Have You Picked Up a Good Book Lately?

Okay, it's time for another confession: I'm a book worm. In fact, when I was in middle school and high school, I was the kid who was sad about summer break. To make up for the lack of classes, papers, quizzes and homework, my sister and I used to actually set aside Reading Hour ever day during summer break. We'd turn off the TV, stop playing music and just sit in our living room and read together. (Insert picture of me pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose here!)

Then came college, when I was in my true and full glory. I was earning a degree in English, which meant that I was literally reading all ... the ... time. Several books at once! (Not my forte, but, in college, a gal has to do what a gal has to do). My favorite class was Film & Literature; combining two of my loves. We'd read a book, discuss it and then watch the film version of said book. (Tip: If you're assigned to read "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote, don't do so while alone in your dorm room late at night. You won't sleep, I guarantee it! But it is an excellent book. The film's outstanding, too!)

These days I'm still most likely to be found with my nose in a book. Lunch hours from work, after work, before going to sleep . . . any chance I get, I'll read. I have a few authors whose books I will go out and buy as soon as they are released - Sarah Addison Allen, Cathy Lamb, Jen Lancaster, to name a few - others I get from the Greenfield Public Library (aka, my second home). 

So far, the summer has been an interesting mix of genres and topics and authors. The Little House on the Prairie series, fiction, nonfiction, young adult, etc. Right now, I'm reading the sixth book in Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mystery series - they are trilling and enchanting! If you're a Jane Austen fan, you should definitely check them out! (And a special thank you to the good folks at the Greenfield Library for doing so many interlibrary loan requests so that I can get all the titles!) 

So, what about you? What books are you reading? What have you loved or hated? And, are you on Goodreads? Let's be friends!

P.S. I'm always available for suggestions and recommendations! Tell me your genre and I'll have at least one thing for you to try out -- promise!

Editor's note: For more stories about reading materials, check out the  weekly column ""