A Little Bit of Friday Fun

For this week's Mailbox Monday on Friday, I have one book to report:

Illegal by Paul Levine

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This week's Musings Monday question:

What is your policy when it comes to new authors? Do you feel comfortable purchasing a book or do you prefer to borrow new authors from the library? How often do you 'try out' a new author?

Finding new authors is one of the great pleasures of being a book lover. I do enjoy visiting with old favorites and catching up on their latest. There's something to be said about returning to a trusted author, one I know I will enjoy and who I am familiar with and admire. Still, trying out a new-to-me author brings with it its own kind of excitement. It's like trying a new flavor of ice cream. Sometimes I know immediately that the new author will become a favorite and other times it may take awhile. Yet, it is all part of the fun of reading and exploring the wide world of books.

The topic of what a reader looks for first and foremost when considering reading a book came up recently in conversation between a friend and I. She instantly said that the author mattered most. She looks first for favorite or familiar authors, ones whose writing she trusts. It is different for me, however. While I do like to return to authors whose books I have liked in the past, I tend to gravitate more towards books based on their subject matter and content. While I enjoy the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich, I haven't been in any way enticed to read her other books. Not all of Stephen King's books appeal to me. It doesn't matter that I may enjoy his writing. That said, there are certain authors I do want to read every book they've written, but, even then, it usually comes down to the fact that they are writing the types of books I would want to read regardless.

Being that I tend to be a book buyer and not a library borrower, I do buy books by new-to-me authors. I do not mind spending money on books by an untested author. Usually I have an idea ahead of time about the author and the book through recommendations, but there are those occasions when I'm browsing the shelves and come across an especially interesting one that I cannot resist. I am not afraid to take a chance on something new, at least not when it comes to books.

If anything, my biggest problem these days is getting so caught up in reading books by new authors that I do not make time to return to old favorites. That's an area that I need to work on.

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A little Teaser from what I've been reading lately:

I hated press conferences. They made me feel part of a wold pack, waiting for someone to throw out scraps we would fight over. It was more satisfying to hunt for a story by myself. [pg 94 from Losing My Religion by William Lobdell]

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1. When I look to the left, I see a stack of books that is about to tumble over.

2. The TBR room is the room that has the best view in my home (if you want to look at books, that is. Although, I have quite a number on the shelves in the living room as well--plus there's more light in there thanks to the sunroom windows).

3. Let it work; oh please, let it work this time!

4. Be careful of getting things done dirt cheap! Sometimes quality really is important.

5. Being a good samaritan is a responsibility that all citizens must share.

6. If you have any of those homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies left feel free to send them my way.

7. And as for the weekend, afternoon I'm looking forward to seeing the movie Watchmen and enjoying an early dinner out with my husband; tomorrow my plans include seeing the musical Grease at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood; and Sunday, I want to do as I always try to do: read, catch up with the laundry, and enjoy the day.