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Back in April, I told you about my love of historical fiction, what I'd been reading, and what was coming up. I was reading The Memory Box by Kathryn Hughes, which I've since then finished and reviewed. Excellent book!
My to-be-read list looked like this: The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin The Bootlegger's Daughter: A Novel by Nadine Nettmann The Paris Orphans by Suzanne Kelman Winds of Change: Desire Minter. by Dionne Haynes Foxden Acres by Madalyn Morgan After Dunkirk by Lee Jackson I've since then read The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin (another excellent story!) and Winds of Change: Desire Minter by Dionne Haynes, and I'm halfway through with The Bootlegger's Daughter which is a different kind of story than what I was expecting. It's good, but it's not what I usually read. I also read The Titanic Sisters by Patricia Falvey, which is another 5-star story that wasn't on my list. And I've added dozens of other books to my Amazon wishlist! Reading is a gift you give yourself, and I'm glad I've made time to get back into it every night. There's nothing quite like settling down with a book and being swept away to another time and place!
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 The Memory Box by Kathryn HughesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars I didn't know what to expect when I started reading The Memory Box as I'd never read anything by Kathryn Hughes before. Suffice it to say, this won't be my last book by this author. This is a compelling, engrossing story that spans almost ninety years, taking place in 1940 and 2019. Hughes seamlessly transitions between the two and gives the reader something to care about in each decade. It's a book filled with heartbreak and stunning revelations. I just can't say enough good things about it! View all my reviews I've been on a reading frenzy the last few months and have fallen in love with some new-to-me authors. If you like historical fiction, you might like to check out books by Amanda Skenandore, (The Second Life of Mirelle West is my favorite so far), Shana Abe, (The Second Mrs. Astor is my favorite!), and Kathryn Hughes. I'm currently reading The Memory Box, and it's sooo good, although it's not completely historical fiction.
Shana Abe writes outside of historical fiction, too, so you might enjoy some of her other novels if you're not into historical. I've read all of Amanda Skenandore's available books and am impatiently waiting for her next release which doesn't happen until May 21st! Kathyrn Hughes has several other books that will go on my to be read list once I finish the ones that are already on there. I'm addicted to historical fiction at present. Here are some of the titles on my to be read list: The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin The Bootlegger's Daughter: A Novel by Nadine Nettmann The Paris Orphans by Suzanne Kelman Winds of Change: Desire Minter. by Dionne Haynes Foxden Acres by Madalyn Morgan After Dunkirk by Lee Jackson Maybe you'll find a book you want to read on this list. If you do, let me know your thoughts! I'm obsessed right now! I like to challenge myself in different aspects of my life and not just in blogging. I'm starting two new challenges next week. The first is to read two books from genres I wouldn't ordinarily read. I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to ready as I love fantasy and paranormal in both adult and young adult, and I love reading nonfiction as well, mostly memoirs and biographies. And I have an entire list of genres I don't much care to read. But I'm going to have to choose two from those categories and give them a go.
I'm doing roughly the same thing with a movie challenge. I like a lot more in various movie genres, but there are still a handful I don't care for like subtitled foreign films as I don't like to have to read when I'm trying to watch the movie. I also dislike psychological thrillers and tearjerkers, despise horror, and am not the biggest fan of westerns. I know horror is already off the table. So I'll be clenching my teeth to chose the movies. So why do I do this when I don't have to? Because I think that challenges help me to grow. Expanding my horizon is always a good thing. Maybe I'll find that I really do like that new book genre. Or watching a psychological thriller will confirm that I still dislike them. It's a lot like eating something you've never had before. You don't really know you'll hate it until you try it. That said, I have tried a lot of those movie genres, but I'm still going to just grin and bear it because I still could learn something. If nothing else, I'll watching for the actors and their take on the roles while I'm trying not to watch the clock. I'll share the different books I've read and the movies I've watched as soon as I've finished. I'm hoping that I'll end up being surprised! I devour books like they're my favorite ice cream cones. And I don't just read the type of books I write. I explore when I read, whether it's an autobiography, a book of wit and wisdom, a middle grade novel, or science fiction. If a book looks good to me, I'll give it a shot. I think it's important to read, not just the new books that are being released, but the ones from years past that I've managed to overlook. That's where I usually find the gems.  This month, I'm reading a young adult fantasy series, a non-fiction book about a favorite television show, and a non-fiction book about marketing. And you read that correctly. I'm usually reading two or three books at one time, although, I have been known to get so wrapped up in one book that I have to finish it before I move on to the next. Usually, though, I will read on one book one night and another the next.
When I read I'm being entertained, and I'm learning, and science has proven that an active brain is a healthier brain. So what are you reading today? Originally posted in Funds for Writers by C. Hope Clark
This happens at every appearance I make. Someone hears me speak or hold a conversation, then they buy my book, saying, "I don't normally read fiction, but after hearing you talk, I believe I'd like to try one of your books." We then talk about which one to start with, and a sale is made. Hopefully a fan is made as well. I already know you don't want to appear in public. Most writers don't. Frankly, I'd rather be home in my cutoff sweats and t-shirt with no makeup typing away on a new chapter. I'd rather not put my dogs in a kennel to drive a state away or pack up boxes of books. . . pondering on whether to bring 30 or 130 copies. But once I am there, I own it. I love someone coming up and saying, "I love your books." or "I've followed you for years." But it doesn't stop there. I ask if they write, or what they read, or where they are from, or what they do for a living. How often do they come to Edisto Beach (I do a lot of signings down there) or come to South Carolina. Because asking about your readers makes them love you more. Why? Because it shows that you care more about the reader than simply making a sale. People love for others to care about them. You should care about your readers. These people have offered up to you hours of their finite life, which is a phenomenal gift. A certain number of heartbeats and breaths they'll never get back, all because you were chosen to be a permanent part of their life. . . of their memories. Y'all, that's what you ought to be thinking when someone picks up your book. So, when they say they've chosen your book, especially if it's a genre they don't normally read, then feel honored and thank them from the bottom of your heart in return. If you've decided this is the year you're going to read more books, Girlxoxo has you covered with a master list of the 2019 reading challenges. Any challenge you can think of, this list has it, including one that we all probably need to use: Beat the Backlist which encourages us to read all the books we've already purchased but haven't yet opened. Our shelves would thank us. This Master list has something for everyone, no matter what type of challenge you're up to this year! So go ahead and take a look and pick your challenge. It's never too late to start reading more!   National Book Lovers Day is celebrated on August 9th, but today is the day we celebrate those who love to read and to encourage others to pick up a book. Did you know that reading increases memory, reduces stress, expands your vocabulary, improves your focus, and it increases intelligence? That's an awful of positives you get from making time to read!
I just finished Wolf Winter by Rachel Raithby, and now I'm starting another series called Bitter Ashes by Sara C. Roethle. I try to read at least two fiction books a month and one non-fiction. I'm on a better schedule this year, though, and I'm averaging about three fiction books a month. So what are you reading on #Readabookday?  Writing isn't a hobby for me. It's my dream. My goal. I can't imagine doing anything else, and while I could still write without readers, it wouldn't be half as much fun. Well, not really even a quarter. That's why, when I saw this post on bookmarket.com, I wanted to share it here. 51 Ways to Help a Book Author You Love.
I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate my readers. Your support means everything to me and to every author who sits behind a keyboard every night. |
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