Bookaholics habits

Today I’m sorta babysitting my husband, the pain shot/ mini surgery didn’t go so well yesterday so we’re taking turns watching for any loss of movement, etc. Or, in other words, I really can’t concentrate on anything other than doing my hourly checkups on him. Plus being a good wife, I keep him company watching old movies. But I digress…

I was musing on my bookaholic habits; I have a book or two for the odd and ends readings in both cars, one in each handbag, one in the bathroom, a few on end tables in the living room, bedroom and any other room I might just land for a minute. Thinking about these books as I straightened up for Book Club this week, I realized all were either “comfort reads” or “marginal reads.”

Descriptions so we can continue on the same page. A “comfort read” is an old friend book, one I read repeatedly because the read makes me feel good, or represents a place to take me away from reality, is a good cry book, or I just really really love the voice of the author. A “marginal read” is a book that isn’t bad, but it isn’t compelling either. If I finish the book okay, if I don’t finish reading it, no great loss. Sometimes a “marginal read” if you hang on long enough becomes a decent read, but generally it is a book I finish and more or less forget. It goes into the tea box and will be discussed in passing at a reader meeting. My other descriptions of “reads” is the normal one where I can’t wait to finish, it either happens at one sitting or I carry the book around until I’m done. And the “homework read,” usually a book I need to read for work (what a chore ::laughs::).

So, when I had more occasion this week than usual to spend time in my cars and in medical waiting rooms I noticed my “marginal reads” and even finished a few of them. Some had been languishing for over two weeks, the poor dears. It was a long week in some ways but with lots of 15 minutes here and there of waiting.

First to be finished was URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy. I must say, Murphy’s blog is much more interesting than her book. Is that a bad thing? I personally found URBAN SHAMAN to be a sloooooow read, taking over a week to finish. That’s sad because it really appealed to me, cover and back copy wise when I first picked it up. But the opening chapter lost me. Seeing a fleeing woman menaced by a knife-wielding assassin from 20,000 feet? I think not. (And we just used to worry that the airliners overhead could see us in the pool skinny dipping *grin*

Anyway, this is the first in a series of books about police mechanic turned detective Joannie Walker (her real name is Sibhoan Firewalker or something like that mixing up Irish and Cherokee names from her heritage). Jo is death on people she meets — everyone she heals drops dead a day later. I ask you, what’s the point in healing them? And her contact lenses getting stuck all the time, geez, you’d think she’d learn — they’re messing up her corneas for pete’s sake! Okay, so maybe I’m just too critical, ya think? Too burned on the Celtic stuff probably. I finished the book and the only two characters I liked were Gary the taxi man and the police boss — Morrison. He needed more pages. Hopefully she keeps them around and Jo grows up a bit more. Buy this one in mass market when it comes out is my advice. Or borrow from a friend.

The next book I polished off was one I got at last week’s tea — THE RUNAWAY DUKE by Julie Ann Long. This one was finished quickly — it was the author’s debut and it didn’t take any chances. It was a historical romance and one that has been done before. The Duke was the groom, need I say more? All in all, it wasn’t bad, just not a keeper, but I was intrigued enough to put Long’s next book TO CATCH A THIEF on my search list.

I know I promised more details, but he’s getting antsy and I spent more time than I should on Murphy’s blog, so I’ll sign off now. I do have a couple of books waiting in the bedroom, so I think after I make the tuna sandwich I’ll go keep Tom and my books company.