Booking Through Thursday 4/26/12

Today is Booking Through Thursday. Each week a question related to reading is posted and bloggers answer on Thursdays. Click the link above to participate!

This week's question:


Has a book ever inspired you to change anything in your life, fiction or non-fiction alike?

I wear many hats in my life, so I will answer this question in regards to each hat.

Me, Myself and I
The first book that completely changed my personal life was (and is) A Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren. Yeah, I'm sure you've heard of it. Some may think that it's just another religious book. My sister gave it to me and I thought, "Okay, I can read it." I didn't think it would change my life. I was looking for answers and God gave them to me through this book.

Me, the Mother
My favorite role has been MOTHER. God has been so good to me. He has provided me the task of being a mother, a guide, a friend to three lovely boys. I am so thankful to have them. One thing I wish to pass on is the love of reading. This has been a very hard task, especially when video games vies for attention. My favorite children's book to read to them has been Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. When they were all toddlers, I loved snuggling with them and reading this board book. I have such fond memories that will never go away.

Me, the Writer
Being a reader is what helps me as a writer. My alltime favorite romance authors lead me to write (or try) like them. Here are my favorite category and contemporary books by these authors. There are so many! (By the way, this category helps me as my role of WIFE.)

Jill Shalvis is hilarious!

Fun, sexy, real

My favorite line ever!

Funny, excellent dialogue!

Me, the Teacher
As a teacher, I try to read great books with my students and hopefully change their lives.  How do I want to change their lives? Make them into readers. Make them think. Hopefully I have done this! The two latest books that I use in class do this.... The Hunger Games and The Lightning Thief.

























All of these books have changed me in some way. Be it as a teacher, as a mother, as a wife or just me personally. I love talking about books. They are my life! Now off to read!

Goodnight readers!

Booking Through Thursday 4/19/12

Today is Booking Through Thursday. Each week a question related to reading is posted and bloggers answer on Thursdays. Click the link above to participate!


This week's question:


What are your literary “pet peeves”?

I love this question! Everyone has a pet peeve, but I never thought of them in terms of literature. But, of course I have some. I would say that I hate it when people assume I am not a "real" reader or writer because I read and write romance. Romance is a real genre, people!

When I was 13, I picked up my first Harlequin Superromance novel in Krogers supermarket. I can't even remember the title, but the author was Dawn Stewardson. I thought, "What the heck." I had never been introduced to the romance genre and usually just read what was assigned at school. But, this book rocked my world and turned my reading life around. How can that not be real literature? If it changes someone's life.... it is!

This was one of the first Superromance books I read and loved as a teenager.

And by the way, since I'm ranting, just because I write romance, doesn't mean I'm not a real writer. It is just as hard as any other type of writing. We still have to build our characters, build romantic suspense or tension and have those inner and outer conflicts. I am proud to be a romance author and know I work hard!

So, why don't you go and pick up a good romance book and enjoy the reading. It was damn hard writing! (Nathaniel Hawthorne)

Booking Through Thursday 3/29/12

Today is Booking Through Thursday. Each week a question related to reading is posted and bloggers answer on Thursdays. Click the link above to participate!

This week's question:

Are there any fictional characters whom you have emulated? What literary character do you feel is most like you personality-wise, and why?

What a difficult question! I often read books and wish I was like a character.  I mean, who doesn't want to be like Scarlett O'Hara? Or dare I say Katniss Everdeen?

One of my all-time favorite characters is Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. I love her feistiness and "pride." Despite her mother's need for her to marry, and the various proposals, she surges forward with the power and persistence of only marrying who she pleases. Thank God!

Then again, as I ponder, perhaps Elizabeth can be like me. I think of her quote: “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”  I have to agree! Reading is my salvation! Now, if I could just work on that library.

But, I would have to say, I am most similar to Bridget in Bridget Jone's Diary. Doomed to be a little over weight, clumsy, and oh so sarcastic! I love her!

Happy reading!

Melinda

Booking Through Thursday

Booking Through Thursday

This is a weekly meme in which each week the HOST will ask a reading related question and we answer with our thoughts.

This week's question is: Ever read a book you thought you could have written better yourself?

My Answer: I have been an avid reader since I was a teenager. Honestly, I read several books a week, in between my full-time job, being a mom to three boys, and writing/editing schedule. With that in mind, of course there are those books where I think I could have written something differently. Maybe I think that a certain scene could go in another direction, or the end could have been happier (I like happy endings.) Most of the time, however, I have to respect the writer and the ideas he or she has offered. That's why I buy the book in the first place! Being a writer is hard stuff! Let's respect the writers and their words.

Here is a favorite quote that relates - Easy reading is damn hard writing. Nathaniel Hawthorne. 

Keep that in mind when you want to change something next time. :)
Have a great Thursday!

Melinda