I'm back to blogging....A re-introduction to my life and Loves

How life has progressed through the past year.. for better and worse! All for a reason however! Well through the months I have had moments of wishing I had maintained this lovely outlet a bit more, but no time for shoulda, coulda, woulda... cause I'm here now!

I have read many books in the past year and have slowly taken a turn on the style of books I have been enjoying, but I still read everything I can get my hands on! The last year has definitely devoted time to reading Game of Thrones. Those books have been a great joy to devour and I'm still progressing through the fourth installment- A Feast for Crows. Just amazing, and so addicting.

I haven't even come close to meeting the goal amount of reading I would like to complete in a days time, but I have become open to so many other things like introducing running into my life, very successful but time consuming and I spend a lot of time reading about healthy stuff. I have become a magazine junkie- subscribing to women's health, self, fitness, shape.. etc.... There is just so much information throughout those pages.

Back on track- I have also switched up my work and home life- currently working a very positive industry- the coffee business! I love the connections I get to make with people on a daily basis and have come across many great book recommendations! (I have a hefty list of sample books on my Nook that is growing daily!)

Last year I was very fortunate to meet a special person, Jake Desy. He has become my Best Friend, my Companion, my Significant other and an ideal role model for my boys. I have spent the last year enjoying this persons perspectives, values, interests, and swallowing up so many new things I never thought of pursuing.

First credit belongs to him introducing me to Game of Thrones on our first date at California Pizza Kitchen, I bought the book the next day and have been a fan since, and open to a genre of books I wasn't reading. Next credit goes to Comics. During many of our Barnes and Noble visits Jake would spend time reading comics such as Deadpool, Watchmen, Bone, and The Walking Dead. I never understood the enjoyment in comics because well I honestly just never read one through. I had become quite interested in The Walking Dead TV show that we had been watching on Netflix and I began reading the comics as well. The stories are so different, and both so great. I have found the comics extremely enjoyable and very addicting. I can see myself reading many more!!

I recently turned 27 and I am enjoying it so much, as well as my munchkins are 10 and 5 now, they are both growing into smart and caring little people!  They are so unique but so much like me and I have learned to appreciate this so much!
I recently purchased a long board (how lovely it is, and how long I had wanted it) and before this I had tried to encourage Blake, my oldest, to be active through different activities, the basics- biking, sports, skateboarding, and rollerblading. My encouragement didn't seem to be enough and he lost interest in these things over and over and I was losing the battle. The day I came home with my long board something sparked in this family! Everyone loves it and everyone rides it! Regardless of the weather we have made it a point to bundle up and get moving outside.
I see my boys enjoy the time we spend taking turns carving the streets of our neighborhood together, it makes my heart smile.

I have also purchased a Nook HD+ earlier this year, after much research and annoying questions. Maybe a future post will be dedicated to the process of comparing the tablets I contemplated. I have been slowly purchasing books and trying to wrap up my stack of TBR paperbacks... but switching back and forth is a nice comfort. I enjoy both equally, just as I knew I would!

Reviews to be coming- first 3 installments of Game of Thrones, & A visit from the Goon Squad. Books I'm hoping to feature are a few from Marlene Perez's Dead is series, Her by Christa Parravani, Life after Life by Kate Atkinson, The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, and hopefully by the end of this month I will get to my favorite Boneshaker by Cherie Priest!!!

Would that be Tablet, e-reader, or paperback ...

I have been experiencing complete and total reading malfunction. These days I spend more time reading reviews pertaining to these electronic devices that should in reality provide me with complete reading freedom regardless which e-reader I have.

I first purchased a Sony e-reader pocket edition last summer and planned on getting some heavy duty use out of it in the freedom of the summer months. However I found myself purchasing more Hardcovers for the series I had already started collecting, and for poolside reading which I didn't want to risk my electronic device in the reach of my splashing children or the torment of the Sun.

So here I am a year later just starting to put my e-reader to use, I have overcome my phobia of dropping it in water or damagng it outside, so it allows me a little more leniency with excercising the main purpose of portability and convenience of an e-reader.

Next I found I wasn't too fond of the feel of this e-reader... the screen was dull, the device was small - yes very portable and convenient- but some other e-readers have the slimness as well as height like a normal book.

So I have been switching back and forth from e-reader to traditional books... Honeslty I read more with traditional print books, it just feel more natural and more comfortable, and I truely enjoy showing off the heftyness of my current read, as well as enjoying the cover art. I found I don't mind lugging my books around.

Now my dilema arises- the town I moved to has a fairly small library and the waiting lists for books are weeks out... now most e-books are a fair and cheap price as well as avaialble right away. This is my weakness.. because when I want to get a book and Borders is closed and waiting 2 days for shipping from Amazon does not sound appealing or whatever the circumstance may be.... I buy the e-book.

I have since quit reading on my sony e-reader and downloaded the Kindle & Kobo apps on my ipad 2 which I love the black text and white pages, gives a more realistic sense of a book, the brightness is lively, and the access to both Kindle and Kobo librairies is very nice. I did not purchase the iPad with the intention of using it as a e-reader but have found it very beneficial. However since my recent purchase of the iPad, I have been obsessed with reading reviews of these devices.

Several reviews I have read share that the iPad is too distracting for use as an e-ereader with the internet, games, and email also at your fingertips it is hard to focus on reading. Sometimes I get distracted but usually I get my other browsing done before I read so I don't even think about it. Another feauture is you can disable these distractions or remove them so they dont take all of your focus. These fellow reviewers tend to enjoy their Kobo touch readers available through Borders. I havent read too many reviews about the Nook color, although I used to want one, however I'm not a fan of Barnes & Noble ( No offense faithful B&N customers) so I just strayed from their e-reader products as well.

Quick note: I do not bring my iPad along to read at the lake or pool either- I save my magazines and paperbacks for those occasions. My favorite places to enjoy reading on my iPad are Noodles & Company, any coffee house near me at the present time, or my bed. I like the hands free feeling of being able to prop the tablet up on its stand/case and read while I eat noodles or drink coffee and I can lay on one side comfortably without having to reposition with the turn of a page.

My own quick personal review of the iPad 2 which is non-reading related so feel free to skip if your not interested in a review of the iPad, either way I hope it is beneficial in some way or another:

My iPad has an average of 10 hour battery life- lots of reading and web browsing, as well as lots and lots of Yahtzee playing is done in 10 hours. The iPad2 is slickly slimmer than the 1st generation and you can personalize it with the Vibrant colors of a Smart cover- however I prefer a genuine black leather case myself, the sound is amazing and the Apple App store is the best (I owned a Samsung Galaxy Tablet for one day, Android Market is the only downfall). Apple produces a genuine product with protection plans, lots of support and easy navigation of their devices. I am open minded to other products- I'm not a hardcore Apple brand groupie- I just find I like what I get most of the time- and as I said I LOVE the Apps available.

The conclusion I have come to is that with all the options available there is something out there that suits every individual. I have have found my balance between my iPad as well as continuing to build my own personal collection of books in my home.

I would love to hear how others enjoy their reading, what they prefer or even what e-readers they use and why they like them. PLEASE SHARE your thoughts and opinions- negative or positive they are more than welcome!