Florida For A Little Maine

Tired of my “this is where I’m going this weekend” posts yet? No, great because here’s another one…I’m heading to Florida today! (I’m so glad my blog can’t talk back.)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – As much as I hate the hassle of airports and flights and the like, I do enjoy the uninterrupted reading time. This weekend I plan on taking a little Maine with me to Florida. I’m still in the middle of J. Courtney Sullivan’s newest novel so I’ll take this opportunity to make progress. And by progress, I hope I mean finishing it because book club meets to talk about the book on Monday. Did I mention I’m flying back Monday at 6am? Look forward to me being peppy and fresh for the discussion.

So yes, while I ostensibly am going to Florida for some wedding planning, we all know I’m really going for the chance to read.

(For the record, I just threw that picture in there to confuse.)

Kindle Meet Library

Way back when I started this project, I went out and got a library card. Actually, I didn’t go out and do anything… I signed up for one from the convenience of my laptop and couch. Since then I’m ashamed to admit, I’ve never used it. What can I say, I’m a book buying addict.

This is a long introduction just to say that e-books from the library are finally available for the Kindle. Not everyone knows that libraries have been offering e-books for a little while. That’s in part because only certain devices were open to the possibility. With Amazon on board now, so many more people will have the option of borrowing e-books. So maybe I will actually get around to using my library card!

But at the same time, I love supporting publishers and will continue to do so. If I must keep buying books for the good of the industry, I guess I’ll just have to keep doing that too.

The Muppets Do Steig Larsson

This video has been circling the internet this week so I couldn’t deny Reading for Robin readers a glimpse. I mean, c’mon, it’s called The Pig With The Froggy Tattoo. Not only am I interested in most things Girl With The Dragon Tattoo related, but it’s a parody with the always adorable Muppets. The connection between the two trailers seems to be mostly the fast takes and similar music, but you get the idea. And did I mention it’s called The Pig With The Froggy Tattoo?

Plus this is as close as I will probably get to seeing the Muppet movie. But sign me up for David Finch’s U.S. version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Reading Turn-Offs

The other night a few of us broke the rules and started to discuss the book club book, Maine, a week before our meeting. Blasphemy, I know.

I said that I’m only about 35% in so far and that I like it… for the most part. One of the problems I have is that there aren’t many likeable characters. I think I’ve complained about this on the blog before but I can’t seem to find the post to prove it. I certainly don’t think all characters should be shiny and perfect, but I usually want someone to root for.

This led to a quick discussion about what other qualities we don’t like about books in general. Another one I know I’ve brought up before is chapters that are too long. Such a small complaint, but I like a natural stopping point. My mom really disliked when there wasn’t enough dialogue. What are your reading turn-offs?

And yes, if you are my friend and ever mention reading in my presence our conversation will likely make it onto the blog.

Charge Your Phone With Books

I don’t know where Carley finds these things, but I’m glad she does. It keeps Reading for Robin going sometimes. And who doesn’t love a good book-related accessory? I know I do and so does little Violet Affleck.

Today’s find is an Etsy store full of iPhone chargers with a book theme. There’s Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Huckleberry Finn, and more. While I would probably never actually buy these things, in theory they are a much better choice than the tangle of white wires I currently have going for me.

Maybe instead of decorating my apartment with books, though, I should go back to reading them. That is, if I ever want to finish my mom’s list.

My Parents Were Ahead of the Times

A recent GalleyCat post describes a new iPad app from JibJab. You probably know JibJab from their ElfYourself campaign and if you don’t, you should definitely look into it.

Anyway, this new app lets parents insert their children (or, maybe just once or twice, themselves) into an e-book. A photo is uploaded and incorporated into the story.

While this is certainly a fun, new way to involve kids (and the kids at heart) in e-reading, my parents were way ahead of this curve. They might not have had an iPad or known anything about apps, but my parents did incorporate me into a story. For some birthday in early elementary school, I received a cassette—yes, a cassette—with a story that included my name! I don’t remember the plot exactly but it had something to do with an alien searching the galaxy for the perfect birthday present for me and it was great.

In retrospect, it was my first audiobook!

Next Up: Peony in Love

I love when I have to make as few decisions as possible. Fortunately, I have friends who will make my decisions for me.

The other day I was complaining to Carley that I didn’t know what book to pick next from my mom’s list. She suggested Peony in Love by Lisa See. I didn’t question her and agreed right away. Still, she felt the need to explain. To choose, she went to the website What Should I Read Next, which I’ve blogged about before. It offers book recommendations based on other books and authors you like. Carley typed in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (one of my favorites from the list!) and voila… Peony in Love.

Meanwhile I just sat there waiting for Carley to provide me with a decision. Laziness occasionally pays off.

A Review of No One You Know

For the first time in almost two weeks, I finally sat down last Sunday and read consecutively for a few hours in a row. Before I knew it, I’d finished Michelle Richmond’s No One You Know.

Once I gave it the time it deserved, No On You Know was a quick read. The book tells the story of sisters Ellie and Lila Enderlin. Lila, a brilliant mathematician, was murdered as a young woman and a tell-all book was written about the crime. Twenty years later, the person responsible has never been caught and Ellie has spent her life somewhat adrift. New developments lead her to investigate what actually happened to Lila all those years before.

I liked the way it was written as a mystery, but also a story of family, loss, and finding yourself. Unlike traditional mysteries, it didn’t feel lurid or full of manufactured suspense. Instead, it was a novel with a mystery element. The pacing worked well and the characters were well conceived. Along the way, Richmond also teaches readers about math and coffee. Entertaining and educational!

And I know this is such a minor detail, but I really appreciate short chapters. They give you easy stopping places, but more often than not they make me want to read on. On, there’s only 10 pages until the next chapter? Might as well keep going. Eight more pages until the next one? Sure why not!

So, No One You Know: Good story, good writing, good chapter length.

Sound Effects: Just What Your Book Is Missing?

Have you ever been reading and thought to yourself “Man, I wish this book were more like a movie”?

If so, than Booktrack is for you!

Two different friends sent me a Daily Candy email featuring this new service. It’s an app for the iPhone or iPad that basically provides a soundtrack to books. I really like audiobooks, but I’m not sure this type of “listening” to books is for me.

Booktrack adds music, sound effects and ambient sounds to e-books timed to your individual reading pace. The fact that it matches how fast you read is really cool and I have no idea how they do it. However, personally, I think the noises would be distracting. I also feel like if a book is written well enough the atmosphere – music at a club or the sound of boots during war – should come alive from the words alone.

But I shouldn’t knock it until I try it. At the moment, Booktrack is mostly for children’s books, but it will eventually expand to the adult market. Then, I may just have to test it out.

Author Readings On Ziplines

I don’t normally watch Conan. But I did stumble upon this great video thanks to a GalleyCat post. Unfortunately, WordPress won’t let me embed the video, but click on the link. It’s fun!

What better way to make books appeal to a younger audience than to have authors do their readings on ziplines? I’m just surprised this hasn’t been thought of before.

(If I am posting about this, than yes, I probably need to read more. Enjoy the video while I go do that!)