Rediscover Your Library

 I recently started using my local library again.  I'm not sure why I fell out of the habit, because libraries are generally awesome and a good source of books and other materials.

There are books I want to read but not necessarily own.  The library is ideal for those books.  It saves my wallet and my Kindle space.  

Plus, the due date encourages me to make time for reading.  As a write, I need to read.  As a bookworm, I need to read.  I have to remind myself that reading is not "goofing off," it's an important component to my career and my life.

One thing that helps is a web browser extension that will pop up when you look at books on Amazon or other vendors.  The extension will search your local library and see if the book for sale is available in your library.  I find this quite helpful when I'm checking out (see what I did there?) recommended reads.

The extension is free and works with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.  You can get it here.  Let me know if you find it useful!

Today is National Read a Book Day

 It came to my attention that today is National Read a Book Day.  This is one of those days I can get behind.

Besides my daily Bible reading, a plan that allows me to read the entire Bible in a year, I am currently reading "The Whole Enchilada" by Diane Mott Davidson.  Truth to tell, it might be a reread - the book came out in 2013 and there's a chance it's hiding on my bookcase somewhere (I'm currently reading the Kindle version).

I love Davidson's books.  Her main character, Goldie Schulz, is a Colorado caterer who solves murders while whipping up delicious food.  Recipes are included and I've tried a couple of them.

I'm a little sad to note that her last book in the series came out in 2013.  A quick Google search reveals that she decided to step away from writing to pursue other interests.  

I hope she is healthy and happy.  I will enjoy this last book and may revisit the whole series.  The books are worth checking out if you like cozies.  A list of the books in order can be found here.

What are YOU reading currently?  Let me know!

A Lovely Compliment

 Most writers I know, myself included, love to hear from readers.  Telling us they liked something we've written and put out there is almost guaranteed to bring a smile to our faces.

Earlier this week, a friend of mine approached me following Bible Study.  She blamed me for her not getting much sleep the night before, because she was up reading one of my books, The Silent Witness.

I grinned like an idiot and didn't apologize.  

Readers, statements like this can make a writer's day.  It can be a ray of sunshine on days the words fight us.  When we question our abilities.  When it just overall seems hard.

If you know a writer, find something nice to say about their work.  Even a quick text saying, "I love your stuff" will do.

Trust me, we appreciate it more than you know.

Still plugging away...

 As I type this, I'm at 762 days in a row of writing every day.  I've managed to do this even with getting hit by Covid, which is definitely no fun.  Nevertheless, I'm still making words.

One thing I want to work on is getting those words out to readers.  I'm hoping to have a short story collection out before the end of the month.  

I'm currently reading "The Negotiator" by Dee Henderson.  My best friend recommended it to me and I'm enjoying it very much.  

What are you currently reading?  Let me know!

Origin, by Dan Brown

Origin by Dan Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I generally like Dan Brown's writing, even when I profoundly disagree with the views espoused in his work. I have found his books to be page-turners that I race through to the end.

Origin was not up to that standard. After reading the blurb for it, I was concerned that I wouldn't like this particular outing, so I checked it out of my library. It took me up til the time came to return it to finish - for the most part, I lacked the urgency to get to the end that I had with his other novels.

I do like Robert Langdon and he's back in this one, which explores our beginnings as humans. One of Langdon's former students is brutally murdered just before he gives what he claims is the answer to the question of how life began. Langdon gets caught up in trying to find out what his student discovered and reveal it to the world before he himself is the killer's next victim.

As a Christian, I feared I would once again be dealing with bad theology. The book has a strong anti-religious thread through it - Langdon's murdered student is an atheist - and if you're looking for a last minute conversion from him, you will be disappointed.

One big disappointment I found with the book was the big reveal of what Langdon's student discovered. It was built up to be something world-altering, exciting, profound - and it was BORING. Nor was it anything that I felt would destroy people's religious faith. The whole thing was anticlimactic for me - I found certain subplots that were threaded through the novel far more interesting.

The book is okay. But unlike Brown's other novels, I'm probably not buying this one.

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The Whistler, by John Grisham

The Whistler by John Grisham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fast read. Grisham makes you care about the characters he writes about. In fact, I cared so much that (view spoiler)[ when Hugo is killed off I got upset. (hide spoiler)] As a Floridian I recognized some of the setting and the history was interesting.

My one gripe is that the ending felt rushed. As if he realized he had to wrap things up and fell into "And this happened, and this happened, and this happened..." Would have liked to have had some things fleshed out more. But all in all, an entertaining novel.

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