2016 Challenge: Read a book a week

I think I left this out on my New Year’s Resolutions. I feel like I got so wrapped up in other things last year, that I didn’t make as much time to read as I had the year before. Which makes me sad.

I’ve been a lifelong reader. When I was a little girl I would read The Babysitter’s Club, Goosebumps, Nancy Drew, and The Saddle Club. (I had a gazillion of those, including all the specials, because I was also on a huge I-love-horses kick.) I would read instead of doing my homework–especially when it was math. That might be why I still suck at it to this day. =P

Anyway, writers are always saying to read widely. Read not only books inside your genre, but outside. Things you never thought you might enjoy. I started to branch out a bit last year. One of the books I really got into–a book I didn’t think I was going to like because the main character was such a Debbie Downer–was Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. (The book is way better than the movie, BTW. The movie’s relatively close, but some books just don’t translate well to film, IMHO. Stellar cast, though.) The main character is like a trainwreck. You kinda wanna look away, but you just can’t. She’s fascinating. She’s broken and angry and really struggles to do the right thing at first. Being a mystery / thriller lover, I also loved trying to figure exactly what went down the night her entire family was murdered. That’s the fun in reading mysteries–the “whodunit?” On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being “Did Not Finish” and 5 being “I loved it,” this book easily earns a 5. Great page-turner.

And right now I’m reading Beacon 23: The Novel, a serialized sci-fi novel by Hugh Howey. (It’s really good!) I can honestly say I haven’t been able to predict a thing that’s happened, which is refreshing. In romance, you know the couple’s going to end up together. Which, let’s admit it, can make them a tad predictable at times. =) Hugh’s characters are crazy and funny. (Seriously, the main character is a little nuts–and totally loveable for it.) They feel like real people, and they very much drive the story forward. If you’re looking to take a break between novels, or are just looking for something quick, fun, and different to read, then I’d highly recommend Beacon 23: The Novel.

You don’t have to buy the entire thing at once, though, unless you want to. The first part is only 0.99—Beacon 23: Part One: Little Noises (Kindle Single).

I’m on Part 4 of Beacon, which I’ll finish by Sunday night. Then onto the fifth and final part next week. It’s not very long, so I’ll probably finish early. (Hey, if I can read more than one story in a week, even better.)

Thought it might be fun to post what I’ve been reading, which I intend to do once a week if I’m really enjoying something. Sometimes I abandon a book because I’m just not feeling it. When that happens I just won’t recommend anything that week. I’ve never been a fan of bashing other authors’ work. It’s my fault I don’t like it, not theirs.

So that’s that. If anyone wants to join me on the Read-a-Book-a-Week Challenge, go right ahead. I’m always looking for more good reads. =) Leave comments here or on my social media pages. Happy reading!

Lola

FYI–I’m trying out affiliate marketing, so here’s the disclosure: Lola Taylor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

As a side note, I will NEVER recommend anything I haven’t personally read or used, or that hasn’t come from a trusted, vetted source.