keepers

Over at the Pink Heart Society we are having a fabulous discussion about what makes a keeper! to become a member, go to the blog and join the yahoo group! And bring your answers to these great qeustions!

What is the border line for you between a book that is 'good' and a book that is a keeper? What makes it with hanging on to?

For me I just know. I won't always keep books by a favourite author if the book didn't do it for me. I'm tough! Though some authors don't disappoint. Dick Francis and LaVyrle Spencer are a couple of faves that I have to keep a hold of. I seem to find it hard to break up sieres tho. I have kept all the Harry Potter's and Stephanie Plums, even though finding time to re-read is so hard when there are so many NEW books out there!

What's the most important emotion you look for in a book (besides a good romance)?

Laughter and tears. If a book can send me to both places it's a joy.

How many books do you have on your keeper shelf?

So many I can't see the back rows for the towering front rows!

Name any fifteen books from your keeper shelf.

In picked 10 to avoid carpal tunnel!

'The Hobbit' by JRR Tolkien
'David Letterman's Top Ten Lists'
'HMS Ulysses' by Alistair Maclean
'The Prince in Waiting Trilogy' by John Christopher
'Cyrano de Bergerac' by Edmund Rostand
'Olivia' by Ian Falconer
'Welcome to Temptation' by Jenny Cruisie
'Catch 22' by Jospeh Heller
'the Spy who Came in From the Cold' by John le Carre
'The Princess Bride' by William Goldman

How often do you add books to your TBR pile? How long do you hang onto a book in your TBR pile before you give it away because you realize you're probably never going to get around to reading it?
I have a TBR drawer beside my bed I just realised I haven't opened in a year and a half. Forgot it was even there consdering the towering pile next to my bed. I clean out once every six months or so.

Do you ever loan out your Keepers? Or are you like me and very anal about who you loan out Keepers to?

Only to two people. My mum and my husband Aunt. both are voracious readers with similar taste, and they always return!!! They are also big book buyers rather than library goers so I love them!!! If I introduce them to a new author they will BUY the next books themselves.

Have you ever read a book that was a "keeper" for another reader but when you got your hands on it and read it, you didn't feel the same way? What book was it? What was it about the book that didn't make it a keeper and just an "OK" read for you?

Plenty. That's the fun thing about being in a book group. Trying things you wouldn't normally try. I found some beautiuful books that way and others I just couldn't fathom. I discovered Alice Sebold and Jodi Piccoult through my book group, and couldn't get a grip on The Time Traveller's Wife (sorry Trish!!!) or Mary Moody at all.

If you had to recommend a book or two to a new romance reader, who has never read a romance and is looking to get into them, what books would you recommend and why?

I'll often pass on the names of my faves. Nic, Trish and Natasha being an easy to convert I've found! Also Jenny Crusie and Janet Evanovich tend to bridge alot of readers. I have found time and agin when they read one category romance they sit up and say "well I had no idea they were so wonderful!"