Have you noticed my new tabs? I put them in a few weeks ago, but haven’t said anything about them. I don’t really like the look of them, but I know next to nothing about web design so I don’t know how to fix them. Anyway, one is a “Summer Reading” tab where you can keep track of my progress as I move through my list. I’m doing well, not moving quite as quickly as I had anticipated, but moving along nonetheless. Total I’ve read 31 books. I’m close to being finished with Dark Lover by J.R. Ward and have Mr. Perfect, Slightly Dangerous, and The Serpent Prince ready to go.
I’m really enjoying this project; I’m reading things I never thought I would. For example, I hadn’t really ventured into paranormal romance any (other than what Nora Roberts has written) but J.R. Ward has taken me (and the rest of the romance world) by storm and I really enjoyed Nalini Singh’s Slave to Sensation a lot. I’m looking forward to reading more of her when this challenge is over. J.R. Ward shows up multiple times on this list, which is why I started with the first Black Dagger Brotherhood book instead of following the list.
Obviously I’m not going according to the list. At first, I wasn’t going off the list because I didn’t want to, but now I’m realizing it’s necessary. I’m having a very hard time finding these books at the library and on PaperBackSwap without waiting around. When I remember, I request books via my county’s excellent interlibrary loan system, but for very popular books, that hasn’t been the most convenient. I’m ordering them when I can as well, but, again, the popular ones are hard to find. I’ve had to go to the bookstore some, which I like and dislike at the same time. On one hand, I love bookstores so much and can spend hours in them; on the other hand, it’s becoming very expensive to buy these books outright. I’ve thought about ordering them on half.com or Amazon, but I don’t want to pay for shipping. My local used paperback store is decent, but you can’t predict what they are going to have in stock. I like having a non-library edition, because some of these have become keepers; books I know I’m going to read again at some point. I love a stocked bookshelf, and at some point, I’ll thank myself for keeping so many books around.
I’m also thinking of listening to some of these books in the car. I do that on and off and this might be a good way to cross a few off my list. My library provides some in an MP3 format, so I can put it on my ipod and listen to it driving to and from work. I have about at 20-30 minute commute each way with traffic, so that might turn out to be helpful.
As far as summer reading projects go, this has been the most fun. I’m enjoying reading new authors and discovering new keepers. I’m looking forward to crossing one off the list and picking up a new book!
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