November 28, 2008 • Uncategorized •

TBIF – Thank blog it’s Friday! 11-28-08
Tuesday Thingers (Questions for LibraryThing users from The Boston Bibliophile)

Today’s question: Blog Widgets. Do you use them? Do you have them on your blog? Do you know what I’m talking about? 🙂 A blog widget is that list of books “From my LibraryThing” and such, that you’ll sometimes see on someone’s sidebar. If you use it, do all of your books show up or do you have it set to only show certain books? Do you have a search widget, which would allow your blog readers to search your library? Have you ever made a photomosaic of your book covers? You can find widgets and photomosaic information on the “Tools” tab in LibraryThing.

I use the “Random Books from my library” widget in my sidebar. (If you normally read my posts in a feed reader and don’t visit the blog itself, come by and check it out!) I play around with the settings on it every now and then. Since there are quite a few books in my LibraryThing collection that I read in the past but don’t have any more – they’ve been given away, donated, or somehow disappeared – I’ve added an “on my shelves” tag to designate the books that are actually in my possession, and those are the ones that the widget shows now. I’ve never installed the search widget, and I don’t know that I would. I think anyone who wants to search my LT library would probably just do it from there – the regular widget would take them there anyway.

I really hadn’t explored the photomosaics until this question came up. It looks like it could be fun to make one, but I’ve never done it and I’m not sure how I would use one.

I enjoy seeing the widgets on people’s blogs – they let me know the person is on LT, and give me a glimpse of the books that interest them.

Teaser Tuesday (hosted at Should Be Reading)

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers!

After a brief dry spell, I finally have some new books to tease you with!

“‘Except if they say that, Madam roots in her handbag, fishes out some volume she’s just finished and makes them a present of it.’
“‘Which they promptly sell on eBay.'” (page 41)
 – The Uncommon Reader, by Alan Bennett

“‘We don’t claim to understand this doubled kingship that you live under,’ Zelikman said. ‘It strikes us as overelaborate.'” (page 156)
 – Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure, by Michael Chabon

“‘My life hasn’t been so goddamned interesting,’ Clara interrupts.
“Ruth shifts her weight on the bed, sinks lower into her pillows.” (page 81)
– Black & White, by Dani Shapiro

“‘Maybe if they didn’t speak like they’d been slipped a roofie we’d understand what they were saying.’
Madeline had followed more gently.” (page 103)
 – Schooled, by Anisha Lakhani  (won a copy in a raffle from J. Kaye of J. Kaye’s Book Blog)

“But then – so what the hell. Better the kid pees on the shaggy old hulk than he tries to run away and put the finger on me.” (page 24)
A Jolly Good Fellow, by Stephen V. Masse
 (This is for an upcoming blog tour – thanks to Tracee Gleichner at Pump Up Your Book Promotion)

What’s new on your bookshelf these days?

Thankful – Booking Through Thursday

Today is Thanksgiving here in the U.S.
Now, you may have noticed that the global economy isn’t exactly doing well. There’s war. Starvation. All sorts of bad, scary things going on.
So–just for today–how about sharing 7 things that you’re thankful for?
This can be about books, sure–authors you appreciate, books you love, an ode to your public library–but also, how about other things, too? Because in times like these, with bills piling up and disaster seemingly lurking around every corner, it’s more important than ever to stop and take stock of the things we’re grateful for. Family. Friends. Good health (I hope). Coffee and tea. Turkey. Sunshine. Wagging tails. Curling up with a good book.
So, how about it? Spread a little positive thinking and tell the world what there is to be thankful for.

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves.

Since I did a “thankful” list for Ten on Tuesday last week, I could just send you back to that, but as I write this on Thanksgiving evening, I think I should give today’s question its own answer. In no particular order, I am thankful for:

  • My husband – the second time around is even better
  • My kids – the one I’ve had for 24 years who flew cross-country to spend Thanksgiving weekend with us, and the two who came as part of a package deal with their dad two years ago
  • Our extended family, including the dog
  • Our continued employment and a little bit of money in the bank
  • Our new home
  • Literacy and education
  • The people and ideas I’ve come to know as a member of the blogiverse – thank you all for being the most important part of that!

Even if you did a whole post about it yesterday, what’s one thing you’re thankful for?

Friday Fill-ins #100

1. My stomach is happily full of dessert (chocolate trifle!) right now.
2. Lasagna is what I ate the most of on Thursday (I did put turkey in it, though).
3. The yard is still a little muddy from the rain we had earlier this week.
4. At home, with a book and my laptop, is where I’d rather be at any given time.
5. The smell of tomato sauce simmering on the stove reminds me of Sunday dinners at my great-aunts’ house when I was a child.
6. Another day off is what I need right now! (Good thing I’m getting one, then – my office is open tomorrow, but I won’t be there!)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to visiting with the extended family at our new place (their first time here), tomorrow my plans include my mother-in-law’s tree-trimming party and Sunday, I want to have time for a little Christmas shopping!

Hope you and yours had a great Thanksgiving Day (if you celebrated it yesterday)! What’s planned for your weekend?

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11 comments

  4. KoolAidMom – It usually is a lot of fun. Last year, I actually didn’t get too involved in the actually tree-decorating, though, so I hope to do better this year.

    Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!

  6. Sounds like you have a busy weekend. We just got home from my mom’s again tonight since my cousin came into town. Tomorrow I work then we go to my dad’s for the holiday party for that side. It’s exhausting, as I’m sure you know.

    Hope you had a good night and a good rest of the long weekend!

  7. Kalea – The combination of sound and smell is very homey, isn’t it?

    Thanks for visiting, and enjoy your weekend!

    Mike – My sister and her family just left with my dad, and my husband his returning his kids to their mom’s house. Tomorrow we’re off to Mom-in-law’s house near San Diego. Yes, I do know it’s exhausting :-)!

    Back to work tomorrow for you, huh? Hope you’ve all been enjoying the holiday!

  8. What’d your son think of your new digs?
    I’m thankful for your friendship, Florinda. You’re awesome, and I’m honored to know you! (yep, I’m still feeling sappy.)

  9. April – Right back at you, girlfriend :-). (And for the record, sappiness is allowed – and even expected – during holidays.)

    Chris doesn’t tend to say much about these things. I think he likes the new house, but it’s way too suburban for his tastes. He likes life in the big city :-).

  10. Sounds like you and Tall Paul had a wonderful holiday! I’m catching up … I’ve gotten sooo behind on my favorite blogs lately. Glad you are well!