tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post8783096470917285112..comments2023-10-28T04:50:55.216-05:00Comments on Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life: Book QuizNancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-63180616547189926092007-09-21T06:54:00.000-05:002007-09-21T06:54:00.000-05:00Katiebird, alas, no Novocaine, but a very vigorous...Katiebird, alas, no Novocaine, but a very vigorous cleaning (a powerful sortie in the battle against gum disease...which evidently, I'm not winning, despite my pretty decent maintenance). Le sigh.<BR/><BR/>Nancy - re: blurbs - yah, I know what you mean. I hear that from fellow authors on the politics. I've not yet been asked for one and don't know what I'd do if I truly disliked the work, but felt obligated. :(Maria Limahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11100001743076902535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-26869704482050649162007-09-21T06:22:00.000-05:002007-09-21T06:22:00.000-05:00Oh kb, ALL food is a temptation for me!! :-)Oh kb, ALL food is a temptation for me!! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-14116363965129006182007-09-20T22:59:00.000-05:002007-09-20T22:59:00.000-05:00Hi Beth!I can't wait to hear all about it in the m...Hi Beth!<BR/><BR/>I can't wait to hear all about it in the morning.<BR/><BR/>Is peanut butter a temptation for you? If so, then I AM proud of you!katiebirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262129879015590898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-51712429803319422242007-09-20T22:56:00.000-05:002007-09-20T22:56:00.000-05:00Yes, we did, Nancy, thanks for asking. It was wond...Yes, we did, Nancy, thanks for asking. It was wonderful - really hard to leave this morning. I'll blog about it tomorrow, and attach pictures. <BR/><BR/>I loved Pensacola - might have to spend my winters there instead of down here. But I think we decided I'm the evil one, not her...<BR/><BR/>I do have PB, but resisted - kb will be proud of me! <BR/><BR/>More tomorrow - night -Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-45524122157740065372007-09-20T21:07:00.001-05:002007-09-20T21:07:00.001-05:00Beth,did you and your friend have a nice time?Beth,did you and your friend have a nice time?Nancy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-39180383159868344082007-09-20T21:07:00.000-05:002007-09-20T21:07:00.000-05:00Thanks, Beth, and welcome home!It was a very Hippo...Thanks, Beth, and welcome home!<BR/>It was a very Hippo Birdie for me.<BR/><BR/>I hope you have peanut butter in the house? ;)<BR/><BR/><B>Man Eegee</B>--way up there yonder? LOL at your temptation to find out who lived and who died in Deathly Hallows. I know!Nancy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-55000541324498866492007-09-20T20:59:00.000-05:002007-09-20T20:59:00.000-05:00I'm back! I missed everyone! Just in time to join ...I'm back! I missed everyone! Just in time to join the poll - yay - I love polls...<BR/><BR/>1. Nope. What's popular doesn't always interest me.<BR/><BR/>2. I always read the blurb of a book that looks interesting, or if I've heard good things about it from friends. The only time I buy a book w/o reading the blurb is if specific friends have enthusiastically recommended it. I don't know if a blurb influences my decision to buy a book as much as...<BR/><BR/>3. I read the first line (a la Don Maass). If it hooks me, I buy it. If the first line is bad, the book doesn't go home with me, except under VERY unique circumstances.<BR/><BR/>4. Read the ending first?? (Horrified face) NEVER! I don't want to spoil it. Sometimes I'll read a few pages ahead to see if things are progressing as I want them to, then I slap my own hand and stop doing that. <BR/><BR/>5. Haven't seen the local paper yet. Reviews can induce me to look at a book...read the blurb...the first line...etc.<BR/><BR/>6. Crunchy!! Hate peanuts, love crunchy peanut butter. Go figure.<BR/><BR/>Now I have to eat some peanut butter...<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Nancy! And belated Hippo Birdie - I missed sending you BD wishes on your day!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-2323070876724217402007-09-20T20:57:00.000-05:002007-09-20T20:57:00.000-05:00I'm probably straying into religious territory her...<I>I'm probably straying into religious territory here</I><BR/><BR/>lol!! Watch it, buster. Our high priests are tough guys.<BR/><BR/> <I>but I think for mysteries one should ignore the blurb and read the first couple of pages. That should be enough to give you a good idea of whether it's going to keep your attention. Yea? Nay?</I><BR/><BR/>Yes,imo.Nancy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-18073875017034679762007-09-20T20:46:00.000-05:002007-09-20T20:46:00.000-05:00Yay, a quiz!Do you pay any attention to best selle...Yay, a quiz!<BR/><BR/><I>Do you pay any attention to best seller lists?</I><BR/><BR/>No.<BR/><BR/><I>When you're in a bookstore trying to decide whether to buy a book, do you read the "blurbs" on the covers? Do they ever influence your buying decision?</I><BR/><BR/>I read the blurbs, mainly to see if the story interests me. But I look at them assuming they're positive (or they wouldn't be on the cover). I've put a couple of books back on the shelf based on the blurb, and bought a couple because it did sound interesting. Note that what interests me on Saturday may not be so interesting on Tuesday.<BR/><BR/><I>When you're deciding on that book, do you read any of the book while you're standing there in the store?</I><BR/><BR/>Very very rarely. I'm probably straying into religious territory here, but I think for mysteries one should ignore the blurb and read the first couple of pages. That should be enough to give you a good idea of whether it's going to keep your attention. Yea? Nay?<BR/><BR/><I>When you take the book home, do you ever read the ending first?</I><BR/><BR/>When I was younger, I would read the last <I>sentence</I>. Nowadays, no.<BR/><BR/><I>Do you have a book review section in your local paper? Do you ever buy or not buy books based on reviews?</I><BR/><BR/>Local paper? No. I think the city papers have them, but I never pay attention. I read the reviews in <I>Asimov's</I>, and I might have bought a book based on that… but I don't think I did.<BR/><BR/><I>Do you like smooth or crunchy peanut butter?</I><BR/><BR/>Crunchy, but smooth is fine too. Either one is great with some homemade blackberry jelly.Larry Kollarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317037795075278427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-18176902012637061642007-09-20T20:38:00.000-05:002007-09-20T20:38:00.000-05:00Olivia, I DID forget the sniff test, lol! The heck...Olivia, I DID forget the sniff test, lol! The heck with that other stuff.Nancy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-85800613833591740202007-09-20T19:11:00.000-05:002007-09-20T19:11:00.000-05:00* lists?-- Never* "blurbs" -- No* influence your b...* lists?<BR/>-- Never<BR/><BR/>* "blurbs" <BR/>-- No<BR/>* influence your buying?<BR/>-- No, that's what the sniff test is for ... ;-)<BR/><BR/>* read bits<BR/>-- Yep, as soon as I can start it the better<BR/><BR/>* read the ending first?<BR/>-- Never! In fact, if I do find a book that I really connect w/, then I often won't finish it, so that it never really ends ...<BR/><BR/>* book review section <BR/>-- not sure b/c don't read the paper<BR/><BR/>* smooth or crunchy <BR/>-- crunchyoliviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03401788202984343513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-79674788305875161082007-09-20T19:05:00.000-05:002007-09-20T19:05:00.000-05:00Nancy, you forgot the sniff test ... :)Nancy, you forgot the sniff test ... :)oliviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03401788202984343513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-76316119625562648472007-09-20T17:31:00.000-05:002007-09-20T17:31:00.000-05:00Maria,that's scary about going by blurbs by me. I'...Maria,that's scary about going by blurbs by me. I'm REALLY glad you said that, because it confirms what I've been thinking, which is that I shouldn't blurb books I don't really love. I loved yours when I blurbed it, truly loved it and thought it was wonderfully original and fun, but I don't always feel that way about books I blurb. So why do I, you may ask? Sometimes circumstances make it REALLY delicate. I'll blurb and be damned, before I'll hurt the feelings of a friend, but that doesn't do the potential readers any good, does it? Gnashing of teeth. Speaking of which--yours--ouch!Nancy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-62477179549680729042007-09-20T16:02:00.000-05:002007-09-20T16:02:00.000-05:00Nancy, Giggling.Nancy, <BR/><BR/>Giggling.katiebirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262129879015590898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-44895808545178136542007-09-20T16:00:00.000-05:002007-09-20T16:00:00.000-05:00Hi Maria,I'm sorry you had a bad experience. Did ...Hi Maria,<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry you had a bad experience. Did he give you Novocaine?katiebirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262129879015590898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-47776015660124310682007-09-20T15:46:00.000-05:002007-09-20T15:46:00.000-05:00Poll!!Okay - so on to the questions:* Do you pay a...Poll!!<BR/><BR/>Okay - so on to the questions:<BR/><BR/>* Do you pay any attention to best seller lists?<BR/>-- Only if I or one of my friends is on one. Other than that, not really. I *do* pay attention to the Mysterious Galaxy best seller list (which I actually *have* been on) - b/c I find that what sells at MG is often my cup of tea.<BR/><BR/>* When you're in a bookstore trying to decide whether to buy a book, do you read the "blurbs" on the covers? Do they ever influence your buying decision?<BR/>-- Yes. I always read blurbs, but mostly to see if I recognize the names. I'll read anything you blurb, Nancy. Same goes for Charlaine and others. If blurbed by famous author that I don't know, I don't give it as much weight, because I don't know their taste.<BR/><BR/>* When you're deciding on that book, do you read any of the book while you're standing there in the store? The first page? A few pages in the middle? Bits here and there? No part of it?<BR/><BR/>-- First and a few pages in, I don't often skip into the meat of the book.<BR/><BR/>* When you take the book home, do you ever read the ending first?<BR/>-- Never.<BR/><BR/>* Do you have a book review section in your local paper? Do you ever buy or not buy books based on reviews?<BR/>-- I don't get the paper, nor do I read the reviews, unless someone points one out to me. I tend to find books via blog reviews and/or personal recommendations.<BR/><BR/>* Do you like smooth or crunchy peanut butter? Yes.<BR/><BR/>(I'm working at home this afternoon, post a miserable dental visit.)Maria Limahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11100001743076902535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-64845028248903225432007-09-20T15:30:00.000-05:002007-09-20T15:30:00.000-05:00That's funny, kb!That's funny, kb!Nancy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-60150206665312855892007-09-20T15:28:00.000-05:002007-09-20T15:28:00.000-05:00Your local librarian just cast the first vote in t...Your local librarian just cast the first vote in the poll!katiebirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262129879015590898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-33716528992592675012007-09-20T14:59:00.000-05:002007-09-20T14:59:00.000-05:00Sometimes I resist a book just because everybody's...Sometimes I resist a book just <I>because</I> everybody's reading it. Kind of stupid, really. And if I ever make the best seller lists, I won't want anybody to do that to me, of course.Nancy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-87855087440205618832007-09-20T14:04:00.000-05:002007-09-20T14:04:00.000-05:00My local paper doesn't have book reviews, unless i...My local paper doesn't have book reviews, unless it's an "entertainment review" of a book by O.J., for example. I do read the reviews on amazon, the blurbs in the bookstores, and often the first page.<BR/><BR/>But I think that what influences me most is word-of-mouth. My friends and family are avid readers. And if a friend suggests a book I'll take a serious look and often buy.<BR/><BR/>I love peanut butter and take it anyway I can get it.Conda Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12972790965426924941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-18467430023371713862007-09-20T13:41:00.000-05:002007-09-20T13:41:00.000-05:00*BS Lists - nope*Blurbs - I'll read them but hardl...*BS Lists - nope<BR/><BR/>*Blurbs - I'll read them but hardly make a buying decision as a result<BR/><BR/>*Definitely a first page reader.<BR/><BR/>*Read ending first - never! although it took a lot of willpower not to check the final page of Deathly Hallows to see who was still alive.<BR/><BR/>*Review section - the local weekly indy magazine has a good section that I peruse irregularly<BR/><BR/>*Crunchy for sandwiches, smooth for tortillas. Yes, I buy both types :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16837068933376597307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-80252962708512334062007-09-20T12:46:00.000-05:002007-09-20T12:46:00.000-05:00I don't buy books just because they're on the best...I don't buy books just because they're on the bestseller lists, but I do think they get so much more exposure in bookstores when they are that I keep seeing them and sometimes eventually buy what I might not normally. That's how I ended up buying the The DaVinci Code. It would just not go away and I finally just broke down and bought a deeply discounted copy. Oh, the power of marketing. Also there are some authors that I would never have known about or noticed except that they were on a bestseller list. Like a book called The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl, which I really enjoyed. I doubt I would've found him if he hadn't been on a table.<BR/><BR/>I absolutely read the blurb and often the first couple of paragraphs.<BR/><BR/>I don't read from the middle or end of the book.<BR/><BR/>I have bought books based on magazine or newspaper coverage.<BR/><BR/>Crunchy.Kimberly Frosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01858506885360410658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-75702232395508265332007-09-20T11:16:00.000-05:002007-09-20T11:16:00.000-05:00Hmm. I just went and looked up pictures of Mr. Pea...Hmm. I just went and looked up pictures of Mr. Peanut. Those could be tights. No less scary, though.Nancy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-24929639701796697982007-09-20T11:06:00.000-05:002007-09-20T11:06:00.000-05:00Rick, lol. Mr. Peanut really is a kind of creepy g...Rick, lol. Mr. Peanut really is a kind of creepy guy. Shoes with no pants?Nancy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-22594377628957708362007-09-20T10:24:00.000-05:002007-09-20T10:24:00.000-05:001. BS Lists? Never heard of them.2. Blurbs. Read t...1. BS Lists? Never heard of them.<BR/><BR/>2. Blurbs. Read them, but influence is low.<BR/><BR/>3. If I'm picking it up cold, I'll read a few pages. If it is a recommnedation or an author I like, I just get it.<BR/><BR/>4. Read ending first? One in a 100, but never a mystery. What's the point in that?<BR/><BR/>5. Yes we have a review section; It rarely influences me on the positive side, but it will make me shy of a book with a bad review.<BR/><BR/>6. Neither. Mr. Peanut scared me in my youth by cracking up in front of me. "The horror; the horror."Rick Bylinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10493557860835710721noreply@blogger.com