Recent Book Activity

(April 25, 2012)

We've been geocaching for over a year now! We're still not doing really well, but look forward to getting better come a second summer and more experience. We're going by "nevada carma" if you're into it and want to look us up. :)

Keva Juice has the self-serve yogurt & fixings bar, with new flavors often, and the big hot pretzels, as well as the wide variety of smoothies. They also have soup, in a cup, bowl, or bread bowl.

I joined Goodreads two years ago; please 'friend' me there if you're a sincerely avid reader (no facebook style friends please). I'm going by "Cheryl in CC NV" over there, and I manage the groups (forums) "Fans of Maps" and "More than Just a Rating" in which we talk about reviews, as well as a group for locals, "GoodReaders in the Carson City Area." I'd love to have you join any or all of those groups, even as a lurker.

Speaking of ratings - GR uses a 5 point system, and I've found that my ratings over there tend not to correspond proportionately here. Today I happened to find an applicable section in BigrTex's profile here - and this seems to correspond to what I've been doing on BookCrossing:

"Here's the system that I'm going try to use to rate books [stolen from calicocollie, who adapted it from tnkbl, who got it from Starbytes, who got it from Gizmopuddy, who got it from Sugarkane (now florafloraflora) and Scism]:

10: Excellent, at the top of its category. This book has impacted me deeply, challenged me profoundly, or has simply been a pure delight to read.
9: Great book - just a nitpick stands between it and a 10
7-8: Good, solid book that I would recommend to others.
6: Decent, but not great.
4-5: Only OK. Barely worth reading. The line between taking it and leaving it is very thin.
2-3: Has major problems. I don't recommend it.
1: It's hard to imagine anyone liking this book."

So, yeah, the 5 star system at goodreads tends to squash the lower ratings tighter. But that's ok - just bear in mind that the best information about how someone liked a book comes from their review.

Goodreads is a great complement to this site - instead of having as its focus the book and its BCID, it has as its focus the reader. It's a fantastic way to keep track of books you want to read someday, vs books on your wishlist, vs books you've read and don't want to accidentally pick up again and reread simply because the new edition has a different cover.... And it's fun to see what your friends are reading and adding to their to-read shelves! Also there are forums, including one for fans of bookcrossing!

If you're like me and would like more real-life friends, check out the local Yahoo group BookCrossing-Reno. There you can meet with other readers & friends to laugh, learn, and share.

I highly recommend you visit Dog-Eared books on Fairview Drive (opposite Lowe's here in Carson). The new owner has cleaned it, organized the shelves, brought books out of storage, remodeled the children's and young adults sections... and it's still cheap, especially if you have trades!

I love to trade (depending on your offer of something off my wishlist, possibly worldwide - but remember you can buy new locally cheaper than I can ship overseas) and, when I can afford to, send certain special RABCKs to USA members. My AVL list changes frequently (at least 2-3 times/ month).

My wishlist is up-to-date, as in it has no books on it that I've found since I added them. However, there are books on my wishlist on GoodReads that haven't been listed here. So, if you really want to gift me, you'll have to work at it...

I've also been having a lot of fun with my PrintPerfect software from Cosmi. I can make BC labels with the exact images, wording, format, and size that I want. And it's so easy - I recommend it to anyone.

Maintaining my OBCZ is an exciting challenge. I always appreciate the books dropped off - some get registered and put right back on the shelf, and some get registered and then Wild Released (usually at the Carson City library paberback exchange in the front hall) or shared with friends.

Btw, my "releases" tally may not reflect a number that makes a lot of sense. I've let go of lots more books than that: for example on Halloween I give books to Trick-or-Treaters. But I didn't Release them, I did Journal Entries on them. RABCKs often got Journal Entries, too. (This habit probably explains my relatively low count of 'controlled releases' also.)

Also please note the books I release are often not ones we have read, but rather donations or thrift stores finds. For a somewhat better idea of my taste, see my wishlist, or visit me at GoodReads.

Btw, some people are having trouble with PMs. I don't want it to happen to me, so if you're having trouble reaching me go ahead and send msgs to cherylllr (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Thanks much to danesboxers for the cartoon persona - she expresses *exactly* how I feel! :)

I love bookcrossing - all the new friends I've made around the world, all the new books & authors I've discovered, all the karma points I've scored... ;) Thanks!

LLR
Cheryl