There's no threat of a papercut with an e-book...

I love to read, and I have loved it for as long as I can remember. As a matter of fact, I would sit in my room with my Chemistry textbook open and have a library book nestled inside of it- just so my parents thought I was actually studying! Sneaky, right? And a little nerdy. I would consume novel after novel, making trips to the library during lunch for my next victim.

From previous blog posts I have made I can only assume that my klutziness and clumsiness have come shining through. Seriously, I’m a bull in a china closet. Nothing is safe. I still wonder how I walked in high heels for so many years without snapping my ankle in half! Those Glade-type candles? Yeah, the glass rarely makes it from store to home in one piece in my world. I buy my glassware in odd numbers because I know at least one will not make it.

Books, however, I make a point to love and care for. I don’t break the spines, no dog-earing my pages, and hands must be clean. Don’t ask to borrow my books either. I’m very funny about that. Weird, huh? Seriously. I had a roommate years ago that borrowed and read one of my series and spilled her drink all over them. She had to replace them. But hey, she knew the risks.

I’m. So. Odd.

I’m loyal to the authors I love and run out to buy their latest creations as soon as they hit the stands. My army of tales lines my bookshelf and I display them proudly.

Kindle? No way. iBooks? Please, stop.

I like good old fashioned printed pages. I love books. I know I’m not alone, but technology is certainly taking over the literary world.

I still try to find time to read whenever possible, though life has certainly made that more difficult. My children, however, did not inherit my passion for words whatsoever. I can only assume that they liken reading to waterboarding from their pained looks when I make them do so for fifteen minutes a day.

Visiting the local library is something of yesteryear as well. It makes me sad to think that this new generation will not know the terror of spending an entire day at the library just to finish a research paper. They will not understand what it is like to check out ten books, lug them home, and reference them for a class. What good times those were.

But just in case there are still those who adore the library, we offer a lovely one right here on JBMHH. Looking for a quiet place to escape? Try the library. Looking for your favorite author? Visit the library. Want to lay out by the pool this summer and tan? Check out a book from the library.

It’s close. It’s free. And who knows, you might learn something new!

~A

Here are some ideas to get you started, you know, in case you’re in the market for a new author, new series, or some suggestions:
Daniel Silva              Gabriel Allon International Spy Series
 
                                               The Rembrandt Affair, The English Girl, Etc…

J.R. Ward                   The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series  (Vampires)

                                                Lover Eternal, Dark Lover, Etc..

                                    The Fallen Angel Series

                                                Possession, Rapture, Envy, Etc...

Patricia Cornwell     Kay Scarpetta Series

                                                Postmortem, The Body Farm, Red Mist, Etc…

David Baldacci         Zero Day, The Target, The Innocent

Janet Evanovich      The Stephanie Plum Series

                                                One For the Money, Two For the Show, Etc…

And here are some other authors to investigate: Laurell K. Hamilton, James Patterson, Clive Cussler, Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, Sandra Brown, Danielle Steel, George R. R. Martin, etc…

A moment on the lips, forever on the hips!

Were you aware that March is International Hamburger and Pickle Month?

Yeah, me neither. But apparently it is.

Now, I’m a true Southerner transplanted to the northern-most parts of the South (or as we call it in Texas, the North). I like food greasy enough to aid in car repair. And I love hamburgers. With bacon. And cheese. Lots of it.

But couldn’t we have agreed to make a month dedicated to diet destruction closer to the start of winter rather than the end? Seriously. The only countries that this could possibly benefit are Australia and New Zealand, and with those incredibly alluring accents, who cares if they blow their diets?! Do they even diet? I bet they don’t.

How are the other members of the modern world supposed to participate in the celebration that is all things hamburger-lry and still fit into a swimsuit in less than three months? How can we show our support for those moist, delicious patties nestled between two soft and fluffy buns sprinkled with sesame goodness and not throw the scale out of the window in defeat?

We can’t. Well, some of us can (not me) - those blessed souls who can eat absolutely anything and never gain an ounce. Those lucky creatures can participate in this yummalicious celebration every day of the month!

The rest of us, however, can only support from afar. We can only send our fondest thoughts to the deliciousness that is the burger.

Unless swimsuit season means nothing. Then by all means, bon apetit!

Sidenote: For all of you who did cave and participate, perhaps over-imbibing on the burger-liciousness in the month of March, be sure to visit the Ft. Myer or Ft. McNair Fitness Centers to mea culpa those calories! All transgressions are confidential.

~A