Book Love Affair

Happy Thursday All,

Some of my favorite books are ones that left me with a warm feeling in my heart and/or a smile on my face.
 
Here's a few of them:
 
Lesley Livingston with her Wondrous Strange trilogy (according to her blog she has a new release coming out July 2011)
Shanna Swendson with her Enchanted, Inc. books
Christie Craig with Shut Up And Kiss Me (She has a new release coming out August 2011).
 
Oh yeah and the list continues:
 
Jackson Pearce's As You Wish (She has a new release coming out August 2011, and one in sometime in 2012).
Suzanne Selfors Coffeehouse Angel (She had a new release in April--the book wasn't a children's book, by the way--apparently several authors contributed to the release that came out this past April. It's called Hotel Angeline: A Novel In 36 Voices).
 
Georgette Heyer's The Grand Sophy
 
Of course, I could name more. You see...I have a love affair with books. I consider them some of my best friends and constant companions.
 
I love books. I've loved them for years. From the time I was read to as a kid, to when I read to myself (and even when I could read to myself, I still enjoyed my Dad reading Cheaper By The Dozen by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey). I've been addicted to books.
 
My love affair included trips to bookstores and libraries. These sojourns into the wonderful places called bookstores and libraries are some of my favorite childhood memories. I even remember in my middle school years walking into this one bookstore and breathing in the scent of the place and all my cares and stresses just melting away. To this day, I still sometimes breathe in the scent of bookstores--particularly Barnes & Noble (hey the fragrance of a bookstore mixed with the aroma of coffee is addictive!)
 
What about you? What's your criteria for favorite books?
 
Have A Thriving Thursday!

The Feel Of Pages

Good Morning Everybody,

Well, this Saturday morning is a bit overcast, but that's okay since it means it's not blisteringly hot. I'm looking forward to the cooler weather. I'm not a huge fan of snow (although growing up I was) so I'm glad that it doesn't usually snow here, but I do like colder weather. There's something so cozy about adding that extra blanket in the bed or putting on long sleeves, a sweater, jacket or sweatshirt. Tossing a scarf around your neck. It's just one of those warm-your-toes-in-front-of-the-fire feeling.

This brings me to the feel of a book (or manuscript) in one's hands. The smooth texture, the sight of words across the page (blank pages are hard to deal with, as most of you well know!) Reveling in having an adventure in your hands. It's heady stuff.

One of the reasons why I adore bookstores and libraries. All those shelves and shelves covered in books. It's nirvana for a writer because writers are also readers. All the many options, the choices, the selection! Aside from actually having a polished manuscript ready to go (and an acceptance letter from an agent and/or publisher) there's no better feeling for a writer. Obviously there's no way to embody the myriad of emotions a writer feels when his or her work is going to be published (I have yet to achieve that "golden moment" as I call it, but I have hopes to one day).

Until then I settle for enjoying each little accomplishment. A story coming together, a character I've fallen in love with and the excitement of entering a bookstore or a library on any given day. (Especially bookstores! I love being able to purchase a book I want to read).

Okay, maybe I sound a bit obsessive, but honestly, I can't help it. I love books. I love reading books, I love writing books, I love making up characters and meeting others' characters, the whole thing is just where I feel I've found my little niche in the world. (I know, I've overused the word 'love' but oh well LOL).

Granted, I'm blessed to have my son and my husband and family and friends, but outside of that, it's wonderful to know the writing and reading world exists. Open to possibilities, impossibilities and everything in between.

What's your favorite part about holding a book in your hands and/or holding a manuscript in your hands?

Have A Splendid Saturday!

I Need Air

Afternoon All (or Evening, rather),

I mentioned in a previous post that writing and reading are like air to me. Sure, I still need oxygen, but without writing and reading my life just isn't the same.

There's something about entering a bookstore or a library that feels like I'm approaching old friends.

You walk along the aisles, taking in that lovely smell of books, leather, (in some places, coffee), paper. There's an elegance hanging in the air. The anticipation of finding a gem yet to be discovered, or seeing something you've been waiting for on the shelves is almost enough to throw you into a gallop, except, you still feel that instead of drawing attention to yourself, you'll blend in with the tomes around you. Finding your favorite section you're drawn into a world apart from your every day cares, joys, sorrows, concerns, whatever. You're in the book zone. Time has no meaning, it all melts away.

Oh yes, I'm definitely familair with that feeling. Whether speed walking into Barnes And Noble (or another bookstore) or into my local library (actually there's two branches we frequent) the anticipation and excitement is always there.

Growing up I remember sitting on the floor at this one BookStop (now a Barnes And Noble) and not noticing that it had already been 2 hours. I was lost in the world that the author of whatever book I had in my hands created. My mother used to have to hurry me along. (Although, she was extremely glad that I loved to read and used my imagination. All her kids are readers and a number of her grandkids are, too).

Bookstores and libraries are some of my toy stores. I love books. I can live without movies. I can live without television. But don't take my books away!

Perhaps that's part of why I write. I love books, and I also like creating my own worlds and characters. It's fun to get into their heads and see what happens.

That's why it's like breathing for me. Oxygen is necessary for my body, but don't forget to let me have paper, pen, computer, bookstores, libraries and my books...I need them, too. (the pen/paper/computers necessary for writing).

I wish you happy reading or writing or both!

Have A Sweet Story Saturday!