Welcome back to PORCH,
your go-to weekend companion.
Embrace community.
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Get unstuck.
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Be warned:
the writing of many books is endless
[so do not believe everything you read]
& excessive study & devotion to books
is wearying to the body.
Ecclesiastes 12:12
{AMP}
Hey Book Lovers!
I can't begin to tell you how many clunkers I've put aside in the last few months, both fiction and non. Too trashy, too preachy, too silly, too yawn-inducing. It's not all the books' fault, it's simply where I am right now ... a preoccupied brain, shortened attention span, and a low tolerance for anything less than being completely captivated by the time I reach page 50.
I'm halfway through two non-fiction books and haven't quite decided if I'm ready to recommend them to you.
So when all is said and done, I'm canning the reviews this month and simply leaving you a whole lot of bookish bits and pieces to explore. If you're a link-lover, this post's for you.
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THE BOOKISH LINKS
An Ode to the Card Catalog
Best books for bedtime: is fiction or non-fiction best before bed?
Ukrainian Libraries Send Free Books To Refugees Abroad
Instead of Going to College, I Read These Books
Over 50% of Adults Have Not Finished a Book In the Past Year
11 Most Beautiful Libraries in the United States
Ants Infest Woman's Kindle & Start Buying Books on Amazon
A librarian collects all the things left in books - from love letters to old photos
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I sure do appreciate your honesty in writing you aren't ready to recommend unfinished books to us. I just finished a non fiction book that I was at first so excited about - borrowed from the library and considered buying a copy I liked it so much. But by the time I finished I was so disappointed in how the author handled the topic and went off on tangents. Sent that one back today to t he library and glad I didn't waste my money.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Jean! The first half of one book was so excellent. I hit the middle and it got a little weird. Will pick it up when I get back home and see what happens.
DeleteI don't want to waste anyone's time ... there's too much out there to read and our brains are already overstuffed.
And yes please and thank you always to the library! They're not even charging overdue fines anymore.
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I guess I'm not the only one who starts a book and doesn't finish it, Linda. :) That article about the ants literally dropped my jaw. Wow! Who would have thought?! I loved the article about when God gives you an idea, about letting ideas breathe and slow-cook. Thank you for all the goodies here! Love and blessings!
ReplyDeleteI know, wasn't that gross with the ants?
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That article about things left in books was so interesting! I can think of some interesting story lines, lol. Have a blessed weekend, Linda!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I loved that ... a cool kind of treasure hunt!
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I so love to read, but nothing disappoints me more than a book that starts out great and ends up lousy (how does that happen?). I haven't read anything lately that I'd want to recommend necessarily. However, Glynn Young recommended a book he is enjoying: Dream Small: The Secret Power of the Ordinary Life by Seth Lewis. Sounds like my next order from Amazon!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Linda!
You know I always appreciate your recommendations, Martha! Thanks for giving us a new volume to think about.
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My TBR list is pretty short right now, too. And I am taking a trip through Mitford this summer , rereading some Jan Karon fiction. Very comforting.
ReplyDeleteUm, wow, Michele. Guess whose books I packed when I headed to Camp a few weeks back? Comfort fiction for sure. Like a warm hug.
Deletehttp://www.lindastoll.net/2020/01/in-which-i-find-comfort-in-book-series.html
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I reread the Mitford books during the Covid quarantine of 2020. I agree--Jan Karon's stories do provide cozy comfort and warm hugs!
DeleteJan Karon was such a faithful companion during that endless Covid season, for sure.
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I love reading books. I like them in my hands. I've just done what you have done. Put down a few books that sounded good but once I started reading them I realized they were yawn inducers. However, I have found several that I have reread from several years ago that refreshed my soul.
ReplyDeleteYep, I love picking up those old favorites, too, Bill ... it's like a visit with a long-lost friend, isn't it ...
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I understand about putting a book down! I've also felt like a novel is something too daunting to take on at times. This is when I enjoy reading articles in "pretty" magazines like Bella Grace and Magnolia, and may dive into literary magazines for their essays and short stories. Nothing wrong with letting go of the novel to explore shorter writing pieces (that sometimes pack a better punch (so to speak) in much less words (which is an art of its' own)!
ReplyDeleteLynn, you're so right - sometimes we just don't have the bandwidth for a hefty novel or a non-fiction book that requires deep concentration. I'm not big on forcing myself to read. I know the yearning will be back before I know it. And yes, please, to those 'pretty' magazines! Thanks for sharing your favorites.
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Life is too short to read a bad book!!!! Having said that, if there's a book that catches your eye but you just can't get into it, it's possible you're not in the "right spot" and you should just put it down, walk away, and try again!! That's the beauty of books!!!
ReplyDeleteAaaaand.......I just posted without my name........ughhhhh..........
ReplyDelete'Life is too short to read a bad book!!!!'
DeleteSpoken like a true librarian! I'm glad you're here ... and I like your advice.
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Loved that Lauren Winner book. Read it several years ago. Might re-read at some point. I have another book of hers, sitting on my shelf for a while. Will get to at some point!
ReplyDeleteDo totally relate to the way you are feeling about forcing yourself to read a book. I have given up on some if they feel like too much work! Still others that I am totally enjoying!
* via subscriber email
There's enough work to do, isn't there, friend. I never want reading to be something I HAVE TO do. May it always be a pleasure!
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I worked at the university library all four years I was in college (and met my husband there as a coworker!) The card catalog was an old friend. They started computerizing everything a few years after I graduated. I kind of miss seeing card catalogs--they're just so libraryish. But they also take up more room as more books are added.
ReplyDeleteLoved the article about things people leave in library books, too. When God Gives You An Idea and Writing for Surprise had some good food for thought.
Hi Barbara! So glad you found some food for thought in that lengthy list ... and yes, I love those old card catalogs. The computer just isn't the same ...
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For some reason, I cannot sign in and comment here. God bless.
ReplyDeleteVictor S E Moubarak http://timeforreflections.blogspot.com
Yeah, I hear that's happening here and there. My apologies ... thanks for signing in the old-fashioned way, friend.
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Bom dia, Linda
ReplyDeleteLinda postagem, amo a leitura, obrigada pelas dicas, acho que o livro "quando Deus te dá uma ideia" deve ser ótimo. Deixo como sugestão o livro: "um mês para viver" de Chris Shook; Kerry Shook, leitura excelente, um forte abraço.
Good morning Linda
DeleteBeautiful post, I love reading, thanks for the tips, I think the book "when God gives you an idea" must be great. I leave as a suggestion the book: "a month to live" by Chris Shook; Kerry Shook, excellent reading, a big hug.
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I'm so glad you're here, Lucinalva ... I used Google Translate and hope it did a good job! Welcome!
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Thank you, Linda, for introducing me to Stephanie D. Smith's Slant Letter blog. Looks like she may provide delightful and helpful inspiration for us writers!
ReplyDeleteYes, there's some really fabulous newsletters out there written by the next generation. Love learning from women younger than I am. Sometimes I think I truly missed the boat ... in more ways than one.
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Thanks for the book links. My first job in high school was at the library, so I have a soft spot for libraries.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm having trouble commenting using my Google account, so I'm using the Name/URL option...
Why am I not surprised that along the way you worked in the library. Me, too!
DeleteMeanwhile, thanks for not giving up on me and using that Name/URL option, Margie. Sorry for the Blogger glitches.
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".preoccupied brain, shortened attention span, and a low tolerance ..." That pretty much sums me up! Sigh. I'm sure there is a bit more to my lazy reading habit - but, for now, I'm claiming these! I hope you have a wonderful week. Thank you so much for always being such an encouragement when you stop by my blog!! You are a blessing -
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe there's seasons for lazy reading habits. I never want it to be a chore ... we did enough of that along the way, didn't we!
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I haven't been reading for awhile. Too many distractions!
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings, Linda.
Looks like we're in good company, Veronica. Yep, I'm easily distracted these day, too. And that's ok.
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Beautiful blog
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're here!
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The stats about how many books people read are fascinating! I didn't realise I read so much more than average! I think I'm getting better at realising it's ok not to finish a book if I'm not enjoying it. I used to keep going anyway but there are so many great books that it doesn't make sense to waste time on ones that are not right for me.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, time is valuable, Lesley. And I'm guessing we all know within a few chapters if this is the right book at the right time for me.
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Me too Linda. You summed me up lately too. I'm reviewing a couple of books for Net Galley and I hope I don't miss the time frame in which to submit them. They are so yawn-inducing, to me at least. Preoccupied and lack of attention span, that's me too. Maybe that's it. Since I was a young girl I have loved reading and consider myself an avid reader. But lately, I'm just not into it. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.
' Since I was a young girl I have loved reading and consider myself an avid reader. But lately, I'm just not into it.'
DeleteIt makes me wonder if all the reviews and posts and social media stuff we churn out have stolen our joy ...
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I've been reading nonfiction, educational books for work. It's time to dive back into some fun reads! Thanks for the list of recommendations.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you linked up at Grace and Truth.
Blessings,
Tammy
What joy to put our feet up with light, well-written fiction after seemingly endless studying. Would love to hear what you're paging through, Tammy ...
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