I've read over 850 books on authonomy and Slush Pile Readers and I feel very ADD. But that was the old way of making it to the ED as I tried to read ten or more a day spending way too much time on-line. My attention span must be shrinking as I wonder how good these books are all the way through. It helps / humbles to read all these stories. No wonder why it's so hard to break through - there are so many talented writers out there and so many intense stories. But the problem I have is simple: are these writers able to keep it up throughout their books.
There are scores of fantastic books I've read during my stints on authonomy and slush pile reader, but I've only bought and read three of them all the way through - partially because they were published. There are so many that I'd love to buy and read - man, it'll be a long time before I'm hurting for a good book to read. The three I read are impressive all the way through and I higly recommend all of them.
Remix by Lexi Revelliam. Looking for a murder mystery that's fast pace, fun, and more enjoyable than watching TV? Lexi's book delivers. It's listed as Chick-Lit, but there is such strong hooks that I just couldn't stop reading it. Totally fun. Her charcters are strong and easy to like (or hate). Imagine waking up and finding a guy on your roof? That's how it starts and it only gets better.
Descending by Catherine Chisnall. Good fiction is all about being able to see things from another POV. Sure, we wouldn't do what the characters do, but it's fun to see how someone else would react. Create tension, conflict. My creative writing students always want write peaceful pieces. Not Catherine. Her book puts you in the mind of someone who gets deeper and deeper into a sticky situation - a teacher having an affair with a student. I just couldn't stop reading this; I was dying to find out how it'd end. Like a train wreck, you can't peel your eyes off of this one. Realistic - and thank god I never had to experience anything like this in my real life - but in Catherine world I was able too.
Grumbles Bluff by Karen Bessey Pease. I couldn't help but root from the narrator, an overweight girl who gets teased at school. The story pulled me in as this middle school student has to overcome quite a bit. Such a strong personality that I feel like I know the girls in the story. This one has a lot of emotional ups and down that kept me interested through out. And it makes me want to visit Maine.
All three are excellent and thankfully they have all been published. Treat yourself to these entertaining books.
