I got an email the other day from James at Distilled Creative telling me about this new app he created in partnership with Staples. The app calculates how fast you read, and “highlights how long you could use an eReader on a single charge base your reading ability.” How long I could use an e-reader on a single charge is interesting, but how fast I read? Fascinating! I’ve always thought I read kinda slow — I’m certainly no Jessica. But finding out how I measure up against all these other readers? YES PLEASE.

Here’s the app:

Source: Staples eReader Department

Myself? Here’s my score:

I didn’t capture my score from yesterday, but it was pretty close. You might want to try taking all three tests, because I think reading is something that you get faster at once you get in a groove.

I know this test is specifically for e-books, but I’m wondering how this translates to print books. It seems to take me about two minutes to read one page of a print book. A book that has me engrossed has me reading even faster, because I tend to do what’s probably more speed reading. If I’m savoring a book, loving the writing, etc, then I’m sure my reading slows down even more.

Take the test and feel free to share your score in the comments!

I’ve had four books sitting on my desk, waiting to be reviewed, for what seems like forever. I don’t want to move them off my desk until I’ve told you what I thought of them, but in the grand scheme of things, writing these reviews is a low low priority. I was inspired by Lu over at Regular Rumination and her Great Review Catch-Up of 2011. So here’s some very short reviews of the four books that have been begging to be reviewed. I’ll try to keep it to one sentence, but I’m not sure I can do that.

Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson – Full disclosure: I did a blog tour for the hardcover and have put together a blog tour for the paperback. Even so, I really liked the book. The suspense ratcheted up quite nicely, and while I was able to guess the ending, I devoured it pretty quickly. The author does a great job of keeping the reader wondering who, exactly, is the crazy person in the book.

The All of It by Jeannette Haien – I picked up this book because Ann Patchett loves it and I love Ann Patchett. I want to be besties with Ann Patchett. A book club I’m in chose to read it, and it was okay, I thought there were a few things that the author did particularly well, but for me, it was a forgettable book. Patchett obviously disagrees with me, but I hope that she won’t hold that against me when we do eventually become besties.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – A decent novel, but not one I’ll be pressing into anyone’s hands.

Very Bad Men by Harry Dolan – One of the best books I read in 2011. FABULOUS. Made me go out and buy his first book. A really well written literary mystery. I was wondering why Amy Einhorn (she was the one who published The Help) was publishing a mystery, and now I get it. Love love love.

I fell in love with The Passage by Justin Cronin within the first 30 pages. By the end of the over 700 pages, I was telling everyone about it and pressing it in to anyone’s hands I could. I’ve got the hardcover, paperback, and a couple of advance copies. I won’t loan out the hardcover (just in case someone doesn’t treat it with the right reverence) but I’ve loaned out the paperback and my advance copies.

The Passage is the first book in a planned trilogy, so for over 18 months I’ve been stalking Amazon and the Random House website to find any information I could about the sequel. I knew it would be titled The Twelve, but I wanted to know when I could buy it. FINALLY! I’ve got the information I’ve wanted!

The Twelve by Justin Cronin is set to be published on August 28, 2012.

Do I have my calendar marked with that date? You betcha. Here’s hoping that date doesn’t get pushed back.

Thanks to Ti from Book Chatter for alerting me of this via Facebook this morning, which she saw over at The Book Case.

Edited to add: Looks like the pub date got pushed back to October 16, 2012. Bummer. Thanks to Allison for the heads up.

Do I even need to say anything to encourage you to do this?

We need 50,000 book-loving volunteers to fan out across America on April 23, 2012! Just take 20 free copies of a book to a location in your community, and you just might change someone’s life.

The goal is to give books to new readers, to encourage reading, to share your passion for a great book. The entire publishing, bookstore, library, author, printing, and paper community is behind this effort with donated services and time. And with a million free World Book Night paperbacks!

The first World Book Night was held in the UK last year, and it was such a big success that it’s spreading around the world! Please volunteer to be a book giver in the U.S. Sign up now to be a book giver. Read more about World Book Night on this site, from the free book list to the FAQs. Thank you!

Here’s the website.

If you were going to give away books to non or light readers, where would you start? What book would you press into someone’s hands?

Title: Kidnap & Ransom [buy the book]
Author: Michelle Gagnon [website] [FB] [Twitter]
Pages: 416
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Date Published: November 1, 2010

Summary:

When the world’s foremost kidnap and ransom negotiator is snatched by a ruthless drug cartel, Jake Riley becomes ensnared in the effort to save him. But he’s up against Los Zetas, an elite paramilitary organization renowned for its ferocity and skill. Now he and his colleagues must navigate the dark underbelly of Mexico, from raging street wars to perilous jungles, in an effort to rescue him before time runs out.

After nearly losing her life on her last case, FBI Agent Kelly Jones may never do fieldwork again. Determined to regain her confidence, she joins Jake on his mission—and quickly realizes she’s in over her head. Then in the slums of Mexico City, she encounters a former nemesis who’s enacting a nightmarish ritual on the weak and vulnerable. Now she has one last, desperate shot to prove herself—by taking down a killer.

My thoughts:

As you know, I love me some good mysteries. Michelle Gagnon has become a favorite author of mine, and my only complaint is that I don’t have 20 backlist titles to choose from when I finish her latest book. At this point, I’ve read everything she’s written, and I’m chomping at the bit for more.

I read this quite a while ago, back in November 2010 when I was still working two jobs and reading was quickly becoming something that I used to do. At a time when reading time was at a premium and getting through a book could take a month or longer, I flew through this one in just a few days.

One of the reasons I particularly wanted to mention this book was because it’s been over a year since I read it, and while I normally can’t remember details from any books, I still remember that she did something in this book I’d have bet she’d never do. It took my head clean off.

If you’re a mystery fan, I absolutely recommend Michelle’s books. I know I haven’t said much about the plot, but that’s what the summary is for. I’m just here to tell you that you’re missing out if you’re not reading her books.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars