TGIF: Music, Wish Lists & Tears

This week Rebecca's Musings Monday question:

Do you listen to music while reading? Does this change if you’re reading in or out of your house? Do you have a preference of music for such occasions?

The soft snores of my dog or the gentle purrs of my cats accompany my reading in the evenings. Murmurs of conversation sound in the background while I read during my lunch break at the office. The music of life going on around me is what I listen to most when I lose myself in a book these days.

There was a time when I insisted on having music on when I read. I used to try and match the music to my book, as if creating a soundtrack. The older I get, however, the more I prefer the quiet and natural sounds as the soundtrack to my reading. It is not that I cannot read to music. I can--on the condition that the volume is reasonable. As it is, I tend to block out all sound when I am truly engrossed in a book.

I do like to listen to music when I am blogging or writing, however. I find it relaxing. Plus, it gives me an excuse to sing to my heart's content.

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For this week's Tuesday Thingers, Wendi asks:

Have you explored/used the Wish list collection on Library Thing yet? If so, have you found it helpful? Do you have any other tips or uses for the Wish list collection? [Question courtesy of Caite of A Lovely Shore Breeze]

A couple of nights ago I was re-labeling books in my library collection that were a part of my BBAW giveaways. Ever since LibraryThing added the collection feature, there is no need for me to completely delete the books I give away (I use LibraryThing as a catalog for all the books I own and have read and reviewed). I simply switch the books from "My Library" to "Gave Away" and all is right in my personal library again.

I had seen the wish list feature before but had not really explored it. I still am not using it, but it is an option I am considering. At the moment I keep two wish lists: one with Amazon and the other is an Excel spreadsheet. There are crossovers, but neither is fully up to date. I have bits of paper here and there too with books I keep meaning to add to my wish list. I am always trying to be better organized, but it never quite seems to work out. Perhaps if I switch solely to LibraryThing's wish list feature it would solve my problem. I could keep better track of where I first heard about a book, search for other reviews to make sure it is a book I want to consider getting, and it would be easily accessible.

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Hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
Release Date: January 12, 2010

From Books-A-Million:

Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe, devoted to his profession and the painting hobby he loves, has a solitary but ordered life. When renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient, Marlow finds that order destroyed. Desperate to understand the secret that torments the genius, he embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver and a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism. Kostova's masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy, from the late 19th century to the late 20th, from young love to last love. THE SWAN THIEVES is a story of obsession, history's losses, and the power of art to preserve human hope.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova is one of my favorite novels. I first heard mention of the author's latest novel over at My Friend Amy's. I was too late to enter the giveaway unfortunately, but at least now I can make room for it on my wish list.

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Booking Through Thursday Website Question:

What’s the saddest book you’ve read recently?

The book I am reading right now is sad. And angry-making. It is called Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by by Halima Bashir with Damien Lewis. Just from the title alone, you can probably guess what the book is about and why I would find it sad. It is even sadder still because it is a true story.

I find myself drawn to sad books now and then. I like books that bring out my emotions. Often the sad books I read offer some glimmer of hope, however small. Ru Freeman's A Disobedient Girl, which I recently read, was one such book, one of the character's stories was devastating. It was a heartbreaking. While the other character's story ended on a more hopeful note. I would offer the details, but I wouldn't want to spoil the story for anyone who has yet to read the book (and that's probably too much information, isn't it?).

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Graphic courtesy of Tonya!
*Click on the image above graphic to get to the Friday Fill-In headquarters, hosted by Janet!*

1. One week ago we were celebrating BBAW.

2. You could often find me daydreaming when I was young.

3. Mama told me to smile and laugh often.

4. We are good bloggers, you and me.

5. Take your time when you read a book and savor every word.

6. If I am offered a book about wave particle duality, I will pass!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching the premiere of Flash Forward and Dollhouse; tomorrow my plans include running errands and enjoying my husband's company; and Sunday, I want to try out The Beatles: Rock Band.

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