Lynn’s Library: Bookshelf Tour and How to Save Money with Books:

               

 As stated previously, I am an avid reader. With the invention of E-readers and my lovely Kindle Fire, I have no longer had a need to purchase new books. However, I still have a bookshelf with books that I keep on hand in my apartment. These books are located in my office. Some of them are my favorite books while others I find at thrift shops, book sales etc.  

 
Some of the highlights of books I have include the following:

• Twilight Series: I read this series in college and loved the characters. I like the books more than the movies.
• Confessions of a Shopaholic Series: The character reminds me of myself. Who else wouldn’t want to buy all this equipment to save money to make food besides the character and myself? Anytime I think about saving money I end up spending more money on ways to save money! It’s a vicious cycle.
• Nicholas Sparks' books:  Some of these are my favorite, some I plan on reading and then donating to those who want to read.
• Harry Potter Series: A beloved series. I love the first few books more than the last. I hope to reread them soon.
• A variety of “chick lit” books that I have yet to read.

             As soon as I read a book I make myself think, will I read it again? For example, I LOVE the Janet Evanovich series but I don’t want to keep 19 books on hand. So I decided if I really want to read them again I will borrow them from the library. That is a big way that I save money. If a book that I really want to read comes out, I usually purchase it on my Kindle. If I am somewhat interested in the book I will put a hold on it at my library a few months before it comes out, then I will be on one of the first to borrow it. It has saved me tons of money!

          I have a few books series I plan on purchasing simply because of my love for the series, like the Vampire Academy series. However, I will wait until I finish the many books on my bookshelf.  I also like to buy used books on Amazon. This saves me money as well. I can get them for a $1 or 2 and then the shipping is only $3.99. I think the cost of regular books is way too much these days.

          Finally, to save money I frequently look at the “free” books on Kindle. You have to go to the website to find them, but once you do you can find some good buys. I will warn you that most of the books that are free are part of a series. They get you hooked to the series with a free book and then you want to purchase the rest. To me it is not a big deal when I get to read a free book.

              hatever you do to get books, I hope you get a chance to read! Reading opens the door to so many new worlds and experiences. It makes you think about life and also can help you relax and enjoy your life. So no matter what you do, get out there and read, or stay in with a nice cup of tea and cuddle with your fuzzy animal and read! 

Lynn's Library: $16 Book Haul

Today has been one of those perfect Saturdays, you know those days, when you wake up and are ready to face the day. I put on one of my favorite outfits and headed out to a book sale that was being offered near me. I picked up my brother and we went on purchasing spree. I ended up getting 15 books for $16. Here is a list of my books and a note or two about them.

•  Three Sisters Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts: This three book series is one of my favorites that I read as a teen. Sadly I did not keep the series but I remember reading the series and am looking forward to reading the books again and again.

• The Girl Who Played with Fire Trilogy by Stieg Larson: This is a series that I have wanted to purchase for quite some time but didn’t want to shell out the cash for. So I was so happy to find it on sale at such a great price!
• Message in a Bottle, The Guardian, A Bend in the Road, At First Sight and True Believer by Nicholas Sparks: I truly enjoy Nicholas Sparks books. I have read a number of his books turned into movies and have not been disappointed yet. My favorite would have to be Safe Haven. I keep some of them and donate the others when I am finished reading.
• A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn: This is one of my favorite top 5 books. I love this book and wanted a copy and now I have a nice hardback to keep!
• Kick the Clutter: I love organizing and these books always interest me so I’m excited to start reading it.
• Small Spaces: A book on interior design, which is a passion of mine. Can’t wait to read.
• In Style Getting Gorgeous: A little book about ways to take care of yourself and your body.

I was very happy with my purchases! I went a little crazy with Nicholas Sparks’s books, but I love the author so I wanted to get as many as I could. I wish I could have gotten more young adult novels, sadly the crowds were too hard to deal with that I didn’t have time or space to select books. 

On another note my brother left the book sale happy as well. He only spent $5.50 for 7 science fiction books! As I close this post I am looking forward to putting away my books on my bookshelf (stay tuned for a bookshelf tour) and spending the day with the windows open being productive around the house. Maybe I will take some time for a bike ride later on! Another successful day in the making if I say so!

What books have you read or purchased lately?

Lynn’s Library: Top 5 Books of All Time

                As I mentioned in my last Lynn’s Library post, I am an avid reader.  One thing I have a hard time with is keeping books. I am not a fan of clutter in my house, so I borrow books from the library and donate books when I finish using them. I also purchase books on my Kindle. Stay tuned for a later post on saving money with books. However, there are some books that I love so much I keep on my bookshelf or on my Kindle. The only books I have on my bookshelf in my apartment are books that I haven’t read and books that I love so much I would read again and again. Why waste space with books you just somewhat like?  Here are my top 5 books of all time:  

1.       Confessions of a Shopaholic  by Sophie Kinsella

There are two ways you can tell I am in love with Sophie Kinsella’s books. Number 1 I have kept all of her books. Number 2 my cat is named after her! I call my little monster “Sophie Kinsella” quite frequently, but her name is Sophie.  I am a huge Shopaholic. The way the character acts is the same way I get when I shop. It’s a problem, but I relate to the character. The character is funny, quirky and strong. I enjoy this series greatly.

2.       A Kiss in Time by Alex Finn

I first heard about Alex Finn because her book, Beastly, was turned into a movie. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well, but my favorite written by her is A Kiss in Time. I enjoyed this book because it’s based on Sleeping Beauty, and the girl wakes up and has to adjust to life in the present. I found it very interesting and of course it had some romance as well. I hope the author continues to make books relating to fairy tales. 

3.       A Taste of Magic by Tracey Madison

There is something about books with food and romance that makes me happy. I enjoy the way the author talks about the character cooking with food and using magic. It also has romance as well as a sense of family. There is an entire series with four books. Again, I wish the author made more books in this series.  I am pretty sure I got the first book for free somewhere and then I had to purchase the rest on my kindle because I enjoyed them so much.

4.       The Indigo Spell  by Richelle Mead

This book just came out on February 12 and I read it cover to cover in a day! I just had to know what happens. I was not disappointed and am thrilled the new book will be out in November! Check out my previous blog post on Bloodlines and The Vampire Academy series.

5.       Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Again check out my previous blog on Vampire Academy. I thoroughly enjoyed this series!

What are your top 5 books? What is your favorite all time book?  From these 5 books I would have a hard time deciding on my favorite. 

Lynn's Library: Vampires Academy and Bloodlines

                I am an avid reader. As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed reading and then lost the love of reading throughout my teen years. I then fell in love with reading in my college years. I suffer from anxiety and have trouble sleeping, so reading before bed really helps me fall asleep. Try it out, it works. I love sitting with a nice cup of tea, a good book and my kitty Sophie on my evenings and weekends at home.

                I am in love with Vampires movies and books. You name it, I love it. Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Twilight, The House of Night Series, The Morganville Diaries and the Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series.  For some reason, this topic really appeals to me. It may be thanks to my love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in my teen years.  

                I found out about Vampire Academy from a few sources online and slowly fell in love with the series. The author, Richelle Mead, starts off each series with a background of characters and then goes deeper into the characters and their lives as you read each book. I don’t want to give away too much, but Vampire Academy is about two girls who are best friends who go through a series of teen and supernatural struggles. One of the major characters falls deeply in love in one of those impossible, forbidden romances. The author does an absolutely amazing job at making the reader fall in love as the characters are falling in love. 

Picture obtained from: http://www.averysbooknook.com/2010/12/top-5-sunday.html

                Bloodlines is a spin-off relating to some of the characters in the original series Vampire Academy.  Again, the author does an amazing job at making you fall in love as the characters do. I am impatiently waiting for the third book to come out on February 12^th, titled The Indigo Spirit, and can’t wait to read it from cover to cover. Every time a highly anticipated book is released, I am so glad that I have my Kindle Fire (Stay tuned for more information about my love affair with my Kindle Fire). 

 
  Picture obtained from: http://www.paperdreams.scarlettmoon.org/wordpress/?p=1528

                Before I sign off for the post, I must confess that yes I read TEEN books!  I am confident in that fact because at least I am reading. It makes me so sad to see young children not have a desire to read. I used to think that if I didn’t read Pride and Prejudice or Moby Dick that I wasn’t smart. Those books just didn’t interest me. Slowly I have learned to gain confidence in myself and my ability to be me. If I can teach and motivate my blog readers anything, it would be to be yourself. When you read, you are becoming more educated. Your interests may change as your life changes and you grow, so I hope you get out there and read. It is time to jump off my soapbox, make a cup of tea, cuddle with the kitty and read a book as I wait impatiently for the newest Bloodlines book to be released.

                Do you know of any other amazing Vampire series? I love the books that have those impossible forbidden romances. Happy Reading!