It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Let’s talk about what we’re reading!
It’s been a good reading week. I’ve rejiggered my days to start with breakfast and a book, and there’s been something so wonderful about allowing myself to get lost in story before I start creating my own. Research or pleasure, it doesn’t matter. I feel less stressed, and I’ve gotten a lot more reading done, which is one of my goals for the year. I’ve also started writing the new book, so this calm heading into my peak creative hours, 1 pm - 5 pm, is helping with the momentum I need. I’m not much of a morning person. While I can create first thing if I need to (and do it when I’m further along in the story), in these early weeks, my focus is better in the afternoon.
I‘m almost done with THE HEIRESS by Rachel Hawkins, and the opening epigraph is taken from an article in Outside Magazine that talks about people going missing in the woods and uses the same Lord Byron poem I mentioned last week as the epigraph for my new book. The zeitgeist is such a fun place sometimes! These books couldn’t be more different, but we’ve clearly all hit upon a universal theme—isolation. Wonder why??
I wrapped up Lauren Thoman’s sophomore effort, YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE, and it was clever and fun.
Also, read a short novella by debut author A.J. Whitney called SOVEREIGN. I love debuts, and I love apocalyptic stories, so this fit the bill.
I spent the weekend with a dear friend’s manuscript. Having a small circle of writers you trust to read your work is so helpful. I was entranced—she didn’t really need my help, so I was able to read and enjoy!
Wolf Hallcontinues to blow the doors off. I think it’s keeping me creatively inspired.
And before I forget… there’s a cool preorder campaign going on for my most anticipated book this year, Cal Newport’s SLOW PRODUCTIVITY, which will be out March 5. You all know I am a Deep Work fan, and I’m really looking forward to SP. Don’t know who Cal Newport is? Well, let me introduce you…
I read Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. This was an interesting book and just a little different. I liked it and I need to read the second book...however, I got distracted by the new JD Robb book Random in Death. Excellent book as always from JD/Nora. She just can do no wrong in my book!!
I'm pretty much over being sick and I read a lot more this week!
It's been a busy reading time for me as the hubs was traveling all week. (That means I stay up way too late to read just one more page and die when I have to get the kids up early for school. You think I'd learn but no it's always a rinse and repeat routine.) I finished reading THE FIRST LIE WINS by Ashley Elst, and I did not predict the twist like I thought I had. I love being surprised by books. So, a win there. I also read THE HEIRESS by Rachel Hawkins. It's a yarn ball of twists, atmosphere, and spunk. I loved the different format of it. It's told in dual POV with additional chapters dedicated to news stories and letters. The last book I read was completely different than the other two, but it was also a winner. ALL THE SINNERS BLEED by S.A. Cosby. I'd classify this one as a dark southern gothic with a hint of charm because of the main character's relationship with his dad. (Spoiler, it's not all good between them. Their relationship is raw and real.)
The funny thing is that all three of these books have been set at least partially in the south. My friend who is from Franklin, Tennesse (or maybe it's Franklin County. Not 100% sure) is trying to get me to move there when we retire. She says Texas is really not the south. As someone who has lived mostly in the west, I have no idea if she's right or not, but I can tell you that these books are different than the south I'm experiencing. Maybe it's because I live in a bigger city.
So I live in the area she's recommending, and it really is lovely.
I'm finishing The Heiress today, and I agree, it's just a lot of fun. I'll grab Ashley's book, everyone is raving!
I Haven't read Sinners yet - it's pretty dark, though, right? I'm looking for crime fiction that's dark but not horror, and I think that's a good descriptor, yes?
All The Sinners Bleed is fantastic. Not horror. Definitely dark and emotional. Uncomfortable to read but I think that’s a good thing. Very reflective of spcial and racial issues today.
It sounds like we have really similar writing rhythms. During lockdown I replaced my commute with reading and it was (weirdly, given the circumstances) such an ideal way to ease into the day that I've tried to keep it up as much as possible. So much better to start the day with words on a page than words on a screen, small as that distinction may seem. At the moment I'm switching back and forth from Nick Kent's THE DARK STUFF as I gear up for my first round of in-house edits on HOT WAX, and reading Mariana Enríquez's OUR SHARE OF NIGHT on a friend's recommendation--it's a dense, literary-historical horror unlike anything I've ever really read. It does "slow suspense" (is that a thing?) really, really well.
It is nice. I had to disrupt it yesterday and I was jumpy. So it's clearly working. And yes, the differentiation of reading words instead of scrolling is HUGE. Nourishing our minds instead of bombarding them has to be a better path, right?
Slow suspense--that building sense of dread, yes? Superb if pulled off well. These are new to me, authors; thank you for the reccys!
Building dread and also giving a mystery time to take some twists and turns... I'm finding this more my speed lately than the smash-and-grab pace of most thrillers. Hope you enjoy!
I've been debating on The Heiress...this might be the push I need.
This week I read an early copy of my friend Jennifer's new book set to be released next year (it's fantastic!). I love my writing group and learning so much them; they are all published authors with multiple books under their belts and it's a masterclass in how to write, revise, and critique.
My fun life updates...I went back to my full time job this week after a LOA and am still camping in the living room in my new house, so reading has been on the backburner, but I will be listening to THE SILENCE IN HER EYES by Armando Lucas Correa as I unpack! This book is a thriller/suspense translated from Spanish and I'm itching to dive in.
And not reading news...but related. I am officially shelving Book 1. I've had a good number of full requests and all have been rejected with some similar feedback, which tells me it's the book. It was a learning tool and a healing tool (inspired by real life events that happened to my family and I was very angry at the time of writing..). Now I'm fully engrossed into Book 2 which I plan to pitch this summer!
Can't wait for the next edition of 22 Steps! Have a happy Friday!
It is really great. There's a very fun fourth wall break that hooked me. She's a great writer, so roll with it.
I'm glad you're getting settled. I know this has been a rough few months.
For what it's worth... my first novel snagged me an agent, but he couldn't sell it. Same scenario - similar feedback on the rejections. So I had to shelve it and write another. That second book was the one that sold. In a fun turn of events, ten years later, I rewrote that first novel, and it came out under a different title as a prequel to the series. So DO NOT throw it out! But I think you've taken a very healthy approach. I've said all along I know this is going to happen for you, and I stand by that prediction. The more you finish, the better the odds.
Hang in there. You have a lot happening right now, and while it's great fodder, you need to be gentle with yourself. ♥️
Thank you so much for your kindness and encouragement. I’m excited to see what the next few months bring with a whole new world and new characters to put through the paces. 😂
Ooh I love Hawkins. Gotta put The Heiress on my list pronto.
I’m a few chapters into Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez on audiobook and it is fantastic! I think I expected something grimmer from the title, and it does have a serious undercurrent of racial inequities and how they shape a person’s relationships, but it’s also witty and clever and involves wedding planner shenanigans.
A little late posting this. It was my first four day week back at work, and I am wiped out. It’s been 13 weeks now since I broke my shoulder. Onto the books!
I'm just reading my clients' books this week and giving development/editing notes, and the same for a friend who just finished his draft of a new book. 🤗🤗🩵
I read Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. This was an interesting book and just a little different. I liked it and I need to read the second book...however, I got distracted by the new JD Robb book Random in Death. Excellent book as always from JD/Nora. She just can do no wrong in my book!!
I'm pretty much over being sick and I read a lot more this week!
Glad you're feeling better!
Yay, Amy, glad you're past the ick. It's going around here like mad.
DIVINE RIVALS *was* different. Urban fantasy, alternate reality, enemies to lovers, the works.
This theme of a lover who will stop the world for you is really hitting the cores of readers right now. Super interesting!
And all hail the queen!
It's been a busy reading time for me as the hubs was traveling all week. (That means I stay up way too late to read just one more page and die when I have to get the kids up early for school. You think I'd learn but no it's always a rinse and repeat routine.) I finished reading THE FIRST LIE WINS by Ashley Elst, and I did not predict the twist like I thought I had. I love being surprised by books. So, a win there. I also read THE HEIRESS by Rachel Hawkins. It's a yarn ball of twists, atmosphere, and spunk. I loved the different format of it. It's told in dual POV with additional chapters dedicated to news stories and letters. The last book I read was completely different than the other two, but it was also a winner. ALL THE SINNERS BLEED by S.A. Cosby. I'd classify this one as a dark southern gothic with a hint of charm because of the main character's relationship with his dad. (Spoiler, it's not all good between them. Their relationship is raw and real.)
The funny thing is that all three of these books have been set at least partially in the south. My friend who is from Franklin, Tennesse (or maybe it's Franklin County. Not 100% sure) is trying to get me to move there when we retire. She says Texas is really not the south. As someone who has lived mostly in the west, I have no idea if she's right or not, but I can tell you that these books are different than the south I'm experiencing. Maybe it's because I live in a bigger city.
So I live in the area she's recommending, and it really is lovely.
I'm finishing The Heiress today, and I agree, it's just a lot of fun. I'll grab Ashley's book, everyone is raving!
I Haven't read Sinners yet - it's pretty dark, though, right? I'm looking for crime fiction that's dark but not horror, and I think that's a good descriptor, yes?
All The Sinners Bleed is fantastic. Not horror. Definitely dark and emotional. Uncomfortable to read but I think that’s a good thing. Very reflective of spcial and racial issues today.
It sounds like we have really similar writing rhythms. During lockdown I replaced my commute with reading and it was (weirdly, given the circumstances) such an ideal way to ease into the day that I've tried to keep it up as much as possible. So much better to start the day with words on a page than words on a screen, small as that distinction may seem. At the moment I'm switching back and forth from Nick Kent's THE DARK STUFF as I gear up for my first round of in-house edits on HOT WAX, and reading Mariana Enríquez's OUR SHARE OF NIGHT on a friend's recommendation--it's a dense, literary-historical horror unlike anything I've ever really read. It does "slow suspense" (is that a thing?) really, really well.
It is nice. I had to disrupt it yesterday and I was jumpy. So it's clearly working. And yes, the differentiation of reading words instead of scrolling is HUGE. Nourishing our minds instead of bombarding them has to be a better path, right?
Slow suspense--that building sense of dread, yes? Superb if pulled off well. These are new to me, authors; thank you for the reccys!
Building dread and also giving a mystery time to take some twists and turns... I'm finding this more my speed lately than the smash-and-grab pace of most thrillers. Hope you enjoy!
I think it's why the gothic novels are having such a remarkable resurgence right now, too.
I'm all in for that particular revival.
Loved Our Share of Night. It was a dense read that I had to take my time with, but so worth it.
I've been debating on The Heiress...this might be the push I need.
This week I read an early copy of my friend Jennifer's new book set to be released next year (it's fantastic!). I love my writing group and learning so much them; they are all published authors with multiple books under their belts and it's a masterclass in how to write, revise, and critique.
My fun life updates...I went back to my full time job this week after a LOA and am still camping in the living room in my new house, so reading has been on the backburner, but I will be listening to THE SILENCE IN HER EYES by Armando Lucas Correa as I unpack! This book is a thriller/suspense translated from Spanish and I'm itching to dive in.
And not reading news...but related. I am officially shelving Book 1. I've had a good number of full requests and all have been rejected with some similar feedback, which tells me it's the book. It was a learning tool and a healing tool (inspired by real life events that happened to my family and I was very angry at the time of writing..). Now I'm fully engrossed into Book 2 which I plan to pitch this summer!
Can't wait for the next edition of 22 Steps! Have a happy Friday!
It is really great. There's a very fun fourth wall break that hooked me. She's a great writer, so roll with it.
I'm glad you're getting settled. I know this has been a rough few months.
For what it's worth... my first novel snagged me an agent, but he couldn't sell it. Same scenario - similar feedback on the rejections. So I had to shelve it and write another. That second book was the one that sold. In a fun turn of events, ten years later, I rewrote that first novel, and it came out under a different title as a prequel to the series. So DO NOT throw it out! But I think you've taken a very healthy approach. I've said all along I know this is going to happen for you, and I stand by that prediction. The more you finish, the better the odds.
Hang in there. You have a lot happening right now, and while it's great fodder, you need to be gentle with yourself. ♥️
Thank you so much for your kindness and encouragement. I’m excited to see what the next few months bring with a whole new world and new characters to put through the paces. 😂
Also - I loved Field of Graves. 💜
So it’s been a week. There will be lots of drinking tonight and I’ll save the reading for tomorrow. I’m starting Jesmyn Ward’s newest book.
Grr...I'm sorry! But CHEERS!!!!
Ooh I love Hawkins. Gotta put The Heiress on my list pronto.
I’m a few chapters into Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez on audiobook and it is fantastic! I think I expected something grimmer from the title, and it does have a serious undercurrent of racial inequities and how they shape a person’s relationships, but it’s also witty and clever and involves wedding planner shenanigans.
That’s a lot of amazing themes in one place. Sounds awesome!!! And your love The Heiress. I’m almost done and it’s been a fun ride. Also, Hi!
A little late posting this. It was my first four day week back at work, and I am wiped out. It’s been 13 weeks now since I broke my shoulder. Onto the books!
The Good House by Tananarive Due
Out of the Blue by Jason June
The Secret Garden of Yanagi Inn by Amber Logan
Past Crimes by Jason Pinter
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
I’m so glad you’re able to get back to work! I bet you are, too!!!
A wonderful list, as always. I have Starling House - it looks so great!
Thank you. I missed my coworkers like crazy. Especially for all the great book talks!
I'm just reading my clients' books this week and giving development/editing notes, and the same for a friend who just finished his draft of a new book. 🤗🤗🩵
Isn’t it fun to be a part of the novel’s creation? I’m always so honored.
It definitely is. 💛