If you haven’t taken the time yet to visit GoneReading, please do. There is so much information on their website for readers. I’m just discovering the blog (see above). Below is one of my favorite posts thus far:

On Keeping a Book Journal | Gone Reading

I may just have to try this. I’ve been keeping track of my reading as of late (see Reading List (July 2009 – Present) | Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde), but I’ve only kept track of titles. While I do write occasionally about the books I read and the authors I admire (Esmeralda Santiago | Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde is a good example), I do not write about everything I read. I am seriously considering doing so, online of course. I love the idea. It would compliment my blog and personal journals nicely

There are so many wonderful products for book lovers of any age. It all goes to a good cause as well. You’ll also want to check out their resources for readers as well (see below). Happy reading!

Gone Reading International – GoneReading

Resources from GoneReading | Gone Reading

Gone Reading… Again (russelllindsey.wordpress.com)
Esmeralda Santiago (russelllindsey.wordpress.com)

Gone Reading… Again

Feb11

Gone Reading | Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

Above is a post I wrote back in October concerning the website GoneReading. They donate 100% of the profit (after taxes) from their great products (check out the website!) to help fund libraries in the developing world. This is what I found in my inbox today:

That’s great, Lindsey! We’ve created a special coupon code for your readers: RAMBLINGS25

The coupon expires one month from today, and is good for 25% off of any purchases at www.GoneReading.com except our bookends.

All we ask is that you mention it in your blog. There is no risk of “oversharing” it, so don’t hesitate to mention via social media or other online channels, too! We still earn a margin even after the discount, and the online buzz you create for us helps our Google rankings, bringing in plenty of new shoppers!

Thanks again, and as always, let me know if we can ever be of assistance to you!

THANKS so much!

Brad

Bradley S. Wirz

Founder & CEO

Gone Reading International, LLC

That’s right, if you use the code above on a purchase from GoneReading, you’ll receive 25% off of your order for just reading Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde. The code is good until March 11^th, 2012. Enjoy!

Please note that I have no formal affiliation with GoneReading nor am I receiving anything for discussing/promoting their website. I simply believe in their cause.

Lindsey

PS – Check out the “Jane Austen For President 2012″ t-shirts! LOVE it!

Image via Wikipedia

Jane Austen for President! 2012 (austensmansfield.wordpress.com)
It’s Simple. They’re Gone Reading (nfaa.wordpress.com)

Book Hunting At Its Best

Jan8

Cover of "The Cult of the Amateur: How To...

Cover via Amazon

Every August the friends of the Bay County Library System holds a huge library sale that is normally spread out over at least three days. It is one of the largest library book sales in the state of Michigan. Until this past year it was held in an old mall. With the sale of the mall to a local developer, the sale held this past August moved to an unused elementary school.

While I don’t attend every year, I attend more often than not. What could be better for someone who loves to read as much as I do? There is nothing like rummaging through hundreds of used books looking for gems. Admittedly, I currently have too many books and not nearly enough shelf space. In years past, I went a bit overboard at the sale and still have books I have yet to read. As a result, I tried to show a little restraint last summer. Below are the books I plucked this past August. I ended up with all of them for less than $10.

That said, I tend to be picky. I rarely select paperbacks unless they are in pristine condition and the content compelling. Hardcovers have to be close to like new condition or I will pass it up. I use the books from the sales as a means to read books I otherwise would never pick up as well as a way to discover new authors. I never go into a sale with a plan. I just wander endlessly until something catches my eye.

As an avid fan of American Pickers, I tend to think of it as a form of picking and an adventure in its own right. I just might have to attend again this coming August, even if I only select a handful of books. It may be time to pass some books along. I love the thrill of the hunt and the fact that I’m helping out the library system as well.

The Loot:

American Mania: When More Is Not Enough – Peter C. Whybrow, M.D.

Blood Diamonds – Greg Campbell – DONE

The Cult Of The Amateur – Andrew Keen

Hurricane – James S. Hirsch

Mañana Mañana – Peter Kerr

Passport Diaries – Tamara T. Gregory

The Weed That Strings The Hangman’s Bag – Alan Bradley

* It was sad to note as I compiled this post that I’ve only read one of the books thus far. On a positive note, as I researched the links, I noticed a few of the authors listed above have new books coming out this year. I can’t wait to dive in!

Related articles

Selling Used Books Online: The Complete Guide to Bookselling at Amazon’s Marketplace and Other Online Sites (Harvard Perspectives in Entrepreneurship) (chicipad.com)

Gone Reading

Oct23

Cover of The Help

GoneReading – Gifts for readers and book lovers
GoneReading – Top 10 Reads – The books we couldn’t put down | Gone Reading

I can’t believe that it took me so long to hear about this site. If you are interested in books at all, check it out. There are lots of great products for readers, including coffee cups, t-shirts, and of course, book bags. The proceeds from the site go to help establishing lending libraries in areas of the world where libraries are not the norm. It sounds like a great cause and it is an upbeat site. There are lots of additional resources for readers as well. You can tell that the owner of the site and company is a book addict. I was pleasantly surprised to see that The Help by Kathryn Stockett made it to #1 on a list of books we couldn’t put down, as decided by Gone Reading readers. I couldn’t agree more. Happy reading!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett (alleganylibrarycollections.wordpress.com)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (scatteringmoments.wordpress.com)
Thoughts on Kathryn Stockett’s “The Help” and a new hero! (laradanielswrites.com)
Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett (blogcritics.org)
3 Websites To Buy Gifts for Book Lovers (connectwithyourteens.net)
The Help is a Must Read (themadmama.wordpress.com)
Beauty and Tragedy in Southern Culture: Kathryn Stockett’s The Help (imperfecthappiness.wordpress.com)

Just Another Reason to Love Libraries!

Apr2

New York City, Midtown Manhattan, New York Pub...

Image by Vincent Desjardins via Flickr

N.Y. Public Library to host overnight treasure hunt – USATODAY.com

If I lived anywhere near New York City, I would participate. I’d love to visit this library someday. It is amazing how much history it contains. This idea just adds to it.

Sarah Palin and the Book Burning Snit

Sep18

There has been so much said about Sarah Palin these last few weeks, but there are some “scandals” that have really gotten under my skin. First and foremost, it was discovered that Sarah Palin asked about whether or not books could legally be banned. All she did was ASK (as Alaska governor, it was her JOB to know whether or not it was legally possible). Note: During Sarah Palin’s entire career, she has not once tried to ban any books. This is an important distinction.

In light of this non-controversy, I soon learned that the reported “list” of books that Sarah Palin “tried” to ban actually has been cirulating online for years. It is a list of all of the books that have been banned (or people have tried to ban) across the United States. In fact, several of the books on the list weren’t even published at the time that Sarah Palin sent the e-mail.

Included on the list were several books books that caught my attention. In fact, several works by Roald Dahl were mentioned. Many of his books were read aloud by my teachers during my elementary school days, and I consider them among my favorite children’s books. When you add books by Mark Twain and Harper Lee, a significant part of my early education would have been banned by certain people.

If there was one thing that would cause me to lose respect for Sarah Palin, this would be it. Quite simply, there is no evidence that she ever tried to ban books. However, as a bibliophile, my right to read what I want is sacred. I will not tolerate people trying to ban books. Recently, this issue was broached on LibraryThing. I wanted to respond badly, but was unsure of how to do so. Those who believe such things about Sarah Palin can’t be reasoned with at all; they will deny everything even in the face of hard evidence. It is truly disgusting.

Lindsey Russell

My Library Thing

Wife in the North by Judith O’Reilly

Aug1

I meant to post this yesterday evening, but I ended up getting sucked into yet another great book. I’m beginning to think that my idea of heaven is a beautiful beach with a comfortable lounge chair and endless piles of great books. Of course, Brian and all of our family would be there too. I just wish that I could trade sleep for reading. That way I could get thing done during the day and read all through the night. Anyway, the review is included below. You can find it here. The author, Judith O’Reilly, has a blog of her own, which features prominently in the book. You can find it here.

Early Reviewer Program – Wife in the North by Judith O’Reilly

Even though I’m not a mother, I could identify with the author in innumerable ways (sometimes a little too closely). I, too, have been a fish out of water and can understand why she had difficulty adjusting to her new environment; I also understand why she moved in the first place. Quite frankly, this was one of the more nuanced books I’ve read lately. There is a depth to her memoirs that let her humanity shine through; unfortunately, I find that rare in similar books. For me, the book built and further developed Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones. No, this book isn’t about Miss Jones, but I have a feeling that Mrs. O’Reilly might have gotten along well with her (a more grown-up version) if Bridget wasn’t a work of fiction.

I particularly liked her frank discussions on bullying, making friends, and the chaos that is (or was?) her life. These are private issues that are rarely discussed in public. If there was more candid discussion of such subjects, especially in early childhood, I believe that the world would be a much kinder place. I give her credit from not backing down from her blog.

The one difficulty I had with the book was language at times. Yes, it is English, but the British have many different terms that aren’t used often in the United States. Many I knew from popular culture and travel to the United Kingdom; yet, there were a few that eluded me. Overall, a highly recommended book IF you like reading about the daily struggles of ordinary people.

Much more to come later. You can find my library here.

Lindsey

Summer Reading and Library Thing

Jul30

I realize that I’ve been absent from blogging far too long. Once again, I’m struggling with the direction of the blog. It isn’t even August yet, and I’m already very tired of the campaign season. For now, I’m going to lay off of politics.

So what have I been up to lately? I’ve been reading quite a bit lately, and I came across a website called Library Thing. You can find my profile here. Brian and I entered nearly 200 of our books over the last few weeks, and it is pretty amazing to see our personal library online. There are a lot of features to the website, my personal favorite being the Early Reviewer Program. I already snagged an advance copy of a book set to hit shelves in August. Get this, it was free! All I have to do is review it. I’m half way done with the book (actually closer to two-thirds of the way done) and will post the review here when it is completed. It’s been a lot of fun thus far, and the book is great. Bridget Jones all grown up.

I’ve also visited my local library a few times as well. It is amazing that despite all of the financial issues, all of the politics, all of the mismanagement Bay City, Michigan is left with a beautiful new library. You can find the website here. I found out that even my home town library (Omer, Michigan) has a website. It is amazing that a town of 300 has a library at all.

Books, books, and more books. I’m in love.

Much more later, as always.

Lindsey