I've Been Reading...

I go through periods where I read a ton of books and then ... I switch off and I'm doing more writing.  I think with the stress of the new job and the move, I've needed some mental downtime so I've been reading more than writing.

Lately, my reading habits have been all over the place.  I haven't been reading my normal favorites and I've been frustrated with that.  Usually, I'm reading a ton of urban fantasy and paranormal romance.  In fact, I've got a stack of go-to books when I just want to relax with some old friends.  But lately, those books haven't been working for me and I'm saddened.  It also means that I spend a lot of time staring at my book shelves searching for something to read and nothing "sounds good" despite the awesome overflowing from those books.

In fact, I've been falling back on some random stories that I've picked up on a whim for my kindle. And I've encountered some good books. So what have I been reading?

I discovered Shelly Thacker's "Stolen Bride" series on Kindle.  It looks like these books were released a while ago and were just recently re-released as e-books.  I was sucked into her time travel historical romance "Forever His".  I picked it up for only $0.99 on Kindle.  After letting this book rule my evenings for three days, I immediately purchased "His Captive Bride," which was originally released as "Timeless" I think.  "His Captive Bride" wasn't time travel, but it did have magical element to it, which was fun.  Somehow I managed to skip the second book, "His Forbidden Touch" in the series, but I'm picking that one up for this weekend's reading.  I think the writing is very strong and the concepts are fun.

The other book I am currently working on is Anthony Bourdain's memoir "Medium Raw."  Let's get this straight first -- I don't read nonfiction.  I just ... don't.  I think it's enough that I have to life in reality.  I don't want to read about it as well.  It's the same reason that I don't watch reality TV.  But I picked the book up last year while I was in Michigan for a book signing mainly because it was a signed copy and I like Anthony Bourdain.  I loved Bourdain's No Reservation TV show and love his "voice".  And by that, I don't mean his speaking voice (which is pretty awesome too) but his way of choosing and arranging words into sentences.  I like the rhythm of his sentences.  With that in mind, I thought I might like his storytelling style.  So far... I'm right.  I haven't finished the book yet.  I've been slowly savoring it, treating myself to a chapter here and there.

What else have I been reading recently? 

I've started yet again "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde as well as Richard Kadrey's "Sandman Slim."  Both are amazing books that suck me down into dark places.  I have read a little bit of "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn.  I read it in high school and I've been wanting to read it again recently.  I'm also searching for my copy of "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway.

Like I said, all over the place.  But I think my reading is going to slow down soon.  I've got a new idea for a story.  Actually... I've met a new character.  There are times that she reminds me of Mira, but then she smiles at me and I realize, "No, this woman would eat Mira for breakfast."  Time to get back to writing.