It should have come with an addictive warning label attached. BUT it didn’t and now here I am. I should be knee deep in Christmas sewing and doing good deeds and I am
reading …
Did you see that coming? Me neither. Well maybe. You see I got so techie that I finally loaded Libby the library app. No more going to the library cruising around not knowing what to read. I pick a recommendation by one or two real life librarian friends and with the on line blog book world called #whatsonyourbookshelf. Then I search for said book and seconds later I am devouring it. And staying up late. And reading while icing my back. And reading in the attic when I should be sewing. And staying up late reading (yes I had to say it again because it keeps occuring). And reading on my work breaks and losing track of time.
Now I know reading is good for the health of my brain but it’s not good for Christmas deadlines and deeds. But it’s so addictive on this app. Never lose your page. Your book is available anywhere anytime (post Covid booster shot for example – the 15 mins passed quickly as I read) and it seems to call me. And did I mention how easy it is to upload?
And now here I am doing a #woybs blogging challenge 8 days before Christmas. What?? But hey it’s a chance to do the new linkz connection again and make sure I remember how (repetitive tasks help older memories).
So I guess I should like actually review a book rather than just rant about how addictive Libby is (like chocolate but with no calories!).
So in the last 16 days I have read The Beekeepers Daughter, The Lost Apothecary, Dear Mrs Bird and lastly, The Sewing Machine.
The first 3 were recommendations from bloggers and librarians and then the fourth. Well it’s almost like Libby is pretending to be Amazon and knows what my genre is so presents these books to me. A. J. Pearce’s other book is on a wait list and so it popped up The Sewing Machine. I was hooked as soon as I read the intro. And then I read late into the night. Did I mention that already?
So that’s what has been on my bookshelf. If I learnt how to review a book in school I have long since forgotten. I hardly met a book I didn’t like and these were all historical fiction which is my favourite genre. Strong woman characters and interesting time periods.
Perhaps reviewing books fell out of my favour when I heisted a book and sent it around to my twisted sisters to read. I never heard a word from any of them about the traveling-library-loan but I thought it was funny and poignant. So to each their own and if what’s on my shelf looks interesting go for it. If it doesn’t no worries.
Now it’s time to get back to the regularly scheduled December “stuff” as soon as I do this new link up!
Bernie
Equipoise Life 
Hi! I found my way over here from Donna at Retirement Reflections. I’m a big Libby user – it’s so fun to load up my Kindle with library eBooks! Happy reading 🙂
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Book Club Mom — I had just said to Jo (cohost) that I had never belonged to a book club and here is a blogger who has it as a name!! Libby and I became very acquainted during Covid and I love how easy it is. Occasionally I can’t get a book I want from there but overall I love the app. I do like real books too but I am not picky about what I read on. Isn’t it great that people like Donna, Jo, Sue and Deb can find great ideas to connect us all. We need these connections more than ever. Thanks for stopping in to read and to comment. Take care. Bernie
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What a fun post Bernie!! That Libby app has a lot to answer for :). I have the app too and another library app which is very handy rather than buying books all the time.
I remember getting into trouble when I was younger, for sitting around reading a book instead of doing ‘something’!
Thanks for joining in and sharing your books with us and happy to hear the experience of linking up was easy. December stuff can wait I’m sure!
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I’m far too easily drawn into a novel. It’s rare that I don’t read one in a sitting, though I’m trying to do that less and if I read too much I get behind in my book reviews.
The only one I’ve read on your list is Dear Mrs Bird. I don’t usually like historical fiction but very much enjoyed it.
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You replied to this comment.
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That’s a true story!! But it’s so easy that it makes you want to use it. Fortunately mine is 100 full with books for the grandkids right now so that makes it easier. Thanks for stopping in. Bernie
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I’m glad you did link up with us. I’ve decided I really don’t have time to go to work, there are so many books to be read! As an aside, I’m a dreadful reviewer. It’s all about whether the book captured my interest and had the impact it needed to have on me at the time I was reading it rather than picking out the more highbrow elements of the craft. Thanks for linking up and happy holidays…and reading…
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I love how easy this linz connection is Jo – blogging challenges with a regular link up are always a tech challenge for me as somehow I am challenged this way – so that’s why I decided to jump on the band wagon and do a quick tongue in cheek post. Thanks for hosting and happy holidays. Bernie
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I really enjoy historical fiction novels too and I don’t think I have ready of the ones you mentioned.
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Feel free to send me some recommendations. It is definitely my favourite genre. I hope you enjoy the ones i listed. Thanks for stopping in again. Take care. Bernie
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I’ve seen Libby the library app but shall steer clear of it. Sounds like a lovely trap
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It’s a devious trap. It’s free and easy so what could go wrong…… she says as the to do list doesn’t shrink! Bernie
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So true… I have enjoyed my LibbyApp for years…
Just discovered there are magazines to borrow, so I enjoy flipping through them and then send them on there merry way home! Just waiting on a couple Christmas novels to read!
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They have so many books but yes those librarians curate stuff just for our reading styles and I coudl get lost for days! Just like at my favourite bookstore. I always said I when I retired I was going to go to MN and just spent the day browsing. Maybe one of these days. What are you waiting to read? Bernie
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I’m circling around learning to use Libby…
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Don’t do it!! Well it has it’s good points for sure as it’s so portable. It does tend to be addictive but you seem like the sort that perhaps is more disciplined than I am. It’s super easy to use and so convenient. Thanks for stopping in. Looking forward to your post tomorrow. Love starting my Saturday am reading them. Bernie
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Haha! I’ve been known to read when I should be doing something else… like housework or errands. I love ebooks too. Unfortunately, looking at the screen before I nod off messes with my sleep. So, I normally am reading one ebook (during the day) and one actual book (at night).
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I’ve spent from about age 8 on reading when I should have been doing other things. My mom and dad would go to the city and leave a list of chores. At 3:00 my brother would yell at me to get a move on and I would put the book down and work like a trojan to get the work done before they got home at 5:00! Yes I think the app on a phone or tablet does mess with sleep but seems my sleep is often messed with what the hey! I finished the post in the middle of the night after having spent 3 hours trying to get to sleep. Anyway. Stay safe and happy holidays. Appreciate your stopping in. Bernie
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Love Libby – and it is so addicting, but has been a great friend through Covid. Have read 2 of the 4 books you had listed and ordered a 3rd from Libby this AM. Have to leave the book til this evening though, as chores and Xmas baking are on the schedule – between too many work shifts
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Sherrie, Libby is great when the library isn’t just around the corner like it was when we lived in Forest Grove. But that’s the problem!! It’s too easy. Yes sometimes chores and things must be done and work. UGH — feel for you still in SHA. I am so glad to be working but not within the confines of it. Hope you are doing ok — it’s sheer craziness out there and more is coming our way. Take care of yourself and I sure hope you get a break of some sort over the holidays. Bernie
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Hi, Bernie – I smiled all the way through this post. Okay, I actually laughed, but I was definitely laughing with you. You have a beautiful way with words!
So funny about reading trumping your pre-Christmas tasks. I know the feeling. When people ask if I have problems sleeping, I say “I don’t have a sleeping problem…I have a reading problem!” 😀
I will keep an eye out for Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral. I’m sad that that experiment did not go as planned.
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I kind of laughed as I wrote it as well. It was an off the cuff decision to do the post as I really wanted to do the link up that way again to make sure I remembered how. So thought – sure a quick post — and then I spent 30 minutes trying to find the bloody photo!! As to the experiment — I think my group isn’t full of readers for one thing. For another maybe they thought I was just being bossy! Anyway it’s a good book. Take care and thanks for hosting. Bernie
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Reading is indeed a guilty pleasure. BC (Before Computers and Before Children), I used to tear through 30-40 books a year, even with a hectic career. Then it dropped to virtually 0. Since retirement, I am back up to 10-15. A good book is a guilty pleasure we all need to give ourselves. Happy reading Bernie. Allan
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Wow Allan that’s a lot of books with a hectic career and kids. I think blogging sometimes gets in my way of reading and I am not near as prolific as you with posts. A guilty pleasure — I justify it by saying I need to ice my arthritic spine (and that’s true!) but I sure don’t need to stay up as late and read as I do. The words will still be there tomorrow. Thanks for stopping in. Stay safe over the holidays. Bernie
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Happy reading and Merry Christmas, Bernie!
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But Jane that’s the point!! I shouldn’t be happy reading. I have a long list of items to do and the time is marching on. I read so much more now than when I worked full time but could easily get lost even more in that world. Thanks for stopping in and Merry Christmas. I suspect it will be another quiet one for you with the cross provincial border family settings. We are lucky to live down the road from our children. Take care and stay safe. Bernie
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