A couple of months ago, I discovered I could read library ebooks on my Android phone. I downloaded the Overdrive Media Console and started browsing my library’s ebook selection. Previously I had attempted to read ebooks, but I could only read them on my computer. Not quite the same as cuddling with a print book.

Reading on my Android smartphone is a different story. I still prefer print books, but it’s very convenient to have ebooks on my phone. With my local library, I’m allowed up to 4 ebooks at a time and can keep them for 14 days. Plus, the books are automatically “returned” to my library so I won’t owe any fines.

If I don’t mind waiting a bit, I can borrow fairly new books. I just add my name to the hold list and receive an email when it’s available for me to check out.

After hearing all the hype with the Game of Thrones television show, I knew I had to read the book, A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One. I love reading fantasy, especially in when the author develops a well though out world and characters. I tried watching the tv series but the the beginning creeped me out too much. That’s what I get for watching it in the middle of the night. It’s a long novel at 720 pages in paperback, so I’m glad to have it in ebook form.

I’m about 4 or 5 chapters in and I’m having a hard time. It’s not because of the writing or the characters.  The world George R.R. Martin has written is so rich, that I feel the need to return and re-read pages. In every chapter so far, he’s introduced a completely new set of characters with different lineages, background, etc. It would be faster to for me to flip back to pages in a print book as well as to the front and study the map of his fantasy world. I think I will be picking up a print copy of it.

The second book I borrowed after reading From Left to Write member Gayle’s review on Everyday I Write the Book. The premise of S. J. Watson’s Before I Go to Sleep is compelling. For the last 18 years, Christine wakes up everyday with no memory of herself. She doesn’t remember anything that has happened the day before or any days before that. She doesn’t recognize her husband, her face, her home, nothing. Each day starts completely fresh. The novel isn’t anything like the movie 50 First Dates starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. I won’t give too much away, but I’m as eager as Christine to discover her past.

I have a feeling I’ll finish this novel before the weekend is over.  I totally stayed up until 3AM to finish the book. While I was able to figure out what happened to Christine midway through the book, I still felt compelled to finished the story. I enjoyed the writing. Watson doled out just enough information about Christine to keep me “turning” the page. I recommend it!

What are you reading this weekend?

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