Musing Monday and Teaser Tuesday

MizB over at Should Be Reading hosts both:

and

It has been a while since I linked up to these, so of course at 2 in the morning I decide to play along.  Because it is so late I did decide posting together would save some time.

This week’s musing asks…

Where do you buy / get most of your books?

I would have to say the majority of my books come from the library as we just don't have the cash to go out and buy books.  I love to read, but to own all the books I read would be crazy.  (You wouldn't know I read lots of books the way my challenges this summer have been going, oh well)  Besides, we wouldn't have the room to store them.  I figure they will most likely be at the library if I want to read them again.
I do, however, find books at the thrift shop occasionally.  Sometimes I purchase them for the church library, other times they are for me.  Can't go wrong at 10-25 cents a piece.  Of course these are all older books.  But I have found some great classics this way, great for the homeschool book shelves.
My 3rd source of books, which is only just starting up, is getting them through book review offers from publishers, like Book Sneeze and Bethany House.  Once again, they may end up in the church library though.

Now for Teaser Tuesday.  This book was found at the library in town (I usually go to the one in the nearby town because it is bigger and their interlibrary loan program and the availability of their books is so much better) It is an intriguing new young adult book called Time Riders by Alex Scarrow.  I love time travel books and movies, so I picked it up and I have to tell you, I have had a hard time putting it down.

page 122 "Foster nodded. 'Tonight is special,' he said. 'I always think of this evening as the last one of the "old" New York."

Musing Monday: July 26th

MizB over at Should Be Reading hosts Musing Mondays.  This is what I was asked to ponder this week.

Do you review books? If so, for who?

If not, have you ever thought about doing so? Why, or why not?

I realize the question being asked probably refers to publishing companies or such, but I wanted to state that I started reviewing when I became interested in Reading Challenges here in blog land.  I decided if I was going to read the books I wanted to review them too, so I could share my "thoughts, inspirations and weird ideas gleaned from each book" as I stated at the top of my blog.  

As I learned more about blogging and books I discovered that people get to keep free copies of books if they review the books for certain publishers.  I joined BookSneeze and thought it would be great if I could get these free books as I could then donate them to our church library if I felt the book was a good book.  You know, share the wealth.  I have yet to finish the first book I received though because I keep getting introduced to really good books through all these blogs I hop to.  I have tried getting a hold of other publishers, but I have never heard back from any of them.

Now, to ask a question.  If someone knows the answer I would appreciate if you could contact me in my comments.  I have seen that some people review books and then have a copy to do a giveaway with.  How do you get those extra books to give away?  Do only certain publishers offer that? Just wondering, thanks for your help.

Musing Monday: July 19th

This week’s musing asks…

What does your bookshelf (or, what do your bookshelves) say about you to the people who come into your home?

Well, most of my bookshelves are upstairs and most people wouldn't be seeing them, but if they found themselves upstairs for some odd reason they would see that I seem to be into reading Christian non fiction.  This is deceptive, however, because most of the Christian non-fiction books on my bookshelf in my bedroom  are unread.  I have had good intentions, but my priorities get skewed.  I get interested in a fiction book or series of books, and as they are easier for me to read I neglect the ones that may actually be more meaningful in my life.
You would also see that I tend to pick up books I think I might need for homeschooling later on, as I have a full bookshelf of homeschooling books and my girls are only 3, 2, and 3 months.
Another thing you would see is shelves full of Christian fiction.  These too are covered in dust, as are the non-fiction books above, I am sure. But they have been read.  I used to be one to reread books, but lately I have been reading more from the library.  And that is what you would see downstairs.  The books you see would show that I do not limit my choices just to one certain type of book.  I don't just read Christian fiction, but I try to be careful on my choices. It also shows that I love to read to my children.  And it also shows that I am not very tidy/organized, as they are just stacked on the box.

Head on over to Should Be Reading to check out other's Musing Mondays

Musing Monday

MizB over at Should Be Reading hosts Musing Mondays.  Here are this weeks questions.

What are you currently reading? Would you recommend it to others? Is it part of a series (if so, which one)? What are you thinking about it? What book(s) would you compare it to, if any?

I am currently reading "Teenage Vampire" by Florence Wilson.  At this point (I am halfway through the book) I would not recommend this book to others.  There has been way too much that is a rip off of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga.  While the plot is not the same there are way too many details that feel like they come directly from Twilight and some from New Moon.  I say "at this point" I would not recommend it because I am finally seeing some fresh original plot show through.  At the same time the grammar and inconsistencies make for a difficult read.  I will continue to read the book because I want to see what happens and I hate leaving a book in the middle.  However, if it doesn't improve I will not read any of the books that are supposed to follow.