Things To Know

Anne Stuart's book is in the house.

I'm good.

Saw J.R. Ward's latest at bookstore but no discount so I ordered online. Since I haven't read the one before this one, I'm not sure I'm doing myself a good deed or not.

I'm currently reading Untamed by Pamela Clare and by 'currently' I mean I just got to where the H/H meet. I'm going to finish it before pouncing on the Stuart.

Like I said, the Stuart is in the house so I'm good.

Today was a write off.

Anxious, weepy, bitchy, crazy.

Now a temple headache.

Full moon maybe?

The TBR Pile Rescue!

I read over at KristieJ's that her TBR pile is starting to cause anxiety.

Been there.

For a long while.

My TBR pile can be such a fickle bitch but I commented at Kristie's that this year it saved my ass big time.

I'll have to go back through my posts for this year but I'm pretty sure all the books I have been reading in 2009 have been from the TBR pile. When backed into the Slumpville corner the only thing I could finally do was face the pile and just start picking.

I started easy.

I decided those Harlequin books would help get my numbers up for reading this year and I knew it was part of my stumbling block. Once I got past a few books I was able to look at other ones in the pile that I had thought about or heard about for the past year or two.

It was like a reward for darting through more than 4 books for the year. Pressure was off, I had officially beat my horribly pathetic record from last year and now I could pick those odd books out of the pile that had been calling for a while.

Yep, looking at the my tag for Books Read 2009 I see that the first 4 books of the year were Harlequins. Diana Palmer and Jessica Bird.

Done.

It was then I decided a box needed to busted open so I went with a romantica. Once again, looking at the AAR Annual Poll I picked the title that won. Beth Kerry's Wicked Burn.

Sadly I just had to skim my own review to remember anything about this book. The good news is I didn't stop reading and I used my 'new super power' skimming over the blah stuff.

Side trip: Buckled up? Let's go!

Skimming for me is a painful way to read. I swear my brain sends out 'pain' impulses to stop my eyes from passing over words. I remember in high school they had a few lessons on how to speed read.

I tried all methods (looking at one word in a line of text and somehow the brain absorbs the rest *snort*, reading the first and last sentence of paragraphs etc) and discovered that I knew next to nothing about a story or essay when I got to the end.

And then there was the whole 'hurting' thing going on. Probably trying too hard.

Anyways, I have been honing the skill but I figure I do it differently than probably most people. If I'm antsy or board I will skip the descriptive scenes of a room or house or what ever. I have a pretty good imagination so I only need a few words for my brain to have it all figured out. Also anything about food, especially when it runs over long. Three paragraphs to describe a dinner table and I'm either yawning or putting the book down to hunt for some food in the pantry.

Hmm, so good question. What does skimming a book mean to you? Are your eyes still scanning every line (that's what I automatically think of when someone says they skimmed a book) or are you more like me in that you'll skip over paragraphs to get to dialogue or past drawn out descriptions?

Annnnnd, we're back!

After this book I wanted to read an author who had a good past with me and my attention was pulled to Kresley Cole.

There was a book in the pile by Kresley Cole (there are actually another 4 including this one) but I picked Kissed By A Demon King because it was published in 2009.

Huh, would definitely count for next years AAR Annual Poll and I would get a new number up there on my sidebar in a different category.

SOLD!

Then I hit that description of the hero that had me scratching my head and yearning to just drop the book and try something else. Only that's where my slumps begin. With stopping. So I waited and picked the book up here and there while running errands with my husband until it reached out and grabbed me and said 'Hey, pay attention! I'm awesome!'

And it was.

Yummmmm.

Onwards!

The next book wasn't from the pile. Nope. Nalini Singh had a new series out and I decided I was allowed a free pass.

Sadly, it was back to the TBR pile afterwards because the Singh wasn't what I expected and I needed a pick me up.

Jessica Bird was back up from the pile and on deck.

It was good.

Ah yes, now I remember. I was heading back to my massive and towering TBR pile to pick out the next Jessica Bird book I found.

Turns out I don't have the ones I was looking for. Which surprised me because I thought my massive and towering TBR pile had everything I would need!

Bad TBR pile.

So I kind of had to move on.

And there in the pile was Seduced By A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt. It had been flashing it's pretty yellow cover at me for a while and I had shifted it back and forth not sure I was ready to read a historical again.

Turns out it was terrific. (I'm working on one of 'my' reviews)

And now I'm back at the well, picking through the pile knowing a good book is in there somewhere.

And my reading speed is A-okay with me for now so that's a positive.

I should admit though that the month of May has some new releases I'm really looking forward too. Hello Anne Stuart!

What's funny is that in reviewing what I've been reading this year I've discovered that most of the books were a disappointment.

Out of the 9 books I have now read, only two are keepers. Then there are an F and D review of Palmer books, three C reviews and two B reviews (which meant I must have enjoyed them). For me, C books aren't ones I enjoyed but I wouldn't say other people wouldn't find something in those books for themselves.

So there we have it.

Let's call this a 'first quarter review' cause Wow, I got wordy!

I Knew It When I Wrote It

Remind me to never, ever, EVER talk about illnesses not packing a punch.

I knew it when I typed it that I was probably signing myself up for some trouble.

So yeah, the cold called some of it's friends over and I feel yucky.

The past two days I have gotten up when Bob got home from work, had dinner and then crawled back into bed.

I'm exhausted tonight also but I couldn't fall asleep when I laid down again.

So I'm up.

Bob is walking without a cane for the moment. Now I can only hope he doesn't over do it when he goes to his brother's house tomorrow.

He's still hunched over. Poor guy.

For the past 4 mornings Bob has woke up and discovered I have put out all his clothes, made oatmeal and a piece of toast for his breakfast and put out his pills. I have also seen to the kitties (needles and dishes of cat food in separate rooms etc) I then make him a cup of tea and help him on with his socks.

I asked how he was enjoying the concierge service at this hotel.

He said it was excellent.

I said 'Great, you check out on Saturday.'

Hey, I've been sick too!

Saturday my brother is supposed to come see my mom. I don't know whether to inflict myself on them all or let them be. They are all 'you've been sick for a week, right? You can't be contagious anymore.'

Famous last words.

Since the Bunny Was Just Here - I'll Be Quick!

Quick update:

Bob threw his back out. Real Bad. Poor monkey. So lots of me helping him around and making sure other house stuff is done.

He goes to a chiropractor that jumps on his hip while curled in a fetal position on his side. All I hear is a groan when she does this.

Meanwhile, I go to move his leg and he lets out a primal scream.

I hadn't touched it yet.

Goof nut.


So he'll be going to the Chiro for the next week.

But I refuse to feel bad for that because he lets her hurt him without a peep.

Goofy nutball.

I'm reading Seduce A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt and it is just wonderful. I'm really enjoying it so YAY for me.

I also have a cold but I seem to be leveling off to a few tylenol to keep headaches at bay and every thing else just annoys but doesn't pain.

I'll take it.

I hope you are all taking care and reading up a storm!

Busy Week From Hell - OVER!!

Yay, I'm done!

And I have a cold trying to worm it's way into my body.

I said GOOD DAY!

(okay, you would have to be a 70's Show freak to understand that one. I'll have to see if I can find a clip - huh, no clips of Fez yelling 'I said GOOD DAY!')

I have been watching movies and reading intermittently. I keep watching the clock which is never good for reading.

OMG - did I tell you I cooked dinner twice last week? Yes. Me and the stove decided to get together. THEN I actually BBQ'd.

I know.

I live a charmed life.

If only I could have a charmed body.

My aunt gave me a chocolate bunny for Easter and I tried my 'joke' out.

Me: I'm gonna bite his bum and sure it'll hurt but his butt will be smaller!

(yeah, I'm a witty one)

Mom: *in sing song voice* And yours will be bigger.

Touche.

Notice ouch is in that word.

Post Of Interest

I know some of my blogger buds are going to RWA in D.C. and thought this post would be of some interest. It's an insider's view of D.C. which could help with your planning.

The Rundown

1. My stomach has been horrible to me for about 4 straight nights. It's talking constantly but tonight I thought I was going to pass out. Bad tummy. Hopefully it's over - don't know whether it's a stress tummy (really, stress?) or just something food related. Ugh.

2. My doc referred me to another 'course' thingie for what I thought was anxiety.

I got the paper work the other day (after an 8 month wait) and it's a Mood Disorder Clinic. WTF? Lots of questions about booze and drugs.

Anyways, I got to the part that asks what I expect from the program.

Uh, normal.

I expect normal.

I want to get a job outside the house, I want to be able to travel, hell, I want to be free again!

I have a feeling there will be a talk about managing expectations.

3. After filling out that damn sheet I had bad dreams all day. I got a job in my dream only to be fired not even 5 minutes later. Let's not talk about the 'anxiety' over having to be somewhere at a certain time for a specific amount of time. That's right, I was anxious in my friggin dream.

I'm thinking I may tear off the answers to that question and just put 'nothing'.

The sad part is I really expect nothing from the course. There is no cure so why do I have to go?

4. I watched Twilight tonight. Excellent movie but wow, talk about emoting. I don't think I was able to breath for most of the movie because the H/H were constantly breathing all shallow. Anxiety peeps are shallow breathers and I think we watch other people and take cues from how they act. Half way through the movie I kept thinking 'Egads, are they ever going to breath normal?'

I have to say I was worried I would watch the movie and feel all old and stuff but I really enjoyed it and look forward to the rest of the movies.

There are going to be more, right?

5. I can't pick a book.

I know, I'm a pain in the arse but with Easter Weekend coming up I feel all pressured and stuff. I've been pulling books like crazy out of the TBR pile and then realize they would take me weeks to read.

Stupid internal pressure to read more books.

Just read!!

You know?

You know when you wake up and you figure it's like early but then you look at the clock and discover it's like 4 hours later than you thought?

Yeah. That was today.

So I got up because I had to deal with the florist thing and OMG I messed up a line on Bob's taxes which means we would get more money back but I can't do anything about that until I get an assessment which can take up to 6 weeks and then I'll have to file some paper thing which will probably result in me being audited.

And breathe.

All the same, I never leave money on the table so you bet your cute butt (yeah, I noticed) I'll be filling out that paper work and making it happen.

This took me maybe an hour.

I get up from the computer and glance out the window to see that the rainy snow has turned into great gobs of snow.

Yetch.

I sit in Bob's chair and figure I'll read or something but I get chilly and when I get chilly I get sleepy.

So I went back to bed.

I got up at 6pm.

Just a day ago I was up at 11am. How my body does it I don't know but I felt great after I got up the second time.

Sorry, I'm rubbing it in.

It's just my life.

You know?

Life is Definitely Weird

I'm working on a post about why a book isn't working for me and I'm thinking the reason is that I'm a snob or possibly an elitist. (Course, I'll have to look up elitist)

There is definitely something there in the post that I'm circling and not actually naming. Which makes me squirm because I'd like to think I'm not judging but I feel like I am.

Bad Cindy.

Anyways, I'm up during the day so far and had a nice weekend with Bob. Only I think I must have stolen his energy mojo cause he's been sleepy or dopey for the past few days. Poor monkey. He's working too hard.

I know I told you guys about Bob and bros helping out the 'youngsters' (although the reason they need help is because the oldest son is in trouble). For the next 2 months Bob will have to go to his brother's house probably about two nights a week and then at least one day every weekend. I see how tired he is right now from the business merger and I'm worried about how much he can give.

Another thing on my brain is finding out about a neighbour from our old house who died over the weekend from cancer. He was only 53 and a really sweet man. He didn't have an easy go of it. I don't know about his childhood but I know he fell into alcoholism and lost his job long before I met him. At least I thought he was an alcoholic but he may have been an agoraphobic like I once was. Only people wouldn't have known about that when he was younger and then of course, there is always self medication.

He never moved out of his mother's house and he lived in the basement with his live in love. He and his wife were smokers of the first order. I couldn't step into their house without starting to choke.

I remember talking with him years back and he had mentioned a problem with his liver but I don't remember him saying cancer.

So it was shock to hear he had passed and sad that his life won't be remembered with a funeral or service. I think of his wife (who wasn't) living in the basement of a woman who may no longer want her there. There were talks there a few years ago that the man's mother wasn't doing well but she has clearly outlived her own son.

I'm definitely off my rails when I start thinking too much.

Now I have to figure out if I can continue reading the book I have or just realize it's not for me and move on.

The Billionaire Next Door Jessica Bird

Bloody Hell. The things I learn after.

This book was the first in a series about three brothers. Guess what? No plans on the horizon to come back to it. I really wanted to read Mac's story. Ah well. I have a few more from Bird's back list yet.

Onwards!

The Billionaire Next Door is awesome.

It was just what I needed, a story with two people falling in love. Sure there were the misunderstandings waiting in the wings but I knew they were going to show up because He-llo, Silhouette Special Edition.

Cindy Blurb: Sean O'Banyon is rich, like the title says and has made his way up from nothing. He's used to the world he lives in and sees every one around him for what they are, sharks in suits.

What the world doesn't know about O'Banyon is that his father was an alcoholic and abused him and his brothers, Mac and Billy during most of their childhood. The brothers left that life behind and never spoke of it again.

Lizzie Bond is the downstairs neighbour of an old gruff man who has been her friend for a few years. It is a sad time for her when he dies of a heart attack and she is finally allowed to call a number for a son, Sean O'Banyon.

There are lots of hurdles here.

Lizzie is a nurse working two jobs to make ends meet and lives a fairly simple life helping out her upstairs neighbour. She is a great heroine who is able to see pain in people and recognize when to push and went to let go. To say Lizzie is living pay check to pay check is generous but she is not a person looking for handouts. I really enjoyed her mother in the story as well.

Sean, meanwhile, meets Lizzie and feels refreshed. She doesn't recognize him or want anything from him. She's just attracted to the man and Sean avoids telling her who he is or what his father did to him and his brothers.

Thinking on it, Sean got lucky cause not many people could forgive as much a Lizzie did.

Halfway through the story Sean finally tells her who he is and she is shocked and upset. Why did a rich man let his father languish all alone. Sensing more to it Lizzie lets her anger go and once again they start down the path of falling in love.

The revelations are left until almost the very end which did give the reader more time to see Lizzie and Sean fall in love instead of having to deal with things extremely heavy at the beginning of a relationship. In the end, I enjoyed the romance and the sexiness and I, of course, wanted to know more about the other two brothers. Okay, I want to know more about Mac.

B+

Books read for 2009 - Eight!!