I feel that there are simply too many other writers out there who write fantastic literature and have spent their lives perfecting their craft and those are the types of authors I choose to support. If that makes me a snob, then so be it.

As far as the sex parts of the book goes, that didn't bother me at all. I am a women who enjoys great sex and am not afraid to try new things so I am not a prude, nor do I get offended easily. I simply just didn't feel the need or desire to read a whole book about it, especially a story I felt was lacking.

I made it almost halfway through the book, then one day I asked myself what value I would be taking away after reading this book and I couldn't come up with an answer. I saw the other books on my nightstand that were waiting for my attention and I realized I would much rather be spending my times with those instead.

For more musings, please visit MizB at Should Be Reading each Monday! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week in books!

Musing Mondays: 4.4.11

This week's musing asks:

When you were little did other children tease you about your reading habits?

No, I was never teased about reading as a child. Although I do remember reading a lot at home, especially in the winter months, I was involved in a lot of outdoor activities both in school and away from school. I was also in band and our school took a lot of pride in and put a lot of hard work in our performances, which required many hours of practice. At home, my sister and I had our quarter horses that we showed on weekends that also required a lot of practice. Our parents never had to tell us to go outside because we were out there from sun up to sun down voluntarily every day.

I didn't become what I consider an avid reader until my early 20's and still it was hot and cold. I'd read many books in a row, then wouldn't pick one up for months. After I was married at age 25, and life settled down a bit, I developed an interest in legal dramas and was completely captivated by a newcomer by the name of John Grisham. Since then I have become a bookworm and reading has been a constant in my life. I've also broadened my horizons by reading many genres that I never thought I would enjoy.

As a kid, I always loved carrying any book I was reading around school. And I never felt the slightest bit intimidated by other kids because of it.

Thanks for stopping by for Musing Mondays. For more interesting answers to today's question, please visit Should Be Reading.

I've Been Wondering About . . .

Reading Journals - Do you keep one?

In this last year or so that I've been blogging about books and reading a lot of blogs, I've read that several of you keep reading journals or book journals. I have never done that but found it very interesting and I'm sure they're probably very helpful in remembering what you've read. Since I'm now reading more books than ever, I thought this would be the perfect time to start one of my own. But I am curious about a few things.


For instance, what is the main purpose of your journal? Is it to keep track of when you get a book, or when you read it? Do you record your thoughts about the book? And also, How often do you write in your journal? Is it a daily thing? Or just random?


These are just a few things I've been thinking about when I consider starting my own reading journal. I know there's no right or wrong way to keep a journal, but I'm just curious to hear about the different types and how they're used. This could be very interesting . . .


So please, leave me a comment telling me why you keep a reading journal or why you don't. And if you do, what kind of information do you include?