Kristen's Favorite Books of 2014

Every year, I take a look back at the books I read throughout the year to pick some of my favorites. I have a hard time ranking the books because each stands on its own for different reasons. Therefore, my list of nine books is broken down into a few categories. Also, my reading list in 2014 was littered with young adult novels, so many of the books listed below are young adult. In 2015, I plan to read more outside the YA genre and also read more nonfiction. Finally, my list below is from books I read in 2014, not books that released in 2014.

My Favorite Book of 2014

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson - This was an easy favorite to choose for me. I love fantasy, and the writing is brilliant.

Here's my review: The only disappointing part about Words of Radiance was knowing the next book in the series won't be out until Fall of 2015. Words of Radiance is the 2nd in the ten book epic fantasy series titled the Stormlight Archive. Words of Radiance is perhaps the best book I will read this year, and better than its predecessor. Whereas The Way of Kings focused almost entirely on world building and character development, the second book dives into story and action. But the world building continues in breathtaking fashion with more depth and layers added to the main characters as well. Since I knew what I was getting myself into, I didn't mind the length at all, and the pacing of the story was great. I often had to force myself to shut off the Kindle every night to get sleep. If you like epic fantasy and haven't read the Stormlight Archive yet, do yourself the favor and start reading.

Series I loved in 2014

The Matt Archer Series by Kendra C. Highley - I read all five books of this series in 2014 and loved them. Matt Archer is a young adult urban fantasy series. The series is action packed, funny at times, and heart wrenching at other moments.

Here's my review of Redemption, the conclusion to the series: With Redemption, Kendra Highley did something great–she finished a young adult series well. The storyline is tied up by the last chapter. Even though you want to see more from the characters, you don't need it. The story is complete.

If you have read the previous Matt Archer novels, Redemption follows the same pattern. It has plenty of action, but humor laced in the dialog to ease the tension. By book five, you are rooting for the characters so it's tough to lose any of them, but it's an epic battle of good vs. evil, and Highley isn't afraid of characters making the ultimate sacrifice.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series by Laini Taylor - I would classify this series as one that surprised me. I didn't expect to enjoy a book about devils and angels as much as I did. The first book in the series is a love story, but the series moves beyond the love story into a complicated tale of war and two worlds wrapped up in it. The real beauty of this trilogy is the writing. Taylor's prose is breathtaking and reason enough to read the books.

The Final Formula by Becca Andre - The Final Formula series is fun. I love reading these books because they are a great mix of fun and laughs with action and tension. I've read the first two novels and the two novellas. The first novel is free so check it out.

Here's my review from second full-length novel in the series. The Blood Alchemist is the follow up to The Final Formula, and just like the first in the series, this book is very enjoyable. The book is packed with explosions, magic, and murders. Addie, an alchemist, works with her element friends to solve the seemingly random murder of magical people using bullets designed by Addie. Throughout the mystery and action, the character relationships continue to develop and evolve, and I really enjoy the snappy dialog between the characters.

Young Adult Books to Tug on Your Emotions

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson - My review is below. I adored this novel as an adult who loves reading young adult. My only concerns of the book dealt with the intended audience of this book. But, the story is so good. So Good.

Here's my review: I loved The Sky is Everywhere, Jandy Nelson's debut novel, so I was excited to read this one. It didn't disappoint. The story is stunning. I adored the dual point of views from the varying time periods. I also liked the element of mystery to the novel and figuring out exactly what happened to Noah and Jude. But most of all, I loved the story of Noah and Jude. It was so good. I did feel a little bogged down with the long chapter lengths (especially since it's YA), and some of the quirky language. I also wonder if teens are truly the target audience of the book. It just didn't sit with me as a novel teens will flock to reading. Maybe too literary? Either way, I liked it. You probably will too.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - I'm waiting for this one to be made into a movie.

Here's my review: I'm sorry it took so long for me to read this book. It's been on my to-read list for awhile, and I finally got an audio book copy through overdrive. I don't do audiobooks often–I simply enjoy reading more than listening, but Eleanor & Park was a great audiobook. The narrators were fantastic. I loved the dueling point of views. It really added depth to this book. Eleanor and Park are adorable and their love story is much different than many of the YA books I've read. I don't want to give too much away, so just read the book.

The Most Imaginative Book

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - The Ocean at the End of the Lane is my first Neil Gaiman book. It won't be my last! First, his writing is stunning. He is able to create beautiful pictures with his words without bogging the page down with big words and long sentences. I could read it over and over simply for this reason. With its 7-year-old protagonist and shorter length, the book reads more like a kids' or YA book. (Think Narnia or A Wrinkle in Time) But I loved the imagination of the story and how it addressed themes of sacrifice, loss, and good vs. evil.

An Oldie but a Goodie

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak- The Book Thief is a book that has been on my to-read list for a long time, but I kept putting it off because it was another WWII book. I listened to the audio book version of The Book Thief, and I found myself drawn in right away. It was a refreshing change of pace from some of my recent reads. I loved Death as the narrator, and the author using Death to create an omniscient point-of-view. I loved the theme of the power of words, and the questions the novel brings up about morality, war, our words, and more. The Book Thief is a worthy read for teens and adults.

My Favorite Book on Writing of 2014

Wonderbook by Jeff VanderMeer - Wonderbook is a great guide to help creative writers (especially those in the fantasy or sci-fi realms). The book is very dense–I will need to read through sections a few more times. But it's worth buying a copy and keeping around the house if you are a writer. I especially loved all the illustrations and visuals throughout the book.

What were your favorite reads of 2014?

June 2014 Book Reviews

Happy summer friends! Summer is a great season to pick up a book and read by the pool or on the beach. I am looking forward to five days at the beach at the end of July during which I will be reading Brandon Sanderson's Words of Radiance. It's the second in an epic fantasy series, and quite lengthy, so I thought it would be a good beach read. Hah! The books I read in June are listed below with their respective reviews. If you are looking for a new book, maybe you can find one below, or from my past months' reviews.

Never Gone by Laurel Garver - Never Gone is a story of a fifteen year-old girl dealing with the loss of her father. The story didn't take me in the places I thought it would, but that was a good move for this book. I enjoyed the character development in the story, especially the relationship of Dani and Heather along with Dani and Theo. Never Gone was an interesting read for me because of the direct weaving of the Christian faith into the story. As a Christian, I found the faith aspect surprisingly refreshing and realistic, especially since overtly Christian characters are few and far between these days. I would recommend this book to a teen going through a rough patch or dealing with grief. 5 out of 7 stars

Sleep Tight by Rachel Abbott - Sleep Tight is a psychological thriller from author Rachel Abbott. A woman and her three children go missing with the husband as the major suspect. Sleep Tight had me hooked from the first chapter, but about halfway through the book, the narrative shifts. The first half was great as I tried to figure out what was going on and what characters to trust. The second half was more of a cat and mouse chase that I didn't find as compelling. Abbott threw in a few twists at the end, but the ending still felt a bit flat. Sleep Tight is the third in a series, but it wasn't necessary to read the first two. (I hadn't) I think I would have enjoyed the Tom and Becky more if I had, but it's a good standalone novel. If you like crime novels or psychological thrillers, you will enjoy the book. 5 out of 7 stars

Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist (A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes) - Bread and Wine is part cookbook, part memoir, with a touch of spirituality. Shauna (I feel like I can call her Shauna since I listen to her every week on the Relevant Podcast) shares her life though her experiences with food and around the table. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, especially since the author's life experiences are very different than my own. I really enjoyed how her faith is woven through the book, and I can't wait to try the recipes that follow each chapter! 6 out of 7 stars

Timebound by Rysa Walker - Writing about time travel isn't easy, but Rysa Walker pulled it off in Timebound. The YA story was carefully plotted to explain the time travel, and I thought her take on time travel was very interesting, especially the Cyrist movement. I also enjoyed the historical aspects of the novel. It was clear Walker did her research with the World Fair sequence. The book was lacking for me in with character development. I didn't connect with the protagonist, and it hindered my ability to enjoy the story. The Kate and Trey romance was difficult for me because it didn't seem realistic. It may come together more in the next series because of the time travel, but I would have liked to go deeper with the characters in this first book. I can't decide if I will read the second when it comes out in October, but that doesn't mean you can't give it a shot, especially if you like time travel! 4 out of 7 stars

Rating System Guide

7 stars = Phenomenal book – one of the  best book’s I’ve read

6 stars = Great book – worth your time to read

5 stars = Solid book, if you like the genre pick it up

4 stars = Okay book, maybe lacking something in the way of language, character development, story

3 stars = I probably should have stopped reading this book.

1 or 2 stars = Serious issues with plot, structure, language, or not a book for me.

How Many Pages is too Much for a Book?

I am currently reading A Storm of Swords, the third book in George R.R. Martin’s "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. Each book in his epic fantasy series is long. Goodreads tells me A Storm of Swords has 1,177 pages (I’m reading on my kindle and it didn’t give me page numbers for this book). That’s a ginormous book. I’ve been reading the book for over a week and I’m only halfway through the book.

As I read this book as an author, I keep thinking about the length of the book. How many pages is too much for a book?

I know the "Song of Ice and Fire" books are long. Even though I enjoy the series, I find it challenging for me to start the next in the series because of its length. Therefore, I usually start reading when I have an excess of free time–maybe I’m on vacation at the beach or the time off between Christmas and New Year’s. I didn’t do that with A Storm of Swords.

I am on a pretty regular schedule, maybe even a bit busier than normal with finishing up edits for my novel, picking up more hours at work, and setting up workshops. I don’t expect to finish A Storm of Swords until the end of April. Since I enjoy the series, I suppose it’s fine, albeit a bit disheartening to slowly watch the percentage read tick by on my kindle. In a way that bums me out, I like being able to read many books in a month, and I’m not sure if that makes me an odd or normal reader.

Because I read a good amount of young adult literature, most books I read are between 250-350 pages. I can bust through a book that size in 3-5 days. The page count jumps to 400 or 500 pages if I pick up adult genre fiction–crime, historical fiction, or literary fiction. I don’t mind a 500 page book if I am engaged in the book.

When the page count hits 700, I start to grow weary. A few months ago, I read The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Once again, I read this book on my kindle and it didn’t have number of pages. (I can’t tell you why some kindle books do and don’t). When I picked it up, I had no idea it was 700 pages long. I think the book took a week and a half for me to read. I didn’t like the book either and I felt it could have been trimmed to a more reasonable page count. (Maybe 500 pages). When I finished, I was disappointed with the time invested in the book. In retrospect, I would rather have read two great YA books instead of one long book I didn’t enjoy.

For me, I think 700 pages is my magic number. When a book hits that size, the book better be worth the time invested. I’m less willing to take chances on a new author or series with a book length that size.

How many pages is too many for you?  What are some great books over 700 pages in length?

The Origin of Stories

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOlCQH5jUgw]

Where do your story ideas originate?

In today's video post, I talk about the origin of some of my stories and novels and how these ideas transform into a novel.

I also give a quick writing update– I have three projects in the current queue.

I am getting better at these video posts (I think), but I'd love your feedback. Do you like these short video blogs?

January 2014 Book Reviews

One of the downsides of reading ebooks is I often pick up a book or start reading a book without realizing the length of the book. I had this problem this month. I started The Goldfinch and after a few days of reading, I realized I was in for the long haul. Soooo I only read three books this month. Here's the reviews!
 Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt & Johnny B. Truant - Let me start this review by pointing out that I am listener to the Self-Publishing Podcast by Sean, Dave, and Johnny for the past year or so. Therefore, I have heard much of Write. Publish. Repeat before on the podcast and so I found most of the book to be a summary of the best tactics and strategies of the past year from the podcast. But, I still found value in the book as a podcast listener. The detail on funnels, email marketing, and story beats was good. If I hadn't been a listener, I'm sure the book would be much more valuable to me. Also, I enjoyed the laid back voice of the book, much different than your typical nonfiction books. 5 out of 7 stars.

The Final Formula by Becca Andre - If I had one word to describe this book, it would be fun. The plot revolves an alchemist's search to figure out how she lost her memory in an explosion and why. The book is filled with humor and characters who love to poke fun at one another. If I could improve one aspect, it would be to improve the world building to explain the magic, elements, and alchemists more clearly. But if you are looking for a fun book with plot twists, humor, and mystery, it's well worth a read. 5 out of 7 stars.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - I wish I could say I loved this book. I feel like I should because the literary critics loved it, but mostly I am disappointed by the book. Tartt's writing and prose is absolutely beautiful, but after the first 100 pages I found myself skimming for action. The book is about Theo, a young teenager who loses his mother tragically. The story follows his search for meaning and life after the loss. As the story progresses (very slowly I might add), I grow more and more detached from Theo as a reader. I want to like him, but it's hard. So even though the writing is stunning, I give this four stars for it's inability to keep me engaged.

Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Generation Review

I have had my eye on the Kindle Paperwhite since they announced the first version a year or so ago. I bought a second generation kindle a few years ago- one with a keyboard, no touch screen or backlight. I read on it quite a bit, but I switched to reading on my iPad so I could read in bed while the hubby is sleeping. A few months ago, I sold my iPad because I wanted less gadgets in my life and I was back to the kindle for reading. I found I missed the touch screen greatly when I wanted to highlight a passage in a book. And of course, I missed the backlit screen at night. Knowing I read everyday, I decided my next gadget purchase would be a Paperwhite. I was fortunate enough to receive some Amazon gift cards this Christmas and I didn’t hesitate. I ordered the Paperwhite, along with a case.

After a few weeks of reading, I love the Paperwhite. It’s not a perfect device, but for a big reader like me, it’s great. I love the touch screen. It is responsive and quick. I can highlight passages with ease and look back through them at the end of the book. I also find it simple to navigate and use. It’s easy to turn the backlight on and off and adjust the font size, spacing, etc. I can also organize my books with ease into collections (which I need to do). The best part is I don’t have to find room on a bookshelf to store all these books I read!

The ability to adjust the brightness of the screen is also a positive. I usually read with the screen at a darker setting. I like reading on the darker setting. It’s not as harsh on the eyes. But even on the brightest setting, the paperwhite is much better for reading than any tablet screen (at least right now). I do have to say the paperwhite screen didn’t meet all of my expectations. It’s not perfect yet, Amazon and the e-ink technology still has room to improve to mimic a paperback book.

The battery life is also superb. I charged it when I got it on New Year’s Eve. I haven’t charged it yet and the battery gauge is half full. I love a device I don’t have to charge every night!

Finally, I did get the version with ads. They don’t really bug me and I can always fork over another $20 at any time to stop them. But at the moment I see no need.

Overall, if you are an avid reader, the Kindle Paperwhite is worth the $120.

Side note, I picked up a Finite Folio Case. It’s great and only costs $15 as opposed to the Amazon case which is $40. The case wakes or puts the Kindle to sleep and gives plenty of protection.

Do you have a kindle or e-reader? Why or why not?

Kristen's 13 Favorite Books of 2013

I  love reading, and in 2013, I read 52 books. I picked out some of my favorites, thirteen to be exact, to share with you, along with my favorite book of the year. Most of the books are best sellers or well known in their respective genres, but hopefully you find a new book to read.

My Favorite Book of 2013

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton - Kate Morton is one of my favorite authors these days and I absolutely loved this book. The story revolves around Laurel Nicholson's investigation into her mother's past to solve a murder her mother covered up when Laurel was a teenager. Morton switches point of view and time period throughout the book in an effortless manner. The characters are well-developed, the language is beautiful, and the intrigue is high as the story dives into themes of family, relationships, loss, and love.

General Fiction Picks

Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron -  Running the Rift is a story of a boy chasing his dream to become an Olympic runner within the horrifying backdrop of the Rwandan genocide in the early 1990's. The story follows Jean Patrick, the protagonist, from his childhood into his young adult years. Benaron gives this character a great voice and provides a great picture into Rwanda leading up to the horrors of the genocide. The story was predictable, but I was so invested in the characters, I didn't care. I've seen a little bit of criticism for this book because of its simplicity in writing style, but I don't see that as a negative quality. Benaron wrote a beautiful and tragic story which also educates us about a terrible point in history for Rwanda and the world. The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker - I picked up The Emperor's Edge as my indie book for March and it was a great pick (especially since it's free in the kindle store). The Emperor's Edge is a mix of fantasy, steampunk and the thriller genres. Amaranthe Lokdon is a strong female lead who puts together a team of criminals to save the emperor from an assassination scheme. Buroker laces humor through her characters and I found myself chuckling often. The story moves along well and the novel is very well written. This year, I also read and enjoyed the second book in the series Dark Currents. Lindsay Buroker is a great indie author, well worth checking out.

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo - The Snowman is my favorite in the Harry Hole crime series by Jo Nesbo.  If you haven't read any in the series, you can pick up the Snowman and not miss too much. The story follows alcoholic detective Harry Hole in his search to find a serial killer nicknamed the Snowman. Nesbo's writing puts you into the action and the descriptions are vivid, yet horrifying at times. About halfway through, you think the plot is wrapping up, but you know better since there are 200 pages left. Nesbo does an excellent job of giving you hints of what's to come, yet keeps the twists and turns coming throughout the novel.

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - The Light Between Oceans is a novel which stirs up every emotion. Tom and Isabel are married and live on Janus Rock, a solitary small island off the coast of Australia. Tom's responsibility is to man the lighthouse. Isabel is a young woman eager to have children, but suffers two miscarriages and a stillbirth. After the stillbirth, a boat washes on shore with a dead man and a living baby. They decide to keep the baby and raise the child as their own amidst doubts and possible future consequences. The ensuing story is beautiful, yet tragic. Stedman's sentences are carefully constructed and I couldn't stop reading the last 100 pages, despite the sad story. The Light Between Oceans is a great novel. 

The Circle by Dave Eggers - Dave Eggers makes you think about the world we live in and the future with his book The Circle. The book is a work of fiction, but it easy to see a parallel future in our world of technology and social media. Essentially, Eggers wants us to think about the important of privacy in this new world of technology. The novel follows Mae, a young woman who gets a job in customer experience (or service) at The Circle thanks to her friend Annie. As the novel progresses, Mae gets further involved in the Circle and ultimately decides transparency is the only way. I though the writing was good, but the characters could have used more depth. I didn't like Mae as the novel progressed, but that didn't stop me from reading. The Circle makes you think and its definitely worth the read.

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini - Khaled Hosseini is a great storyteller. I have no doubt about his ability to create intricate characters and beautiful sentences. But, it's impossible for me to not compare this book with his earlier works. The Kite Runner is one of my all time favorites (and I recently read it again - holds up). And the Mountains Echoed is a solid book, but not on the level of The Kite Runner. My main complaint is Hosseini spent time with many different characters who are loosely tied together, but I wish he spent more time with the main characters - Pari and Abdullah. I wanted more about them. But overall, it's another great book about life, set against the backdrop of Afghanistan and tough situations.

Young Adult Picks

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - The Sky is Everywhere follows Lennie and her struggle to move forward after the sudden death of her older sister. In the midst of her grief, Lennie finds herself falling for one boy, but also connected closely with another boy, her sister's boyfriend. Each chapter starts with a poem written by Lennie and these poems add great substance to the book. The writing style is fun and clever and fits with the first person point of view. Here's an example that made me laugh - "Handfuls of bosom pouring out a minuscule black dress that I'm going to wear in broad daylight to band practice." More importantly, Nelson tackles grief and death, two tough subjects in a touching and realistic way. I absolutely loved this book. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - The Fault in Our Stars is an absolutely stunning contemporary young adult novel. The novel follows the story of Hazel, a teenager living with terminal stage cancer. She meets a boy Augustus who changes her life. Yes, the novel is sad at times, but the characters are smart and beautiful. Green grapples with issues of mortality, life, and love in a way that is meaningful and triumphant. I recommend this book to readers of all ages.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas -  I love books with a strong female protagonist. The protagonist, Celeana, is an assassin who is in a competition to win her way to freedom. Along the way, she encounters evil forces, makes a few friends, and falls in love. The book is predictable at times, but such fun to read. The competition and protagonist reminded me of hunger games, but in a fantasy world. I intend to pick up the sequel soon!

Oldies but Goodies

Dracula by Bram Stoker - I'm ashamed to say this was the first time I've read Bram Stoker's Dracula. With the popularity of vampires in pop culture, I wanted to go back to a classic vampire tale. And this book is a classic. I loved the narration of this story- through letters and journals from the main characters. The story is frightening in the best way. If you missed this book somewhere along the way, pick it up. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - After seeing the first Hobbit movie, I finally picked up Tolkien's Hobbit. I have no idea why it took me so long to read this book. The Hobbit is a fun adventure story. Tolkien mixes the perfect amount of description and exposition. I loved the book and look forward to picking up the LOTR trilogy again in the near future. 

A Ring of Endless Light -  As one of my favorite books growing up, I was anxious to read A Ring of Endless Light as an adult. L'Engle drew me in once again to this story of life, love, and loss. Her writing is so precise and the descriptions are magnificent. The story tugs on your heart as Vicky copes with growing up and dealing with loss in her life with a backdrop of dolphins, but the story doesn't feel dated, simply timeless. L'Engle adds a bit of science fiction and fantasy, but it is perfect and adds depth to the story. A Ring of Endless Light is one of the best YA books I've read.

What were your favorite books you read in 2013?

November 2013 Book Reviews

This month I read good books. They were very different, but solid. If you are looking for something to read this holiday season, any of those below are worth it to pick up. Also, next month I have an interview with Kendra Highley, author of Sidelined! The Circle by Dave Eggers - Dave Eggers makes you think about the world we live in and the future with his book The Circle. The book is a work of fiction, but it easy to see a parallel future in our world of technology and social media. Essentially, Eggers wants us to think about the important of privacy in this new world of technology. The novel follows Mae, a young woman who gets a job in customer experience (or service) at The Circle thanks to her friend Annie. As the novel progresses, Mae gets further involved in the Circle and ultimately decides transparency is the only way. I though the writing was good, but the characters could have used more depth. I didn't like Mae as the novel progressed, but that didn't stop me from reading. The Circle makes you think and its definitely worth the read. 6 out of 7 stars

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini - Khaled Hosseini is a great storyteller. I have no doubt about his ability to create intricate characters and beautiful sentences. But, it's impossible for me to not compare this book with his earlier works. The Kite Runner is one of my all time favorites (and I recently read it again - holds up). And the Mountains Echoed is a solid book, but not on the level of The Kite Runner. My main complaint is Hosseini spent time with many different characters who are loosely tied together, but I wish he spent more time with the main characters - Pari and Abdullah. I wanted more about them. But overall, it's another great book about life, set against the backdrop of Afghanistan and tough situations. 6 out of 7 stars

Sidelined by Kendra C. Highley - Sidelined is a contemporary young adult novel about a basketball star, Genna, who suffers a serious injury. She loses basketball and struggles to piece her life back together as she also battles an addiction to painkillers. I thought the book was a solid contemporary YA book. Genna is a flawed character, but realistic character. At times, I thought Jake seemed a little too good to be true, but I suppose his backstory made up for it. I think this book could really help other teens or young adults who face a similar situation where they need to rethink their future. 5 out of 7 stars

Writer Dad by Sean Platt - Writer Dad is a memoir of Sean Platt's journey into writing full time. I follow Sean's podcast and was eager to read his book to learn more about how he got to his current writing life. He is extremely honest about the mistakes he made along the way and he pressed through the rough times to become a successful indie author. This book is more memoir then writing or publishing advice although he does give some helpful tips along the way. The book gave me hope knowing a successful writing career takes time, hard work, and support from your loved ones. 4 out of 7 stars

What are you reading this holiday season?

Rating System Guide

7 stars = Phenomenal book - one of the  best book's I've read

6 stars = Great book - worth your time to read

5 stars = Solid book, if you like the genre pick it up

4 stars = Okay book, maybe lacking something in the way of language, character development, story

3 stars = I probably should have stopped reading this book.

1 or 2 stars = Serious issues with plot, structure, language, or not a book for me.

I love reading. You should too.

One day I was reading in bed next to my husband. He was watching tv and surfing the internet. He pulled up a list called "How to know if someone is a reading addict" (or something along those lines) and started reading it aloud to me. I laughed and said he could stop. I know I am a reading addict. I love reading - I will take it over television, movies, and video games on most days. I love the ability to escape my life into a great story.

As a writer, I want you to love reading as much as I do. I know there are more of you out there, but if you aren't a reader, I've compiled a few reasons why reading is great.

Reading makes you smarter.

The brain operates like a muscle. A muscle needs training or a workout to stay in shape and to grow. Reading is one way the brain stays in shape because reading is an active brain activity. During reading, the brain is working by processing words to make sense of the information.

Reading improves vocabulary.

Books force people to discover the meaning of unfamiliar words in order to understand the story. Reading literary fiction is a great study method for one of the admission tests- the SAT, GRE, LSAT, etc, especially compared to the boring study method of flash cards. Or if you need to do any writing or speaking for your career, a sound vocabulary is important. Reading will build your vocabulary.

Readers are better writers.

Successful writers often give the following advice to amateur writers- “Read great books to improve your writing.” The brain learns about proper sentence structure, grammar, and flow through well-written books.

Reading improves your memory.

While reading, the brain works to remember characters, themes, and settings throughout the book. Remembering these details stretches the brain’s memory muscles and causes growth.

Reading improves concentration and focus.

Screens, devices, and short attention spans rule our society. People rarely sit down, concentrate, and focus on one activity for an extended period of time. However, reading is an activity where concentration and focus are essential. Otherwise, key moments are missed in the book. 

Reading Improves Imagination and Creativity

Reading also stimulates the creative and imaginative parts of the brain. Unlike watching television or playing a video game, the reader takes the details of a story and creates the image associated with the story. The reader fills in the blanks while reading- an aspect of reading which I love.

Reading Reduces Stress

Reading a book transports the reader into another world. During reading, your mind shifts gears from the stress of life to the story. For me, this is especially helpful before bed. If I’m having a hard time falling asleep, usually reading a chapter of a good fiction book will calm my brain away from the swirling stressful thoughts.

Reading is Cheap

Reading is inexpensive compared to the other entertainment options. I rarely spend over 10 dollars a month on books, despite reading roughly five books each month. I use the library to read free books on loan. Even if one buys a book, the price is reasonable. Ebooks are typically under $10 and paperback print books are around $12. A 400 page novel takes an average person about 10 hours to read. In comparison, a video games costs $50 for ten hours of play, a movie theater ticket is $10 for two hours, or a two hour movie rental is $4. Books are the best entertainment deal when examining the cost verse time spent.

Besides all the side benefits above, I love reading because I love escaping my world into a story. I love learning about human nature and the world through stories. I love laughing and crying from a good book.

Why do you love reading? Or why don't you like to read?

October 2013 Book Reviews

Sadly, I only read three books this month. The first book I read this month was a lengthy one and I struggled to get through it. The last two were fun reads.  I am also continuing to read through all the books on my kindle or that I have around and haven't read yet. I've learned most of the books I pick up are pretty good reads, even if it takes me a few months to get to them. It's funny how my to read list always grows; it never shrinks! The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - This is a tough review for me to write because I didn't enjoy reading this book. However, I respect the author and the whole of this book. The Poisonwood Bible is the story of a family who moves to the Belgian Congo in 1959 led by the father, Nathan Price, who is an evangelical Baptist. I didn't enjoy the novel for a few reasons. The first half of the book was slow and I had a tough time with the portrayal of Nathan Price. I think he was a stereotype and gives readers a bad picture of Christianity. I did enjoy the last third or fourth of the book when the characters make it out of Africa and learning about how they deal with the rest of their lives. I also love how the authors' love for Africa shines throughout the book. Even though the book hit on some tough themes such post-colonialism and religion, it didn't make me turn the pages quickly. And because my interest wasn't completely there, I only give it 4 out of 7 stars.

The Homegoing by Michael Olin-Hitt - A friend of mine handed me a copy of this book a few months ago and I am glad I finally picked up the book and read it. The Homegoing is the story of a young woman named Ruthie who is returning home to Laurelville after a few semesters of college at Ohio State. She wants to figure out the mystery behind a death in her family, but along the way finds out more secrets than she ever imagined. I really enjoyed the characters, especially the dialogue. I also liked the faith aspect of the story. Great book! 6 out of 7 stars.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - Throne of Glass is another book that I bought on my kindle awhile ago and finally read. I really enjoyed reading this book especially since I love books with a strong female protagonist. The protagonist, Celeana is an assassin who is in a competition to win her way to freedom. Along the way, she encounters evil forces, makes a few friends, and falls in love. The book is predictable at times, but such fun to read. The competition and protagonist reminded me of hunger games, but in a fantasy world. I intend to pick up the sequel soon! 6 out of 7 stars.