Hollywood Books

I am a huge fan of reading. I am also a huge fan of movies. So when books are made into movies, I am usually very happy about this. I am able to separate the two easily and it's not often I see a movie version of a book and am disappointed. Sometimes I am, but you can't win them all.

Because I am such a HUGE movie fan, the idea of my books being made into movies is the ultimate. I may never get there, but I always think it's good to set your sights high.

When I am constructing a story in my head, I see it as a movie. When I'm writing the first draft, if I can't visualise the characters in the scene as if I'm watching it onscreen, then I usually take it out of the book. My favourite types of books to read are the ones I can see as movies in my head, therefore when I write, I have the same goal in mind.

When you read - do you see the stories play out as movies?
Are the books you love the kind you think should be turned into films?
What books have you read lately that would make amazing movies?

Life is too busy when you don't have time to read

I'm trying to remember the last book I read :-(
Actually it was a ARC copy of Melissa's book 'Betwixt' due out in December but apart from that my mind in blank. How sad is that? (by the way, add BETWIXT to your to read lists, it's AWESOME!)

My life is too busy. You'd think as a stay at home mum I'd have lots of time.... NOPE. Even as I write this I'm multi tasking: cooking dinner, playing with my daughter and finishing a graphic design job for a friend.

The problem with not working in a normal job is you get asked to do a lot... Let me count the ways I volunteer: plunket, street community group, church, helping out friends... then are my hobbies: writing, sewing, scrapbooking, crocheting (I could go on and on actually). And not to forget my at home jobs: housework, cooking, washing, kidlets. It's a shame I have to sleep otherwise I could probably just about get everything done.

Oh and I totally forgot blogging. I NEED MORE TIME.

I've started taking a few hours a week to organise my house to try and cut down tidying each week and perhaps gain myself a few more hours. Hopefully that works :-)

What fills your time? How do you find time to read or write?
ZG

eBook or Paperback?

Things are changing fast with books. 20% of books read are ebooks, where as a couple of years ago only 1% were ebooks. That's a HUGE jump.

I read both, but because I don't have an ipad or kindle, I do tend to read paperbacks more often. But I do LOVE how you can read in the dark with an 'E' device! How cool is that? No longer will parents everywhere have to tell kids to turn their lights off and put the book away, because they won't know! Also gone are the days of reading under the covers by flashlight :-)

Pros of ebooks: they are cheap and you can download them in seconds and read them instantly!
Pros of paperbacks: You can see how close you are to the end, they smell good and you get to use your funky bookmarks.

Cons of ebooks: you need some type of device to read them AND a power source
Cons of paperbacks: you have to go to a bookstore or order online and wait before you can read them.

As a teen I could sometimes read three (small) novels a day. I was rather obsessed with those 'sweet dreams' or 'sweet valley high' books. Imagine if I had an ipad back then, I wouldn't have had to wait for them to come into the library or bookstore. Instant books! I would have NEVER got any sleep.

What are the books YOU are obsessed with? And do you prefer ebook or paperback? 

I love hearing from you!
ZG

Pick-a-path

When I was a kid, the most popular books to read were 'pick-a-paths' which used the most rare point of view - 2nd. Second person is where YOU are part of the story.

The books are formatted where after a couple of pages of reading you are faced with a choice. Will you go into the cave or continue through the forest. This continues, giving you choices, until you end at one of about 5 different endings. Being a nerdy reader, I would read the book over and over until I'd come to every ending and gone down every scenario. I LOVED them!!!

Another brilliant thing about them is they got people reading. My brother hated to read but he would devour a pick-a-path.

I wonder if it's time for a come back. Maybe a YA romance or paranormal version where YOU actually get to choose who the heroine ends up with. Fun!

Thanks for stopping by and send me your thoughts :-)

Zealous Girl

What Are You Reading Right Now?

I was hoping to do a book review today, but things keep getting in the way of me finishing my book. I am not great at reading multiple books at a time and when my proof copy of Pure Blood arrived, I had to set aside 13 on Halloween so I could do a final read through and get the last book of my trilogy ready for paperback release on May 1st.

Are you the type of person that can read more than one book?

What type of books attract you the most?

I get bored with just one genre, so I like to jump around. I am reading a ton of YA at the moment, which I love the most, but every now and then I like to pull out an adult book.

I really do like a wide range - everything from chick lit to action/thriller, my only criteria is a little romance.

How about you? What's your criteria?

Whatever you're reading at the moment, I hope it's a great book and you're managing to get lost in a world of drama, humour, magic, mystery, romance or all of the above :)