Tags
books, e-books, HALOS: Somnium, Keri Lake, Maria Zannini, Noah Lukeman, Raelyn Barclay, readers, reading, Sloan Parker, Take Me Home, The Frugal Way Smart Grocery Shopping, The Plot Thickens
Let’s talk books!
This is my version of Lynn Viehl’s 3 Books feature.
Just Read
Why I picked it up: Actually, I won this one but it’s been on my to-buy list since she first started talking about it on her blog. Sloan was my intro into the M/M world and I probably measure all others by the standard she set.
What I liked: This is a friends to lovers story which has to be one of my favorite romance devises. Both characters are well developed, a good chunk of the story takes place on a train (which I thoroughly enjoyed as both my grandfather and father, for a bit in high school, worked for the railroad), and she wove in a neat little mystery.
What I disliked: One aspect of the mystery seemed extreme even as it was believable. It made for exciting passages but felt a little over the top for a contemporary setting.
Reading (Actually, we’ll have two Just Read this time.)
Somnium (Halos #1) by Keri Lake
You can also check out my interview with Keri Lake.
Why I picked it up: Again, it was on my to-buy list radar but I won this from Keri’s site.
What I liked: This has a strong first person point of view. It satisfied my POV junkie habit beautifully 🙂 Keri has built a fascinating world of angels and demons locked in the classic good vs. evil battle. There’s bit of mystery and enough questions at the end that I’m looking forward to the next book.
What I disliked: There’s a bit of a “love triangle.” Normally I’m all for it, love the tension. This one started out well but ended up too one-sided too soon. And I think the story could have had the same level of suspense and tension without it.
Will Read
That’s a really good question. I’m in the middle of revisions so reading right now isn’t high on the ol’ list. I did just get this in the mail…
The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life
Why I picked this up: I’d seen it recommended. It sounded worth a try if I could get my hands on a used copy…which I did.
What I expect to like: The way this book is broken down. Seriously, there’s Characterization: the Outer Life; Characterization: the Inner Life; Applied Characterization; The Journey; Suspense; Conflict; Context; and Transcendency. And in a quick thumb-through, sections within on romance.
What I expect to dislike: Hard to say. I’ve never read anything by Mr. Lukeman before so am coming to this with fresh eyes.
- And I’m looking forward to The Frugal Way, Smart Grocery Shopping by Maria Zannini coming in March. With four growing boys I can use all the grocery shopping help I can get!
Raelyn Barclay 
Interesting craft book…I’ve not heard of it until now.
I’m reading a few books right now.
1. Revisiting a book I read last spring, War & Peace. It’s so long…
2. A Duke of Her Own, Lorraine Heath (only one chapter into it)
3. Sikander, M. Salahuddin Khan (just began)
4. One Hundred and One Nights: A Novel, Benjamin Bechholz
I want to read them quickly, but have been falling into the bed with little to no reading time at night….maybe this week!
Kudos to you Nadja. I can’t read more than one fiction and one non-fiction at a time. Never have been able to. On the other hand I devour books so rarely is a fiction book sitting around for more than a couple days, LOL
Thanks for stopping by.
Love this!!! They all sound soooo good. If I didn’t have 23 books loaded on my Kindle waiting for my attention, I’d download these bad boys immediately but I’ll have to add them to the list. I’ll be interested to hear what you have to say about the Plot Thickens!!
I am reading Patricia Sands The Bridge Club – very good. As well, I am reading James Scott Bell’s Plot and Structure and Will Write for Shoes by Cathy Yardley – both are fab but the shoes book is more to the genre I “want” to write (whether I get there or not, we’ll see). I also just finished Elena Aitken’s Drawing Free and Nothing Stays in Vegas – both wonderful women’s fiction.
Nothing Stays in Vegas? Who said? LOL I’ll have to check that one out.
Thanks for stopping by Natalie.
I read a craft book that I believe is a Noah Lukeman one: First Five Pages. It really helped me to understand the importance of getting the entire novel to its best but how the first five can be a make or break sometimes.
I just finished Everneath by Brodi Ashton and am currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I want to see what all the fuss is about. Then I have A Million Suns by Beth Revis on tap. I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while.
Yeah, First Five Pages is Noah Lukeman. It’s on my list as well, we’ll see if my used book site comes through for me 🙂
Are you enjoying The Book Thief? It’s on my list especially since oldest beastie read it and raved about it.
Thanks for stopping by Angela.
The First Five Pages is a great resource, so I’m sure The Plot Thickens will be too. I’ll have to add it to my list.
I recently finished The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. A lovely read with amazing drawings throughout. I really want to see the movie now.
I’m in the middle of a beta read right now, and I’m really loving my friend’s novel.
Oh I’ve heard about The Invention of Hugo Cabret. I’ll have to add it to the ol’ list. Watch for smoke signals, it may collapse on me 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Erin.
I’ve always loved your reviews. They cut right to the chase.
Let me email you about ‘The First Five Pages’. I might be able to hook you up.
Aw, thanks Maria. But what are you reading at the moment? Lack of internet and you aren’t engrossed in a book or two 😉
Thanks for stopping by.
Writing, woman. Writing. That and emptying my kitchen for the big remodel.
I have a high fantasy on my bedside by Susan Gourley that I hope to get to next.
Okay…I’ll give you that, especially if that means new works coming out 🙂
And I’m so jealous about your kitchen remodel because mine needs one so bad I’m ready to tear out cabinets with my bare hands I hate them so much.
I love The Plot Thickens. It’s actually one of my favorite writing books. 🙂
Right now, I’m reading Slim To None by Jenny Gardiner. Verrrrry enjoyable!
Ooo, that’s good to know Sheila 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Nice reviews. I like the format you use.
I’m reading the last book of the RITA entries that I’m judging and can’t disclose the name, but it’s an excellent read. Liking it so far 🙂
I don’t envy you that judge’s hat Shelley!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I’ll be curious to see what you think of the writing book. I’m 50/50 with writing books… they can be awesome, they can be stupidly obvious, and they can be anywhere in between.
Sometimes just having the same info stated in a different way is key. I think the trick to craft books is taking what works and leaving what doesn’t.
Thanks for stopping by Nicole.