Top Ten Tuesday: Oh How Delightful!

Posted April 26, 2016 by meezcarrie in miscellaneous, Top Ten Tuesday / 80 Comments

 

Top Ten Tuesday Favorite

I love Tuesdays 🙂

I love participating in the weekly linkup over at The Broke and the Bookish. The topics are so much fun, and I’ve gotten to know so many blogging friends – and added so many books to my poor TBR continent – as a result of hopping around to all the different posts each Tuesday.

You might even say I find it … delightful.  🙂

Yeah. I heard it.  Terrible segue.

But… nonetheless… I press on.

Today’s topic is “bookworm delights”, and as usual I had a difficult time limiting myself to 10.  Because I also LOVE being a BOOKWORM! 😀 Anyone else with me?!?

bookworm delights

(most of these are in no particular order)

1. When someone says, “You’re right. The book WAS better.” – If you asked my family and friends for a phrase that I use over and over again, one thing they would probably point to would be, “The book is SO MUCH better!” Particularly when it comes to epics like Harry Potter (I basically quit watching the movies after they butchered book 4) or The Chronicles of Narnia or The Hobbit. My dad and my husband had both only watched the Harry Potter films until this past year when I basically forced them both to at least listen to the audiobooks. I am so DELIGHTED to report that each of them said to me, “You’re right. The book WAS better.” And then much delightful discussion ensued on the nuances of the story that couldn’t be captured by the movies. I could easily spend the rest of the post on this topic but… I do have 11 other delights to talk about.

harry-potter-418108_1280

2. Cover Love – Maybe I’m alone in this (I doubt it), but beautiful book covers make me so very happy. Like… sometimes… I just sit and smile at the cover for a while before I even start reading… which is one reason why I prefer physical books over ecopies whenever possible.

3. When authors include little nods to their other stories/series in their current release – I LOVE THIS! It’s like me and the author (and any other fans who happen to be also reading the same book) share a secret, and it always makes me grin a little. Sometimes I even do a little bookishly-giddy happy dance but if you ever accuse me of such absurdity I will deny it 😉

IMG_51274. A mailbox full of books…and then UPS shows up with more – perhaps this is even more specifically a book blogger delight but I can’t imagine the bookworm in general NOT being delighted about this phenomenon as well. Since I’ve started reviewing and blogging, I’m pretty sure my postman and regular UPS guy suspect I’m running some sort of black market book shop with all the parcels I get from publishers and authors on a weekly basis LOL. That photo over there is of ONE DAY’s worth of deliveries (yes, that whole box was FULL)… and of course Zuzu had to give them her usual customs inspection.

5. My local library – I realize that not everybody is as fortunate as I am to live in an area with a great library system, and I truly am so sad for you if this is your experience. My library has several branches spread out across the city, and they are AWESOME about ordering books I’ve suggested, keeping a great selection of Christian fiction stocked (I hear from many of my fellow Christian fiction fans that this is not always the case at all), and tracking down my requested interlibrary loans.  They also allow me to ask for a book to be sent from one branch to the branch nearest me so I can go pick it up there instead of way across town. But that’s not all – as if FREE BOOKS wasn’t enough (lol) – a library card at my library also entitles you to FREE accounts with Overdrive, Lynda.com, Flipster, Freegal, and on and on and on. Oh! And the Book Cellar. More on that later. But – Did I mention how much I LOVE MY LIBRARY?!? All the bubble hearts.

IMG_69106. Used book sale hauls & treasures – My library has a used book store – the Book Cellar –  that supports the library, and I frequently find great deals there. The last time I was there, I found a copy of the now-out-of-print Courting Morrow Little, which is my all-time fave Laura Frantz book. It was in perfect condition and it was only 1 DOLLAR. I’m not too ashamed to admit that I did a happy dance right there in the stacks. Do you see it there in my haul from that trip to the Book Cellar? All those books – $13 total.

Once a year my library also has an annual sale where all paperbacks are $0.25 and hardcovers are $1.00.  Yes, you read that correctly.  An entire warehouse space full of books for $1.00 or less.  My husband and I were in bookworm’s paradise! In fact, we may or may not have high-fived each other after loading our car full of books after our first trip through… I think we got something ridiculous like 80 books for $17. (I did mention that I love my library, yes?)

7. When you connect with your version of a celebrity… and of course i mean an author –  To me, this makes social media worth it. Because not only do you start to see them as real people (kind-of like when my third graders were so shocked to realize that I did in fact wear tennis shoes on occasion LOL) but you are even more invested emotionally in their books. You care about these authors, even if you’ve never met in real life. And let me tell you, some authors I know are a HOOT! Others are just so incredibly sweet. And still others become the friends you didn’t know you were missing.

CFRR logo early bird discountAnd, while I’m on the subject of author-reader interaction, have I told you lately about the HUGE Christian Fiction author-reader event I’m co-hosting in August in Nashville? Over 30 authors (Julie Lessman, Ruth Logan Herne, Laura Frantz, Mary Connealy, Pepper Basham, Brandy Heineman, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Caryl McAdoo, Melanie Dickerson, Becky Wade, Dani Pettrey, Carrie Turansky, Kara Isaac, Gabrielle Meyer, Jennifer Slattery, Kate Breslin, Shelley Shepard Gray, Susan Anne Mason, Krista Phillips, Debby Giusti, Genevieve Woods, Jan Drexler, Janet Dean, Jean Gordon, Kristi Ann Hunter, Tracey Lyons, Marie Wells Coutu, Elaine Stock, Melony Teague, Susan Page Davis, Mesu Andrews, and Myra Johnson) will be particpating WITH YOU, the reader, in activities like speed chats and panel discussions as well as lunch and a massive book signing extravaganza. The Early Bird Discount ends on May 4th and I really really don’t want you to miss out!! Head here for more info, giveaways, and the group we’ve started on Facebook for people looking to split rides or rooms. 

8. When my husband says, “Hey. Let’s go hang out in a bookstore.” Or, “Want me to carry your books?” – Ummm… let me think about it for half a second. YES PLEASE!.  And also, sweetheart, you’ve never been sexier. Just sayin’. If you were a book, you’d be fiiiiine print. <3

9. When someone loves a book you recommended to them – Whew! As a book blogger/reviewer and avid reader, I get asked for book recommendations A LOT.  When I hear back from someone that they really enjoyed the book, I always breathe a huge sigh of relief lol.  And then do another little bookishly-giddy happy dance 😀

10. Learning something while reading fiction – Y’all. Fiction is smart. I have learned so many things while reading a novel. And it delights me every time.  For instance, in Pepper Basham’s The Thorn Bearer, I learned (among many things) that the German Embassy put a warning advertisement in several American newspapers, basically telling people that they would destroy sailing vessels first and ask questions later. So, you know, sail at your own risk, all you passengers of the RMS Lusitania.  In Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin, I learned about the Pack Horse Librarians – librarians who would ride horses or mules 50-80 miles each week across rugged and often dangerous mountain terrain in Eastern Kentucky and other areas in Appalachia to deliver reading materials to the most remote schools and families. Kristy Cambron taught me about the existence and role of orchestras in Holocaust death camps in her debut novel, The Butterfly and the Violin. I could do an entire post on this particular delight… maybe i will! haha

reading with Ben11. Reading/Talking books with my nieces and nephews – This. Y’all. THIS is my favorite bookish delight.My nine nieces and nephews (my husband has 2 brothers and they each have 4 kids; my brother has 1 son) are all so different from each other in personality and tastes, but I’ve got at least two readers in the bunch. And I could not be more thrilled. About a year ago, my oldest niece (who did a book review here on the blog not too long ago) and I were talking about books after she stayed the night with us. She said, “I love just walking around libraries in the silence, looking at all the books.” I think I hugged the stuffing out of her and drifted momentarily from “cool aunt” to “crazy aunt” for a while after that 😉 My youngest nephew (the only one so far that could actually share some of my genes since his father is my brother) is not quite 1 year old yet but my sister-in-law told me the other day that he LOVES books and has started letting them know when he wants to be read to. AHHHHHHH… be still my bookish-aunt heart!! Delight overload!! The picture is from when Ben & I got in some aunt-nephew reading time during Christmas <3

12. The connection between fellow bookworms – This is another absolute favorite delight for me!! My heart smiles when I meet another book nerd. Or when I see a Little Free Library in someone’s yard. Or when I’m visiting a new acquaintance and I spy a well-worn copy of one of my fave books. Or when I’m surfing through someone’s blog or Pinterest boards and I realize they love the same books I do! Instant connection. Instant new friend.  And bookish people – authors, readers, bloggers, etc. – are some of the sweetest, most gracious, and most hilarious friends I have! I so love spending time with you, fellow bookworm, and this quote from C.S. Lewis pretty much sums up why.

friendship CS Lewis

Your turn! What are some things that make your bookworm heart do the Snoopy dance? Let me know in the comments and please do include the link to your own TTT post if you did one today 🙂

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80 responses to “Top Ten Tuesday: Oh How Delightful!”

  1. DeAnna Dodson

    My brain is too tired to answer your question, but I wanted to say:

    1. I LOVE that C. S. Lewis quote. Perfect!

    2. Your blog is a constant delight. Thank you. 🙂

    Reply
  2. carylkane

    I enjoy ALL things bookish. I agree the C.S. Lewis quote is perfect. Carrie, you are a blessing! Have a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!

    Reply
  4. Tracey

    Carrie! Almost all of the bookworm delights apply to me, but one book I just finished is covered in four of the points all by itself.

    I finished Courting Morrow Little last night!!
    Sigh, double sigh, triple sigh…I don’t want to start another book yet because I’m still there in the 1700’s with Morrow, Red Shirt, the twins, Louis…
    #2 Love the cover
    #6 You found the book for $1! I’m going to look for a copy to keep.
    #9 You recommended it, so do your happy dance!
    #10 Loved learning about living conditions in late 1700’s Kentucke, interactions between Indians/Settlers, geography, all of it!

    Thanks so much for the tip. This is what’s so hard about having hundreds of ebooks sitting on my kindle. I just know there are some treasures on there and I need to figure out which are MUST reads. I’ve had CML on my kindle for 2 years and didn’t realize what I was missing!

    Which brings me to #12, I’ve never felt more “at home” than when talking to booklovers, we just get each other! So C.S. got it right, a friendship is born, thanks friend 🙂

    Reply
    • Carrie

      YAAAAAAY!!!!!! Oh, Tracey – that makes me immensely happy!!! Happy dancing abounds here 😀 Thanks, friend 🙂

      Reply
  7. Stacey Jones

    Hi Carrie! Love the blog. I need to get the hubby to work on #8. He still cringes when we walk near a bookstore or library. LOL! So, tell me more about Lynda.com, Flipster, and Freegal? I’ve heard of Overdrive, but not the others. Not that I need anymore book resources…What am I saying???? I always need more book resources because I love books! Bubble hearts to you for a great blog!

    Reply
    • Carrie

      Hahaha!!! Lynda.com is a site for in depth tutorials on just about everything you could ever want to know how to do lol. Flipster is a way to read magazines digitally and Freegal is a movie & music streaming service. And Overdrive is amazing. 😉

      Reply
  10. CJ @ Not Another Dumb Blonde

    I love gorgeous covers! And I always find it amusing how we’re taught all our lives “never judge a book by it’s cover” yet I totally do that so often, haha. And Book Sales are my kryptonite. I have to place a limit on myself before I even walk in or I would just go crazy and buy everything. But I love them! My TTT

    Reply
  11. Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads

    Yes, great list! It’s good to be a bookworm 🙂
    Also a big yes to number 3! I totally forgot that one, but it is one of the best things ever! Feeling super proud and happy because you picked up on a reference, it’s amazing!

    Reply
  14. Yvette-Bookworlder

    I agree with so many of these – but #11, YES! I love reading/talking books with my 8 nieces and nephews and now I get to send picture books to my 3 (+2 more on the way) great-nieces & nephews. Being an aunt is one of my favorite things, bookish and otherwise 😀

    Reply
  16. Beckie B.

    “Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables. I used this quote when I answered Carole’s comment on my blog. You, my dear, are a kindred spirit. Love, love, love your list! In fact, I could have lifted many of them for my own post.

    And yes FedEx, UPS and USPS hold a special place in my heart!

    On a side note: I was at the Post Office today mailing books to friends and family. The counter guy said “what is with all these books?” I happily informed him of my “little hobby”. LOL!!

    Reply
    • Carrie

      what a fantastic quote! I adore Anne of Green Gables, which I’m sure is no surprise. 🙂 How splendid indeed to have found another kindred spirit in you, my friend!

      Reply
  17. Anastasia

    Great list! 🙂 I love it when books have beautiful cover art! Like for example Shatter Me series, they’re just wonderful!

    I like how you included here learning by reading FICTION, so many people seem to think that it’s just “waste of time” to read something that’s about fictional worlds. But you can learn so much, I know I have.

    Reply
  20. Ioana @booksreenchanted

    Great list! Ha, love your ‘version of celebrity’! I was just talking to a friend the other day about how I don’t get the whole ‘cult of celebrity’ thing… except with authors of course 🙂 And yes on everything else of course – especially used book sales!

    Reply
  21. Ioana @booksreenchanted

    Great list! Ha, love your ‘version of celebrity’! I was just talking to a friend the other day about how I don’t get the whole ‘cult of celebrity’ thing… except with authors of course 🙂 And yes on everything else – especially used book sales!

    Reply
  22. Rachel D.

    Oh gosh you explained my most favorite delights too!!!! My kids LOVE books and that just melts my heart! And I love love LOVE connecting with authors and other bookworms. C.S.Lewis truly says it all in that quote! Thank you Carrie! I am so very blessed to know you! (And share with you my chicken-phobia hahahaha!!!)

    Reply
  23. Jane

    Love your list, as always, Carrie 🙂 I totally feel the same way about “The book was better” (I often feel that way!). I love my library too. Libraries are just awesome. Authors are totally celebrities! Dawn Crandall read and commented on my review of “The Hesitant Heiress” the other day and I totally freaked out! It was so cool!

    And my husband is the same way about taking my to the bookstore. What gems! 🙂

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT earlier 🙂

    Reply
    • Carrie

      Hahahaha!! I still get that way when authors comment on my reviews 🙂 And we are apparently quite blessed with these husbands of ours!

      Reply
  26. Trisha

    Yes to a sexy husband who suggests going to the bookstore! I LOVE it when my hubs does that.

    Carrie, I agree with so many of your points, but the ones that really resonated are the HP books being better than the movies. The movies aren’t understandable without the context of the books. I know. I tried to watch them before reading the series and I just did not get it. And cover love. Mmm.. I love looking at and feeling (okay, caressing) a pretty cover.

    Reply
    • Carrie

      Oh that’s such a good way to put that – “the movies aren’t understandable without the context of the books.” So very true!

      Reply
  28. Michelle

    I have been known to choose books simply based on their covers (this has helped to expand my range of books). A beautiful cover is so important!

    Reply
    • Carrie

      I agree! Although I have discovered some amazing books whose covers I did not especially care for.

      Reply
  29. Jamie

    I love #3. It makes the world seem larger than the current story! Brandon Sanderson does this in his books. All his Epic Fantasies are set in the same universe. Seeing some familiar characters sprouting up is exciting!

    Reply
    • Carrie

      That’s a great way to put it – “it makes the world seem larger than the current story”. Love it!

      Reply
  30. Alice

    Great list!! I love the idea of having a Pinterest board just for the beautiful book covers I stmble upon, you gave me some inspiration… 🙂

    Reply
  35. Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

    I love your list! All of them, but especially numbers 3 through 7, and 12. I’m fortunate to live near a really stellar library system covering the nearest small city and 4 of its nearby counties. Sadly, my county is the only exception, but luckily, I can pay $35 to get a library card anyway. The entire catalog is online, and I can request holds online, to make sure the book is there when I make the 30-minute drive to the nearest branch (which happens to be the Headquarters library.) And they have awesome, huge booksales twice a year. And occasionally bring in authors I love — we’ve gotten Susanna Kearsley twice. Yeah, I really love “my” library!!

    Reply
  36. Marci @ The Plot Bunny

    OMG Carrie…I love your list. I should have added more and not just kept mine to 10. Definitely agree with you on the library love, reading to my little nephews and how fabulous it is when husbands take us to the library, bookstore or buy us bookish presents…::swoon:: Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the internet. I am going to go follow you on all social media now…because YOU ROCK!

    Reply
  40. Lynn

    Love No 3 and really love No 8! Sorry for delay in getting back – I’m on holiday so everything’s a bit more chilled out! Great list.
    Lynn 😀

    Reply

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