Whatcha Reading Wednesdays 2/10/2010

Okay - I totally stole this from another blog (actually I saw it on several, in different version, so maybe it isn't theivery) but I think it is a really really cool idea! I am always curious what other people are reading and I think other people are to.

So this is how "Whatcha Reading Wednesdays" works

You grab the book you are currently reading, open it to a TOTALLY RANDOM page and then go to a random place on the page and select two full sentences. Then leave a comment with just the two sentences, the page number, title and author of the book. If it is a spoiler at all be sure to put **Spoiler Alert** at the top of your comment (like if the selection announces the death of an intergral character or something). But I really doubt that two sentences on a random page are going to give away the plot - =). This is supposed to fun and enlightening and I really hope you guys do this!

So here is mine:

           Later, Sara dosed off, her small hand nested on his chest. Derik was wide awake,ignoring the clamoring of his conscience. 

 page 188 Derik's Bane by MaryJanice Davidson

Are you a speed reader?

The simple answer is - No, I am not a speed reader. So many of my friends ask me how the heck I have time to read so much. This is what I always say - "When you have an addiction, you find a way!" Sounds nuts, right? But when I finally came to gripes with the fact that this reading habit was just that, it has been much less stressful. I mean, first and foremost, there are a million worst things I could be addicted to, and I (rarely) let my reading get in the way of my responsibilities (its doesn't count that i choose to read another chapter before I load the dishwasher, does it?)
So back to the question at hand - How do I find time to read? Well first off, I always have a book in my purse. That way if I get stuck waiting at the post office or the bank or the doctor's office, I can usually get a few pages in. I have also perfected the art of reading while distracted. When I first started reading for leisure I would get frustrated when one of the kids required attention and I would lose my place and then it took forever to find it again. Now my mind has adapted to this constantly reoccurring situation and I can easily find my place again.
I can also multitask while I read. Thanks to my wonderful eyesight (Thank You GOD!) I can read a book from pretty far away and have actually been able to read while folding laundry. Because folding laundry is so second nature after almost 5 years of at least 2 loads a day (holy moly that's over 3600 loads!) I actually learned this trick from a friend. She buys books in Large Print whenever she can, so that she can cook and fold laundry while she reads. She uses one of those cookbook stands to hold her book while she reads.
I also have a constant supply of "To be Read" books, for the most part. I am always swapping on Paperback Swap and I keep an eye on the bargain bins at the bookstores. I am very careful not to let my reading habit cost me too much but I can't always get them read from on the timeline of the library, so I try to only buy uber deals or use the swap system to make it work for me.
And, of course, I am guilty of the all-nighters. When a book is at the climax or very close to the end and I just have to know what happens. I have been known to put the whole family to bed - telling hubby that I am just going to finish the chapter - only to look up at a clock that reads 3 AM! So like I said - "When you have an addiction - you find a way!"
So what do you do to get reading time in?

Book Giveaway

Jessica over at "Shut Up! I'm Reading" is attempting to get over 200 Followers. Head over to her site and follow and you will be entered to win 1 of 5 books! http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2009/12/200-follower-shin-dig.html

Rachel Morgan Kicks Some Preternatural Butt!

So my first supernatural, romance, paranormal, witches, vampires, demons, and werewolves (Oh My!) series after Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse Series was Kim Harrison's The Hollows Series. It is definitely a more grown up version of the genre but nothing too graphic. I would say it rides the edge of full on romance novels. More like a lot of adventure with a little bit of romance in the back story. It features a "runner" named Rachel Morgan who is a little more special then she ever thought, and everyone else seems to know about it. She is a butt kicking powerhouse that does first then thinks about it later, which obviously gets her into a heap of trouble. The series is fast paced and entertaining with very little predictability. The books in reading order are:
1. Dead Witch Walking
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
3. Every Which Way But Dead
4. A Fistful of Charms
5. For a Few Demons More
6. The Outlaw Demon Wails
7. White Witch, Black Curse
8. Black Magic Sanction - Due out Feb. 23rd - you can pre-order on Amazon

You can learn more about Kim Harrison at http://www.kimharrison.net/


If you have read this series I would love to hear your thoughts. Who is your favorite character? (Mine is Jenks) Which was your favorite book? (Mine was For a Few Demons More) Please remember to post **Spoiler Alert** if you are going to talk about a specific occurrence in the book. If you haven't read it but are thinking about let me hear your hesitations.