Kindle, Nook or Printed Book? That is my question

I'm thinking, thinking, thinking about getting an eReader. It seems everyone I know who has one loves it. I've been hesitant to get one and I know for me it's simply because I've worked in publishing/books so long that I feel it's somehow a betrayal to the industry because I won't buy as many printed books. Plus I worry I'll miss holding the actual book in my hands and I love the look, feel and smell of new books...and old books.

I have a gift card and wanted to use it on something that I might not otherwise buy for myself and thought a Kindle would be great...or maybe a Nook. If I traveled more, I'm sure I would have purchased one long ago. I often curse my reading addiction when I'm packing for a trip...three or four books can take up space in a carry-on or tote, weigh the bag down and give me a sore shoulder. But...when I'm lying in bed, do I want to curl up with an e-reader instead of a book?


Any thoughts? Do you have an eReader? Do you love it? Against them altogether? Should I just buy some fabulous shoes instead?!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I'm taking the bus home from work these days and that means reading time also a little bit of wobbly tummy from motion reading but I'm working on that!

Bug has a love/hate relationship with his bathtime. He's overly dramatic not too eager to get in the tub but then refuses to get out (I imagine this is the way with many kids--as a child I wanted to take a bath IF I could wear my swimsuit--I specifically remember being allowed to wear it once). The only way I can get him out of the tub is to tell him he's used up all the hot water and then sneakily shut off the tap. When he feels the cold water, he's ready to get out.

Yesterday for the first time I heard "Twinkle Twinkle Traffic Light." It was sung to me with Bug playing the accordian and J (best buddy) playing a guitar. Then, in true Springsteen form, Bug thanked me for "coming out tonight."

I rarely travel for work but next month I've got two trips...Boston and Puerto Rico. And when I'm in Puerto Rico I'm also supposed to be at jury duty.

Still patiently waiting for fall to arrive. I can't wait to feel the crisp air!

Blogger and I seem to be having some bumps in our relationship. Like so many couples, it's a communication issue. Here's an example: I keep hitting "enter" and the spacing is a surpise. Blogger doesn't listen or respond. Who knows how this will actually end up looking...either one big paragraph or 8 blank lines between sentences (but for the record I have spaces between paragraphs RIGHT NOW) and spell check is apparently on strike so apologies for any glaring mistakes that I'm too lazy to actually look for and correct.

Head over to The Un Mom for more randomness.

Dear Someone

Dear Summer,

For as much as I’ve complained about the high heat both outside AND inside (damn A/C), I can’t believe we’ll be saying good-bye to you soon.

Okay, I realize just because kids are returning to school doesn’t mean fall’s arrival with crisp football-watching weather is here but it is around the calendar corner. Just knowing that school supply shopping is being done makes me long for a new box of crayons, pencils with full erasers and unmarked notebooks. There’s no list for supplies for Bug yet so this year I’ll settle for a new pair of sneakers for the little man who’s currently wearing sneakers with a summer sweaty smell that might linger from here to New Hampshire.

Signed,
Not yet a kindergarten mommy


PS. Now that I think of it Mommy could use a new pair of shoes, too.

Dear Bug,

You’re going back to preschool next week. I’m excited for you--and excited for me--because I get to spend more time with you this year! I’m sorry I’ll miss your (second) first day of school but I’ll be helping move Grandma’s belongings to storage and think I’ll be shedding tears of another sort at the same time.

Love,
Mommy

Dear Bookshelf,

Let’s work together to find something fabulous to read during my flight time tomorrow. (Any suggestions?)

Signed,
Booklover


Dear Dairy Queen,


Here I come!


Forever yours,
xoxoxoxo


Check out Amanda for more Dear Someone letters.

Check it out

Bug got his first library card last night and he signed it. Then he spent a bit of time selecting which books he would take home with him. I hope he enjoys his library as much as I enjoyed mine growing up. I loved everything about our small town library. The children's section was in the basement. It had a picture book room with the tiny chairs (and a special bathroom with a teeny toilet for tots) and the larger open area for bigger kids. I couldn't wait until I was big enough to sit in the full-size chairs. As a little girl I envied the older kids who would pick out a book or two, sit at a table, flip through the books and try to write a report for school. I practiced making their scrunched-up/thinking faces. It looked so grown-up and smart and I couldn't wait to do it.

I made my own library at home out of the books on my bookshelf with signs for anyone who wanted to borrow them along with fees if they were returned late. It was as profitable as the time my brother and I tried to dig a swimming pool in our backyard. Oh, how I wanted a date stamp like the librarian had. For years I thought her name was Mrs. Carnegie because that was the name of the library.


The library near us isn't as glamorous as the one I grew up with. Sure, you get that "library" smell when you walk in but it doesn't have the charm of a building from 1902. I'm hesitant to visit "my" library again. I want to keep my memories just as they are. Who wants to see that the entry way by the librarian's desk isn't as grand as it was as a child or that the section just to the right of the door where people read newspapers isn't as exclusive as once thought? I'm happy to keep the memories I have and ready to build some with Bug at his library. Who knows when he grows up he may look back and think that his library was beautiful, too.

sleepover

Last night was one of those not-so-typical nights at our house. I had a meeting and Donnie and Bug were going to hang out at home. Before the meeting started Donnie called to say our power was out (again) and they were heading out. (Lucky me, they stopped at the bookstore and picked up a book I wanted--yay!!) By time I arrived home at 9:30, the power was scheduled to be back at 11. Of course, 11pm became 5am, 5am became 7am, 7am became 9am and then we just stopped checking. When we left the house the power still wasn't on.

Bottom line: the three humans in our house slept together on the futon in our basement and our little girl was curled up on the floor in her bed. I'm not sure when Bug has slept better. Not a peep from him during the night. Donnie and I, of course, were tossing all night and dodging flying arms and feet that come from the ninja moves toddlers make in their sleep. Apparently, Bug should have been called for a low blow after one particularly hard kick to Donnie.

The biggest surprise: our sweet little girl, MissClaraVeraCora (call her any of these names and she'll respond in some manner), is the noisiest thing in our house. She farts, she snores, she licks, she paces, she yawns (loudly--like an old man) ALL. NIGHT. LONG.
But she's cute.

Sssssshhhhhhh

It's quiet in my house. Bug's at school (with gifts for teachers--thanks for all your suggestions--and cookies for the class) and Donnie's at work.

Soon, or at least in the three-hour window I was given, the cable guy will show up and then a few short hours later our TV stand should be delivered. In the meantime the silence is beautiful and I'm forced to be here. Sure, I could do laundry--but the pile isn't overwhelming--or clean my closet--unlikely--or get on the treadmill--actually, that's not an option because I wouldn't hear the "We're on our way" phone call from the cable company...and if I don't answer they don't show up. It's looking like the best option is grabbing a book and enjoying the morning--SCORE!

Dear Someone

Dear Bug,

Most of the time I appreciate that you’re a child with an opinion. I know you don't understand this but the Pull-Ups package isn’t filled with the “Cowboy and Rope” Pull-Ups--there are other designs as well. I know Cowboy and Rope is your preference (because you demand it every single time) but you need to wear the other ones, too. See, lookie here: Woody and Buzz TOGETHER...isn't that great?!Yeah, I know, it’s not what you want. I hear it every day. You know what I want? (Do you care?) How about you use the potty MORE and we can toss all of the Pull-Ups (including Cowboy and Rope) and you can wear big boy underwear? Sound good? I'll buy Cowboy underwear, I swear...

Love,
Mommy

Dear Huggies,

Any chance I can special order packages of Pull-Ups with one design? It would make my mornings, afternoon and evenings life easier and my little boy a lot happier.

I’m begging you Sincerely,
Mag

Dear Summertime,

It looks like this is a good season for books. My long list of must reads is growing by the day. If Bug and I could figure a few things out, I wouldn’t need to spend time reading 1-2-3 Magic read the toddler books and could focus on all those novels calling out to me.

Now I just need a long vacation to go with that list so I can find the time to absorb every word (and maybe a few rays, too).

Sigh,

Me

Check out Amanda at Family of Shorts for more.

Dear Someone

Dear Bug,

Just a gentle reminder that when it’s dark outside you have to put on your sleepy head (thank you Pajanimals). Being awake from 3-6am isn’t a good idea for you or mommy and daddy.

I do appreciate that you still said “please” while begging asking to come and sleep in our bed or to have me lie down in your bed but I would prefer if you must talk nonstop during the night that you do it in your sleep.

Love,
Sleepy mommy

Dear Mom,

I know the world is confusing right now. I’m sorry it’s such a tough time. We expected the move would take some adjustment but I’m glad that you’re comfortable in the new nursing home. I also think it's sweet that you call it the hotel and the dining room is the country club. We’ll see you next week…to quote Bug, “we can’t wait!”

Love,
Mary Ann

Dear Bug,

Really, you peed on your books? AARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH…

Signed,
A book loving mommy

Dear R,

You're terrific! When I asked if you could watch Bug for a few hours while we're in SD, I can't tell you how sweet it was that you gave me your available times for EVERY DAY of our visit. We won't be asking you to watch him much but thank you for being so agreeable...you're a good nephew!

Love,
Mooie

Visit Amanda for more.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

We went to a party on Saturday afternoon and Bug thought Donnie and I were getting married. Not sure what prompted that thought but he was convinced...and then disappointed. (I think he’s mad he missed our first wedding.) He probably heard they serve cake at weddings.

Yesterday on my drive home from work a fox darted out in front of my car…in DC. Eeeewwwww. Over the weekend there was a horse loose in our neighborhood.

One time a bull got loose from the local vet, walked down the highway and managed to end up in my mom & dad's backyard. He was just standing there as calm as could be looking like Ferdinand.
When I lived in NY some of the conductors on the commuter trains would let me make the announcements of stops, delays, etc. I’m not sure WHY I did it but apparently my fear of public speaking wasn't as great then.

I would like to go to a beach somewhere with a stack of books and read, read, read. I’ve seen so many good reviews lately that my “to read” list is growing faster than Bug.

When I was a kid, I thought people won the Pulit Surprise rather than Pulitzer Prize. "Surprise, you won the Pulit!"

Go to The Un Mom for more.

things that make me smile today

Having a bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs on my desk!


Bug has ONE bookcase in his room and when he wants to read a book he "invites me to join him" in his library.


The three new books I ordered arrived today.


Believing Hoping that having a salad for lunch will cancel out the bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs that is now nearly empty on my desk.

We survived the Easter Egg Roll at the White House on Monday. We were three of 10,000 people entering at the 1:45 time slot. Surprisingly, it went so much smoother than I expected. Highlights for Bug: seeing Elmo on stage (I've got a photo of Elmo on the big screen with the Washington Monument in the background) and talking to SEVERAL police officers. A big thank you to the kind officer who turned on the lights and siren for Bug and them let him sit in the police car.

Ordering my favorite "production tee" baby gift for two friends.

Tomorrow is Hershey! (Hershey manufactures Cadbury...my fingers are crossed that there are Easter markdowns.) There's talk of stopping at the outlets on the drive home...fingers crossed for that, too!

Dear Someone

Dear Bug,

Oh, I'm going to be sad when the day comes and you can pronounce "exclamation point" correctly. I love it when you point out letters in the words from Snuggle Puppy and complete a line by saying "excamation paint...space." Thank you for making reading time even better.

Love,
Mommy

Dear Seasonal Allergies,

Oh, hello again--I noticed you arrived earlier this year. Ah-choo again...

Signed,
the sniffling, sneezing, coughing, oh, it's another headache gal

Dear Jamaica,

I was thinking about you today and how we had such a nice time together a few years ago. I miss you. Signed,

Wish I could see you soon

Dear Blogger,

Again, what's up with the spacing?!?!??!?! It shouldn't be this difficult...why all the blank spaces?!?!?!

Signed,

a frustrated Mag

Visit Amanda at Family of Shorts for more letters.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Big shopping score while out with my mom this weekend: a pair of purple suede Mary Jane pumps for $8 (love the “take 80% off the sale price” out-of-season rack but I also wonder how come no one else bought these?) and a pair of funky leopard print shoes that were $150 off the regular price so I snagged them for $20!


Last night Bug and I were playing and he turned to tell Donnie something but bumped his head on the wall. He looked at me and said, “I’m not happy anymore.”


I hate that right now the only thing that connects me to my youth is the outbreak of pimples on my face. Really? Shouldn’t zits be in my rearview mirror by now? I mean, it’s not as though I’m getting ready for the school dance or freaked about an algebra test.

Oh, algebra = math that reminds me...I just read a book I loved: The Housekeeper and the Professor. It's charming even with some math tossed in.

So…I think Donnie and I are going to sneak away for an overnight. As I’ve mentioned a million times since Ash Wednesday, I gave up sweets for lent. Donnie also did, which I think is impressive because his sweet tooth is worse than mine and he’s Jewish. We’re thinking of going to Hershey PA the weekend after lent so we can indulge in chocolate—and quite possibly a chocolate massage. I checked availability this morning. The fancy Hershey Hotel is booked but I think there’s a room with our name on it at the Hershey Lodge. I don’t need fancy…just a night out with my fella. We’ve been once before and opted to order room service: one entrée and three desserts for us to share. Now we just need to beg ask our babysitter if she'll do an overnight.

Go to The UnMom for more.

it's a small world

I traveled to South Dakota yesterday and it was a pretty good day. First good thing: I didn't sleep through my alarm and actually woke up at 3:30 to get ready for my trip. The rest of the day was gravy...and good gravy at that.


I boarded my plane and saw one of my brothers on the same flight. I had just cracked open a new book so I didn't pay attention to people who boarded prior to me. We parted ways after the first flight but it was fun to see him.


On my second flight the woman across the aisle told me I looked familiar to her. Again, I had my nose in my book at the gate area and other than noticing her terrific boots when she walked by I didn't really look at people who were on my flight. As soon as she said something and I saw her face she was familiar as well...we went to high school together.


Finished my book. What a treat...enough reading time to start and finish a book in the same day.


My mom is doing pretty well. She looks better than she's looked in a year! Much to my surprise the nurse even had her walking with a walker. I haven't seen that in a very long time. When I take her out she uses a wheelchair (and we still look a bit like Lucy and Ethel when we maneuver it).


Saw another high school friend when I took my mom for a manicure yesterday as well as the younger sister of a classmate.


My brother (who lives in South Dakota) works at a school. We all went to the high school basketball game last night (district finals--his team won!) and I saw one of my good friend's sisters.


Funny thing about all of these familiar faces...I'm not visiting the town where I grew up. If that were the case I would expect to bump into people I know because it's a small town but yesterday was filled with nice surprises.

update and a date

So...the Black Eyed Peas concert was fun! (Anyone surprised by that?) I was the only one in the suite who was familiar with the first opening act, LMFAO. The second was Ludacris. I probably didn't need to admit that I knew LMFAO because I read in the paper the week before that they were involved in the Mitt Romney airplane kerfuffle. Oh well--for a second people were impressed. The suite was a blast and at one point there was a conga line happening. One of my friends told me she thought my dress was perfect for Serena (Samantha's cousin on Bewitched). I Dream of Jeannie or Bewitched...I think you get the picture.


After dancing, eating and drinking for a few hours, I walked in my front door to hear, "Hi, Mommy." Not what I usually hear after midnight but I quickly learned that Bug had been throwing up for the past couple of hours. I went from concert going party girl to mom in a snap--or keeping with the Jeannie theme--a blink. Smart woman that I am, I took off my suede books before going up the steps to the little patient.


Since then I've had a day home with Bug, lunch with an old friend, an adoption fundraiser, a visit from my in-laws, a successful solo trip to Target, a new faucet installed (I'm 100% giddy over a full-time working kitchen faucet!) and today...our neighbors are going to watch Bug so Donnie and I can go on a real late afternoon/early evening date. Actually, the time doesn't matter I'm just thrilled to be going out for a bit of alone time with my fella AND have free babysitting. Our boys are 2 months apart so it will be a playdate for Bug...he won't even know we're gone. He's as comfortable at their house as his own and, of course, he likes the toys better over there.


My sister-in-law arrives on Monday. She's leaving Thursday afternoon and I'm headed for the airport the same day at 4:45am. (Do you think airlines frown upon women traveling in their jammies?) I'm visiting my mom and always try to get the earliest flight so I can be in South Dakota by noon (fingers crossed). Any book suggestions for the flight?

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I’m afraid I have the Midas touch when it comes to electronics lately. I broke another computer over the weekend. Sigh…maybe it really is time for a typewriter. As soon as everything is back up and functioning at a greater than primitive level running, I’ll catch up on my blog reading.

Highlight of my day: getting a surprise hot chocolate delivery by Donnie at my office! Yes, I’m still having hot chocolate despite the editorial comment I received a couple of weeks ago.

Book suggestions, anyone? I just finished True Confections.

Hmmm, I discovered reading a novel about a candy company with vivid descriptions of candy can be damaging to a person's waistline and so I'm blaming my recent M&Ms binge on the book. And there was a random mention of one of my favorite candy bars made in Iowa that I can’t find on the East Coast so I'm craving that now and I've eaten the stash from my last visit to South Dakota. So what to read next…any thoughts?

Go to The Unmom for more random thoughts.

Dear Someone

Dear Bug,

Thanks for being such a thoughtful little guy for taking care of my boo-boo. Very sweet that you not only found the band-aids but opened one and put it on my face to cover my won't go away anytime in the near future zit. The blue Curious George band-aid would be a nice distraction from the pimple.

With love,
Mommy

Dear Art Schools,

Here is Bug's self-portrait. What's that? Oh, okay, he won't quit his day job school.


Sincerely,
A girl can dream, right?

Dear Boots,

I'm so happy I found you sitting alone on the "what will become of me" sale shelf last month . You're called "chain gang" but you're really not SO bad...but bad enough. You make me smile each time I even look at you and make me feel tougher and a tad more confident when I wear you. Look out, world mama's got a new pair of shoes boots...
Love,

Happy Feet

Dear Reading Time,

Where are you? I miss you and hope to have a reunion soon. Amazon and I recently spent some quality time together and I've now got a stack of books craving attention.

I've got our date planned out: a terrific hardcover (minus the jacket, of course) or wonderful paperback and me on the couch, my jammies, a pillow, a blanket, a bottle glass of wine or mug of hot chocolate and a sleeping Bug. Ah, perfect...now I just need you!

Signed,

Eagerly waiting for your return

Dear Sinus Headache,

Go Away! Three (or four?) days is long enough.

Signed,

*#$&(@

Visit Amanda at Family of Shorts for more Dear Someone letters.

Trips

Trip #1: Bug's going to the doctor

Bug's going to be tested to see if he can get the flu vaccine. With his egg allergy, the doctor wants to do testing first. The only available appointment this month is while I'm traveling. Not that Donnie can't handle it...just that I would like to be there. Think good thoughts for both the little guy and the big guy that there isn't a repeat of Bug's last appointment.

Trip #2: I'm going to Palm Springs

I leave tomorrow and return on Sunday. Other than work my big plan is to go to In N Out--I'm overly excited about it!

I won't have much reading time once I'm there, but I've got cross-country flights that should give me plenty of opportunity to put my nose in a book--provided I don't sleep much on my 6 (yawn) am flight tomorrow. My first flight is 4 hours and 56 minutes so I'm thinking there's enough time for both reading and napping. I'm trying to figure out what books to take and here are the top contenders:

Going Away Shoes by Jill McCorkle
Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

I've got time to stop at the store or library if you have other suggestions of must-reads...

Sssshhh, I'm wishing I were reading

Sign up for the giveaway to win a Save Second Base tee here.

I'm thankful that I still have a job but today am tempted to jeopardize it. I have a sign on my door that says: Leave me alone, I'm reading! Oh, I wish I brought my book to work so I could shut my door and put that sign to good use. I'm reading The Help and feeling addicted to it. There won't be much reading time this weekend. Donnie's parents are coming to town for Rosh Hashanah. Donnie's Jewish and I'm Catholic so we celebrate lots of things at our home. My mother-in-law read The Help (and--like everyone else I know--loved it) so I think she'll understand if I say good night a little early and read.

Any thoughts on what should be my next addiction, I mean book?

Greetings from SD...

• It looks like I can take my mom out for a bit! Yay! Today we're off to get her a haircut. She's thrilled--who wouldn't be--her hair has grown back enough that it needs to be cut! Tomorrow we'll do some shopping.


• I ran to Target yesterday and bought a skirt for $4.98 and a pair of shoes for $6.24. It's a good thing I needed to get toothpaste or I wouldn't have stumbled on the bargains!


• Reading time, reading time, reading time...the joy of uncrowded flights with empty seats all around me! Donnie read That Old Cape Magic and so I decided to read it too and we'll have our own little book group discussion. This is the second time in ten years that we've had any interest in reading the same book.


• One of my brothers is coming to town on Friday. His birthday is next week so I thought it would be fun to have a little birthday party for him in my mom's room. I ordered the cake and got to sample the frosting choices! I LOVE frosting. It was so good I got a little tub of it to go...mmmmmm.


• Flight attendant's name was Beth. BUT...when we got on the plane I heard a woman on her cell phone saying, "Hi Mom, it's Cindy, just wanted to let you know that I made the flight." It seems there's always a Cindy on my flight to SD.


• The guy in front of me at the security checkpoint in DC was on both my flight from DC to Minneapolis AND my flight to South Dakota. Random...considering the SD flight had so few travelers that we all had to sit in rows seven through eleven (the last row) to balance the weight of the plane. And there were still empty seats in those rows.


• Yesterday my mom said she kept thinking it was a holiday but then said, "I guess it just seems like a holiday because I get to see you." Awwww, she's sweet, huh?

Life According to Books

Tammie posted this on her blog Irregular Tammie and I immediately knew I would do the same. It's almost identical to the Life According to Bruce list, which was fun so here I go again--this time with books. Using only titles of books you've read this year cleverly answer the following questions: (Full disclaimer: I used the past 12 months rather than the calendar year because I'm not exactly reading at an Olympic pace since January.)

Describe Yourself: The Late Bloomer's Revolution

How do you feel: An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination

Describe where you currently live: Home Safe

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Four Corners of the Sky

Your favorite form of transportation: The Little Giant of Aberdeen County

Your best friend is: The Girl She Used to Be

You and your friends are: Everyone is Beautiful

What’s the weather like: Happens Every Day

Favorite time of day: The Pull of the Moon

If your life was a(n): Love Stories in This Town

What is life to you: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Your fear: Whistling in the Dark

What is the best advice you have to give: Nothing is Quite Forgotten in Brooklyn

Thought for the Day: Sleep is for the Weak

How I would like to die: While I'm Falling

My soul’s present condition: The Middle Place

C'mon, you wanna do it too, right?