1000 + Books to Read

Welcome to the second edition of This & That. What's that you say? Well it's a little of this and a little of that. Who's Us? That's exactly the point of This & That. Do you know anything about the Reviewer here? Or who is that person(s) you're talking to on Facebook and Twitter? You're about to!

Happy Sunday to you all (or Monday depending on where you are)! 


This week has been a snow ball of work. Okay more like that snow ball that rolls into a big gigantic ball of snow that is HUGE. That's my week. All work, no play. From 6am to 8pm (or so it seems). It's pretty funny because no one (other than other bloggers) understands the work that it takes to do what we do. Everyone seems to think it's easy peasy. "Umm you read a book and write about it.. Whats the big deal?". *sigh*


I know it looks glamorous (heh) but it's really a lot of work. 

• First: reading a book takes time. It's not a 2 hour movie production or a half hour sitcom. It's 200 + pages of writing and that takes time. Now granted my really good books I get through in a day or two but that's because I've let everything else in my life fall behind. 

• Second: writing a review takes time. It's not as simple as throwing together a couple of sentences and hitting enter. I take pride in what I write and think through every single detail. This review is a representation of myself and the author's work. Both of those things are important to me and I want to do them justice. I do not rush through reading or reviewing. 

• Third: most people don't understand the number of emails that are sent to a Book blogger. My email both is constantly filled with Review requests and other odds and ins. I try to respond as quick as possible to everyone and sometimes as quick as possible is two weeks later when there are 40 emails needing a response. (Sorry everyone, I *do* respond to everyone and thus it is time consuming, bare with me!)

I could go on but I think you get the point. I love this blog and I enjoy every aspect of running it, I'm not complaining just explaining that there is more to this than what it seems. 


This blog is my baby and I'm so overjoyed at the way it's grown in the past year and excited for the future with the plans that are slowing coming along. I truly appreciate the support of all of the Authors, Publishing houses, Agents, and most importantly you fellow Bloggers and Readers. You all make my 'second job' more enjoyable than my actual 9 to 5! I can hardly wait to get home and get to 'work'. 


My actual job is really stressful right now due to a staffing issue (yay me and my one and only employee running a 100 + cliental business without screwing it up). I'm interviewing for an employee and I can't even begin to describe how emotionally draining doing so is. I hope we find the right person really soon or I'm going to go mental! 


Enough about me.. how about you? How was your week? And more importantly how is your weekend going? 


Until next week, Ladies and Gents: Be safe, no paper cuts!

Hey everyone!

How was your week? Great I hope! Mine was...well...the same. Job hunted of course! Attempted some writing and reading.

Speaking of reading, I was just sitting here thinking this today. I have a ton of books to read! It includes both e-books and actual books.

Yes. I own a Kindle. I wasn’t necessarily against the e-book, I just had my doubts. I was lucky enough to receive it as a gift last Christmas. It is a great little gadget! The storage is awesome. Lightweight and you can carry all your e-books with you. The e-ink on the screen is so clear. You can make the font larger. No glare! It can even read to you aloud. Wonderful!

And one of the best parts? All the freebies! I have found a lot of authors with the Freebies. And with the economy and tight budgets you can go “shopping” as I often do and download freebies to ease your retail therapy itch! Love it! I have almost 300 freebies.

I do love actual books though. I love eyeing the cover. Holding it, reading the back cover & reading the excerpts. Smelling the pages. (kidding...well kind of) I own quite a few actual books. I am very lucky. My dad buys hardback books and gives them to me when he is done. So, I have quite a few books. I also have quite a few I bought on my own. And I even have a few that a neighbor threw out in the recycling. Yes. I took them. Well, I should say the Hubs grabbed them for me. It has been awhile since I bought a book though.

I am sad about Borders. I loved that store. I am even sadder that I couldn’t go and splurge on the discounted books. I like Barnes and Noble too. But, I always went to Borders more. We don’t have a lot of bookstores around here. So, it’s Barnes and Noble. Otherwise, I guess Target or Wal Mart. They are just not the same as a bookstore.

Do I think that Borders closed because of the e-reader? No, not at all. A big part is the economy. A lot of people, me included, just do not have the money to spend on entertainment. I’m sure that the internet has cut into stores sales too. It is usually cheaper online.

I believe that the e-reader and the actual book will coexist. Kind of like Mounds and Almond Joy. Sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you feel like an e-book and sometimes you don’t.

I hope you all have a great week. Until next week.

May the force be with you! 

Stay Tuned each Sunday for a dose of This & That!