Instagram. I caved.

I got it. After saying no to getting an Instagram account, I caved. Add me and follow me. I post pretty random photos - some book related and some not. If you have an account, leave it down below.

username - JILLMRAY

:) I hope you all are having an awesome holiday!

used books and where they come from.

One of my favorite things to do, being a reader, is to go book shopping. I don't do it often though, and when I do, I usually buy online now. A few days ago, though I went to a used bookstore around my area. I was trying to look for a specific gift for someone, and while I was perusing through the titles, I found one book that was exactly what I wanted.

I opened it, and this was what fell on the floor. 

An old receipt from BORDERS! I'm sure most of you remember Borders. It used to be one of my favorite places - until they closed all their stores in the U.S. Anyway, this receipt dates back to November 13, 2008. Same month. Different year.

And it got me wondering about whoever it was that originally bought and owned this book. Why did they sell it at a used bookstore? Was it because they didn't like it? Was it because they didn't have a use for it anymore? It was a Field Guide to Professional Digital Photography book, and it made me wonder also, where are they now? What happened to their interest in Photography? Are they actually professional now? Or what? 

Maybe it sounds stupid that I was thinking all these things, but I couldn't help it. There's just something so intriguing about finding someone else's belongings from a while ago. 

Have you ever found anyone similar to this? And also, if you go to used bookstores, do you ever think about who owned the book/s prior? It may be a silly thought, but it's a thought nonetheless! 

Happy Monday. 

In 2012, I read less than 20 books

Well there we have it. 

2012 is almost over.

I think it's safe now to say that I have read less than 20 books this year.

I never really started counting the number of books I read in a year since 2010, but I know I've always read more than twenty for sure. And no, I don't necessarily care about the number. I do care, though, about the reason behind this inevitable slump. 

I am not sure it's cured quite yet, but I'm writing here and talking about reading and books and commenting on people talking about books... so maybe that's a start! 

That being said, I am so out of the loop. I haven't read one good book in months. I don't know anything about new releases, unexpected must-reads, and highly recommended titles. So please do recommend away. I am open to any genre. It just needs to be something YOU thought was amazing. 

What to Watch this December

Going to the movies is one of my favorite things to do. This December, it looks like I'd have to save up for those tickets! Here are some picks that I want to see myself, and think you should go check out too.

1. Les Miserables - December 25

The trailer for this movie... gives me chills EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I can't wait for this. It looks like it will be such a masterpiece. While the music has always been familiar to me, I recently just saw the play live for the very first time during the Summer of this year, so it's still very much fresh in my mind. I can't wait. Anne Hathaway looks like she will be amazing.

2. This Is 40 - December 21

Okay, so maybe I won't see it, but I might! I can see watching this on a lazy rainy day, with a girl friend, when there's nothing else for us to do. It could be fun and it has Paul Rudd in it, who is usually on point! I like the seemingly light premise, so hey, like I said... maybe.

3. Django Unchained - December 25

Quentin Tarantino's films are always crazy and insane and out there, and they're either a hit or a miss for me. I do want to see this because it has Christoph Waltz in it (who was the main villain in Inglourious Basterds - which is probably one of my favorite movies) as well as Leonardo di Caprio. It seems to have the same dark humor Tarantino films usually have, and I may or may not enjoy it. Seems promising though.

4. The Hobbit - December 14

There are no words.

See you at the movies!

the last book I read.

I bought this book the morning it was released. I was anticipating to get my hands on it since they announced that my favorite author - and probably one of my biggest inspirations - is releasing a new book! I went into this lowering my expectations, knowing very well that I was reading an 'adult' novel. I finished it in about a week, and I was beyond sad for a while knowing I'd have to give it a 2 star rating.

What went wrong?

I think the characters went wrong mainly. There were just too many of them, and none of them were developed well enough for me to care about them. I didn't care if this person died or lived or got hurt or what... I just didn't care. The truth is, while reading this book, I just kept hoping it would end soon.
The plot was alright, but again, it just didn't seem like it was something I should care for.

I have to say the writing as expected is good. Simply put, Rowling knows how to paint a picture in her reader's mind. Or maybe, at least in my mind.

2 stars though, is all I can give for this unfortunately.

living with the worst case of reading slump ever.

I'm wondering if you still have any go-to bookstores around you or at least near your area. Here where I live, there's literally none. I have to drive at least 20 miles just for the nearest big box bookstore. This may not be a big deal for most people, but for me - as I'm sure you all can understand - this is an upsetting thing. I haven't really gone in a bookstore in a very long time where I live, and I truly think the lack of these visits - that used to inspire and motivate me to keep trying new titles and authors - have contributed to my lack of posts here. I miss blogging, I miss talking about books, and I definitely miss reading.

Lately I just have been so uninspired. This is probably the biggest reading slump I have ever had, and I am not a fan of it. 

I know a lot of you can understand that it's a big deal, and may have gone through the same thing. Your thoughts, as always, are more than welcome here. Thanks for listening. 

a little bit of what I'm working on.

I am very shy when it comes to things I write about. I usually don't share it. I have no idea if it's even any good, or if it's absolute garbage, but I figured it won't hurt to get some opinions. Thanks for reading.

----

I took a first look at her and I knew I couldn’t tell her how she looked like for fear that I might describe my appearance instead, which in itself, is beyond recognition. My mouth fell and my eyes were wide, I couldn’t believe how she was able to lay there almost dead, yet full of breath. I tried hard to keep the shadow of my tears from falling; she can not (should not) see the weakness in me when I see her ravaged and damaged by reality. Fear itself, they say, should not be feared, but if it’s alive and ready, will we be secure enough not to fall when it attacks? Its power is in its wings, and to make it fall means to crack your bones to even begin to reach. So I just sat there and held her hand. There was not much I could do. But they were so cold that I felt my veins and the blood in my body freeze, stopping my breaths for a minute or two. I was afraid, and felt stupid that I felt afraid. But it was a moment of realization; a figure of that somebody began to mean more than just the colors on her hair. Unexpectedly, she took my ability and my power, almost instantly. Remarkably.

When she finally opened her eyes to look at me, I saw the view of what she had to go through. It’s dark and gritty, and fluid can’t help but trickle down her soft body. She broke and she turned around, unable to even speak. Clouds hovered over her, and the nature of the room changed its course on its own. I sat still, not knowing what to do. Her face lit up and she managed to smile when she saw me. I was not sure what I was able to conjure, what type of magic or spell I said to see that ray come through. But it was there, and I knew, while he had broken her loudly, piece by piece, and I can hear the depth of the darkness that she was in, her flat pulse and the complex beating of her heart, instead of me promising her the echo of my footsteps, she was reaching over me and promising me hers. Right then and there, she had become my weakness.

August Recommendations!

I usually only do book recommendations on this blog seeing as this is essentially a book blog, but I thought I would start doing monthly recommendation lists from now on. These recs range from movies, music, television... books, of course. As I will try to do this at the start of every month, I encourage and invite you to write a list of your own! We can never have enough recommendations after all.

Movies

1. The Dark Knight Rises

I only have one recommendation this month, and I can not tell you how much you need to see this movie. If you are a fan of Nolan's epic take on the Batman character and the entire franchise as a whole, you MUST watch. It is seriously, probably, the best portrayal of Batman's true story. I am a fan.

Television

1. The Big Bang Theory

I only started watching this amazingly hilarious and smart television show at the beginning of this year. They're already on the 6th season, and I am not sure how I survived the last few years without ever watching this. It's genius. It's currently on a break but will be returning on October! Can't wait.

2. So You Think You Can Dance

I'm not really a fan of reality/talent shows, but this one is truly an exception. I have been obsessed with this show ever since it came out in 2005. I have been watching it religiously every summer. It just sort of started, so you can still easily catch up if you'd like. This show features talented dancers all competing to be the favorite. Think American Idol, but with amazing dancers and better judges instead.

Music

1. The Honey Trees

I am in love with this indie band. Their style is so original. I can listen to their music for days. Unfortunately, they don't have a lot out yet, but the songs they do have at the moment, are breathtaking.

Books

1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I mentioned this already at a separate post, but this was a book that I read a while ago but haven't really talked about. It's what I believe fantasy books should be. The writing is perfect, and the plot and character development is so effortless. It's a great read and I highly recommend it to true fantasy readers.

Do you have any movie, music, television, book recommendations for me for the month of August? Let me know. I am looking forward to reading what you all have to say. Happy Monday!