Monday 15 December 2014

I become a born-again BOOKWORM!


While I was doing the final editing for my most recent novel, Last Child, I made a decision.  I would not write in December.  The two novels and one novella I am gagging to write can wait until the new year.

This decision was partly provoked by the general lack of housework done recently (when you've been saying "I must give that kitchen a real thorough clean" for two months, you know you really must), the amount of times I'd told my husband I would do a,b and c "as soon as I've sent Last Child off for proofreading", but mostly because of my 'to read' list, which now covers two sheets of A4.  

So, on November 23rd, I officially became an Avid Reader!  I read a book, I review it straight away while it's still in my head, and move on to the next. You know what?  I'm loving it.  I haven't given myself all this reading time for years, not since I started writing again in 2010, after a break of (too long), and it's great.  No more do I think, "yes, I could read a bit of that book I've had on the go for three weeks, or I could edit Chapter Nine."  I'd usually go with the latter. Now, my business of the day has become reading.



In the last three weeks I have read no less than twelve books.  Well, twelve and a half, actually; as soon as I have written this post I shall go back to KILLING INSTINCT by Darcia Helle, which is bloody terrific - it's a murder/thriller type thing about two hit men who uncover an organisation that facilitates its clients most depraved fantasies.  I bought the book ages ago because I read about it in one of those '50 indie books worth reading' posts. If I hadn't taken this month off, I might never have got round to finding out how good it is. Incidentally, clicking on the title of each book I've mentioned will take you to its Amazon UK page.  That's the title, not the book cover!  



I've read some I knew would be terrific - HONOUR AND OBEY by Carol Hedges, for instance, the Victorian murder mystery follow up to Diamonds and Dust, which I thought was excellent, and the sequel is even better.  Then there's another chapter in the life of Val Poore, AFRICAN WAYS, about the three years in the 1980s when she and her family lived up a mountain in South Africa.  I've read Val's books about life on the waterways of Holland, so I knew I would love this too.  My favourite genre overall is historical fiction; the first book of my readathon (!!) was the 17th century THE GILDED LILY by Deborah Swift, which I liked so much I bought another book by her straight away.

I always read on my Nexus, on which I have the Kindle App.  I've come to appreciate this thing more and more, and actually prefer it to paperbacks. I love how I can just finish one and select the next. Yes, I've abandoned some, but I've made myself a vow to read to at least 10% before I decide if a book's not for me.  If I can't give a good 3* I won't review, simply because I won't have read the book.  So far I've only abandoned four, one of which I may give another go, because sometimes you can just be in the wrong mood for a certain type of book.



I've surprised myself by discovering genres I didn't think I'd like.  Fantasy? Magic? I always thought I began and ended with Game of Thrones.  But combine it with history and you have the excellent COURT OF CONSPIRACY by April Taylor.  I'm promising myself the next one in the series soon!

Other books I've given a well deserved 4* to are:

PATTERN OF SHADOWS by Judith Barrow (WW2 family drama)
BECOMING BEAUTY by Sarah Boucher (fairytale retelling)
LUKE'S #1 RULE by Cynthia Harrison (family drama/addiction)
MADE IN NASHVILLE by Mandy Baggot (country music scene romance)
SHEER FEAR by Geoff West (crime/child abuse cover up)






But now I must tell you about my Big Discovery!  
Which is Dylan Morgan.  You know how great it is when you find a new writer and think, I am going to love everything this person produces? Dylan writes horror, but not overly blood and gore stuff, more like Stephen King, including the totally brilliant THE DEAD LANDS ~ a post apocalyptic thriller.  



I didn't even know I liked this sort of book until I read it.  I loved it so much I keep boring people with how good it is, and straight after I'd read it I bought another of his, FLESH, abandoned my reading list and got stuck in straight away - it was just as good!  I'll be reading his whole catalogue before too long, including the vampire ones - she says tentatively... vampires stories are usually down in the 'genres I only read if I really must', like chick lit and comedy sci-fi.  I bet I'll still like it, though.  I won't rave on about Mr Morgan any more, though, in case I embarrass him - I'll just advise you to read my reviews of the books on the Amazon pages, and BUY one!

At the end of the year I'm going to do a Top 20 rundown of my favourite books of the year - now I'd better get stuck in, as I am determined to read at least eight more.





More anon!




19 comments:

  1. I definitely need to read more as there is nothing like being captured by a brilliant book! I'm currently reading two - one paperback and one on my Kindle. It does take me about a month for me to read a book unless I really put my mind to it! Thank you so much for reading Made in Nashville AND giving it such a great review!

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    1. Mandy, I was the same - I'd recommend a 'readathon' though, I've found that I enjoy books much more when I'm reading them in a space of a couple of days. As for Nashville, the pleasure was mine!

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  2. Wonderful. really liking the new you and so glad you are enjoying the books.

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    1. I'm really wanting to write again, tho.... I've got until Jan 1!

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  3. Thanks for the heads up Terry! And I am full of admiration for your reading ability. As you kow, am currently stuck in writing mode. Roll on Christmas!

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  4. Such an honor, Terry! I'm thrilled you're enjoying Killing Instinct!

    You made me laugh, though. Twelve books in three weeks... So are you actually finding time to clean that kitchen between all those books? :)

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    1. Um.... I've cleaned the fridge out... and one cupboard.... ummmmm.... !!! Carol, part of the fun is crossing them off the to-read list with their ticks and star ratings, it makes me feel as though I've achieved something!!!!

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  5. Om my, how do you do it? I know I'm a greedy reader, but this almost sounds like reading gluttony. What a fantastic range of books too. Marvellous! Thanks so much for the mention too. I'm so thrilled you enjoyed my African episode. Now I shall have to check out some of these others. I've got Sheer Fear and Honour and Obey already, but that Court of Conspiracy sounds good as does the Gilded Lily. I think I've got Pattern of Shadows too. Not sure I'd be into the horror/vampire stuff though. I've got enough to read on my Kindle already to keep me busy for several months! What's a nexus though? I'll have to find out…Thanks again TT!!

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    1. The two books I've read of Dylan's are nothing to do with vampires and are more thrillers than horror, in my opinion. Read my review of The Dead Lands, and you'll see what I mean. Court of Conspiracy and The Gilded Lily were wonderful finds! And your African episode - well, you know what I think about that! A Nexus is just like an iPad, it's just a brand name :)

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  6. Great selection of books, Terry. I’m especially liking the sound of Dylan Morgan! Happy reading :-)

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    1. Well you know that The Dead Lands is on Rosie's review list now!!!!! I hope you read it, I've already passed it on to another book blogger (Claire Hill) who couldn't put it down, as well! xx

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  7. Great blog post, Terry. Thanks once again for taking the time to read and review my books. I appreciate that so much, but more than that I'm glad you liked them. Rave away, I'm not embarrassed at all. ;-)

    I think reading a good selection of genres is vital too. I try not to read solely in the genre I write, and it helps my writing too. I'm loving your stories in Nine Lives, which proves my point.

    Have a great Christmas, and good luck with your words in January.

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    1. Okay, I'll carry on raving, especially when I do my year's top 20! I so agree about not only reading in the genre in which you write. Also, all these Kindle books mean you can try more genres so cheaply! I've discovered what I do and don't like more, too. :)

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  8. When I scrolled down to the bottom of this, your photo was massive, like almost life size and I nearly impulsively kissed it!

    I want to go on a huge binge like that and one day I hope I can again - I want to have a nose at a couple of those mentioned too.
    Cleaning is for squares. Get a Mexican maid. That sounds awful now I've typed it out. That's what I'd do though if was rich - or even had my own place..a young saucy one and she can turn my pages or flick my screen or whatever the hell happens these days. Anyway... good to see someone talking about actually reading again as opposed to #amwriting! Maybe you could share some #amreading #readtips?! =p

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    1. I know! It wouldn't reduce when I put it on!!!!! Yeah, the cleaning hasn't happened very much at all, but there aren't many Mexican maids in Geordieland!!! Ha ha re #amreading tips - I'll do some just for you!!! #readtip - haaaaa!!!

      Of these, I think you'd like The Dead Lands, African Ways, and Honour and Obey. And possibly Killing Instinct.

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  9. There you go again, Terry - ahead of the game, setting the trend. How DO you do it? What are you on? Send samples immediately.

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    1. Ha ha! Yeah, it's a really new trend, this reading thing!!!!! :^D I think I might have one of these after every book, actually - gets the old to read list down!

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  10. I was horrified to realise that I was still on the same book I started over a month ago - not because it wasn't any good but because I kept getting distracted by writing tasks. I love the idea of giving myself a break concentrate on reading but I wonder how long it would be before I started feeling guilty.

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    1. Wendy, that's exactly what I was like! Crazy - I used to always be a mad reader before I started writing all the time. I've found that I don't feel guilty, but a bit frustrated now because I want to get on with my next project, but I'm loving reading all these books even more than I thought I would - I've got far more out of it that I'd anticipated. I'd recommend it! Now, back to the book... :)

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