Weekend Update February 19, 2011
>> Saturday, February 19, 2011
Another busy week at work, but I did manage to get some reading time in. I finished Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry and posted that review yesterday. I also read Gideon’s Sword by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. This is the first in a new series for them. I actually haven’t read any of their other series (The Pendergast series) because I’ve been trying to catch up on a few of my current series before diving into another one that comes preloaded with a long backlist. I’ve also started Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear and am enjoying another visit with Maisie Dobbs and 1930’s London.
Other than books and reading:
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I’d purchased Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a book. I’ve been playing with taking photos and posting them here for a while now and I’ve been using the very limited edition of Adobe Photoshop that came with my first digital camera several years ago. I’ve also used a couple of different online photo editing sites and available free downloads. It’s something I’ve just pretty much played around with and figured out on my own some very limited photo editing skills.
I decided that this year I’m going to try to learn more and get some real instructions. Rather than go with the latest (and most expensive) CS5 version of the photoshop software, we got a good deal on eBay for the pevious CS4 version. For my purposes that will do just fine for now. I did find an online class available through my local community college, but I think I’m going to start the learning process with the lessons in this book. I’m geekishly excited about learning new stuff.Added to my TBR List (To Be Read) this week:
The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner. I've only read one book by this author (The Confessions of Catherine de Medici) but loved it. I know this historical fiction spy series is quite different, but I'm hearing good things and looking forward to reading it.
Sons and Princes by James Le Pore - I've read his first two novels and will definitely be reading this one too.
Chasing Smoke and Day One by Bill Cameron – Tyrus Books offered a promotion on Twitter yesterday for free ebooks and Day One by Bill Cameron caught my eye because it takes place in Oregon. I need to hunt down a copy of Chasing Smoke which is the previous book featuring a Portland homicide detective. My library has it but it’ll have to wait until after vacation and some other prior commitments.
Purchased this week:
West of Here by Jonathan Evison – too many book blogging friends whose opinions I trust are recommending this book. That and the fact that it’s set in the Pacific Northwest made it an easy decision to purchase for me.
Good People by Marcus Sakey – It’s been long enough since I’ve read one of Marcus Sakey’s books that I needed to get the next one into the house. Both The Hubster and I have enjoyed his first two books and want to read his others.
And finally, no change in the library stack this week.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
5 comments:
I'm listening to Gideon's Sword -- it's a good one.
I really need to learn more about editing photos and taking photos. I sure wish I could take awesome food photos ....
I've been back and forth about digging into West of Here, and the only reason I've even been THAT interested is because of the setting. But I agree with you that way too many folks I trust are loving it, so I may have to bite the bullet.
Oh boy! Some very intriguing titles to look up and likely add to the WWBL.
I need to learn more about photo editing, too. I mostly use Picasa, which doesn't have a lot of options, and occasionally one of the online editing sites. But, I often have trouble uploading to those. You've inspired me to get back to playing a little. The cats are really sick of me, though, after an afternoon of trying to catch every cute little move they made two ways (flash and natural light).
I've heard a lot of wonderful things about West of Here, too. It'll be fun to hear what you think of it, since it's set in your neck of the woods.
Beth: I'm such a photographer and photo editor wannabee I'm looking forward to learning. Food photos are tough!! I wish I could be half as good a photographer as you already are.
Eleanor: I think it's the sources of the recommendations for West of Here that finally swayed me. Just lots of people I've learned to trust and who like many of the same books I do.
Vickie: Hope I can lead you to some new gems.
Bookfool: you take amazing photos! The online photo editing sites are good, but I really want to learn more and play. I'm not sure when I'll actually get around to West of Here, but at least it's in the house ;-)
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