Another Reading Challenge Update

Here's where I am so far on the reading challenge:

Added this time are:

1. A book I've been meaning to read. I read Rocks of Ages by Stephen Jay Gould, which has been on my reading list for a VERY long time. It's a fascinating breakdown of the unnecessary "feud" between religion and science, how it came about, and the history behind it. I found it particularly interesting (and also disheartening) given that this issue has actually intensified since the book was initially published.

2. A book that was originally written in a different language. Haruki Murakami, The Strange Library. I picked this one up because it looked like it might have a Neil Gaiman-y feel, and it did, but it didn't have that thoroughly satisfying "I've read this before, maybe in another lifetime" feeling that so much of Gaiman's work has. I'm guessing the book is more rooted in Japanese mythology, because duh, the author is Japanese, and that might be why, since I'm not as familiar with that mythology. But I don't know. In any case, an interesting book, though the knife-twist on the last page seemed unnecessary.

3. A book recommended by someone with great taste. Haruki Murakami again, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. My BFF recommended this one. It was a quick and easy read, but with depth to it, and it's more--or at least as much--about life and writing as it is about running.

If anyone else is working on this list, I'd love to hear from you!

Reading Challenge 2015: Update

I've been busy this summer, and I have some more posts to make regarding my Colorado Bucket List, but first how about some updates on that reading challenge?

Here's a reminder of the things that were on the list:

I already posted about a book in a genre I don't typically read (my choice here kind of felt like a cheat, but oh well). Now I can add a book from my childhood (okay, more than one book from my childhood).

I'm currently working on a book recommended by someone with great taste and a book that was originally written in a different language (technically the first book could also be the second book, but I think I'm going to split them up because again, that would be cheating...). I've also finished a book I've been meaning to read (for about 15 years or more), and I'll report on that one later.

So here are the books:

First, a book from my childhood. In this case, I not only read a book from my childhood, but the book from my childhood, as in the exact same paperback, which I stole from my mom when I was visiting recently (okay, I didn't really steal it cause I asked first). Here's the book:

I read a lot of Andre Norton when I was a kid. And by a lot I mean A LOT. This book is about a dude who specializes in gemstones, the freaky-weird stone he inherits from his father, and his telepathic cat-critter Eet. I remember pretending to be Murdoc Jern and hunting through the front yard for cool-looking rocks, but I didn't actually remember much of the book. Except for Eet. Telepathic cats tend to stick with you.

I also re-read The Beast Master, which was one of my favs. I had a bigtime crush on Hosteen Storm, and I remember crouching over my typewriter writing a story that was a total ripoff of this book when I was probably 10 or so. Here's that original paperback from when I read it as a kid, although I did the reread on audiobook because I saw it at the library and thought, Wow, I didn't know you could get Andre Norton audiobooks!

I enjoyed reading both of these, though I liked The Beast Master more. I think it was because The Zero Stone, is written in first person, and Norton's style, which is a bit sticky and overwrought at the best of times, is even moreso in first person. I'd still like to read the sequel, and I've already started the sequel to The Beast Master. I also discovered the series was extended starting fairly recently with a new Beast Master and her adventures. Somehow I don't really want to read those, though. Hosteen Storm will always be the Beast Master to me.

Cover Reveal! And some Book Recs

Drum roll, please....

Below is the cover for my upcoming release, Summoning Sebastian, from Samhain. It'll be coming out this August. It's a followup to Necromancing Nim. If you read Nim, you'll know there were some loose ends left behind. This book ties them up.

 

And some book recs. I did some editing work on both of these, and they're both very good, very involving stories.

 

When the mine waste dam above them broke, it scoured the entire valley clean of all vegetation and many inhabitants. Almost every family lost a loved one or more, as well as their homes, gardens, and live stock. Worst of all they lost a sense of dependability and security. Life would never be the same. Clary Gibson was determined that her son, Ben, would not spend his adulthood deep in the coal mines of West Virginia digging for coal—like his ancestors. Her husband, a proud miner, wanted nothing more than having Ben join him in the mine. The marriage which had been rock solid, took a near fatal blow while they tried to put their lives back together, as well as cope with opposite dreams for their children. A very emotional, involving read. (Warnings for child loss.)

This is a really powerful book, but it can be difficult to read. If you have trigger issues, be sure to read the synopsis first to see if it might be an issue. I can disclose that it does have a happy ending. It's an amazing story about an amazing woman. It was a great honor to work with her to get her story out.

 

Reading Challenge Progress

A couple weeks ago I posted a link to a 2015 reading challenge from Modern Mrs. Darcey. I'm happy to report I've finished a book that qualifies for the list. Yes, I'm very proud of myself.

Anyway, for "Book from a genre you don't usually read," I read Fortunately, the Milk, by Neil Gaiman. Yes, it's an author I usually read, but in a different genre. It's a kids' book--I'm not sure what level. Not quite Middle Grade, I'd say. Anyway, it was super cute and entertaining and throws some shade at romantic vampires, so I was all good with it.

I'm also about halfway through a "book you've been meaning to read," so I'll report on that when I finish it.

Audio Book Recs, or How to Get Tom Hiddleston into Your Bedroom

I really like audiobooks. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, but for me, after a long day of editing, it's really nice to snuggle up in bed with the dog and let somebody read to me for a change.

Of course, some readers mesh with the story better than others. And some readers are hot British dudes.

Which brings me to something I discovered on Scribd a while ago, which I'm going to recommend.

There is a series of audiobooks of the James Bond series, all read by British actors. So if you want to end your evening or enhance your car ride with the dulcet tones of David Tennant or Tom Hiddleston, then get ye to your favorite audiobook outlet and grab these. I've only listened to one so far, because I'm being stubborn about reading the series in order, but I enjoyed the reading.

This link will take you to Amazon, to On Her Majesty's Secret Service, read by David Tennant. If you're curious, Tom Hiddleston reads Octopussy/The Living Daylights. (Disclaimer--I do NOT get affiliate payments from Amazon, because Amazon doesn't like Colorado.)

Monday Book Recs

Three books I've read recently that I think deserve some attention.

Gladiator Wolf by Marteeka Karland. Everything you love about Teeka's books but three times as long. A must-have for Marteeka Karland fans.

The Dream Alchemist by Joanna Chambers. Fascinating premise. Really neat read.

Brandon Mills versus the V-Card by Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock. Hilarious and poignant by turns. It'll have you ugly-laughing one minute and ugly-crying the next.