Coming out of a weekend where I have felt a bit dazed and confused (so what’s new about that?!) I’m glad I have something like It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? to get me back on track. It’s the bookish link-up started by Sheila at Book Journey and I’m enjoying being part of it. So here goes.
Since I guess this makes me one of the popular kids now I have to confess something. I’ve talked about this before. I have a hard time getting revved up and into reading the popular books. Part of that comes from having decided to read something in the past mainly because it is insanely popular. Everybody’s reading it so why shouldn’t I? Then I’m disappointed. I so much more like poking around in used books stores coming up with things that look interesting to me. Sometimes I make good choices and really enjoy a book or sometimes I pick out a stinker.
I don’t mind it when I’ve made the choice and it’s a dud. I mind it so much more when Everyone who is Anyone says that this is a great book and I have to read it. I tend to hold off on books like that waiting until my resolve is weak or I find it for 49 cents at Goodwill. Trust me however, even if someone offered to GIVE me 50 Shades of Grey, I won’t be reading it. I might, however consider 50 Shades of Dorian Gray which I saw at Barnes & Noble last week. Now That would be funny.
That brings me to The Fault in our Stars by John Green.
No money changed hands on this one. I’ve been trying to make more use of my local public library, and not just as a place where I can buy cheap books at their ongoing book sales.
I’ve only read the first page of it, not allowing me to tell you anything about it or whether I like it or if it’s annoying the bejesus out of me. I’m approaching this with an open mind. I’m just going to dive in and see where it takes me. At least it didn’t win a Pulitzer Prize. I guess that makes it a safe choice.
Let us all know what’s on your reading list this week. Check out the link up at Book Journey and read some of the other blogs linking there. We all love your comments!
Happy Monday! What Are You Reading!
Broken Cookies Don't Count 
Despite all the happy buzz about John Green, I wasn’t wild about the first book of his that I read. I was very satisfied with this one. Can’t wait to see what you think.
Here’s my It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? I’d love to have you stop by!
Thanks, Deb…you’ll hear about it next week!! Or sooner if you read BCDC more often!
You have to remain true to your own reader self. I get really mad when I spend money on one of those must haves and it turns out to be quite under-whelming – It just happened to me with Bring Up the Bodies. This being said, I’m tired of reading off my TBR pile and have been reading the best sellers lately.
Hi Belle, thanks for stopping by. I get so many books at thrift stores that my 2 TBR piles are about to tip over. Rather than spending “real” money for books, I’ve been getting newer releases at the library if I’m interested. Trying to be thrifty. Please visit again.
i am so lucky that i live across from our public library – i love to borrow books vs buy them!
i hope you enjoy the book, fran! i have not read harry potter or the hunger games (“popular” books) but i really liked 50 shades of grey (sorry!).
happy reading! i am STILL on circle of friends and state of wonder…maybe i can finish them by the end of january?!
Cathy, you’re so lucky to live so close to the library…I’m jealous!! I don’t mind buying cheap and I’ll do that at the thrift stores and library sales. But lately if I really want something I get it from the library also. I’m glad you liked 50 Shades, I just know I’d pitch it across the room so I’m saving myself the aggravation. 😉
And why wouldn’t you read 50 Shades of Gray??????
Hi Cutie! From what I heard about it, it was just too graphic for me. Not interested in that kind of book. I’m not a prude, I just don’t think I would like it.
I’ve been holding out on this one too. I’ve finally requested it from the library to see what all the fuss is about.
Hi Heather! So far, I’m enjoying it. I’m about a quarter into it, so we’ll see.
I tend to avoid the crazy hyped up books too 😉 Especially if they have 50 Shades in the title! (No thanks!)
Oh, I’m with you on that one, Jennifer!
I love it!
I’m glad I’m not the only one. I’ve just had bad experiences in the past. Wasted book time, you don’t get that back…
I’ve been using my library more lately, too; my shelves are overflowing and even though I give some away, I knew that I had to do something! Between downloading to Kindle more and using the library, I should stave off the collapse of the shelves!
I’ll be watching for your thoughts on The Fault in Our Stars.
Here’s MY MONDAY MEMES POST
Thanks, Laurel. Now that I have my Nook, I should be doing the same. Now I have to learn how to download from the library to the Nook. That will be Free!! I may be inching toward collapse myself…
I read my first John Green this past year – this one you show here in fact… and LOVED it!!! Then I proceeded to read everything he has written. I read old titles, new titles, whatever I want – I don’t go by trends, but I do like recommendations from friends. I hope you read it and I would love to hear your thoughts.
I go with recommendations from friends also, Sheila. Now I have all of these new bookish friends whose minds I can pick at. I’m fairly well into Fault and I like it so far. I’ll let you know.
It is important to enjoy the books you read, new – old- chunkster-novella, otherwise reading is no longer fun and becomes work!! I hope you have a great week of Happy Reading!!
Thanks, Dolly and I completely agree. That’s why thrift store shopping is so much fun. I find things I might never find otherwise. Happy Reading to you, too!
I read The Fault in our Stars a couple of weeks ago, late to the party but I loved it, my review will go up next week. Hope you enjoy it too.
Happy reading 🙂
Thanks, Teddy, I’m truly enjoying it so far. Hope it keeps up. I’ll look forward to your review.
I just started LIkeness by Tana French.
I’ve never read her, Stacie. I look forward to hearing what you think.
Thanks for sharing! I’m looking for a new good book
I think you’ll enjoy it, Sunnie!
I started how to win friends and influence people. Pretty much so I can say I have actually read it.
Hi Katy. Isn’t it funny how we read books for that reason sometimes. That’s why I started with Pride and Prejudice. Couldn’t get through it and gave up. I’ll be interested to hear what you think.
Oh, the 50 Shades of Grey – crappy crap, but guess what – I’ve read ALL THREE BOOKS! I try not to judge literature of any kind. I know that reading anything does good to ones brains and imagination and life on the whole. But I wish that everyone read Tolstoy. Though I’m a bad example for doing that (the Fifty!!! I still wonder how I couldn’t just throw it away?!!)
Hi Greta! Which Tolstoy would you recommend? I was think of Anna Karenina since there so much to-do about the movie coming out. Good choice??
Oh, definitely.
As for the movie – I’m seeing it tonight. I HOPE it’s worth the book.
Greta, I’l be interested to hear what you think of the movie.