Tuesday Teaser & Tuesday Thinger

Tuesday Teaser is hosted by Should Be Reading and asks you to...

1. Grab your current read.

2. Let the book fall open to a random page.

3. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

4. Please avoid spoilers!

George was fingering the amulet beneath the cloth of his tunic as he squinted at the face of the gatekeeper.

"Was your head crushed in battle?" he asked. Sir Andrew frowned as George's impulsiveness.

--The Plague by Joanne Dahme

This week Tuesday Thinger Question: Do you visit the memes section often? Have you visited recently? Have you discovered anything that surprises you when you visit the memes for your library?

Here are the current meme's available:
You and None Other. Books shared with exactly one member.
Dead or Alive? How many of your authors are dead?
Dead or Alive Comparison How do you stack up against others?
Male or Female? What gender are your authors?
Work Duplicates. Works you have more than one of.

I have to admit, I didn't even know this section was on the site.

I glanced briefly at mine and learned that about 90% of my authors are alive, which doesn't surprise me too much as I read a lot of contemporary books. I also thought this...Zombies (?)
None yet...was a pretty funny entry under Dead or Alive.

I also looked at my male to female ratio on authors, as didn't have any idea what this figure would be, and about 2/3 of them are female. There are also about 50 of my authors that aren't set as male or female, so I will work on updating those.

What do your stats look like?

Tuesday Teaser & Tuesday Thinger

Tuesday Teaser is hosted by Should Be Reading and asks you to...
1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
4. Please avoid spoilers!


High expectations-great,
I burned myself again.
You'd think by now I would
have learned to underachieve.

-Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

I've been on a bit of a YA kick lately, but this one is a little different than some other YA books I've read. The entire book is free verse poetry. I've never read poetry and didn't know what to expect, but I have to say, I love this book!

This week on Tuesday Thingers Wendi asks: Were you aware of the Member Giveaways Program? Have you posted any books in the giveaway? If so, what are your thoughts on the program? Have you requested any books, and if so, did you win any?

I noticed the program a few weeks back but haven't had much time to look it over. I think it's a good way for authors to get in touch with even more readers, but it seems like most members use it as a way to clear off their bookshelves. There isn't anything necessarily wrong with this, but it seems the swap sites, like Bookmooch or Paperback Swap, might be an easier way to do this.

I requested a couple of books from the member giveaways when I first noticed the program, but didn't win any of them. I haven't checked back to see what the new offerings are.

Tuesday Teaser & Tuesday Thinger

Tuesday Teaser is hosted by Should Be Reading and asks you to...
1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
4. Please avoid spoilers!

The two women talked with each other in Thai for several minutes, and Math explained everything. Tana looked over at Randy every once in a while and gave him ugly looks just to keep him wondering what they were talking about.

--Siam Nights by J.F. Gump



Today's Tuesday Thinger question from Wendi: Were you aware of the Early Reviewer Program? Have you received any books from the program? If you have, how have you liked the book(s)? Any other thoughts on the LTER program?

I have been a member of the LT Early Review program for over a year, and I have gotten some really good books through them.

My library and reading tastes are pretty diverse, so I have been very fortunate to receive quite a few books from them. I currently have 10 books tagged as LT Early Review books and I just got notice today that I will be receiving another book from the February selections.

A couple of my favorite books that I received from the program are Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali by Kris Holloway (review) and Takeover by Lisa Black.

I really like that the LT Early Review program takes into consideration what you have in your library when handing out review copies. I think this helps publishers get the books into the hands of people will enjoy them the most. While this isn't always perfect, it adds a dimension that is hopefully beneficial to the publishers.

Tuesday Teaser & Tuesday Thingers

Welcome to my 200th post!

Tuesday Teaser is hosted by Should Be Reading and asks you to...
1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
4. Please avoid spoilers!

Ginny had a strange feeling that leaving laundry on the kitchen chairs was something Aunt Peg didn't allow when she was here. For someone who lived pretty randomly, she was a bit of a neat freak.

--13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Today's Tuesday Thinger question from Wendi: Do you have a specialized blog where you only review a certain genre or type of book? If so, what is your favorite thing about that type of book? If not, what is/are your favorite genre(s)? What makes that genre(s) a favorite?

I try to post reviews of everything I read, so my blog features a bit of a mixed bag. I read a lot of fiction, including bestsellers, mysteries, historical fiction and some young adult.

I also read a lot of non-fiction. Most of these are memoirs, but I also enjoy books on travel, food and social issues. I also love audio books and review these too.

I really can't pick a favorite genre. When I can't decide what to read next, like now, I usually fall back on a mystery. I can get lost in the action of a good mystery. The characters may not be terribly complex, but they usually feel familiar. I love complex characters that make you think, but sometimes the escapism of a fast paced mystery is just what I need.

What's your favorite genre?

Tuesday Teaser & Tuesday Thingers

Tuesday Teaser is hosted by Should Be Reading and asks you to...

1. Grab your current read.

2. Let the book fall open to a random page.

3. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

4. Please avoid spoilers!

A moment later Rhyme heard his aide's footsteps returning solo. Rhyme was wondering if someone had delivered a package. But then his mind jumped: Sunday. A visitor could be in street clothes and running shoes, which would make no sound on the entryway floor.

--The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver

I love the Lincoln Rhyme series! With some of the series I read, the later books haven't been as good, but this series never disappoints.

Today's question: How do you get your books for reviewing? Do you track them somehow (excel, database, etc), or just put them in a tbr (To Be Read for anyone that doesn't know) pile?

I review everything I read so my books come from all over. My own TBR pile consists of three bookshelves, double stacked so I always have something available to read! Most of the audio books I read come from the library, with a few coming from publishers for review.

When I am fortunate enough to receive review copies I keep track of release dates in a Google Calendar. I try to have my reviews posted right around the time a book hits stores. I think this gives the publisher and author the most exposure, and hopefully brings book buyers their way.

Tuesday Thingers!

Today's question: Have you ever used the Swap This Book function which can be found on the main page of any book (here is an example of Flirting With Forty by Jane Porter: link shown on book page, what it looks like if you click on the link)? If so, what do you think about it? If not, are there any other swap sites you utilize to exchange books once you are done? What do you do with your books if you no longer want them anymore?


I haven't looked at the Swap This Book page before, but think it is interesting. It gives you a lot of information in a small space.



I don't know much about the swap sites listed except for Bookmooch. I have been a member of BM for about a year and a half and have given and received a lot of books through them. I also belong to Paperback Swap, and do a lot of trading through them too.



If I have books that haven't moved from either site in a while I will donate them to the library, just to clear them out of my house.

Tuesday Thingers!

Wendi asks...Have you ever looked at the Common Knowledge page, or viewed the history of changes/additions? If you were aware of this section, have you added any information? Do you find this information useful or interesting?

I have looked at the Common Knowledge info before, but have only contributed a few times. I have meant to add more info but, as usual, lack of time has kept me from it. I didn't know there was a history of changes page and will have to check it out.

I love the fact that LibraryThing users get to help make the site better by adding additional info. And for those who contribute on a regular basis, there are badges available too.

Tuesday Thingers!

Wendi of Wendi's Book Corner has taken over as the host of Tuesday Thingers! Her first question asks: What area are you most familiar with? What area is your favorite? What area are you curious about? Are there any that you have not really looked at?

Here is a list of the main areas of Library Thing:

1. Home (http://www.librarything.com/, before you log in)

2. Home (once you log in, contains Your Home, Your Profile, Connections, Recommendations, Reviews, Statistics, Clouds, Gallery, Memes)

3. Profile (Recent activity, tags, comments, members with your books)

4. Your Library
5. Your Tags

6. Add Books

7. Talk

8. Groups

9. Local

10. Search

11. Zeitgeist (Stats, Top Lists)

12. Tools (Widgets, Store)

13. Blog

I probably spend the most time on the Groups page keeping up with those that I follow. I do like the customizable home page. I always get great ideas from the books being added under connection news. I also use tags, my library and add books page frequently. I used to have my link set to my profile page, but recently changed it to my home page. Now I don't visit my profile page all that often.

The areas that I use the least are Local, Zeitgeist, Tools and Blog. It seems I only go to these areas when I am looking for something specific.

Tuesday Thingers!

The question for the final Tuesday Thinger from Boston Bibliophile is about Holiday gift-giving. Do you give books for the holidays? Did you participate in LT's SantaThing, either this year or last, or in other blogging gift exchanges? Were you happy with what you received?

I do give books for Christmas when I know the receiver will enjoy them. As much as I'd like to share my love of reading with everyone, I don't like to give gifts that are about me, instead of the other person.

I looked at the SantaThing this year but didn't participate. It looks like a fun program and hopefully I will have the time to be involved with it next year. I enjoy white elephant swaps and think this would be fun too.

Tuesday Thingers!

Today's Question: The LT Home Page feature. How are you liking it? Or not? Do you go here when you log into LT or do you use your profile page more?

I actually like the Home Page feature quite a lot, but tend to forget about because my quick link button is set to my profile page. I don't really spend all that much time on my profile page either so maybe I need to change my link button.

I especially like the connection news section. I have stumbled on some books there that I might not have know about otherwise. There are some sections at the bottom, like tag watch, on this day and hot reviews, that I don't look at.

Tuesday Thingers!

Boston Bibliophile says: Most of us book bloggers like to write book reviews- if we don't love to write book reviews- but here's today's question. When it comes to LT (and your blog), do you review every book you read? Do you just review Early Reviewers or ARCs? Do you review only if you like a book, or only if you feel like you have to? How soon after reading do you post your review? Do you post them other places- other social networking sites, Amazon, etc.?

I try to review everything I read and listen to, and I probably get 95% of them done. This helps remind me of what I have read and what I thought about it. I read so much that it can be hard to remember details about all those books, and keeping track of them was ultimately why I started this blog. My goal for the new year is to review 100% so that I have an accurate picture of what I read during the year.

I don't only review things that I like. I also try to remember to mention books that I didn't finish. Without my dislikes and books I didn't finish included it doesn't give a true picture of what I enjoy.

I write my reviews within a day or two. If I wait any longer the procrastinator in me takes over and I will never get around to getting it written. I don't like to have more than one post a day, so I may schedule the review to post at a slightly later date depending on what else is going on.

Most of my reviews are only posted here, but I have copied a few to LT. I try to make a point to put a review there if the book has been discussed, but that doesn't always happen...Maybe that should be another goal for the new year. I have never posted a review at Amazon and have no desire to start now.

Tuesday Thingers!

What's the most popular book in your library? Have you read it? What did you think? How many users have it?

The most popular book in my library is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It is in 26,111 member libraries and has been reviewed 707 times.

I haven't read it yet, or any of the Harry Potter books, even though I have them all. Sometimes I feel like I am one of the last people to get to this series!

The second most popular book in my library is Wuthering Heights, followed by Memoirs of a Geisha.

Tuesday Thingers!

Today's question- Blog Widgets. Do you use them? Do you have them on your blog? Do you know what I'm talking about? :-) A blog widget is that list of books "From my LibraryThing" and such, that you'll sometimes see on someone's sidebar. If you use it, do all of your books show up or do you have it set to only show certain books? Do you have a search widget, which would allow your blog readers to search your library? Have you ever made a photomosaic of your book covers? You can find widgets and photomosaic information on the "Tools" tab in LibraryThing.

I do have a LT blog widget posted here. It is currently showing random books from my library. I have been thinking about doing something slightly different with it, but haven't found one I like better yet.

I don't have a search widget currently. I honestly didn't know that there was a widget that would let you search. That could be interesting, as long as it isn't slow. I hate slow moving web pages.

I was recently browsing LT and saw the photomosaic feature, but didn't have the time to try it. I may just have to take the time and see what it does!

Tuesday Thingers!

Popular this month on LT: Do you look at this list? Do you get ideas on what to read from it?Have you read any of the books on the list right now? Feel free to link to any reviews you've done as well.

Here's the list and my answer:

1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
2. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron
3. Nation by Terry Pratchett
4. Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
5. Anathem by Neal Stephenson
6. American Wife: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld
7. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
8. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel by David Wroblewski
9. Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland
10. Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3) by Stephenie Meyer

I don't usually look at this list, which actually surprises me. I have always been a bit fan of lists...

I have read Dewey, but that is the only one. I have American Wife and Eclipse but they are buried somewhere in Mt TBR.

I would love to read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society as I have heard wonderful things about it.

On a slightly different note, I just realized I haven't posted since last Tuesday's Thinger post. I hate it when life gets in the way of blogging!

Tuesday Thingers!

Today's question: LT Things- t-shirts, bags,cue cats- are you into the "stuff"? Do you use a cuecat to enter your books, or do you enter them manually? What do you think of the stuff?

I am not a big fan of stuff. I have thought about purchasing a cuecat as entering books can be sporadic, and I thought this might help me get better about it....but I am also a huge procrastinator, so I still haven't bought one. Maybe one day though.

As for T-shirts, bags and the like, no, I won't be buying them. I don't wear many things that have names splashed across them. It's just not my thing...

Tuesday Thingers!

This week's question: Legacy libraries. With which legacy libraries do you share books? Tell us a little about a couple of them and what you share.

Once again, this is another feature I knew nothing about. With a little searching I found it and I do have some books in common with the legacy libraries. I have Lady Chatterley's Lover in common with Sylvia Plath, Samuel Roth, and Walker Percy. Wuthering Heights was in the libraries of Alfred Deakin, Carl Sandburg and Ernest Hemingway. I also share East of Eden with Ernest Hemingway and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings with Tupac Shakur. My other books that are in legacy libraries are The Good Earth, The Fountainhead, The Monk and Little House on the Prairie.

This was a fun feature to check out and a big thanks to Marie for making me do a little digging on LT to find some new things.

Tuesday Thingers!

Today's question: Series. Do you collect any series? Do you read series books? Fantasy? Mystery? Science fiction? Religious? Other genre? Do you use the series feature in LT to help you find new books or figure out what you might be missing from a series?

I love series! I think they are a great way to get more of a favorite character, but I wish more authors would end their series instead of using gimmicky things to try and make their tired characters interesting.

Most of the series that I read are mysteries. Some of my favorite series are the Prey series by John Sandford, the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods, the Lincoln Ryhme by Jeffery Deaver and the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. There are lots more series that I follow, but on most of them I am at least a book or two behind.

I didn't know there was a series feature in LT so I will be checking it out to see what I am missing in my favorite series.

Tuesday Thingers!

Today's question: Early Reviewers- do you participate? How many books (approximately) have you received through the program? Have you liked them generally? What's your favorite ER book? Do you participate in the discussion group on LT?

I do participate and I love the program! I have received approximately 6 books and have generally liked all of them. Actually, I can't think of one that I haven't liked. One of my favorites from the program is Takeover by Lisa Black. Another one that I haven't read yet, it was slow getting to me, that I am really excited about is Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway.

Tuesday Thingers!

LibraryThing's Recently Added feature: do you look at it? Do you use it for ideas? Is there something listed there now that looks interesting to you? What have you added to your LT library recently?

I primarily use the recently added feature when I add books from BM. Otherwise I really only add books when I have read them if they aren't already in my library. When I'm adding books I do like the ease of adding tags, stars and a review all in one place. I also think it's interesting to see how many other people have the book in their libraries.

My last 5 additions are: The Space Between Before and After, Her Last Death, Firefly Lane, Absolute Fear and Honeymoon with my Brother.

Tuesday Thingers!

For this week's Tuesday Thingers, Marie at Boston Bibliophile copied the list of the most-challenged books of the 1990s straight from the ALA website. I've highlighted the ones I've read. Highlight what you've read, and italicize what you have in your LT library.

1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
19. Sex by Madonna
20. Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
26.The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. What's Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
41. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
48. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
53. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. What's Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier
66. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Fantasies by Nancy Friday
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Where's Waldo? by Martin Hanford
89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

I always find lists like these fascinating. I think it's interesting to see what is on them and the reasons people give for challenging these books. I find myself wanting to read these books just to see what's so objectionable about them.