Monday, August 30, 2010

Hooray for the Buffet of Ways to Get Your Hands on a Book! by Judy Christie

It's my great pleasure to welcome author Judy Christie back to the blog!


When I was in elementary school, a bookmobile rolled up every so often and parked on the side street. A few at a time, students entered the cool bus of books. I vividly recall the wonder of a new collection of volumes from which to choose.

When I got my driver’s license, the first place I headed was the Cedar Grove Branch Library. Tons of great reading entered my mind from those shelves.

In my second novel, Goodness Gracious Green, the town’s little newspaper organizes a used book sale. I had such a great time writing that scene because I love book sales. As I wrote, I could see books being dropped off in cardboard boxes and lined up on tables.

These days there is a lot of talk (and even arguing) about where people get their books and in what form. While some debate hardback versus paperback, others discuss electronic readers – and the pros and cons of the “page-turning” experience. Some readers champion independent bookstores, while many like the convenience of online book shopping or large retail chains.

I confess: I like them all! The many ways to pick up a book don’t compete, but complement one another. I stroll through my local library, spend hours in used bookstores, and enjoy books on my Kindle. On vacation, I scour tourist information to discover new bookstores. If I have business in a city, I explore the public library.

The buffet of options for where to get books is as wonderful as a great potluck supper at church, where the choices are so good that I take a little of everything – leaving extra room for my favorites.

How about you? Do you have a favorite place to pick up a book? Have you ever stumbled on a wonderful read in an unexpected spot? I’d love to hear about your encounters with books. Leave a comment below. We’ll draw a winner at random and send you a signed copy of either Gone to Green, first in the series, or Goodness Gracious Green, your choice!

Happy Reading!

Judy Christie


ABOUT THE BOOK
Goodness Gracious Green is the second in The Green Series, about charming and uncertain journalist Lois Barker who is trying to settle into her second year in the small southern town of Green. The year has scarcely been rung in before Lois is wrung out, but in the midst of challenges, Lois’s journey explodes with possibilities. The Glory of Green, book 3 in the series, will be out in February 2011. I can scarcely wait for you to see what happens next!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Judy Christie (that’s me) is the author of The Green Series, about the town of Green and the many interesting folks who live there – and how they change a big-city journalist who moves to town. I’m a frequent retreat and workshop leader who loves to help people hurry less and worry less and have written a series of nonfiction books on how to slow down and enjoy each day more. A former journalist, my husband and I live in Louisiana, where I have fun exploring flea markets and used bookstores, wandering through the park and sitting in the porch swing. For more information or to contact me, see www.judychristie.com. I also love Facebook friends and look forward to visiting with you.

15 comments:

Michelle V said...

My two favorite places here are Books A Million and Mardel. BAM has a much better Christian fiction section than B&N here! But, Mardel has some awesome bargain shelves! I end up spending a fortune on the bargain shelves all the time! LOL

I'm looking forward to book 2, please enter me!

Blessings
Michelle V
michellevasquez2001[at]yahoo[dot]com

Barbara Scott said...

Judy, I just "found" a terrific novel on a friend's bookshelf. We used PEACE LIKE A RIVER in our writing workshop, and I just had to read it after that. I'm savoring it every night.

Christa Allan said...

I'll be booksigning with Judy this weekend...can't wait!

Brittanie said...

My favorite place to get books is Sams and Barnes and Noble online. I would love to win a copy of this book. I enjoyed the first book. :)

Jan Marie said...

I love browsing in used books stores. I have found some amazing finds in used book stores - rare or out-if-print books that I never dreamed I would be able to find. So much fun!

janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

Merry said...

I love there are so many ways to get awesome books. My favorite places are thrift stores/garage sales and CBD/Amazon online. I especially love finding old, beautiful hardbacks.

Please enter me for Gone to Green. Thanks!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Wendy said...

I used to find great books at garage sales. I loved finding the Christian Fiction books at library sales when they stood out more (they were bigger than the small paper backs). I was a maniac and would grab them all and then look them over. That started a long time ago and is how I started my library.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Jo said...

I love browsing for books and am constantly looking to stop in at places and just wander around. When we have the time, we go to Borders, Barnes & Nobel as well as Gospel Supply.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Molly said...

I have heard so many wonderful things about Judy! I can't wait to read her novels! Please consider this my entry!

Thank you!
Molly
Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

karenk said...

i visit 'half price bookstores' frequently...it's always an adventure...you never know what treasures you may find :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Ann Lee Miller said...

The cover is adorable!
Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Carole said...

I just like books - in all forms. My Mom used to bring me a book every other week when I was growing up - from Bobbsey Twins to Nancy Drew and Judy Bolton. In my teen years, we went to the local library together every Friday night, a highlight of my week. Over the next 40 years, I bought books from independent bookstores, chains, and online. Reading in the coffee shop at B&N while sipping a latte is a delightful experience.

I still use my local library a lot (very thankful for interlibrary loan), but I have to admit that I love my Kindle reader also. In other words, I just love books!

I'm eager to read Judy's books and appreciate the contest.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

A J Hawke said...

I'm with you Judy, any and every way to find that special book. I thank God for being able to read, good eyesight, and living in a nation where good Christian books are available at reasonable prices. I'm reminded of Phil 4:8-9when I'm choosing what to read: whatever is lovely, kind, of good report. Good books help me to focus on the things God wants me to think about.
Thanks for adding to that treasure of good books.

I would love to receive a copy of one of your 'Green' books.

A J Hawke
ajhawkeauthor at aol dot com

Emma said...

My favorite places are thrift stores/garage sales/ library sales and friends give me books.The Green Series sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Jennifer AlLee said...

It's so great to see all you ladies here!

I love the feel and smell of a new book, but one of my new favorite things is my Kindle. The best thing is that you can increase the font, so every book can be large print. Makes it soooo much easier for my poor, tired eyes!