Monday, May 14, 2007

Sorry I've been AWOL

Wow! So many responses to my blog about forgetting...and since I didn't answer any of them, you probably thought I forgot that, too!
I was out in Phoenix visiting my granddaughter again. Her daddy was away at a conference and I spent four days doing her night feedings as well as lots of her day feedings so that her mommy could get a few good nights of sleep and run some errands, etc. I got back last night and checked the blog and wowie!
So, to all of you who said they couldn't retain the books they read either, thanks for making me feel "normal!" And to those of you who can't part with your favorites, I've gotten lots of comments that my romance novels were "keepers" and nothing thrilled me more! I still have all my Lavyrle Spencer's.
My mom was a really avid romance reader and she had a fabric book cover that she'd keep whatever book she was reading in. She passed away before my first book was published, but I put a copy inside her cover and it sits on my shelf . . .
Anyway, thanks for all the comments! Keep 'em coming!
Stevi

22 comments:

Karen H said...

Stevi,

Keeping a copy of your first book inside her favorite book cover...What a great tribute to your mom!

Tam G. said...

She'd be very proud of you!!!

Wanda said...

I have a library of almost a thousand books, but there are some that I have read so often that they have become ragged, and pages are falling out of them. I go back to them every once in a while for a satisfying read.

Sabo said...

WOW! Congrates to Shelly for winning 40 books. And what a surprise! 21 Winners will also be mailed a Next book. How many of us think "I wish my mom were here to see this"? Your mom is watching you Stevi and enjoying all of your success. Margaret G.

Pat Cochran said...

I've given up keeping lists of favorite books. I'm a voracious
reader and have read so many books
over the past 65 years (I'm 70) that it is easier just to know which authors I enjoy. These authors stay on a casual must-buy list, I know who I like and those are the authors I buy. God willing, I hope to be blessed with a clear mind and good vision so I can continue to read until the end of my days.

Pat Cochran

Carol M said...

Congrats, Shelly! You must be so excited to have won all those great books! :)

Peg Cochran said...

What a wonderful way to honor your mom! I'm a writer too--not yet published--and I hope to make it while my mom is still here to enjoy it (she's 83). My mother-in-law who was super supportive is already gone, but I can put her in the dedication.
Hello to the other Cochran leaving a comment--Pat. I'm Peg Cochran! My husband's ex was Pat so I nearly fainted when I saw your name--especially since she's been gone for six years!
Peg

Anonymous said...

I think that's a great thing to do for your mom. Congrats Shelli!! So jealous. LOL

Loretta said...

Great tribute to your mother. Was it a book cover that she had made herself? So you were in Phoenix visiting with your granddaughter I bet she is a cutey. You weren't very far from me for I live about 35 miles west of Phoenix. Hope it wasn't to hot for you here. Congrats to Shelly for winning the bag of books. I am jealous. lol

Unknown said...

I have a favorite author that I buy all of her books and I keep them and go back and reread them every now and again. I also do not retain what I have read after a period of time so when I reread a book its like I haven't read it before and I enjoy it just as much as before. Did taking care of the grandbaby remind you of when your child was young?

PatriciaW said...

I know a book is a keeper when years later I can pass by it on my bookshelf and still remember the characters and/or plot. Sometimes I only remember the wonderful feeling I had when reading the book. If strong enough, I'll read it again to find out what caused it. Lately I've taken to keeping a list, and jotting down a few notes about those I really like (or dislike, so I don't read them again).

Stevi Mittman said...

My mom must have picked up the cover at some craft fair. She liked it for two reasons. One, it hid those bodice ripper type covers that they used to put on romance novels in the 70s, and it had a strip of fabric with a bead on the end that held your place. I get ridiculously sentimental about this sort of thing.

It makes me sad that she didn't get to see me in print. I'd so love to have taken her to a conference and introduced her to her favorite authors, though I am sure that they'd all play second fiddle to me in her eyes!

Stevi

Stevi Mittman said...

Oh, and Phoenix is unbelievably hot! And yes, holding my granddaughter brought back all those feelings from when I held her father and her aunt. In fact, I kept having to stop myself from saying, "Mommy's here, Mommy's here," when I'd pick her up from her bassinet!
Stevi

Anonymous said...

That's a great idea about the book cover.


I can never throw my books out either. Sometimes I'll get rid of doubles or ones I didn't enjoy. But if I liked it, I keep it. I have some stacked on my bedroom floor cuz I'm running out of room.

peeperatiel2000 said...

For my absolute favorite books I have a keeper copy and several reader copies! I'm very OCD! LOL

That is such a great way to honor your mom. I know should would really have enjoyed having your book in it.

peeperatiel2000 said...

Forgot to add that there is no need to apologize for being with your grandbaby! And living life!

Stevi Mittman said...

When I'm doing a booksigning my husband always tells his friends and co-workers to buy two copies--one to keep and one to loan! (Sometimes it actually works!)

Stevi

Debby said...

Good MOrning, I too have books that I like to reread when I am in a morose mood. I recevied a NExt book inthe mail. Thanks

Stacy S said...

That's nice about the book cover. Really sweet.

Peg Cochran said...

I understand about picking up your grandbaby and having to try not to say "Mommy's here." Picturing myself in that role (maybe about 5 years off still!), I can imagine myself making that mistake! Heck, I refer to myself as "mommy" in relation to my *dog*. Yikes! I am going to be the most obnoxious grandmother!

Michele L. said...

Awww.....what a wonderful sentiment to your mother! I bet you absolutely cherish it! That is such a great idea about making book covers! I am going to have to look into doing that. I have so many favorite books that I have saved over the years. In fact I have a couple of yours Stevi! Thank you so much for giving us readers such wonderful, enjoyable books to read! Hugs to you!

Michele

robynl said...

How nice and wonderful with you having the book cover that your Mom used and then putting your book in it.