Booking Through Thursday: Preferences

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly bookish meme held every Thursday. I've missed out on the last couple of weeks, so I'm jumping back in... This week’s question asks:

Which do you prefer? (Quick answers–we’ll do more detail at some later date)

• Reading something frivolous? Or something serious?
• Paperbacks? Or hardcovers?
• Fiction? Or Nonfiction?
• Poetry? Or Prose?
• Biographies? Or Autobiographies?
• History? Or Historical Fiction?
• Series? Or Stand-alones?
• Classics? Or best-sellers?
• Lurid, fruity prose? Or straight-forward, basic prose?
• Plots? Or Stream-of-Consciousness?
• Long books? Or Short?
• Illustrated? Or Non-illustrated?
• Borrowed? Or Owned?
• New? Or Used?
  (Yes, I know, some of these we’ve touched on before, and some of these we might address in-depth in the future, but for today–just quick answers!)

So, here are my answers.....

• Reading something frivolous? Or something serious? A little of both
  
• Paperbacks? Or hardcovers? I own more paperbacks than hardcovers, but it doesn't matter what they are when it comes to reading them.
  
• Fiction? Or Nonfiction? fiction, all the way
  
• Poetry? Or Prose? prose
  
• Biographies? Or Autobiographies? don't read too many of either
  
• History? Or Historical Fiction? historical fiction (quickly becoming my favorite genre)
  
• Series? Or Stand-alones? both
  
• Classics? Or best-sellers? best-sellers
  
• Lurid, fruity prose? Or straight-forward, basic prose? straight-forward and basic
  
• Plots? Or Stream-of-Consciousness? plots
  
• Long books? Or Short? either
  
• Illustrated? Or Non-illustrated? non-illustrated
  
• Borrowed? Or Owned? I visit the library about as frequently as my own bookshelf, which is quite often.
  
• New? Or Used? doesn't matter
  

Book Spotlight: Across the Wide River by Stephanie Reed

This week, the Christian Fiction Review Blog is featuring 2 books by Stephanie Reed--Across the Wide River and The Light Across the River. Today, I'll be giving you some info about the first book, Across the Wide River, as well as some info about the author.

About the book:

Freedom- Some take it for granted. Others consider it worth dying for. Lowry Rankin knows all too well the cost of freedom; after all, his family's red brick home is the first stop on the Underground Railroad north of the Ohio River. He's seen friends beaten for the color of their skin. He's watched simple farmers make a difference. He's even risked his own life transporting escaped slaves. But will Lowry be able to conquer his greatest fear when he's called to speak out?

'This novel captures the excitement of the period, its dangers and moral dilemmas. There is romance and adventure. And, essential to the traditions of the Rankin family, there is witness to the role of God in mankind's affairs, both great and small.' -James B. Powers a Rankin family descendant

'Across the Wide River plunges young readers into the life and death drama of the pre-Civil War Underground Railroad.' -Peter Marshall Author, The Light and the Glory and From Sea to Shining Sea

During her childhood, Stephanie Reed's family would often pass through Ripley on their way to her grandparents' home. The signs she read there about the Rankin house were what prompted her to write this story. After working for nearly a decade with the Dayton and Montgomery County Public Library, Stephanie is currently a volunteer spotter for the National Weather Service. She lives with her husband and two children in Dublin, Ohio.

Watch the book trailerVisit Stephanie's WebsitePurchase The Light Across the River at Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, and Amazon.Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.

Booking Through Thursday: Unread

Here's this week's question:

“So here today I present to you an Unread Books Challenge. Give me the list or take a picture of all the books you have stacked on your bedside table, hidden under the bed or standing in your shelf – the books you have not read, but keep meaning to. The books that begin to weigh on your mind. The books that make you cover your ears in conversation and say, ‘No! Don’t give me another book to read! I can’t finish the ones I have!' "

Well, if I were to list all the books in my TBR pile, it'd take me a week to list them all, and months to read it all! (Not really...just joking.) My entire TBR pile has 1,262 books in it....hopefully, I can read all of those before I die! I do have a few that are stacked on my nightstand. Let's see if I can 'member them all:

Face of Betrayal by Lis Weihl
Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker
A Gathering of Finches by Jane Kirkpatrick
Drawing Marissa by Jessica Adriel (not physically on my nightstand but definitely a part of my current TBR)
Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake
Your Chariot Awaits by Lorena McCourtney
The Road Winds On by Francena Arnold
Rich Like Them by Ryan D'Agostino

These are some of the ones I'm wanting to get tackled in the next few weeks. I'm anticipating some good readin'! :o)

Book Spotlight: A Gathering of Finches by Jane Kirkpatrick

Fiction lovers don’t need to budget to travel this summer with Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group’s eight full-length, historical novels by beloved Christian authors (WaterBrook, June 2, 2009). At the low cost of only $6.99, these well-read “get-aways” provide quality entertainment at a price that any reader can afford.

This week, Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group is featuring these eight books on various blogs, and I consider myself fortunate to feature two of these newly, re-released titles. The next book that I'll feature this week is A Gathering of Finches by Jane Kirkpatrick.

About the book:

Based on historical characters and events, A Gathering of Finches tells the story of a turn-of-the-century Oregon coastal couple and the consequences of their choices, as seen through the eyes of the wife, her sister, and her Indian maid. Along the way, the reader will discover reasons to trust that money and possessions can't buy happiness or forgiveness, nor permit us to escape the consequences of our choices. The story emphasizes the message that real meaning is found in the relationships we nurture and in living our lives in obedience to God.

My thoughts:

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to get started on this one yet! Yikes! However, my appreciation for Jane Kirkpatrick's books has increased quite a bit lately. Earlier this year I read her entire Change and Cherish series, and was totally engrossed in each book. There's a great deal of research that goes into each one of her books since everything she writes is based on real events, and it just adds so much to each story. I vowed after reading All Together in One Place several years ago (which I didn't really like too much) that I wouldn't read Jane Kirkpatrick again, but I'm very glad that I've since given her another chance.