In Store or Online Book Shopping- What's Your Preference?

Do you enjoy purchasing books in the store or online?
I have found myself recently in a position where I have been buying several books online instead of in the store. Why is that? Well, recently my favorite book store, Borders, was closed. Well, not all the Borders have closed, but the one closest to me has. It was the closest, best, book store around. There are a few used book stores and one store that sells some new and used books but that's not the store's specialty. But realizing that I've had to do more book shopping online, I thought about what I miss about buying in store.
In store shopping allows me to browse in any section and let the titles and cover/spine art catch my attention. To me, browsing books is faster in store than online. I also enjoy being able to pull out books that I've already read, and love, and feigning interest and putting them back on the shelf, but so that they are now facing out so others will notice them easier. LOL. I see books I have thoroughly enjoyed and I want others to spot them easier. hehe. Anyone else guilty of this? Anyways, I also miss being able to just grab the book, purchase it, and take it home to immediately start reading. When buying online I have to wait for the book to ship to me. Which can be very annoying. Like recently when I pre-ordered Eona, the sequel to Eon, by Alison Goodman. I had been waiting forever for this sequel to be released and was so excited. Well, it came out and didn't ship until a few days after it was released. I had to wait over a week after it's release to receive. I was so ticked. Why didn't I just go buy it in store somewhere? Well, I was worried that they wouldn't have it available in store anywhere nearby. I also didn't anticipate the length of time it would take to be shipped. I definitely won't be ordering through the same company again (Barnes&Noble).

So tell me what your preference is. I want to know what makes people choose between in store book shopping and online book shopping. Do you own a Kindle and that's why you buy online, for the digital book? Let me know. :)

The Mage's Daughter by Lynn Kurland

The Mage's Daughter is the sequel to Star of the Morning, and I am currently now reading the 3rd book following this one, Princess of the Sword. At 378 pages long, this is a little long winded considering it's actual length. I found it enjoyable, but it was a bit slower paced throughout than Star of the Morning. Interesting enough though, to keep you reading on.

Neroche is under assault by a mysterious magic that has stripped its king of his powers and unleashed nightmarish creatures as weapons in a war of evil.

Duty bound to aid his king, Miach of Neroche is torn between what his responsibilities dmand and what his heart desires.

I love to give teases of the excerpt. Sometimes they just tell us more than we should know going into the novel. Anyways, I love how we move into more of the romance in this novel. It's hard not to be excited to see Miach go after his heart and leave his duties on the back burner. There are surprises and mysteries that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Characters will be killed. Others will be captured. It's all in a months work in Neroche. lol. This is the exciting, fun, romantic part of this story. It's definitely a must read for those who have read Star of the Morning. If you haven't read Star of the Morning, go read it first, then read this one. :) 5/5 Stars!!

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel, is a wondrous depiction of an alternate reality. The alternate reality seeming to be of the 1930's, approx. This story is about a cabin boy who chases after the life of his father, who died 3 years previously. Matt Cruse, the cabin boy, only feels at home on the ship, Aurora, where his father had also served as sail maker. In this adventure, Matt meets a young lady passenger. They become companions after the link of connection between curiosity and wonder for the airship they were aboard and the the ominous death of the young lady's grandfather upon the same ship the year previous. Yet, together, these two can't seem to stay out of trouble.

A marvelous tale of aircrafts, fictional fantasy creatures, and happiness. Oppel doesn't let you down, chapter to chapter. There wasn't a single boring page in this book. Everything was interesting, and very descriptive. I found this book at the 1/2 price book store. I first heard about it when I was looking for books that people recommended for those who liked, The Giver. I considered the title lightly until I saw it upon the shelf and said, it must be fate, and bought it. LOL. There are two more books to go with this one. I ordered the second one this morning when I woke up, because I stayed up late finishing reading this one. :) Oppel definitely deserved the multiple awards he won for this novel. At 500 pages, it's bones are hollow, because it seemed to float,airborn, through my mind and the 500 pages didn't seem long at all. 5/5 Stars!!!

Fire by Kristin Cashore

After being upset with Kristin Cashore after Graceling; that her next novel, Fire, was just a companion book and not a sequel, I refused to buy and read Fire. I would scowl at it when I'd see it in book stores, with it's beautiful cover art and striking name. I would pull out the hardcover book and read the synopsis of it and scowl and put it back, remembering it was only a companion book. Who was this Fire, and what did she have to do with Katsa? Nothing actually, except that she was the first to...well...never mind. I finally did give in to buying and reading Fire, as you can tell since I am writing a review on it now. LOL. What pushed me over was finding it finally in paper back and another blogger/review which got me to wanting to read it.
`
She has been hidden away. Now she is choosing to use her power.
It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. Young King Nash clings to the throne, while rebel lords, in the north and south, build armies to unseat him. War is coming. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves.
This is where Fire lives, a girl whose startling appearance is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.
Everyone... except Prince Brigan.

I apologize to Kristin Cashore for doubting her so. Fire was an AMAZING read, just as Graceling was. Cashore introduces us to a new area, new characters, new warring people but these new things border the known. With an main female character that is so easy to love and connect to as a reader, Kristin Cashore definitely deserves a hug. LOL. She is easily one of my most favorite authors now. At 461 pages long, it took me way too long to read this, and I mean as in the time I wasted refusing to read it. LOL. It took me only 2 days to actually read this amazing tale. Thank you Kristin Cashore for another amazing read. xoxoxoxoxo 5/5 Stars!!!

Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland

I would never had found this book except for this wonderful book reviewer who blogs on http://chachic.wordpress.com/ . She is the only book reviewer I actually read. She reviewed this book and it sounded good, so I picked it up when I saw it at the book store.

Legend has it that only the two magical swords held in trust by Neroche's rulers can defeat the evil in the black mage...and never have they been more needed, as the mage's assault begins to cover the kingdom in darkness.

It was very easy to become engrossed in this story. AT 327 pages long, it took me two days to read. Introducing the King of Neroche before his archmage brother was a very good move by Kurland. I would not have liked the King at all if I had met his brother first. I like how she uses this also with introducing the pair to the main female, Morgan. Morgan is a mystery to these Neroche men, as well as herself. Yet, in their travels, they learn about her as she also learns about herself. This book is the 1st of a series. I would consider this 1st book as, the journey. The next book, I'm sure will be, the plan. My only complaint would be that everything was too predictable up until the very end. The synopsis on the back of the book gives away too much of the story line and ruins the surprises that could have been throughout the book for the reader. That is why I did not recite the whole synopsis for you here. ;) Over all though, I consider this a very good fantasy novel. It has rich characters, a nice journey and a twitterpating romance. :)
I give this book 4/5 Stars! Missing 1 star because of the spoiling back cover synopsis and the predictability.

Matched by Ally Condie

I found this one randomly in the bookstore. The Green, modern looking cover turned me away at first, but I looked anyways.

In the society, officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.
Cassia has always trusted their choices. It's hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one...until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path no one else has ever dared follow--between perfection and passion.

Wow! What a glimpse that was. I had to have it. I can't resist a love triangle. LOL. At 366 pages long, it took me a day to read this because I couldn't put it down. At first the book screamed at me, The Giver by Lois Lowry. Then, later, the romance of it screamed at me, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Yet, by the end of it, it screamed to me, Matched by Ally Condie and also, GIVE ME THE NEXT ONE! LOL I always end up picking books that I think are single title stories that always turn out to be the 1st of a series. I won't complain though, except the wait for the next one to come out. It is brilliant how Condie pulls us in with a feel for the amazing Giver and then throws a romance at us that pulls like Edward and Bella. Then to end it in a way to make our imaginations soar in longing for what happens next... Ally Condie knows how to ensnare her audience. I recommend this to all and highly to those who are fans of The Giver and The Hunger Games trilogy. Matched receives 5/5 Stars from me. :)

been so long....

It's been a very long time since I have written a review on any of the books I've read. Don't think I haven't been reading. I have several I have read, just haven't felt like reviewing. In this post I will list the books and authors I have missed reviewing and give you a simple star review with accompanying READ IT!!!, Take a look, and Don't bother.

Grimpow: The Invisible Road by Rafael Abalos - 3/5 stars. Take a Look.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman- 5/5 Stars. READ IT!!!

Cold Magic by Kate Elliott- 5/5 Stars. READ IT!!!

Blackveil by Kristen Britain- 4/5 Stars. Take a Look. READ IT if you have read the previous 3 books of the series.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson- 5/5 Stars. READ IT!!!

Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan- 5/5 Stars. READ IT!!!

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells- 5/5 Stars. READ IT!!!

Eon by Alison Goodman- 5/5 Stars. READ IT!!!

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. 5/5 Stars. Take a Look. yes, this is the book that the movie was based off of. The book was alot better than the movie and I liked the movie.

Delcroix Academy: The Candidates by Inara Scott. 5/5 Stars. READ IT!!!

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson. 2/5 Stars. Don't bother.

The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge. 4/5 Stars. READ IT!!!

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. 4/5 Stars. Take a Look. There's a 2nd book following this I haven't read yet, but it's on my shelf, Sapphique.

Dragon Master by Chris Bunch. 3/5 Stars. Take a Look.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. 5/5 Stars. READ IT!!! the 2nd book of the Hunger Games trilogy. Must read if you have read the 1st one.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. 4/5 Stars. READ IT!!! 3rd book of the Hunger Games trilogy. Must read if you have read the first two.


That is the end of my list of read books. Sorry I haven't been doing reviews. I will try to do better. Several books on my shelf to read. Currently reading Dune by Frank Herbert. My list of books to read are:

Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland
Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
The Prince of Shadow by Curt Benjamin
The Girl who Heard Dragons by Anne McCaffrey
The Dreaming Tree by C.J. Cherryh
Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey
Cherokee Storm by Janelle Taylor
Move Heaven and Earth by Christina Dodd
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn
King's Dragon by Kate Elliott
Dawn on a Distant Shore by Sara Donati
Lake in the Clouds by Sara Donati
Fire Along the Sky by Sara Donati
Warrior by Marie Brennan
Witch by Marie Brennan
The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce

Ones I am waiting to read because I have to wait for them to come out are:

Eona (sequel to Eon) by Alison Goodman
comes out April 19, 2011

Delcroix Academy: The Watchers (this is a new book series, this is the 2nd in the series) by Inara Scott. It comes out August 2, 2011

The Power of Six (sequel to I am Number Four) by Pittacus Lore
comes out August of 2011

The Magician King (sequel to The Magicians) by Lev Grossman
Comes out Summer of 2011

Inheritance (4th and final installment in the Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini
comes out November 8, 2011


If anyone has any suggestions of books I should read next, either from my list or not, let me know. I like to read the good ones first.lol.. I have really been stuck on sci-fi/ fantasy lately so my historicals and romances have been building up. Disagree with some of my Star ratings on some of the books? Leave me a comment telling me why. I love to discuss books I've read. =) thanks.

~T