To Buy or Not To Buy

The hard decisions that a booklover/reader goes through. To buy or not to buy? Today I have the difficult task of deciding whether or not to buy an anthology. Nalini Singh's Wild Invitation is out today. I love Nalini's writing and she is an autobuy for me. However, I tend to stay away from anthologies. Usually, in an anthology, there is only one, maybe two, author whose story I'm interested in reading. That's an expensive short story. But sometimes it pays off. You end up reading all the stories in the anthology and sometimes you end up discovering a new to you author whose story really grabs you. I was introduced to Meljean Brooks as well as a few other authors this way.

But this anthology features only Nalini Singh stories. Which is awesome if it wasn't for the fact that I've already read and own two of the four stories provided in this anthology. And of the two new stories I'm really only interested in one (and early reviews have many proclaiming it as good as I expected). So do I buy the anthology where I'm basically paying $7.99 for one short story? Okay, two short stories because I'll read the other story too if I have it. Or do I wait and hope for the standalone release of the short story that I really want? Decisions, decisions...

Reading Habits: Nibbler or Devour-er?

I love the weekends. Not just because I don't have to work but it means I get more then just a few hours to read. I can read in to the wee hours of the night or all day (or even all weekend if I'm being extremely lazy about chores and my to do list). I obviously really enjoy long holiday weekends. Those provide awesome opportunities to binge read and do series/author re-reads.

I occasionally get in some reading during the weekday. I'll sneak read at work if it's slow even though I feel like I'm back in elementary school when I do this. I use to read in class with my book in my lap while my textbook was on my desk. Now, instead of a book, my Kindle is sitting to the side of my monitor. I try not to start new books on weekday evenings since I prefer to read books in one sitting (I'm a fast reader) but mainly because I have no self control and will stay up reading until I finish the book. Of course there are exceptions - like when an auto-buy author releases a new book that I've been dying to read. Staying up all night to read a new Nalini Singh or Kristen Ashley story is not a hardship.

So, are you a nibbler - reading bits here and there when time permits, or do you devour up your books in big bites like I like to do?

Wrap Up : Authors After Dark

So, I'm a procrastinator. I've had this darn post mostly written and only needing photo links for the last two weeks. Two weeks isn't TOO long of a wait. Right? 

The last full day of AAD started out overcast and rainy. It stormed while I breakfasted with Jen (@Twimom227) before we headed out to a field trip of the Garden District with author Theresa Meyers. I'm so glad I packed my umbrella and new rain boots. We visited Lafeyette Cemetery and walked around the Garden District looking at the historic homes.

Photo by Theresa Meyers at Lafeyette Cemetery

Sandra Bullock's house

Previous home of Anne Rice

On our return to the hotel, we ran into the crowds showing their support of the Red Dress Run a.k.a. another excuse to party down on Bourbon Street.

We returned just in time for the big booksigning.

We kicked the evening off at the Samhain reception before splitting up for the evening. Some of us went off to the Author Pub Crawl. Jennifer and I got into author Adrian Phoenix's tour of Dante's French Quarter. I haven't read her series but it sounded pretty interesting after I heard about the characters and the storyline from the author as we walked around the French Quarter so I'm adding it to my TBR list. We made stops at Lafitte's Tavern, St. Louis Cathedral, Cafe du Monde, and the Mississippi River. It was a fun way to end my trip of the Big Easy. However, the best part of the trip for me was all the people I met - the bloggers I follow, friends I'd made on Twitter, authors (new and old to me), and new friends I made. I can't wait to decide what reader's convention to go to next year!

Photo by Jennifer

Here are more pictures of my NOLA trip (not all of these pictures were taken by me and are so noted):

Authors After Dark - New Orleans 2012

Here's a video I took showing a bit of what Bourbon Street is like at night. This was filmed on Saturday as we walked from Lafitte's Tavern to St. Peters Street.

Day Three: Authors After Dark Conference

I got some sightseeing in today. I met up with Felicia (@thegeekyblogger) for breakfast (I would not recommend their eggs and grits since they needed seasoning but the bacon was tasty) at Cafe Beignet before heading over to the Jackson Square area.

St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square

We stopped by Cafe du Monde and had some beignets. I now can say I prefer Cafe Beignet's beignets because they're fluffier; although the crispy Cafe du Monde ones were good too.

Powdered, sugary goodness

We walked around the area and did a little shopping until lunch when we stopped by Oceania for a po boy. So. Good. I was adventurous and went with the blackened alligator. I can't exactly describe what it tastes like (not exactly like chicken though), and the first bite had a gamy aftertaste. However, it was delicious! The spices, the coleslaw, and the crunchy French bread it was on melded together so well.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in panels and various events.

Jeaniene Frost and me!

Awesome outfits at the Steampunk Tea.

Then it was time for cocktail hour and dinner. Here are some photos with some of my Twitter friends.

Here I am with international visitors Marcela (@BookaholicCat) and Julie (@JulieYMandKAC)

Me with Tori (@smexys_sidekick) and Pamela (@SpazP)

Mandi (@Smexybooks) and me
(Doesn't Mandi look like she just came from the beach with her pretty, tropical-looking dress & fruity drink?)

Jen (@RedHotBooks) and me

Felicia (@thegeekyblogger) and me (ignore my askew frames!)

Then, being the old fuddy-duddy that I am, I went back to my hotel room and took a 2 hour nap (skipping the masquerade/dance after dinner) so I could go to the small burlesque midnight show at Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse -- burlesque dancers backed by a jazz band. 

I've got an early start tomorrow, so I better get to bed now.

Day Two: Authors After Dark Conference

First day of Authors After Dark panels today. I happened to attend several panels Cynthia Eden was on (really, I went for the topics not to stalk her...sort of). It's so interesting listening to the authors answer questions about the writing process (what influences their writing, how they come about with their ideas, how they keep things research to keep things realistic, etc). They're so friendly, and it's fun talking to them - they're readers too who enjoy reading the same books that you also love who also happen to write some of the stories you love. The panels also introduces me to authors I have not read yet but will now go check out after hearing them speak about their book.


I finally had a chance to get some beignets on this trip. These are from Cafe Beignet, which is across the street from the hotel. It's been a while since I've had some from Cafe du Monde so I can't say whose is better but I thought these were pretty tasty.

I ended up visiting Pat O'Brien's again - this time for dinner. I ran into Jen (@Twimom) in the hotel lobby and ended up tagging along. A huge group of us enjoyed some classic New Orleans drinks and foods. Here's a pic of part of the group at dinner.


Calling it an early night tonight. We're going to be up late tomorrow to hit a burlesque show at midnight!