Wow. I Actually Like my Kindle!

I didn't think I would like an e-reader.
I love books! I love the feel of them. The smell of them. The flipping of the pages. The cover art. I find true joy in books.

But still... people kept talking about their Kindles and Nooks and I felt a little left out. A little behind the times. So I decided to get one. I figured if I didn't like it, my husband could use it for the books he reads for work.

I love it!

Here's why:

I read several books at a time. With the Kindle, they are all right there in one place. No piles of books. No searching the house to find what I want to read. All I have to do is touch the screen a couple of times and I've switched from one book to another.

Kindle automatically saves my place. When I open up a book, it opens directly to where I left off.

I can get library books without risk of a fine because when the time runs out, the book simply vanishes from my Kindle.

I can get a lot of free books. So far everything I have on my Kindle was free.

It fits in my purse better than a book.

It's easier to hold than a book.

I still love books. I always will.  I can't imagine ever being without real books. But I also really love this reader.

I love books. Love the feel, smell, and look of them. But it turns out what I really love is the words.

reading meme

I swiped this meme from Mocha With Linda because it is right up my alley.  It floats my boat, or as I accidentally typed the first time - floats my goat.

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

No.  I don't.  I have memories of reading as far back as I have memories.  A Big book with Puss N Boots and Aladdin and the Lamp in it is one of my first book memories.  Although I didn't like the Aladdin story; it didn't have a cat in it.  Also a book called Never Tease a Weasel and a book about The Cookie Tree.  I know I was no older than first grade because of where we lived.

2. What are some of the books you read as a child?

When I was older I read a lot of horse books.  I especially liked King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry.  I also liked spooky stories, magical stories and stories about any kind of animal.  Of course there were the I Can Read books that included Dr. Seuss and P. D. Eastman. And the Little Golden books. 

3. What is your favorite genre?

When I was a young unmarried lady I loved gothic romance the best.  I still like the originals by the Brontes.  I'm not such a fan of romance in general anymore, though.  I like probably historic and Biblical fiction the best.  I also like fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary.  I like really about anything except I'm not into supernatural thriller type of stuff or horror.  Suspense and Crime type I only read occasionally, although I love mysteries.

4. Do you have a favorite novel.

No.   That would be impossible.  I have many favorites, too many to list.

5. Where do you usually read?

On the couch.  Or outside.

6. When do you usually read?

When I'm awake.  When I should be cleaning.  When I should be writing.  

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

Yes.  I always have a novel going and I usually have at least one non-fiction going at the same time.  Lately I have a Christian non-fiction and a writing craft book going.

8. Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?

Yes.  I read non-fiction much more slowly.  I also tend to mark the books up with highlighter or pen.

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?

I used to use the library pretty much exclusively, except for non-fiction.  But now that I realize that these authors want to SELL books, I buy a lot more of them.  I'd say it's about 50-50 now.  I could never afford to support my habit if I bought them all.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?  If not, what do you do with them?

I keep any book that I will want to read again.  Otherwise, I usually give them away.  

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?  Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?

My kids have not liked the books I liked as a child.  But some of our favorites have been Barnyard Dance, Owl Babies, Geronimo Stilton books, Junie B. Jones books, City of Ember, and they both like the Animal Ark books.

12. What are you reading now?

I am reading my first Dean Koontz book, Odd Thomas.  I am also reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, and a writing book called Description by Monica Wood.

13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list? 

No.  I just have books that need to be read.  I choose based on my mood at the moment.  I also have a list of authors that I've heard of that I'd like to try.

14. What's next?

Living with Fred by Brad Whittington and The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, probably.

15. What books would you like to re-read?

The Ragamuffin Gospel.  I frequently re-read books.  I would like to re-read The Dragon Keeper Series sometime and The Mark of the Lion series.

16. Who are your favorite authors?

Angela Hunt, Nancy Rue, Athol Dickson, Lisa Samson, Francine Rivers to name a few.  I will get a book based on the fact one of these people wrote it.

searching for spice

My friend Megan's book is now in bookstores!  Or you can order a copy from Amazon.

Searching for Spice by Megan DiMaria.  (You say Meegan Dee Maria.)  (I swiped the photo from her site.)

You may have heard me mention that I'm not real fond of romance novels anymore.  I'll tell you why.  I find them to be formulaic, more often than not.  I'm really not that interested in twenty-somethings finding the love of their life -- been there, done that.  And I think they are unrealistic.  Sure, initial attraction is all butterflies and rainbows, but real love isn't.

But this book is a romance unlike any other I've read.  It's real.  The main characters are not the typical romance pair. They are a couple who have been married twenty-five years.  The wife, Linda, realizes that her marriage is lacking something.  She decides to spice things up.  She's hoping to bring back some of that initial sizzle and passion.  But like real life, things don't always go the way she'd hoped.  Life throws us all curve balls and that's how it goes in this book.  Our husbands don't always "get it".  Our kids don't always cooperate.  Life happens.

Because I know Megan, have had lunch with her.  Listened to her tell stories and had conversations with her.  I know that this book is also real in the sense that it is her voice.  Strong and true.  There are no affectations or imitations.  This is Megan telling a wonderful story.

Her writing is snappy and doesn't lull for a minute.  I found myself carried away by the book.  She does an excellent job of keeping you engrossed.  Every chapter has one of those endings that begs for you to read just one more.

This story is about love on all levels.  Real love.  The kind that doesn't always feel what it should.  

It is humorous and light. An easy read.  But you may shed a tear or two along the way.  Because it's about life and life isn't always easy.

I highly recommend that you find a copy right away.  I am sure that you will enjoy it, too.

reading meme

My friend Megan, who has a book coming out in April, tagged me the other day over at A Prisoner of Hope. I ran into her today, too, at Panera. There I was with my husband writing away and she showed up with her laptop to write, too!

Here is the tag as it is supposed to be played:

The Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages), or whatever book you are currently reading.

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people.

But, I'm a rebel, so I'm doing it my own way. I opened my book to my bookmark and will pick up where I left off. If I tag you, you can do it the right way or the wrong way, I don't care. But let us know if you do it.

I am reading The Messenger of Magnolia Street by River Jordan.

"He has crossed over into a world where the unbelievable can happen, where spring is still indescribably beautiful in the middle of what he now knows to be an encroaching darkness. Trice's eclipse. He is no longer banking on the plausible."

I'm also not going to tag anyone. If you want to play, just let us know so we can see what you are reading!

poll closed

The majority of us treat our books with polite, respectful care. Twice as many as those of us who take our books with us in the shower.

I am one of the latter. Ok, I don't really take them in the shower, but I can't be bothered to stop reading long enough to eat, and I'm not going to skip eating! So, stuff happens. And sometimes it is just more comfortable for me to read it with the front cover rolled back (this drives my nine-year-old son crazy). I can sometimes find a scrap to use as a bookmark, (don't know what happened to all those I buy) but when I can't I won't hesitate to dog-ear.

Now this is for my own books. If you've lent me a book, relax. I treat other people's books better than my own.

There is a new poll up now! Please share your opinion.

about the last post

You know, I do enjoy happy endings. And sometimes I want to read something just for fun or to relax. So I am in no way criticizing those kind of books. It's just that I would like to see more variety. And I would like to see a stark contrast between Christian fiction and secular fiction. I can relax with books from either market; I want something more from my Christian fiction.

I thought I was really weird and, well, I was right. But I can't help being weird, I guess. My husband and I did these personality tests -- you can see it on the right side of my blog. In fact it's free and it's fun, so you should go do it. There are a lot of links then that tell you all about your personality, or temperament type. Mine happened to mention that my type enjoys being sad. I knew that about myself, but I kept it secret because, well, it's weird. But apparently it's sort of ingrained, so I'm not gonna be ashamed anymore! LOL It is also a part of my temperament to love rain. And I do.

So while Camelot is one of my favorite stories because it is just so darn tragic, I guess maybe I am in the minority with that. Which means that probably I won't find a lot of books that don't have formulaic happy endings. And I guess really that is my biggest complaint is that so many books are just so predictable. And I like unpredictable. If it had a happy ending, but I didn't see it coming, I would like that, too!

So, enough about me. I really would like to hear what you specifically want out of a book. Whatever market you prefer. What genres do you like best and what do you want to gain or experience when you read a novel?

why i read christian fiction

I want to see God. I want to read stories about people dealing with real struggles, but handling them in a way that shows God's grace, power, and love. I want to see redemption. I want to see reconciliation. I want to see that the things that matter to God are so much different from the things that matter to us. Not because He has the wrong priorities, but because we do.


I don't want to just be entertained. I am disappointed in books that are nice reads and the character happens to be a Christian, (we know this because she occasionally goes to church).

I want to be challenged. I want to learn. I want to be convicted. I want to be different in some small, (or big) way from having read it.

I want to see people living the Christian life the way it should be lived, not the way it usually is lived.


I have read so many comments by people saying they don't want to be hit over the head with Christianity in Christian fiction. My question is, why do they read it then? I have read a lot of good secular books that are clean, and have a great message. Why not just read those?


Christian fiction is written for Christians. We shouldn't have to soft sell God in Christian fiction. If it were a story written for unbelievers, then some gentle tact is required in getting the message across, but the message still needs to get across. And it should probably be an ABA book so the person will pick it up in the first place. Most non-believers aren't buying up the Christian fiction, are they?


What I'd like to see more of: Characters who pray fervently about their decisions instead of winging it. People who look to God for direction and guidance. More stories demonstrating the sovereignty of God. People with questions and dilemmas that don't necessarily get solved. And I'd love to see some tragic endings. I am so tired of predictable story lines. Life doesn't always go the way we expect. How about stories showing that God is still in control even when our world falls apart. Life doesn't tie up neatly, there are always loose ends. I've read books about worlds falling apart and God picking up the pieces, but they always have the predictable happy ending. What if the person doesn't get cured from a deadly illness, but instead finds God's peace and strength to bear it? What if the handsome neighbor turns out to be an abuser, but the woman calls off the wedding just in time? Or what if she doesn't? What if a lovelorn woman continually has bad relationships until she realizes God is her all in all and that He will be sufficient for her in a life of singleness? Not everyone gets married. Not everyone gets cured. Not everyone has a marriage that is roses and walks in the moonlight.


Well, I hope there is some kind of market for this stuff that I want, because it's the way I plan to write.


I'm not saying there aren't some books out there like this. I'm saying there aren't enough. Lisa Samson's Tiger Lilly is a great example. If you know of some, tell me what they are.