Abandoning a Book

I just got a new iPhone, so haven't been doing as much reading lately as I usually do.  Before I got the iPhone, though, I was reading a book which I unfortunately gave up on.  I usually don't give up on a book,  but this was one the was just boring me to tears.  About halfway through, I remembered my wonderful Content Area Reading professor from Wichita State, who advised us that if we are reading for pleasure, it should truly be pleasurable, and not to force yourself to read something that you just aren't enjoying.  I thought to myself, "Stephany, what are you doing?"  The book was An Unsuitable Attachment by Barbara Pym.  I just didn't like any of the characters, let alone care whether any of them had happy endings.  In fact, none of the characters in the book seemed to even like each other.  If the characters don't like each other, how am I supposed to like any of them?  I did peek at the ending (maybe I did care a little?) but abandoned the book.  Now I am reading Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, a YA novel.  I am enjoying it much more than the Barbara Pym novel, although I am not getting through it much faster, because of the new iPhone discussed above.  I love the Kindle app!

Best Middle Grade Books

Check out this link for 100 recommended middle grade books from the last century and 10 from this past decade. I loved this list. And I love the name of the blog...The Book Aunt. That's kind of how I see myself. I'll have to add it to the blogs I follow.

Tips on Giving and Receiving Books

I am linking to this article that I found really interesting.  As a reader, I love to give books for Christmas, but don't always know how to go about it.  Not only does this article discuss choosing books as gifts, but also gives tips on receiving books graciously.  I know I have been guilty of the last item on her list.

More Gift Ideas for Book Lovers

I found another list of great gifts for readers.  This is part #5 of this blogger's list of gift ideas.  If you read through the list to the bottom of this post, there are links to parts #1- #4.  It is so fun browse and "window shop" on line.