Kindle-licious

First, I want to let you know I will be hosting a middle-grade book chat on Twitter Monday, September 28 at 9 p.m. Eastern time (8 p.m. Central) at #MGBookChat on Twitter.

Here's a poster and everything:

Hope you can make it! Meanwhile--

 --my Kindle's battery has worn down; a sad sign that I am not doing much traveling these days. I do read on it at home, but it had become a fixture of my life whenever I went on a trip for work or vacation. It's been so long that I picked it up, I had forgotten what I had on there.

A quick search showed me two books I had really been looking forward to reading: One Day in December by Josie Silver and Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner.

I also found Ian McEwan's novel Nutshell, the only one I haven't finished; This Close to Happy by Daphne Merkin; and Loner in the Garrett: a Writer's Companion by Jennifer Hubbard in my unread pile. 

Clearly, I need to travel again. Or else, pretend I'm traveling. Fiction writers are supposed to be good at pretending, and I can at least so that much after so many months without going anywhere (and barely leaving the house when I think about it, except for walks or shopping.

Luckily, a friend sent a paperback about Mary Queen of Scots and I am also reading a book about three Victorian sisters. There really is something to that heft in your hand when you're reading a "real" book--and I think that's what has kept me from returning to my Kindle.

Still, there are a lot of good books on there I want to get to. In my defense, my neck has been in a lot of pain due to too much time at the computer, which makes it harder to sit and read a Kindle. I have to figure that out. Or get rid of the neck pain which I'd be happy to do if I could.

In any case, I feel a little like I found some new treasures, having forgotten what I had on my device. (I wanted to say devices, but I refuse to sit and read anything on a phone.)

I must also admit to you I've been watching far too much TV for anyone's good, though I have found some extremely binge-worthy stuff, which is probably another reason I haven't been into the Kindle. And as winter looms with no travel possibilities in sight, I am glad I have these two paperbacks to keep me company.

I do realize I'll have to get more paperbacks to get through the winter. Or, pretend I'm on a plane and turn on my Kindle. That's starting to sound like a better and better idea.

Books photo: Jay Cross