GoodReads, Amazon Kindle Unlimited and Other Stuff - thoughts by Sheri

I love social media.  Not going to lie - I am addicted to Facebook.  I love seeing what people are doing (even those I haven't seen in over 30 years), love keeping track of all my kids comings and goings and love watching funny goat videos.  I also Tweet (some). And now, we have a social media for reading - GoodReads.  I can see what friends and family are currently reading and what they want to read.  I can read what others think about books that I am considering, which is cool!  Reading AND social media - I am in heaven!!!  

Because GoodReads isn't quite enough for me, I also just joined Amazon's Kindle Unlimited which offers a huge collection of books that you can read for free.  Well, free after you pay $9.99 a month - so not free. But you know what I mean.   Both of these are great ways to get introduced to authors you are not familiar with.  Because I read SO much, I have to fill the void until my favorite authors next book(s) comes out.  

Looking over our blog, I realized that most of what we write about is Lisa and her books.  Which is fine and great and wonderful but we do have other "favorites".  We both like to read Nora Roberts.  I'm not a huge romance reader.  I am more into ghost stories. I like psychological thrillers.  Back in the 90s, I discovered Barbara Michaels (Mertz) and read every spooky book she wrote and went to every reading/signing she did. She was the first author I really came to know on a personal basis and I was so sad when I learned that she passed away.  I feel fortunate to have met her and gotten to know her.   Not only were the stories scary, a lot of the them took place locally which I love!  

While surfing Amazon about two years ago, I stumbled upon an English writer - Sarah Rayne, who I feel writes very similarly to Barbara and immediately became smitten.  From Amazon.com, "Much of the inspiration for her dark psychological thrillers comes from the histories and atmospheres of old buildings...."  LOVE THIS.  I read everything that Amazon US had to offer and begged the publisher to offer all of hers available in the UK to us.  They listened!  I feel a personal connection with her as well, we communicate via email every few months or so.  

I have had to overcome by feeling of being disloyal to Lisa and Sarah and know that it's okay to like what others write.  And I have the internet to thank for the ability to read whatever I want.  Without the internet, there would be no Amazon, no GoodReads. Ahhh...so many books, so little time.  

Corina Spends a Quiet Morning Reading

Spending some quiet time this morning reading Betrayed by Lisa Scottoline. Thank you Sheri for the new bookmark. I love it. It reminds me of our trip to Lisa's.

LOOK!  Corina is kicking back, enjoying her morning with Nora's newest in The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, "Blood Magick".  Sheri has some catching up to do.....  

Lisa Came to Fairfax!

We were very excited to have Lisa visit our local Barnes & Nobles on November 30. She was discussing her newest book in the Rosato series, "Betrayed".  Since she has now seen our faces several times this year, we feel like we are old friends and she refers to us as "family".  She is very kind and generous.  And not to mention hysterical.  Can't wait to visit again!  

Lisa and Francesca's Book Club Party

We were so excited to be invited to Lisa's annual book club party!  Held at her beautiful home in Pennsylvania, the event was more fun than we could've imagined.  Lisa and her daughter, Francesca, were warm and friendly; remembering us both by our names and our book club name.  After being photographed and well fed, we were able to pre-order Betrayed, which will be released in November.  Lisa, Francesca and Laura (their assistant and best friend) entertained us with side-splitting hilarity and honest portrayal of their lives.  We again had our picture taken with them while they signed our books and came away with a promise of dinner plans when Lisa comes to town next month.  The day couldn't have been better and we hope to be invited back. 

Keep Quiet

The First in Line book club met to discuss "Keep Quiet" by our fave Lisa Scottoline. We both agree that we would do anything to protect our kids...it's what moms do. We loved the book!! 

Accused!

Sheri  and Corina had their first First In Line Book Club meeting in December.  They enjoyed a Bloody Mary and breakfast while discussing how much they liked Accused and what fun it was to meet Lisa.  Corina planned to catch up on some of Lisa's books on her cruise.  Another book discussion is on the horizon!