Are you having a hard time reading these days?

 I know I am!  I thought long and hard about the reason why reading can be impossible during stressful times. 

Money- face it- we need money to feed the read. 

Some suggestions- if you have a Kindle with Kindle Unlimited- there are many many books to read for free. The cost of joining premium is worth what you get. Plus, they offer First Reads at the beginning of the month- fresh new life books that just came out or are coming out - for free- you can pick one and if you want the others you can pre-order for around 4.99 each. If it’s audible- you have a nice catalog of books to listen to- for free. 

I used to frequent used book stores but now I order used books from them now- they will love you forever ❤️

Can’t focus- no matter how easy it is to read for us book nerds there are times where we cannot focus on anything. 

Ya-Manga-Comics-Middle Grade all genres have given me great joy and focus during a crisis- it’s not they are easy reads- they are not but there are different, one of these genres may pique your interest. Get you bank in the game. 

Anxiety- this aggravating factor contributes to not being able to focus as well. Here are two  options I currently use to defuse before I pick up a book- 

The Calm App- On their app I choose nice natural background with a light chime and follow their different options for deep breathing- learn how to breathe the right way and you will be ready to read. PS there are plenty of calming free apps btw. Breathing correctly corrects the blowing off of too much CO2 - too much O2 sticks around and completely diminishes your capacity to focus. 

Nature and Travel- go far and wide to inhale a deep earthy forest or go down under to feel the dry heat on your face as the Roos hop by. 

I will provide those types of books in my next post- books that help during bad times- 

You are a reader- you may need to go play Animal Crossing (is that what it’s called?) or read a celebrity mag or watch Case Files (all of them) to chill out before reading- 

You are not alone. 

Stay well stay healthy. 

Cheryl 

Go back in time and find a good story...

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the new books coming out, you may want to go back in time and read something you may find easily at book sales, library sales, even sold cheaply by sellers on Amazon. These books have stuck out in my mind as they were all read with much vigor, excitement, and a ton of  book nerd love.

I did not want to read The Rook, but a persistent book group member insisted and I was glad I listened to her. I read it rather quickly and was satisfied with the story, I loved the characters, plot, and the London setting. Perfect YA book.  (And you will never forget the name "McFawny.")


http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+rook

This was a cool read, no pun intended. The setting is on the edge of a forest near mountains where a couple makes their life living on a smallish farm. A strange child comes out  of the woods when it's cold and she has a story to tell but in her own magical way. Perfect book for a sit down with a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Child-Novel-Eowyn-Ivey/dp/0316175668/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445820538&sr=1-1&keywords=the+snow+child

 I remember reading this, along with my Gan, when Oprah was planting her name all of the latest and greatest books. It was a good story, the main character, Julie Harmon is one of my most favorite characters.

 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gap-creek-robert-morgan/1100380311?ean=9781616201760

This book blew me away. Stunning writing about conjoined twins about the life they are living told by each  girl separately. The writing is non exploitative, it was simply beautiful, tragic, sad, and victorious. I was so impressed I gave it out to a friend after I was finished.

 http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Novel-Lori-Lansens/dp/0316066346/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445820682&sr=1-1&keywords=the+girls+book+lori+lansens

I hope you enjoy these books as much as I did. Sometimes a turn back to find good books from months ago, years ago, maybe even decades ago will never disappoint!

Buy all of them!

Book Gifts and Bookmarks

My Canadian friend sent me this book the other day. When I took it out of the mailing package I squealed with joy, not only because it was from her (she has wonderful taste in books and I love her) but that it was used. I loved getting used books as gifts. You are sharing a story you love by passing it on. I looked over the front and back covers, peeked inside and noticed  "Jessie" written in pencil on the first page upper right corner. Who is Jessie? Did she like the book? My friend told me she has handed copies of this book out to other friends. which makes it very special. To love a story so much that you find yourself handing it off to many people who in turn, you pray, hand copies off to more story lovers. 

My friend gave me a bookmark as well (a hedgehog, long story on that one) which made the surprise complete. Throwing in a bookmark is the loveliest idea. My grandmom, Gan, used to buy already cut bookmarks and yarn (for the tassel bit) and paint flowers on them to hand out to everyone she knew. They are like gold and since she made so many I had a pretty good stash that has ended up all over the world sent to people I love. Bookmarks are personal, and when a friend nails it, it's a treasured gift.

I have also used cards (intact or just the cover), receipts, newspaper clippings, cardboard, ribbon, jute, bills, and  many bought bookmarks over the years I wish I could gather them all up for photo but  they are holding court in many books, waiting for me to return.

One of my best finds after a used book store haul was a yellowed receipt from Barnes and Noble. Whoever left this receipt bought terrific reads. I wondered who it was, did they have a latte  and languish over their soon to be purchases or did they buy those books in a mad fury as we all do every once in a while. No matter, it was my bookmark in that particular book for the duration. 

I find that book gifts from loved ones seem to resonate with me more than any "new" item on the planet. I appreciate everything that has ever been given to me, but books and bookmarks rank at the top of my list. I treat them as if they were emeralds.

What are your favorite bookmarks and what else do you use to mark a page?

Photos by me, and afghan/floral bookmarks made by my Gan.