Emily Kestrel’s Comments (group member since Jul 16, 2017)

Emily Kestrel’s comments from the What is Life without Books group.

My nomination is

I hate it when I get in a reading slump. Sometimes I can get excited about reading again by participating in a reading challenge--the last time I had a bad slump, I got the idea to find as many books as I could that had a bird mentioned in the title, and it turned into a lot of fun. Or I will go to the library and browse the shelves until I find a book in some random category like a story set in Hawaii, etc.

Another thing I do if I can't stand the thought of actually reading but want to enjoy a book is listen to an audiobook while I'm doing chores or driving.

Or, as other people have said, just do whatever else I want to do until a new book catches my interest.

Aly wrote: "Emily wrote: "Personally, I love theme reads and challenges. I saw Karin's previous comment about doing something for the seasons, and I think that would be a fun idea. Maybe a theme read for winte..."

I'll think it over and hopefully come back with some ideas in a couple of days!

Personally, I love theme reads and challenges. I saw Karin's previous comment about doing something for the seasons, and I think that would be a fun idea. Maybe a theme read for winter?

My current audiobook is . A new author for me, but I'm in the mood for some dark crime fiction, and Scandinavian authors are usually a good pick for that.

On my kindle, my next read will probably be . I'll probably start that one tomorrow.

I just finished and it was so good! I'd forgotten how much I enjoy biographies. Monroe was such an interesting woman, and her untimely death such a tragedy.

Lately, I've rekindled an old hobby I abandoned for a while (knitting), after I had a dream where I was knitting while listening to audiobooks. I woke up and tried it in real life, and it's been so much fun. I've finished four audiobooks while knitting a scarf for myself and now a blanket (made of mitred squares) for my husband. Why didn't I think of this before???

Which makes me wonder...are there any other knitters (or crocheters) in the group? Or anyone else who multi-tasks with audiobooks while doing something else?

Can we nominate a book that's been nominated before? If so, my pick is

I would also like to nominate

I just finished my second mermaid book . It was a good horror/sci fi mix--lots of gory scenes and long passages of "science talk" as a crew of scientists go in search of killer mermaids. A little bit too long, perhaps, but I enjoyed it.

Yesterday I finished my first mermaid theme read It's a romantic suspense/paranormal romance. The heroine, Shelly, is a mermaid who is being targeting by a serial killer after she witnessed him throwing a body into the ocean. It was actually a pretty fun story.

Aly wrote: "My other book I am choosing for this theme is . It looks good. I will try to finish our group read and then see if I can read these books. Fingers crossed ..."

That one looks good too, Aly! I've really enjoyed a couple of Amy Cross's books. Not all of them, but when she's good, she's really good.

OK, I have picked my mermaid books: Sea and Sky by Heather Crews and Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant. After I finish the books I've already started, it's mermaid time!

Aly wrote: "Emily wrote: "Aly wrote: "We had a request to try a theme or topic. I thought I would make it a challenge first and see if anyone was interested. If you are all interested, we can change topic/them..."

I sure will!

Aly wrote: "We had a request to try a theme or topic. I thought I would make it a challenge first and see if anyone was interested. If you are all interested, we can change topic/themes every month. I will sta..."

Count me in, Aly. I love theme reads and challenges, and mermaids sounds likes fun.

Aly wrote: "Karen wrote: "Theme is A-list, correct?
What is A-list?"

I think we could call "A" list authors anything that doesn't qualify as Indie. If anyone doesn't agree please correct me."

Personally, I would define A list as an author published by a major traditional publishing house. Which would leave out small press and university publishers as well as indie books.... But, I could be wrong! :-)

I second The Hate U Give

Aly wrote: "Emily wrote: "I saw Blade Runner 2049 this weekend--it was really good! Ryan Gosling did a great job as the lead."

I should see this one next then. thanks Emily!"

If you are a fan of the original Blade Runner, I would definitely recommend it.

I saw Blade Runner 2049 this weekend--it was really good! Ryan Gosling did a great job as the lead.

I have The Far Shore on my kindle and will probably read it in the next week or so. I might try Mission: Improper later depending on how much progress I make through the never-ending piles TBRs. I just maxed out the number of titles I can borrow with kindle unlimited and then went to the library and checked out a huge stack of books, why oh why do I do this to myself? :)

Aly wrote: "Emily wrote: "Aly wrote: "Emily wrote: "Besides books, I enjoy hiking, birding and spending time with my dogs. I also love to travel, but haven't been able to do much of that recently. I was an exc..."

OMG. what a small world! I work at Decatur Memorial Hospital.