Tag: reading

Why do you read?

Posted on by Shawshank

I read for a number of reasons. Before, I didn’t have anything else to do. So I read to pass the time. I hoarded books under my bed. I think before I left, I had about 20 books in my “TBR” or to be read pile. Some of them looked promising, others were junk that I could blow through in an afternoon.

My favourite ones that I’d already read, were on display, against the rules on my desk. The Twilight series, and the books that Crystal had sent me. They were, and still are comfort books for me. I may not reread them often now, but I’ll still pick up and flip through House of Leaves. In its pages are treasures. Seriously, there’s metaphorical treasures, and physical ones as well. That’s the book I flip through when I’m really homesick. When I’m on the verge of tears, I’ll pull out that book, and if I squeeze my eyes shut hard enough, I can almost see Crystal doing the same thing, and flipping through the pages.

Sounds kind of stupid, huh?

I read to escape. I’ve been reading now for a hobby since mid February, and now I’m starting to notice that I can picture what’s going on in my minds eye. That surprised me. Before, I’d read and see nothing in my mind. It’s slowly coming back to me, that makes me excited to keep reading.

I read to laugh, to cry, to be transported some place different. To meet and interact with characters much better than me. I can dive into a book, and not be myself for a little while. I can be a hero, a side character, or just be invisible to watch how things unfold.

To me a book can be way better than a movie or a TV show. So much more detail, more…. humanity I guess. I mostly buy books that their cover catches my eye. Then the back of the book

Will this book take me away on an adventure? That’s my ultimate goal – to escape for just a few precious minutes. To become someone that’s not me just for a second.

Why do you read?

Book Club – The Guest List

Posted on by Shawshank

Welcome back to The Lockup Library Book Club! A book club for the new year! On that note, happy new year as well! Like the title says this weeks book club is The Guest List by Lucy Foley.

I’m about 70% of the way through it. I have a hard time putting it down, it just sucks you in. It’s a slow paced book, with shorter chapters to make it really feel fast paced. But at the heart of it, it’s a slow burner.

I’m really liking this book. I have no idea who the murderer is yet. Or even the fact that they haven’t found a body yet.

But like true murder mysteries, everyone is a suspect. Everyone has a past.

I can’t wait to see how this turns out. I’m really digging the writers style. I don’t mind the fact that in each chapter it’s either after the wedding, or before. That takes a little getting used to and a few seconds to figure out which time frame you’re in.

So far this book is awesome.

First Impressions – The Guest List

Posted on by Shawshank

So this is a new thing I want to try out. I’m calling it “First Impressions”. I’m only a handful of pages into The Guest List by Lucy Foley, and I just want to talk about what I’m thinking about the book as I read the opening chapters.

It’s gonna be a wild ride, methinks.

Reese? Oh Witherspoon, not John Conners dad from The Terminator. Good to know.

So like A Song of Ice and Fire, each chapter is dedicated to one character in the book. We’re introduced to the bride, the plus-one, the best man, the wedding planner, the bridesmaid, and the fiancé. You really get to know them in the opening chapters. But at the end of each chapter, you’re left wanting more.

The other character in the book is the small Irish island out in the Atlantic Ocean. Lucy Foley is doing a great job of describing the island as both menacing, and gentle. I believe I’ve gotten to the point where all the characters are now on the island, and soon, I’m sure, all hell will break loose.

And I can’t wait to see how all this plays out.

This or that Tuesday

Posted on by Shawshank

This one is also a fun one, forcing me to choose this or that. Sometimes I can choose, sometimes I can’t. It’s fun to figure out when I can or can’t.

So let’s not wait for it. Let’s get this party started. It’ll be lit, as the kids say these days.

Trilogy or book series of 10+ books?

Why not both? Here’s where I can’t choose. I loved the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and my favourite book series would be the Dresden Files. I’m happy with both. But here’s the real question, what ever happened to just simple stand alone books? Why does every new book have to be part of a series?

Would you want to own a bookstore or have a large personal library?

Is the bookstore a small but cozy store that you can just walk up and down the aisles, or am I like a manager at a Barnes and Noble? If it’s a small but cozy store. I’d be happy to own it. If it’s a manager position at B&N, no thanks it’s like a toy store that carries some books.

What book would you like to see under the tree this year?

I’d be pretty happy with any book under the tree and I’ll probably get one. But there’s no tree here. We’re the only house on this corner of the block with no Christmas lights. It doesn’t even feel like Christmas here. But anyways, back to the question. I’d like to get The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – Agatha Christie meets Groundhog Day.

Until next time book nerds!

Book haul

Posted on by Shawshank

Hey there book nerds! I have another book haul! I know, I know, I can’t read what I have, why am I buying more books? Because it was full a bag for a buck, and there was one that’s been on my list for a while. Is that enough? Ok then, how ‘bout this:

One book = .50c, or a bag of books for $1. So logically, it’s better to buy a bag of books rather than just one.

Right?

I think I’m most excited about The Haunting of Hill House. But they all look good, don’t they?

On another note. All the Christmas shopping is done. But this year, it’s just going to be another day. There’s no tree, and we’re the only house on the block with no lights. This is the first year that I’m really getting sick of Christmas music.

304 days.