Reading flexibility

Last year, I read the Murderbot series by Martha Wells via audiobook. I decided I wanted to re-read it this year, but chose to purchase printed books and to read it "with my eyes" instead of "with my ears."  I found that for this series, reading the printed versions meant that I took my time. The slower pace meant that I followed the plot more closely and enjoyed the books more.

Last year, I started listening to the book Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies via audiobook. I found the narrator to be monotone (to my ears) and I couldn't finish the book - and I tried twice.  I purchased the kindle book version, and it was vastly different. I sped through the book.  I bought print versions of the other two in the trilogy, and enjoyed them.

This year, I started reading the printed version (kindle) of Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare. I slogged through the first half of the book (630 pages) until I finally gave up and bought the audiobook. The print was just too slow for me; the audiobook sped it up, thank goodness.

All this to say that I think the version of a book I want to read depends on the book. I didn't really realize that earlier. I normally don't buy a lot of printed books because I don't have any more storage space for them on my bookshelves.  I make exceptions to that rule for books I need to highlight or read for spiritual or educational purposes. That said, I altered the rule lately to include a few print books - ones that are beautifully designed or that I think I would enjoy more reading as a print copy. 

Reading flexibility - it's what I want.

Reading Summary for June

 

New Camera

 Last week I purchased a new camera.  My Nikon 5100 is 14 years old - I thought there would probably be newer technology available.

After much debate (with myself) and lots of YouTube watching a review reading, I purchase a Nikon Z5 II.  This is a newly released, mirrorless camera with a full-frame sensor.  The other contenders were the Nikon Z50 II (mirrorless, cropped sensor) and the D7500 (DSLR, cropped sensor). 

I purchased two lenses with it:

• Nikkor Z 24-200 mm, f/4-6.3 VR
• Nikkor Z 24-70 mm, f/4 S

I've only been able to use it a little - I'll post some images when I've used it more. 

May Reading graphic

 

One Painting (sort of) and four cards

 I had an idea from a graphic I found online. It was mountains and trees - wide and not tall.  I thought I could paint that idea and then cut it into four panels for four cards.  That's what is above.  

I used watercolor and watercolor paper, but I had to do two panels and two panels (my paper wasn't wide enough to do them as one piece.  You can see where I measured a little wrong between panels two and three. 

Anyway, I made four cards and gave them to Steve - one a day - as we traveled over Memorial Day Weekend.  

Yarn purchases in Cape Cod

 

At the end of April, we travelled to New England for a business meeting of mine, but we went a couple of days early to drive around (and take pictures of lighthouses).  We drove from one end of Cape Cod to the other. In York, we made a quick stop at The Yarn Sellar.  Great store, very helpful people.

While there, I made two souvenir yarn purchases.

This is Malabrigo Rios in the color Leo - a very nice, deep, cobalt blue.  There is some variety of tones in the yarn - lovely.  I bought two skeins (total 420 yards).

I also bought two skeins of Malabrigo Rios in Camaleon - wonderfully colorful.

New Reading Journal

 

I started a reading journal back in 2023, but this year I changed it. 

1. Previously, the journal was a pocket sized Leuchtturm 1917 notebook.  I logged two books per page. That only left room for basic information and no review.  This year I'm using an Archer and Olive Traveler's size notebook.  It is as tall as an A5 and half as wide.  I log two books per page, and I am able to include a small review. 
2. I mainly wanted to include the summary and review to refresh my mind when I come back to the entry. Who were the characters? What happened?
3. I am including a few other spreads - TBR, Book Bingo, Release Radar, etc.  I also include monthly cover pages and a monthly review at the end of each month.

I like this notebook - the paper is thicker than I am used to, and I am really enjoying the size.