In the past few weeks I've finished two bestseller novels. I don't usually pick up the bestsellers when they're bestsellers. This is not for any other reason other than a) I generally don't read hardbacks and b) my book queue is so long that I've ceased adding books to it unless they were highly recommended to me.
But occasionally a book is causing such a stir that I feel I need to read it in order to be part of the general literary conversation.
[On that note, nothing irritates me more than art snobs who refuse to read or listen to popular novels or popular music. Or worse, those who read and/or listen to popular art but refuse to like it.
I could not disagree more with the notion that something being popular with the masses makes it less artistic.
Listen up and listen good: There is nothing better about obscure art.
Art is art is art. If it's popular with the masses, okay. If you're the only member of the fan club, okay. Something is either good or it isn't. It shouldn't be judged by a sliding scale of fame.]
Sheesh, where was I going with all that? Needed to be said. But back to the subject.
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Rachel picked The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo for book club. I have been hearing about these Stieg Laarson books for months now. People just rave about them.
Can you guess if this was the one I liked or not?
I did not like it. But let me say, judging from online reviews and the rest of my book club, I am in the major minority here. So go for it if you're at all interested.
The murder mystery storyline was ultimately very satisfying. But there were approximately 432 other plot lines and characters that didn't work for me. Even so, I may may give the sequel a try. I've heard it's better and I'm kinda curious about where the character goes. So read into that what you will about my mixed feelings on this bestseller.
I picked up The Help following a pull I can't quite explain. I devoured that book in about 36 hours. It was the first time in a long time that I didn't want to do anything besides read that book. I didn't want to do chores, I didn't want to sleep, I didn't even want to play with my daughter. I just wanted to be reading that book. Forever.
I fell so completely in love with the characters that I didn't want it to end. And then after it had ended, I would catch myself wondering what they were doing now. It's fiction.
I understand that you might want to wait for the paperback, but this is a great vacation read. A week has passed since I turned the last page, and I'm still thinking about it.
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When I was single and moving around a lot, I made a hard and fast rule that I would only keep books that I loved. All others I would pass on. But what to do if you don't have anyone to give it to or it doesn't seem like the type of book that might fly off the shelves at the Goodwill? I want my books to go to a good home.
Enter book swap websites. Guaranteed, someone out there is interested in the random book you would like to give away.
I signed up for Bookmooch. Bookmooch works on a point basis, and you get points for listing books you have to give away, for mailing them, then when the recipient marks them as "received." With the points you bank, you can then request books you want to receive. When they become available, you request a "mooch," and then a free book shows up in your mailbox. Genius, right?
I listed ten books on my giveaway list and they were all snapped up within two days. I mailed them USPS at a media mail rate which worked out to around $2.50 per book. Plus the cost of the envelopes (which I bought in bulk), let's round up and say it cost me $3 to give a book away.
It seems ridiculous to pay money to give a book away, until you realize that the books you'll receive for free - assuming you're working Bookmooch from both sides - will more than make up for that cost. With the ten books I gave away, I spent about $30 at the post office. It seemed steep to me at the time, and I walked out of the building thinking maybe this wasn't such a good deal. But in reality, I could easily spend $30 at the bookstore and only come home with two books. I have enough Bookmooch points now to receive roughly eight. So it more than pays for itself if you actively participate.
I haven't mooched any books yet, because my mind has been all over the place lately. But I have been receiving the automatic emails from Bookmooch saying, "The book you have requested is now available," so, as they say, the system is working.
If you're a book lover, but hate the clutter, book swap sites are worth a try.
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I love to read, but really love to hear what other people are reading.
What are you reading these days? Do you check out the bestsellers? Have you read these bestsellers?
top photo by Photos8.com
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