Jun 15, 2009

BIG FAT SUMMER BOOK

When I was a kid (ten minutes ago, don't you know), I had my face in a book 24/7. We had porch swings and I took full advantage of them each summer -- whether it was with a big fat book or a skinny book that was part of a series, I read greedily and with great gusto. I can remember how it felt to lose an entire afternoon in a book, and I can remember how satisfied I felt when the back cover closed and I was on to my next adventure.

Then, when I lived in New Jersey, I had a little tiny apartment on the beach. Really little. As a matter of fact, it was slightly smaller than your average hotel room, and my bed was the futon that also served as a couch during the day. What I loved about this apartment was its proximity to a huge patio overlooking the ocean and the hours and hours I spent there reading.

Summer is a particularly good time for a big fat book, don't you think? Or, better yet, it seems to be the perfect time to collect every single book in a series or by a favorite author and read them through. Sometimes I want the book to be a classic (like the year I finally read War and Peace), and other times I just want to spend a day with Jackie Collins. One summer I read a trilogy by the romance author Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I'm pretty sure that it was complete trash, but I loved every bodice-ripping, bosom-heaving minute of it.

Thanks to a handful of Borders coupons, today I embark on a quest. I go in search of a pile of the perfect summer big fat books to read. I haven't a clue what will wind up in the basket, but I know I can't wait to get started.





25 comments:

  1. mmm... books. Time spent with books is grand.

    Enjoy whatever you pick up.

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  2. Wow,love your bookshelves - all all those scissors. Maybe, I should add another to my internet purchases tonight. I can't only have one, right?

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  3. hope you find something wonderful at the bookstore. I have always been a reader too....and grew up to be a librarian. go figure.

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  4. Enjoy your book shopping. That is always so much fun. Let us know what you end up with. I am sure we will all need to read them too!

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  5. I"m hoping you will share your summer reading list with us. I'm always on the lookout for a good book. Too bad there aren't too many books with stitchers in the plots!

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  6. Love your bookshelves. Much better than stashing books under the bed and on top of the TV in our bedroom that we never watch. I pulled out Anna Karenina to read this summer in addition to the other gazillion books on my list. Let us know what you chose!

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  7. Love your bookshelves. I have some that I built that are florr to ceiling and they are double rowed. Books are my first passion. I ope you get some good ones for your summer reading.

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  8. Dork warning: I've actually read Book Lust (and Book Lust 2) cover to cover. My sister once lived on the beach in a tiny apartment. In the bathroom you could pee, take a shower and wash your hands by taking one step over the threshold. You could cook in the kitchen while standing in the minifridge. Actually, you had to. But the beach was Right.There. With giant deck for lounging. Sweet.

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  9. Wildwood, New Jersey reading Nancy Drew and the Bobbsey Twins. Childhood didn't get much better than that. Now, it's the front porch and pretending the traffic is really the ocean. A stack of summer reading, but anxious to hear what you pick up. Hopefully a few good books to read to Stewey.

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  10. Your summers on the beach sound like heaven. I can't think of another way to spend a day but reading (well, there is xstitch too), but there is nothing better than a good book. Hope you find some great ones.

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  11. I had a Border's gift card from my grandson for Mother's day and last week DH and I went shopping in another town about 40 miles from us. There is a Border's there and the night before we went I had an email from them for 25% off. I was in hog heaven!! I spent most of my summer at our "branch" library by my house when I was a kid and the thrill is still there looking for the "perfect" read!! Hope you enjoyed your day :)

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  12. Oh nothing beats summer reads,,,I work at Barnes and Noble and have decided to read classics this summer,,I am on my second the really enjoying them,,,love your bookshelve...and lets us know what jumped into your basket...happy reading..

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  13. My thoughts too !!! I just finished one book at 2:30am. I went to the mail box awhile ago and guess what??? My new book arrived !!! I love to Read & Stitch. I think I may shop today too..

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  14. HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET - PERSIAN PICKLE CLUB - LOSING MUM AND POP - LAVENDER MORNING - ONE THOUSAND WHITE WOMEN - Any and all of these meet your Criteria! Most reading is the world we would like to believe it to be!

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  15. Will you tell us what you get? I love to see what other people are reading!!!! Very exciting! You must have had a blast today at Borders!

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  16. As a Borders employee and an avid book reader I am curious as to what you bought. I am currently reading a mystery by Michael Byrnes. Next up is a childrens book!

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  17. If it's big fat books you're wanting, I heartily recommend Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. History, time-travel, herbal remedies, battles, romance, all rolled up with wonderful characters!

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  18. I suggest authors James Rollins and Steve Berry! Can't wait to hear what you find!

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  19. By the way, meant to say I'm originally from the Jersey Shore as well. Whereabouts were you?

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  20. Hey Coni - thanks for stopping by my new blog! I adore your stitchy spot - loads of books and a comfy chair, it doesn't get any better......

    I like your blog a lot!

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  21. I was an avid reader as a child, too.

    Unfortunately, as an adult, the choice was books I'd cross stitch, and books lost. I still read,but not as prolifically as before.

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  22. I was a young girl who would rather lay across my bed with a good book rather than go outside and play...grew into an adult who still reads although not as much as I used to...it's nice to know I wasn't the only bookworm when I was young.

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  24. What great bookshelves and a wonderful wall of books! I learned early on that if I was reading in the evenings (one and a half Nancy Drew books every night for quite some time!) that I didn't have to help do the dishes after supper. I'd still rather read or stitch than do the dishes. Go figure. Happy summer reading!

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  25. My two recent favorites were Water for Elephants and the Time Traveller's Wife. Oh my, so good!

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