I Thought They Were Written for Someone Else

Bookbub recently featured an ad for Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  And even though that book has been out forever, that ad really made me want to read it because I never did. I only saw the movie.

It probably piqued my interest because there are lots of bestsellers I didn't read when they first came out because I was convinced they were written for someone else. Goofy, huh?

Take the one I'm reading now, The Fault in our Stars. I thought it was just for teens, and maybe that is the target audience but hey, I remember how it was to be a teen. Well, sort of. Actually, some days I can remember that period better than I can remember what I had for breakfast.

Anyhow, cancer is universal so I suppose that's why it is such a bestseller. Well, that plus the standout writing. I've just barely started this book, so I can't say too much about it.

The Goldfinch, on the other hand, was one I picked up on the basis of the eye-catching cover. I don't do that very often, but the picture of the bird bursting through the paper really made me wonder about the contents. When I read that it was about a terroristic event involving a little painting of a goldfinch, I was hooked.  It didn't let me down. Yes, I like weird.

Another one I read recently was Gone, Girl. It's another bestseller that's been out for awhile. I think I  avoided this one simply because so many others were reading it. Yes. I do suffer from a chronic case of obstinance. But I admit it so it's okay, right?

I discovered it was a real page-turner. So clever. What did you think about it? Did you like the ending. Me, I liked it. Sort of, I think.  

What shall I read next? I remember when the novel Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, came out. Now this one, I kept meaning to read and just never did. But I loved the cover, and the title, and even the ironic name of the author.  Maybe it was too cute. I don't know. Tell me, should I read it?  So far, every bestseller I've picked up has been well worth it.  I know. I'll check out that old brick and mortar dinosaur, the library. That way, if I don't like it, I'm not out anything. See, I still think like a reader. Even if I have become addicted to that easy one-click button.

Afterthought: Not only am I addicted to one-click shopping on Amazon, I'm also addicted to the built in nightlight on my Kindle. It goes off automatically when I fall asleep. My bedside lamp doesn't do that.

Whaaaat?

Okay, so I borrowed this quote from Goodreads. I love their quotes about writers. But is this for real? Read it and then think about the implications:

We'd get sick on too many cookies, but ever so much sicker on no cookies at all. 

Sinclair Lewis

Nobel Prize winner Sinclair Lewis' (born February 7, 1885) most popular novels, Main Street and Babbitt, were satires of American life. As a Yale student, Lewis met Jack London and sold him plots for 14 short stories, earning $70.

Am I reading that right? He sold Jack London plots for 14 short stories? That is so cool and so . . . weird. I mean, I love Jack London's stories, and I've never been able to read Main Street. (I know, I know, lowbrow, can't help it.)

Nope, I didn't know about this. Never heard it before in my life. However, it reminds me of the question of who really wrote all of Shakespeare's plays or who really posed for the Mona Lisa (do you think it was the woman whose bones were found beneath the convent, or was it, as one of the older theories said, really a self-portrait of da Vinci himself?)

Talk about weird.

Anyhow, I wanted to wrap this all up with a recent quote from J.K. Rowling. She admitted in an interview that she probably made a mistake by not having Harry and Hermione wind up together at the end of the Harry Potter series. Whaaat? Now that's something to consider, isn't it? Of course I have to agree with her, they really should have gotten together. After all the author put them through, it was the least she could do.

Afterthought:

Now, about that Sinclair Lewis quote. . . 

"We'd get sick on too many cookies, but ever so much sicker on no cookies at all." 

I would have to agree, especially around Valentines's day. *Hint* 

VD Giveaway Ends

The VD giveaway is officially over--I just had to do that--come on, you know it really stands for Valentine's Day, right? Right!?

Oh well, as I was saying, the giveaway is over and the winners will be notified shortly. However, if you're still looking for a gift for your sweetie, you can't go wrong with a book.

Here's one of my attempts at a love story. 

This Valentine's Day, treat yourself to a love story you won't soon forget:

5 Prince Publishing presents

ALL FOR LOVE

5 Star Reviews ~ "This book touches on every emotion!"

Now, to be fair, I'll add this disclaimer from one who shall remain nameless (but her initials are Sara Barnard). She says All For Love is not a Romance, but an Anti-Romance because it is too realistic. 

In other words, characters don't always get what they want (to paraphrase Mick), but they usually get exactly what they need.

Click on the tab in this blog's title bar to read an excerpt.

However, if your sweetie prefers thrillers, let me entice you with this new review snippet of Stutter Creek:

"Stutter Creek is a good, quick read. I say quick because once you start reading you won't stop. However, it's not a romance, it's a thriller bordering on horror (I'm paraphrasing again, but it really says something like that, I promise)."  The reviewer even went on to compare it to books by the illustrious horror novelist, Dean Koontz. Whoohoo! (Yes, I really like that part.)

You can also find a page in the title bar to read an excerpt of Stutter Creek. 

Both books are on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, Kobo, in Print and on Audible.com 

http://www.tinyurl.com/bmrsong