book: noun \ ˈbu̇k \ : I am bibliophile.
candor: noun \ can·dor \ ˈkan-dər , -ˌdȯr \ : I express myself with (a lot of) words
////
prologue
Welcome to (yet another) book blog of reviews, rants, and romps through the world of letters!
My name is Jennifer, and I'm the bibliophile at the wheel of this blog.
Since I missed my calling as a Reading Rainbow kid reviewer back in the day, this blog is where I reinvigorate a childhood dream, file away the 9-to-5, and delve further into my cravings for books and lit culture, along with exerting my vigorous need to express my opinions. This space is, in a way, an extension of the review space at GoodReads and a more organized thought process than my journals, but it's even more so an extension of myself, as I feel that the books we grab for, read, and covet tell us more about ourselves, and urge us to find ourselves more than anything.
At the moment, there isn't some "big" goal for this blog. I'm just curious to see where the words, and the pages take me.
////
what i read I'm interested in and read books in a variety of genres. If the blurb intrigues me, then I will attempt to read it. Still I do possess favoritism (don't we all?) and will read and more than likely post about the following genres:
- literary fiction
- contemporary and classic fiction
- historical fiction
- horror, mystery, gothic, and speculative fiction
- literature and non-fiction from and about people of color, esp. from the African diaspora
- literature with a Southern and/or Southern Gothic lean, bonus points for being Texas-related
- cultural and social-political studies
- feminism, womanist, and women studies
- autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs
- writing craft and journalism studies
////
who i read
Some of my favorite wordsmiths are: Alice Walker, Carson McCullers, James Baldwin, Truman Capote, Angela Carter, Zora Neale Hurston, Colette, W. Somerset Maugham, Shirley Jackson, Dorothy Parker, Stephen King, and Langston Hughes.
Still this is a growing list that will fluctuate and expand as I continue to read more, and discover more holders of the mighty pen.
////
how i read
My reading habits are pretty basic. I set a goal for the year of how many books I want to read and attempt to reach that goal. Easy peasy. Often I don't plan what I read. Usually I allow books to "choose me" and shape my reading year. I find it's more fun, natural, and unexpected that way. There are times when I'm drawn to particular subjects, books, or authors for the year, but it's not a regular occurrence.
I don't often read new releases unless it's something that I've been hotly anticipating or have an interest in. I have in recent years made an effort to read at least one or two new reads a year, but for the most part, a lot of the books I read have been sitting on the shelf, randomly grabbed at bookstores, or collecting in my Kindle for awhile. It's why this blog has a unpredictable feel, because even I don't know what I will end up reading or reviewing!
Oh, and I read by way of paperback, hardback, and my beloved Kindle Paperwhite. Audiobooks and I do not get along.
blog title origin
The blog's name is a riff off the 1958 film, Bell Book and Candle starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak. Coming up with the name was one of those out-of-nowhere light bulb moments :)
I don't often read new releases unless it's something that I've been hotly anticipating or have an interest in. I have in recent years made an effort to read at least one or two new reads a year, but for the most part, a lot of the books I read have been sitting on the shelf, randomly grabbed at bookstores, or collecting in my Kindle for awhile. It's why this blog has a unpredictable feel, because even I don't know what I will end up reading or reviewing!
Oh, and I read by way of paperback, hardback, and my beloved Kindle Paperwhite. Audiobooks and I do not get along.
////
blog title origin
The blog's name is a riff off the 1958 film, Bell Book and Candle starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak. Coming up with the name was one of those out-of-nowhere light bulb moments :)
