Good morning and happy Sunday. It's a gorgeous day here in central New York and I've already checked several chores off my outdoor to-do list . Now it's time to take a break with an iced coffee and my laptop and talk about books.
Thanks to yesterday's rain, I enjoyed a lazy Saturday indoors. While catching up with posts in my google reader, I was inspired to join GoodReads. Of course, that ended with spending way too much time rating books and setting up shelves, but it was a lot of fun. My next task is to figure out how it fits in with blogging. I've seen progress updates and books marked as 'to read' on twitter, but I'm wondering about groups, author fan pages, lists, etc. How do you use goodreads? Any pointers or advice would be much appreciated.
In case you missed it, June is Audiobook Month. Twitter was buzzing with news from the Audie Awards Tuesday night. See all the winners here, then follow the twitter hashtag #JIAM2012 to discover more events, articles, reviews, and giveaways. Audiobook Week hosted by Jen at Devourer of Books is coming up soon, too. This year's celebration will be held June 25-29 (details here). To get warmed up, I'm revisiting a favorite book from my audio archives every Monday. Last week I selected The Big Rock Candy Mountain by Wallace Stegner - tune in tomorrow for this week's choice.
My book club met Friday to discuss The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine (a little 'light' for some, but I really enjoyed it). A full report plus my review will follow soon. Rules of Civility by Amor Towles will be our summer read. I don't know whether I'll read or listen, but can't wait to get started.
I finished two books this week: The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones and Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen. Now it's time to block out a day to catch up on reviews. In addition to the stack below, I need to write about a couple of audiobooks, too.
Cleaning the house is next on the agenda... my family will be over for dinner and a boat ride later this afternoon. There should be time to relax with a book later this evening. What are you up to today?
JoAnn, sounds like you've had a nice week. I joined Goodreads a while back but I've done nothing with it at all. Seems like I listed about 30 books and then stopped. I've been so leery of joining anything else - I'm not even on Facebook or Twitter. The computer seems to take over my life so completely if I let it. I'll be interested in hearing what people tell you about Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week. Did you like the new Anna Quindlen book. I've been thinking about reading it soon.
Kay - Yes, I'll be very curious to hear how other bloggers use goodreads. It may be good to keep track of books I own, but haven't read. Not sure how it ties in with blogging though. I LOVED Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake! I started off listening, then bought a print copy the same day. It made me laugh and it made my cry... should be required reading for every woman who has reached her 50th birthday.
DeleteI just joined Goodreads in March and I am really enjoying it. I like the book recommendations. I like the currently reading status update. I find it motivating. I kind of treat it like bookish social networking. I like the giveaways too. I just won Canada, by Richard Ford and I couldn't wait to start reading it.
ReplyDeleteLoni - I've had some fun this evening adding more books and comparing bookshelves. Think I'm going to enjoy goodreads!
DeleteWe got your rain today. It's hard to complain since we need it so badly, but. . .
ReplyDeleteKathy - It still would have been better to get all the rain overnight...
DeleteI mainly use Goodreads to organize my to-read list and keep track of what I've read, but haven't really found the social aspects of it that useful.
ReplyDeleteI just got the Anna Quindlen out from the library on audio - looking forward to listening to it!
Carrie - I see a huge benefit to having all my unread books listed in one spot, but it's going to take some time to enter then all! Loved Anna Quindlen's new book on audio, but had to buy a print copy because there were SO many passages I wanted to highlight and reread.
DeleteI recently picked up The Three Weissmann's of Westport but haven't read it yet. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteBeth :-)
Beth - I think The Three Weissmanns of Westport is even more wondeful if you know the story of Sense & Sensibility - definitely a winner in my book!
DeleteI'm not on Goodreads (or Library Thing or anything else like that) mainly just because I had to stop the madness. I've got about 5 extra minutes a day and can't deal with one more computer thing in my life! So I can't help you there. I know if I even looked at the website, I'd be hooked. I've done absolutely nothing in the way of promoting Audiobook Month, which is a shame since I am such a huge listener. I know you understand where I'm at right now. Which is in the weeds.
ReplyDeleteSandy - I think you're at a point in life (with kids activities, etc.) where one more thing could push you over the edge. I've been there and understand perfectly. Am so impressed with all you manage to do... and do so amazingly well!!
DeleteI have four books that I need to write reviews for. I don't seem to have a problem with reading, but getting the reviews written is another thing. For one, I forget which books I finished, etc. I always have to refer back to Goodreads to confirm.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear your thoughts on Uninvited Guests. My review posts on the 14th.
Ti - Reviewing is definitely the hard part! I think Goodreads will help me keep track of my physical tbr pile - once I enter then all, lol!
DeleteNice to see you on Goodreads! I've been there since 2009, and didn't know what to do with it in the beginning. I find it useful, mostly because I can keep track of books read, to be read, and so on. Like Ti, I read more than I review so it's nice to have a place to check.
ReplyDeleteI'm listening to The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. It has a different effect on me listening to it now than it did when I was reading it in high school. It makes me positively dizzy :)
Enjoy your week ahead!
Ivana - I can see all sorts of benefits for keeping track of books in my tbr piles. I also read more than I review, so I'm sure it will help there, too. The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a book I've been meaning to read for ages...never really considered listening, but perhaps I should!
Delete'The Makioka Sisters' is a wonderful slice of J-Lit, a great book for slowly slipping through :)
ReplyDeleteTony - Oh, it really is! It took me a long time to read The Makioka Sisters, but it was a wonderful experience. I have the film here from Netflix, but have watched just half so far. Will watch the rest this weekend and try to put a few thoughts together.
DeleteI joined GoodReads when I set up my blog and haven't really found the time to use it! I'm hoping someday I'll figure it out. That and Twitter. Seriously, there aren't enough hours in the day!
ReplyDeleteStacy - I'm enjoying goodreads so far, and have entered most of my books now. I like the immediacy of it compared to blogging. But you are right ... there are too many online activities vying for my attention these days.
DeleteI also enjoy Goodreads so will go and look for you there. Having linked to your Ian McEwan Birthday post on my FB page I am now going to become your latest follower. Good to meet you. :)
ReplyDeleteLindyLouMac in Italy - I'm glad you found the McEwan post useful. I enjoy doing periodic author birthday posts and The Writer's Almanac is always provides a wealth of information. Just had a look around your blogs - I'll be reading both your book blog and your Italy blog. I'm glad to have you as a follower!
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