For your chance to win a set of six classic short story collections from authors such as Willa Cather, Leo Tolstoy, and Herman Melville), leave a comment at Largehearted Boy by midnight CDT, May 29.
If you’d like a chance to win an audiobook copy of James Patterson’s The 8th Confession, leave a comment at J. Kaye’s Book Blog before June 27. Please remember that J. Kaye doesn’t notify winners – you need to keep an eye on the blog to see if you’ve won.
Free download of The Guide to Pirate Parenting!
Smart Bitches had some great links recently, including to free audiobooks.
I definitely don’t write as much as I used to (since I seem to type most things now), but when I do handwrite something, it doesn’t take long for my hand to hurt. Maybe my grip is part of the problem.
Use six books (that you don’t like) to make invisible speakers.
How to make your very own book pillow to help you read in comfort.
Dear Author’s weekly tech roundup has some good stuff this week, including info on colorful new ebook readers and an ebook price comparison website (I’m definitely bookmarking that one!).
I thought these seven organization tips to help you reduce your TBR (to be read) pile were great in theory, but… I know I won’t do any of them. 🙂
If you’re trying to read more, maybe these 16 ideas will help – I know that not watching tv and speed reading probably help me the most. Missing from that list was making sure you always have something to read with you so you can take advantage of unexpected free time (such as when waiting in lines).
A look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Kindle 2.0 from an avid user after 100 days of use. Also, Kindle owners can now view their notes and highlights in a web browser and not just on their Kindles.
Reading Update
Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James. This was a great contemporary romance about a Chicago lawyer who’s in LA to work on a big case when she gets stuck providing legal insight to a handsome movie star who’s researching his role in a legal thriller.
Undone (Outcast Season, Book 1) by Rachel Caine. This is a spin-off from Caine’s Weather Warden series. It features Cassiel, a fallen Djinn. Lots and lots and lots of open questions at the end of this one. *sigh*
The Immortal Hunter: A Rogue Hunter Novel (Argeneau Vampires) by Lynsay Sands. Ack. More of the lots and lots of open questions thing here. Hmph.
Dead Girls Are Easy, 
A Match Made in Hell, and 
You’re the One that I Haunt (Nicki Styx, Books 1-3) by Terri Garey. Nicki was dead for a few minutes in the ER and when she came back, she could see ghosts. Ghosts who want her to do things for them, ranging from the innocuous to the deadly. Overall, I enjoyed these, although there was a story arc that I found annoying and which I really hope was completed in the third book.
Witch Fire (Elemental Witches, Book 1) by Anya Bast. This book starts in Minneapolis! I’m always a sucker for that. I thought this was a good completely vampire and werewolf free read (also very steamy) – the next two books are already on my TBR shelf and I’m planning to pick up the latest book on June 6 at Uncle Hugo’s, when Ms. Bast will be there signing it.
“Wait, why did I think I missed you again? Obviously I forgot about the infernal flashing.” -Mayhem
What am I missing? Is that (“Just the sexiest man alive”) a normal, romance novel? No vampires or werewolves?
Yeah, I can’t see reducing my TBR pile by purging either. Although…I really should think about trading in my “disapointments”.
*boop boop* May!
Mayhem, you can’t have it all.
Hey Chris:
Just the Sexiest Man Alive and Practice Makes Perfect will likely be my favorite contemps of the year – great reads.
Thanks for the links – I’ll definitely check out the “Dear Author”, one.
As for the advice on reducing the TBR – unlikely to help mine – I need a ladder to scale it…
I like Anya Bast’s work (I’ve read a couple of her novellas) I’ve not read her “Witch” books yet though.
Great post as always..
L
It kind of amazes me that when I write with a pen for any length of time, my hand really hurts. I am so proficient on the keyboard that my handwriting has gone to pot.
I liked the speakers in old books tutorial. Clever and unobtrusive.
Poor May, when will Mommy get the nightvision camera?
The suggestion that you give a book only 3 tries before giving up on it amuses me — books generally get one try with me! Every once in while, if someone tells me how much they really enjoyed a book I gave up on, I’ll go back a second time, but that’s really rare.
I could have done with a book pillow for the last book I read! 🙂 It would be hard for me to find a book I didn’t like in the house.
I’ll have to check out the free audiobooks, although I am loving netlibrary, the selection is limited, at least for our county. I’ve used Librivox, but sometimes the vox pop doesn’t know how to pronounce words and it drives me nuts.
Those colored ebooks are verrry tempting.
My TBR pile is always huge, but years ago I did start a 3-strikes you’re out policy. And I don’t finish books I can’t stand; I’ll donate those to the library.
May! Such a difficult life as a blog star kitty! Where’s your Panther Princess spirit?
I don’t want to think about how many times I have tried to read some books. I find it is much easier for me to lose interest in a book if I have more than 5 going at the same time. If it isn’t at least as interesting as book 4 or 3 then it just drifts off until I have to start over at the beginning.
A lot of classics fell prey to that not because they were bad in any way, but just because they weren’t as exciting as the latest YA or Sci/Fi novel.
Man, I could never keep up with your reading – even when I was working as a librarian and reading at work! And is it weird that now after having read most of the Sookie Stackhouse books I’m wondering if people can read my mind?
My TBR pile is manageable – the list however is totally out of control. And, it looks as though I need to add Witch Fire to the list, always a sucker for a good local setting.
I’m just laughing … somehow, I don’t think it’s POSSIBLE for me to read any more than I do! Not unless I threw my computer out the window (which I do NOT plan on doing).
Poor kitties, flashing lights and giving you the bum… but they must be glad to have you back!
Handwriting with a fountain pen, especially a pen with a nice, comfy grip, is one of life’s pleasures. Try a Lamy Safari – less than $30, light, definitely not foo-foo, and a pleasure….
I’m so gullible for things in bright colors. Now I want one of those little colorful ebook readers. 🙂
I like the idea of the book pillow.
Poor May. It’s hard to wake up to the flashing light thingy.
I’m behind on blog reading, but happy to see you had a nice little vacation. I just finished reading “Columbine,” and found it very moving.
Just hopped over from J. Kaye’s book blog and I’m glad I did. This is a great list of links! 🙂
She is such a cutie – hope she enjoys her birthday!
Remind me – I have two good books to talk about (even though they are not your genre) they were both fascinating in their content. Plus I read on you recommended and loved it!!
What a gorgeous picture of MayMay!
Which arc did you find annoying in the Nikki books – the devil thing?