I spend a lot of time on the internet.

Too much time, I think.

I’ve become used to reading blog posts instead of books.

My attention span has narrowed, and I just want to pick up information quickly, without taking the time to savor an author’s words.

This makes me sad, because I just love words!

For example, I’ve been trying to finish “The Pillars of the Earth” since June.

It’s a good book, but 506 991 pages long (I’m on page 486 right now).

I’ll read a chapter, then put it down so I can spend time blogging.

I’ve read a number of other books since June, just cannot seem to finish Pillars of the Earth.

It’s a good book, and I want to finish it so I can read the sequel “World Without End.”

So I guess that I’ll stop blogging right now and get reading!

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I’ve read, and enjoyed, many of Michael Connelly’s books.

This one never really grabbed me, I’m afraid.

I just couldn’t get into the character of Mickey Haller.

Even Connelly’s hero Harry Bosch didn’t grab me in this book.

I’m disappointed.

View all my reviews.

Zero Summer by Andrew Demcak

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve said this before, I’m no poetry critic.

But I like the way Andrew strings words together.

Andrew’s poems make me laugh, and cry, and rejoice in the experience of being human and living in this crazy mixed up world.

Bravo, Andrew.

Thanks for your honesty, and for sharing your experiences with me.

View all my reviews.

Burn Out by Marcia Muller

My review

I’ve had this book on hold from the library, and my turn finally came!

And I finished this wonderful book last night.

It’s always so satisfying to catch up on one of my favorite book characters.

McCone’s life has been tumultuous, and she tries to get away from it all.

A satisfying story!

View all my reviews.

Photo credit.

It’s happened again.

Multiple items on my library hold list come in all at once.

Right now I’m reading Burn Out by Marcia Muller.

San Francisco private investigator Sharon McCone tries to get away from it all, and ends up in the middle of another mess.

Go figure.

Cleaning up messes is McCone’s passion, and her business.

What a great way to spend a cold Saturday–home, under a warm blanket, reading a Marcia Muller mystery.

Life just get any better.

Just Asking: Robert B. Parker – WSJ.com.

Here’s a Wall Street Journal interview with one of my favorite authors, Robert B. Parker.

“Night and Day” is Parker’s 58th book.

A big thank you to Bill Crider’s Pop Culture Magazine for this link.

Takeover by Lisa Black

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I almost bailed on this book after the first twenty pages.

I just couldn’t get into it.

But something told me to give Takeover a few more chapters, and I’m glad that I did!

The story grabbed me at last, and I finished it last night.

Not a great book, but a pretty good thriller.

View all my reviews.

Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve read every Scarpetta book, and this one is the best in a long time!

For me, it’s all about the characters, and they’re in fine form.

A good read.

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glitter-graphics.com

Have a Happy New Year!

Reading has always been a joy for me, at least since the 2nd grade.

Like a junkie who needs a fix, I read books one after another, and I’m consumed by my love affair with the printed word.

But every so often, I go on the wagon and stop reading for pleasure.

I watch television, play on my computer for endless hours, and read only as a matter of necessity.

I’ve been reading very little in the past month, for a number of reasons:

-The weather has been very cold, snowy, and icy. It’s been an unusually cold and wintry month in Seattle. Walking and just getting to and from work has been difficult. When I get home, I just want to wrap myself up in blankets and heavy sweaters and veg out in front of the television.

-I applied for, and was offered, a promotion at my job. I’m suddenly way too busy at work, and as my new job is administrative (instead of clinical), I’m surrounded by the printed word all day long.

-The holidays. Buying Christmas gifts, spending time with my family, and eating way too much food has dulled my brain.

The weather is finally clearing up a bit, and I’m considering a book to read for fun.

Finally!

Time to embrace reading again.