A Question For My Israeli Readers

I am coming up on a big birthday, and I have thought a lot about buying myself a Kindle reader. As much as I enjoy reading “real” books, I find that finding specific books here in Israel can be difficult at times. (Especially since I love mystery series, and I usually like to read them in order. I come across a new author, and I can’t always find the books they wrote in the 80’s or 90’s – just their latest. Very frustrating). I thought that a Kindle would be a way to purchase books for less money and I would be able to always download what I wanted.

My question is this: Since I don’t have wireless, will I still be able to purchase and download books onto my Kindle? Does it make a difference if I live in the Shomron?

Any help would be appreciated.

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Summer Reading

Summertime means different things to different people. Some like to go to the beach, some prefer the air conditioned indoors. Some like to grill outdoors, and others prefer lighter meals consisting of salads.

To me summer means a tall cool drink and a big fat book to read. Since I get sunburnt very easily (I can be in the sun without serious sunscreen for about five minutes before turning red) I am not a big fan of the beach or the pool. So my reading usually happens on my very own couch, with the air conditioner humming in the background.

My reading taste have changed a bit too. My first reading love is mysteries, and I still prefer them to most other books. But I have branched out in the past few years to reading fantasy novels and historical fiction.

My first foray into fantasy was with Terry Goodkind (my brother lent me his series). I thought it was interesting and entertaining. I then went on to read Robin Hobb (Soldier’s Son trilogy which was just so-so, and then the Assasin books which were wonderful). I then tried A Song of Ice and Fire by Martin, and was hooked like almost every fantasy reader out there. I started the series “blindly” though, and did not know that the 7 book series was only partially finished. The first books were very strong, but as things progressed I felt that there were too many story lines. I am waiting for the latest installment (although I do have the patience to wait until the paperback comes out).

I tried some historical fiction for many reasons. One, it was available at my local library (I work in a place with a lot of English speakers, so the library is pretty well stocked). Two, I remember my mother reading these, in addition to the mysteries which were her first love too. So I decided to dip my toes into the pool. I started with Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond series (a used bookstore had most of the series in very old paperbacks – the fonts used in the 1960’s were pretty small!!!). I then went on to Diane Gabaldon’s Outlander series. The books straddle the line between historical fiction and romance, but I find that every once in a while they appeal to me. I am up to The Fiery Cross, which is waiting for my attention. The latest historical fiction book I picked up is Sovereign by C.J. Sansom. Since it is a library book I will get to it soon.

For those of you who are not familiar with it, the website Goodreads is a great place to get recommendations for good books, write your own reviews, discuss your favorite authors and books and keep a list of what you have read. You can also ask friends to join, and you can compare your reading tastes.

What is on your summer reading list?

Like Mother, Like Daughter….At Least in One Area

One of my greatest joys is reading. So much so, if fact, that if I don’t have a good book to distract myself with for at least a half an hour a day, I get very down. (And no, reading blogs just doesn’t do it. There is something about holding the book and snuggling up with it that is satisfying).

Since I was a little girl I would eagerly await our weekly trips to the library. There I would wander the shelves and pick just one, or perhaps two, books to take home to enjoy. My mother, (may she rest in peace), would come home with the maximum allowed (if I remember correctly, 12 was the limit). More often than not, all 12 books were mysteries.

When I was old enough to pay attention, I remember I would wonder out loud how someone could read the same type of books all of the time. Granted, she would occasionally read a biography or an historical novel, but mysteries were her great love.

I can’t remember when it happened, but somewhere along the line I became a mystery fan also. (Nancy Drew had something to do with it, of course). Now, living in Israel, I don’t have access to the library so I need to frequent the used book store in Petach Tikvah and buy through the internet. But if I had the choice, I would probably come home with a stack of mysteries, with an occasional historical novel or biography too.

A while ago Irina Tzukerman introduced me to the joys of the website Goodreads. There you can list the books you have read, along with your reviews. You can join groups of people with specific reading tastes and post your questions and ideas. The best part, though, is getting recommendations from others on what to read.

Right now, for a change of pace, I am reading Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond series (historical fiction written in the sixties and seventies). I am thoroughly enjoying them – I am now in the fifth of the series (I had read the second a long time ago. I missed out on the third since I couldn’t find it – but I got the others –  one, four, five and six – through the internet, both by Amazon and by Beverly’s Books.)

Any other book fiends out there? Is your reading taste the same as your parents?