I’m sure it is obvious that I love to read. I read whenever I get the chance. Now that I’m working full time again outside the home, reading time is not as frequent as before but I try to read daily even if it’s just a couple pages of my current book read (right now I’m reading Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow and One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare). My favorite reading spots include my reading chaise in my bedroom, outdoors in the sun, and of course when I get a moment of quietness, in a nice warm bath.

I remember my first love of books came from Dr. Seuss which then led to Nancy Drew mysteries (the originals) and the Sweet Valley Twins (the originals) in middle school. In high school the classics (don’t tell my English teachers!) and V.C Andrews (before she died) fascinated me and later I became entranced by the world of Stephen King (Misery was my favorite) and Anne Rice (the Mayfair Witches) in my early college days. As an adult I became hooked in the historical romance and paranormal romance genres.  I love a good story that transplants into a different place and time. I get so engaged sometimes I feel as if I’ve become the main heroine (of course I’d be the heroine!) and will often dream the scene again after reading.

I try to read a variety of books. Books that take me back to another time period or another world fascinate me, thrillers, adventure, and mystery get my heart pumping with excitement and have me solving a puzzling situation. Stories of struggle, discovery, and hope inspire me. And of course I’m a hopeless romantic so I love a good love story. We all know how it ends but the parts that get to that ending are filled with excitement and passion (at least the good ones are).

I’ve listed below some of my favorite genres that I found off Wikipedia (please note that NOTHING below are my own words)…

• Speculative fiction is an umbrella fiction genre generally encompassing the more specific genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history.

• Creative nonfiction (also known as literary or narrative nonfiction) is a genre of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives.”Ultimately, the primary goal of the creative nonfiction writer is to communicate information, just like a reporter, but to shape it in a way that reads like fiction.”^[1] Forms within this genre include personal essays, memoir, travel writing, food writing, biography, literary journalism, and other hybridized essays.

• Historical romance is set before World War II.^[1] Many historical romances include contemporary attitudes, as, for example, the heroines often have far more education than was the norm in their time period.^[2]This subgenre includes a wide variety of other subgenres, including Regency romance.

• Inspirational fiction – Any good book can be an inspiration, but many of these books highlight people overcoming adversity or reaching new levels of understanding. Whether they pull themselves up by their own bootstraps or have help from a higher power, these books will uplift and entertain you.^[4]

• Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes who must thwart the plans of more powerful and better equipped villains.Thrillers may be defined by the primary mood that they elicit: fearful excitement.

• Mystery fiction is a loosely-defined term that is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective (either professional or amateur) investigates and solves a crime.

• Classical Literature refers to the great masterpieces of the Greek, Roman, and other ancient civilizations: Homer’s “Iliad,” Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” Virgil’s “Aeneid,” “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles, along with works by other ancient writers in epic, lyric, tragedy, comedy, pastoral, and other forms.

What’s your favorite genre? Do you like it all or do you have a higher preference for one?

Happy Sunday to you all!! It’s a BEAUTIFUL sunny Sunday here in Raleigh, North Carolina and if it weren’t for all the pollen still in my backyard I’d lay out a blanket to bask in the sun with my current personal fun read (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith). How fun this book sounds especially when it adds two of my favorite genre’s together? I’m learning that sometimes we just have to put the review books to the side every once in awhile and just pick up one of our own selections. Last week I did that and read Uncertain Magic by Laura Kinsale. And you know what? I don’t think I’m going to post a review on it. I tweeted a bit about it while I read but I’m thinking I just want to enjoy some books without the pressures of book review expectations. Perhaps some would disagree but this just works for me. I was in a bit of a book funk, then started picking up books for my own enjoyment instead of what was on my calendar (yes I have a review schedule) and enjoyed my reading time.

So tell me…what was the last book you just read out of enjoyment and not for someone else or your blog?

GUEST POSTS/REVIEWS this past week…

• etre the cow by Sean Kenniff – Review
• Excuse Me, Does this Cake Make My Ass Look Big? – Author Guest Post by Diane Sweeney
• 35 Old Tips for New Writers – Author Guest Post by Amelia Grey
• 5 Things I Learned While Writing “My Sister’s Voice” – Author Guest Post by Mary Carter
• Writing from a Woman’s Point of View – Author Guest Post by George Bishop

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS through the end of the month…

• An Earl To Enchant by Amelia Grey

If you’re interested in other giveaways that are not book related I’m giving these things away at my other blog; Farrah’s Place:

BOOK FAERY REVIEWS NEWS…We’re now available on Kindle!!! If you’re a Book Faery Reviews reader and own a Kindle, you can now subscribe to us via Kindle.

If you would like to participate or read other Sunday Salon Meme’s
where members share their books click on the image above.

EEK!! Is it REALLY Sunday and I haven’t posted a Sunday Salon in like 2 weeks?? Shame on me! Shame on me even more to have to tell you that I’ve been rather slow the last two weeks in regards to books on my shelves…

I will however be posting a review for The Lovely Bones, The Highlander’s Sword, Balancing Acts, Young Bess, and How To Never Look Fat Again, Devil’s Food Cake and The Girl Who Chased the Moon this week.

I believe I’ve hit a (temporary) book reading rut. Not too many books have been holding my interest, reading for a review seems more like a chore lately, so therefore, books have been put down momentarily unfinished or I’m not inspired to pick up a new one. This I don’t believe has too much to do with the books themselves as much as feeling a tad overwhelmed in my life outside of books and not reading as much for my own pure enjoyment like before.

Have you ever hit one of those moments? What did you do? Did you take a break from reading or just book reviewing? Did you stop taking requests for book reviews for awhile and just read what you wanted to for awhile?

GUEST POSTS/REVIEWS this past week…

• Forty Eight X – The Lemuria Project by Barry Pollack

• Shushybye: Sleepover Surprise by Steve Syatt & Frank Caruso

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS through the end of the month…

• The 3-Day Cleanse

If you’re interested in other giveaways that are not book related I’m giving these things away at my other blog; Farrah’s Little Place in the Blogosphere:

BOOK FAERY REVIEWS NEWS…We’re now available on Kindle!!! If you’re a Book Faery Reviews reader and own a Kindle, you can now subscribe to us via Kindle.

If you would like to participate or read other Sunday Salon Meme’s
where members share their books click on the image above.

Here’s to another Sunday and already I’m feeling the pressure of many things to try to complete before the end of the day and the new work week begins. I avoid blogging and often reading on Saturdays as I’m spending time with family and running errands usually. Sundays are my reading, writing days and today I’ve been couponing and cleaning (I still have Marketing school work to complete before midnight and some things to tie up and prepare for work) so I’m obviously a tad behind! LOL BUT we all know, family life must come first to our blogging passions. Right?

For the past 2 weeks I believe I’ve been trying to get through Georgette Heyer’s first novel The Black Moth and today I’ve decided to end the struggle even though I’m only 1/2 through. I enjoyed the others but this one hasn’t grabbed me. I’ll post the review later today because I want to start reading The Highlander’s Sword by Amanda Forester (I interviewed her and you’ll get to check out the interview later in the week). I look forward to reading this historical romance in hopes of some good old fashioned passion and adventure.

Don’t forget that today ends The Book Faery Reviews 2 year blog anniversary giveaway. To celebrate the anniversary I’m having the biggest giveaway I’ve ever had here. You can check out the giveaway here. I’ll have much to give away – $75 gift certificate to Barnes & Nobles, autographed books, ebooks, writing accessories, calendars, books, and more. 2 Lucky winners will be selected. One to receive the $75 gift card, a couple accessories, and a calendar and the other winner will receive the autographed books, CD, children books, accessories, and calendar. Be sure to stop by soon if you haven’t already as I’ll be picking a winner tomorrow. (here’s a hint…I SAY the giveaway ends tonight BUT I’ll likely NOT randomly choose winners until the evening so all entries in BEFORE I pick will be entered in)

If you’re interested in other giveaways that are not book related I’m giving these things away at my other blog; Farrah’s Little Place in the Blogosphere:

REVIEWS this past week…

• Rebecca’s Tale by Sally Beauman

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS through the end of the month…

• How to Never Look Fat Again
• Angels
• Countess of Scandal
• THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS 2 YEAR BOOK BLOG ANNIVERSARY

BOOK FAERY REVIEWS NEWS…We’re now available on Kindle!!! If you’re a Book Faery Reviews reader and own a Kindle, you can now subscribe to us via Kindle.

If you would like to participate or read other Sunday Salon Meme’s
where members share their books click on the image above.

Happy Valentines Day to all my happy readers! Right now I’m reading The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer. I hope to have this done by Tuesday so I can tell you all what I think about her first novel at about the age of 15.

This month is The Book Faery Reviews 2 year blog anniversary. To celebrate this I’m having the biggest giveaway I’ve ever had here. You can check out the giveaway here. I’ll have much to give away – $75 gift certificate to Barnes & Nobles, autographed books, ebooks, writing accessories, calendars, books, and more. Be sure to stop by before the 28th when the giveaway ends.

REVIEWS this past week…

• Dear Lilly by Peter Greyson
• Love & War by John and Stasi Eldridge

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS through the end of the month…

• How to Never Look Fat Again
• Angels
• Countess of Scandal
• THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS 2 YEAR BOOK BLOG ANNIVERSARY

BOOK FAERY REVIEWS NEWS…We’re now available on Kindle!!! If you’re a Book Faery Reviews reader and own a Kindle, you can now subscribe to us via Kindle.

If you would like to participate or read other Sunday Salon Meme’s
where members share their books click on the image above.

Not much reading has been going on this week or even today. The week’s been busy doing taxes (thank goodness it’s finally over!) and getting myself digitally organized.

REVIEWS this past week…

• Angels by Dr. David Jeremiah
• Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS through the end of the month…

• How to Never Look Fat Again
• Angels

BOOK FAERY REVIEWS NEWS…We’re now available on Kindle!!! If you’re a Book Faery Reviews reader and own a Kindle, you can now subscribe to us via Kindle.

If you would like to participate or read other Sunday Salon Meme’s
where members share their books click on the image above.

Wow…where did January go?? Is this a sign of how fast 2010 is going to zoom past us? Or is it just the older I get, the faster time flies as I doubt last year was much of a fun ride…

Working full time again outside the home has definitely slowed reading time down but it does make it more enjoyable when I can sit down to read or sneak a couple pages. I did finish Laura Kinsale’s latest light romance read Lessons in French and right now I’m reading Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell. It’s always fun for me to read all kinds of romances and historical romance and paranormal/fantasy romance are definitely my favorite genres. I’m such a romantic at heart…who doesn’t love a happy ending after struggles in love? Yeah…I’m a sap!

This week Linda Dahl (Gringa in a Strange Land) and Judi Fennell (Catch of a Lifetime) stopped by The Book Faery Reviews for author guest posts.

Don’t forget that the following giveaways end at midnight, so if you haven’t already entered in one or all of them, be sure to click on one before leaving The Book Faery Reviews.

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS through the end of the month…

• New Years Giveaway – 3 books to a random reader of The Book Faery Reviews
• AND…the below books

BOOK FAERY REVIEWS NEWS…We’re now available on Kindle!!! If you’re a Book Faery Reviews reader and own a Kindle, you can now subscribe to us via Kindle.

If you would like to participate or read other Sunday Salon Meme’s
where members share their books click on the image above.

Finished The Thirteenth Tale…OMG…that was GOOD!! I’d have to say the best novel I’ve read in quite a long time. An awesome book for a book lover and one that especially enjoys a good twist. You can read about it more here.

This Sunday I’ve got a lot on my mind…family issues are brewing, lots to do around the house, homework of course that’s still to complete, pick up kids from friends, stop by the library and grocery store, then greet friends tonight for pizza and football.

Other than that, not much else on the book front other than I’m wrapping up The Life O’Reilly by Brian Cohen and have started French Lessons by Laura Kinsale.

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS through the end of the month…

• New Years Giveaway – 3 books to a random reader of The Book Faery Reviews
• AND…the below books

BOOK FAERY REVIEWS NEWS…We’re now available on Kindle!!! If you’re a Book Faery Reviews reader and own a Kindle, you can now subscribe to us via Kindle.

If you would like to participate or read other Sunday Salon Meme’s
where members share their books click on the image above.

Once again it is Sunday…and for me as I write this post, 34 minutes away from  Monday. BUT it’s STILL Monday so I say I’m still on time for my Sunday Salon EVEN if most won’t read or find out about it til Monday.

This week has been a SUPER SUPER busy week at work (you can read about some of my life here) so as far as reading goes, I finished Shanghai Girls (you can read Lisa See’s guest post here about the bonds of sisterhood), The Lady of Question by Victoria Alexander, and started The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield AND The Life O’Reilly by Brian Cohen (look for the review later this week).

Oh and have you heard about the Book Blogger Convention coming up this May in New York???? OMG do I want to go!! Most of us in the book blog world know these wonderful book bloggers…and this year they’re organizing the event!

Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?, Michelle from Galleysmith, Nicole from Linus’s Blanket, Pam from Mother Reader, Amy from My Friend Amy, Natasha from Maw Books, and Rebecca from the Book Lady’s Blog.

What is the Book Blogger Convention?

The Book Blogger convention is a one day event intended to provide support, instruction, and social time for people who blog about books.

When is the Book Blogger Convention?

Friday, May 28, 2010

Where is it being held?

NYC Seminar & Conference Center (map)
71 West 23rd Street
Suite 515/Lower Level
(northeast corner of 23rd Street & 6th Avenue)
New York, NY  10010

What are the hours that the Book Blogger Convention is being held?

Registration begins at 7:30 am and conference sessions will begin promptly at 9AM.  We will conclude at 5pm.

What are the topics for the Book Blogger Convention?

• Professionalism/Ethics
• Marketing
• Author/Blogger Relationships
• Building Community
• Writing/Building Content

For more information be sure to check out the Book Blogger Convention FAQ page.

Ooh…looky here…it’s only 5 minutes til Monday…I’ve STILL made it!

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS through the end of the month…

• New Years Giveaway – 3 books to a random reader of The Book Faery Reviews
• AND…the below books

BOOK FAERY REVIEWS NEWS…We’re now available on Kindle!!! If you’re a Book Faery Reviews reader and own a Kindle, you can now subscribe to us via Kindle.

If you would like to participate or read other Sunday Salon Meme’s
where members share their books click on the image above.

Goodness! Days are REALLY flying fast since going back to work in the office 3 weeks ago. I can’t even believe I’ve been working for 3 weeks even! INSANE! While I’m super stoked to be working again, I’m sadly not having nearly as much time as before to just sit and read. BUT I’m finding a way to change that with audio books in lieu of the physical books. You can read about that in my previous post titled Escape to another world in surround sound.

I am however reading Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. So far I’m enjoying it. Did you know that The Book Faery Reviews was born February 2008 and two of my first book reviews were by Lisa See? At that time of course they were just books I had in my personal collection. Now I’m uber excited that she’s actually stopping by next Friday the 15th to hang out with us to talk about the bond of sisterhood. SOOO excited!!! AND I will even be giving away a copy of her latest book Shanghai Girls.

Today I’m supposed to go get my upper back tattoo finished (the background of the 3 roses) and I’m wondering if I might be able to hold a book to read while my back’s being worked on or if I’ll need to just listen to my latest audio book. More likely it will be the audio book but then knowing my husband he’ll be in my face constantly asking if I’m alright…which annoys me insanely! LOL

So, are you reading anything interesting today?

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS…

• New Years Giveaway – 3 books to a random reader of The Book Faery Reviews
  

BOOK FAERY REVIEWS NEWS…We’re now available on Kindle!!! If you’re a Book Faery Reviews reader and own a Kindle, you can now subscribe to us via Kindle.

If you would like to participate or read other Sunday Salon Meme’s
where members share their books click on the image above.