Reading on . . . the literature challenge

It's been awhile -- quite awhile -- since I've posted about my reading challenge. I'm still working through my TBR (to be read) stack and completely enjoying the opportunity to meet new authors and find more great reads to cherish.

I've add 8 new titles since last I posted about this subject. My number is now up to 36 for the year. I haven't calculated how many weeks I have to make in order to hit my 52, and frankly at this point, the number isn't as important as the joy of reading each week.

Did you forget why I challenged everyone to read? My post on ILLITERACY explains the epidemic trend of 'non-readers' in our country. It also gives websites where we can all make a difference.

So what have I added since last I posted:

A PIECE OF HEAVEN by Barbara Samuel

-- a redemption story for older love, set in beautiful New Mexico, dripping with actual problems that real-life characters managed to solve.

THE LONER by Geralyn Dawson

-- another in Ms. Dawson's 'Good Luck Groom' series. Her hero Logan Grey is the most unlikely groom I've ever met, which makes it simply delicious when Caroline Kilpatrick reels him in. There's a kid, an old codger and loads of Texas on these pages.

THE OTHER WOMAN by Candace Schuler

-- this is an old Harlequin Temptation that I've tucked away on my shelf. I've read it several times and love going back to it because it's the Alpha male character who is felled by the love of a woman he never expected to deserve.

TORCH SONG by Lee Magner

-- another oldie but goldie for me, this one is from the CandleLight, Ecstasy Supreme line. These are ones you either have or don't. No more reprints of these babies. Again, the total Alpha male. But during this publishing era, artists were still allowed as focal characters. Today, we'd term this book squarely in the Romantic Suspense genre. Fun to read those that started the trend, without evening knowing there would be a trend.

HEAVEN IN YOUR EYES by Judi McCoy

Ms. McCoy was a former critique partner of mine -- thanks Judi for nagging about all those 'thats' that (uh-oh) snuck into my writing. Ms. McCoy writes whimsy and HEA with the best of them. HEAVEN IN YOUR EYES deals with angels as they oversee the lives we so often 'screw' up. Gotta love those that are routing for us, without ever being seen.

CLAIMING THE COURTESAN by Anna Campbell

-- when Ms. Campbell was nominated for the coveted Romance Writer's of America, RITA award, I knew this book deserved a second reading. Verity and Kylemore are two characters who should never have a chance at love, everything conspires against them. Yet, Ms. Campbell twines their complicated emotions around one another just as a vine clings to and grows with a massive tree. It becomes impossible to separate the two, and while society will never understand their choice for love, it is inevitable or irrevocable. Yep, it works for me.

THE NANNY DIARIES by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

-- I loved falling into the world of the nanny, and learning to hate the rich who have kids and then let others raise them. As this 'hand-the-kid-off' philosophy goes against everything I've pursued as a parent for the past two decades, it was easy for me to boo for these vain parents, and cheer for the nanny. That said, I wanted this nanny to stand up for herself. I understood that her choices were limited where 'their' child was concerned, but not once -- even in the end -- did she hold these adults accountable to HER. Perhaps, that is the characteristics of nannies, to be subservient to others, but her choices left me completely unsatisfied.

GRASS by Sheri S. Tepper

-- WOW! is the start of how I felt about completing this book. This read is not for the faint of 'reading-heart'. GRASS is a complicated science fiction read. Don't expect to understand everything in the first 50 or even 100 pages. This book requires effort on the part of the reader, but the payoff for those willing to put in the time is tremendous. Excerpts from this book reminded me of Ayn Rand's writing. Terrific symbolism and layered characters -- some of who are not redeemed, and that's perfectly acceptable in the course of the book. There is a poignant conversation between one of the main characters and God. The revelation that his 'very small beings' are not expected to understand everything He's done or even His whys is beautiful written and made a lasting impression. GRASS was published in 1990, so it may be difficult to find. However, the book is worth the effort.

As an author I want everyone to believe that reading is fundamental. However, as a mom, a woman, a human being, I want everyone to experience the joy of great words. That can only happen if we continue to read and encourage our children to be readers as well.

Here's to a happy and hopefully, storm-free, Sunday for all of you. Drop by my porch anytime.

Until later
~Sandra

Reading on . . .

The last two weeks I've been hooked on Jim Butcher's series, The Dresden Files. I've read:

SUMMER KNIGHTS, a book about the mythical Queen of Summer Faeries and the Queen of Winter Faeries -- sorta like the folks who live in the clouds and control weather,



and


DEATH MASKS, which pits wizard, Harry Dresden, up against the Denarians -- demons who have been seduced by one of the 30 pieces of silver that Judas was paid to betray Jesus. These terribly powerful creatures who have become evil incarnate, started out as normal mortals who were seduced by the lust for power and are now imprisoned inside the Denarians, trapped in their own personal Hell. Yep, there are Catholic Priests, the Knights of Christ, and the Shroud of Christ all rolled into this book. It deals with the 'what-if' theory behind the Shroud and the pieces of silver.

As usual, both SUMMER KNIGHTS and DEATH MASKS are incredibly fast, can't-put-it-down reads, with loads of unexpected twists and turns. Butcher puts more action in one chapter than James Bond movies manage in two hours.

Also, if you're looking to see how to 'hook' a chapter, you need to read this series. Using a dark sense of humor, a realistic approach, and never quite wrapping things up, Butcher consistently leaves his character in a tough situation. As always, readers are willing to turn the next page in order to find out if Harry Dresden manages to draw his next breath.

So, what are you reading?

Do share.

Drop by my back porch anytime.
~Sandra

Reading on . . .

My Reading Challenge continues.

This past week, I finished Geralyn Dawson's newest HQN release, THE LONER. This novel is another powerful love story that features a number of the characters from her Bad Luck Brides series. If you've grown attached to this cast and crew then you'll not be disappointed with her latest entry into larger-than-life Texas history. Ms. Dawson always takes some tidbit of historical past (this time one of the earliest flash floods in Texas history and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) to add that wonderful touch of realism to her stories. It is as though she takes that one snippet of the past and weaves a tale around it -- reminds me of Paul Harvey's 'And the rest of the story . . .' (for those of you who listen to talk-radio).

As a writer, I'm always impressed by Ms. Dawson's ability to motivate her characters -- not with just a single event but by the collective experience of their lives. These are real people, with real problems, and as a reader, I root for them from page one.

Ms. Dawson revealed during a writing seminar, which she taught, that she doesn't plot out every last detail and sometimes the characters manage to write themselves into a corner that's tough to get out of. Perhaps, she sprinkles a little magic pixie dust over her characters, because she never fails to conjure up the perfect blend of goal, conflict and motivation. However, she does it -- I'm in awe.

Thanks, Ms. Dawson, for another great read.

What are you reading this week? Still on track?
Want to see why I started this reading challenge? Check this out!

Don't forget to drop by my back porch anytime. I always have a glass of sweet tea cooling in the fridge.

~Sandra

Reading Challenge . . .

Are you still reading? Working toward your one book a week? Remember that's the challenge to keep reading no matter what.

If you're late to the party, don't be shy. There's still time to join the fun. Why did I start this challenge? Read this link and you'll understand.

What are you reading?

Here's the most recent photo of the books I've enjoyed during the past two months.

Not pictured are The Helen Keller book and Stone Fox (sorry, had to return those before I managed to get around to taking a picture) Just imagine this stack two higher.

READING CHALLENGE . . . on it goes

While I've been away from the computer I've still be reading.

I've finished THE WILD CHILD by Mary Jo Putney and THE FIREBRAND by Susan Wiggs. I know I've read both of these authors before, but I had forgotten how much I enjoyed their works.

THE WILD CHILD by Mary Jo Putney brings to life mental illness in the 18th century and how wives of that era were completely at the mercy of their husbands or guardians. Women could be locked away simply on the word of their supposedly 'better' halves. The novel not only deals with a women's rights issue, but I really liked the unlikely hero in this story.

THE FIREBRAND by Susan Wiggs deals with the great Chicago Fire of the early 1800s, and a woman who was a true suffragist of that era. I loved this heroine's spirit and determination, and her unfailing love for a child. Add a tortured hero and a dog, and what's not to love.

Two lovely reads that kept me totally enthralled. Yep, I'm whittling down my TBR stack one book at a time.

What have you been reading while I was away?

See you next time on the backporch
~Sandra

Sparkling Today

It's been awhile since I've consistently updated my blog . . . no longer.

I'm back!

Finished with the 3rd grade round of teaching and I'm back in the writing saddle again. It's a great fit, and I couldn't been happier than to listen to my characters fuss and complain.

So many things to discuss, so much has happened since last I was blogging everyday, but those are for another time.

Today, I'm over at Sparkle This! completing our second short story. A little time travel, a little historical, and a little contemporary all rolled together. Six contributing writers and a whole lot of fun.

You can follow the whole story if you start on this LINK. However that entry is the end of the story . . . so, don't cheat, just scroll all the way down and read from the beginning. Story begins at 'Turning'. If you have a few minutes, it's a fun read.

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you about my lastest read, what's next on my list, building a new backporch, the next story I've started, the broken dryer, meeting author Geralyn Dawson again and so much more.

Come on back to the porch, and sit awhile.

Until then,
~Sandra

Reading Challenge and Writing Challenge

Okay, I may have seriously lost my mind.

My reading challenge is still in progress. This week's read, already under the belt, was A Sacred Trust, by Sharon Mignerey. I had to start on the weekend to make sure it would get finished

because . . .

I'm also involved in a writing challenge with

Sherry Davis

, and a crew of other great writers.

Goal each day: 1,000 new words.

Yesterday, I had to edit 60 pages to get the 1,000 new words in (believe there were some plot holes big enough to run a semi through -- so yep, it took a 1,000 words to fix those)

However, I made it. And the work actually, well it actually works -- on page that is.

After grading a basket of papers (yep, still riding herd over the 3rd graders), throwing a few stinky clothes in the wash, cleaning the kitchen, I'm burying myself in the computer for my thousand word quota tonight.

Happy Reading and HAPPY WRITING
~Sandra

Reading challenge continues . . .

Just finished this one.

All right, it is an old title, copyright 1996. Found it buried in my TBR (to be read) stack, and that bright red cover leaped out.

If you've read my earlier post, you'll know I have a reading challenge going on for any who want to join.

Simple: read a book a week for a year. At the end I'll have enjoyed 52 new authors and adventures.

For as disappointing as last week was (see previous post), this week's read of BRIDE OF FORTUNE by Shirl Henke was excellent. I was, actually, surprised to see that it only had a 3 1/2 stars on Amazon.

If you love actual history folded into a story, then this is a great tale for you. If you like heroes who fill up the page, then this is the novel for you. Not only does our hero save the heroine, he saves her dog and an orphan. Okay, that makes him pretty great. And if you believe in great love stories, then this is one you'll want to read.

Thanks, Ms. Henke for a read well worth my time.

Now, I'll need to dive back in and see if I have another of her treasures buried in my hiding spot.

What did you read this week?

Remember, busy isn't an excuse to NOT read . . . it's a cop-out!

Until next time,
~Sandra

I tried, really I did

I should so be sleeping. Dealing with 3rd graders on a daily basis is wearing and right now it's way later than I should be sitting at the computer. Okay, maybe they're not tiring. Maybe I'm just old. That aside, here's what happened with my reading challenge this week:

It was a sad state of affairs. I raided my TBR (to be read) stack -- and it is worthy of raiding, folks -- for a contemporary. For over one hundred pages I tried to like this book. After chapter . . . I don't even know, I gave up counting them, I chucked the book. Not a normal response for me. I'll push through to the end most of the time -- even though my reading hours are precious -- because I figure that the author went to a serious amount of work. And I'm not saying this multi-published author didn't go to a lot of work, however, I never cared what happened to these characters. In one hundred pages, I didn't care -- not even a little bit. Alrighty then, if the writing can't snag me in that count then it's truly not worth finishing.

So back to the TBR stack; this time for a historical. Maybe in was bad karma, or I'd pissed off the reading gods or something because this one was worse. Now since I can't write historicals, trust me I've tried and it was anything but pretty, I have loads of patience for the slower, more methodical pacing in historicals, BUT, the language didn't fit the period, the US state the characters were living in during this historical setting wasn't even a state at that point, the characters had conversations -- in mixed company -- about things folks would never have talked about back then. AND then, and then, and then, did you get that, and then the author kills off an injured wolf and her pups, ALL without remorse. Okay, I was done. Second book chucked.

Now, maybe because I've read so many fabulous books since the first of the year, I'm a little picky at this point; I will concede that possibility. But I didn't get my read in for the first time since the beginning of the year and that disappoints me.

I'm already a hundred pages into another historical -- this heroine has overcome huge obstacles and is one sassy creature for the effort. I love her. The hero is bold, brass, and lurking under all those rough edges is the man every woman would want. I'll be posting about this book by week's end.

What did you read this week?

Feel free to share.
~Happy writing and reading
Sandra

Yes, I've been reading.

Who's keeping up with the reading challenge? Remember, one new book each week? No specific requirements, no mandatory length, no classical or literary emphasis is necessary -- only reading a new book each week.

Time marches on and your reading stack (those you've read) should be growing -- right along with mine.

This past week, I re-entered the world of teaching on a short-term, if full-time basis. What's that mean? Reading moments must be snagged with ruthless zeal.

So here's my list for the past two weeks:

Jodi Picoult's, My Sister's Keeper
John Reynolds Gardiner's, Stone Fox
and finally, Francene Sabin's, The Courage of Helen Keller

Yes, these last two are children's book. Remember, what I said -- it's the reading that's important on all levels, in all genres. There are some tremendously talented children's book authors -- it you're not reading your kids books, you're missing a treasure trove.

Stone Fox is a poignant story about a boy's love for his ailing grandfather, and a dog's devotion to a boy. Heart-rending at the end; make sure to have your tissues ready.

My Sister's Keeper came as a highly recommended read. The multiple first-person accounts (a little like massive head-hopping) do take a bit of getting used to, however, this story will keep you turning the pages -- the 423 page read was a straight through adventure for me. There is a twist at the end, remarkably well-done and completely unexpected. As a mom, there is one character, in the story, that I neither understand or like -- not the slightest sympathy or empathy can I muster for this character. Perhaps that is Ms. Picoult's purpose. That said, this isn't a book I'd reread based on the miserable failings of this one character. Surely, many will disagree. But for me, personally, the fatally flawed character, who isn't the villain, reeks too much of today's headline news -- not the person I want to root for in a novel. Again, it's all personal, right? Ms. Picoult, as a New York Times bestseller, certainly has her following.

Have you read any of these books? Be sure to add your comments.

~Keep reading!
Sandra

Love Texas Style

Yahoo! Kick up your heels and set your lasso to pull in a great read.

Love Texas Style, an anthology written by twelve -- dare I say, yes, I do -- unbelievably talented North Texas Romance writers, is now available through the Wild Rose Press.

E-books are available at: The Wild Rose Press

Want your own autographed print version? Then check back here or at LA Mitchell's blog for the latest on book-signings.

Oh, and make sure to drop LA Mitchell (one of the greatest new writers of our times) a line and let her know how much you enjoyed her The Lost Highway in Love Texas Style.

Reading on . . .

Been away from the computer, but reading and WRITING on!

This past week's read was Lisa Kleypas's, Sugar Daddy.

Well worth the investment of my time.

If you love larger-than-life characters, great detail, and dead-solid perfect Texasism, then you'll want to read Ms. Kleypas's Sugar Daddy.

Feel free to leave your read for the week.

ABC news is following my lead . . .

Okay, if any of you caught the 5:30 news tonight -- you know the one time slot where all the pharmaceutical companies advertise? Don't understand? See my previous post on Why? Why? Why? -- then you heard about the frightening epidemic of adult illiteracy.

According to ABC sources, 7 million Americans are considered functionally illiterate and 30 million Americans CANNOT read a simple sentence.

Here in America, we're supposed to be 'not-one-of-the-third-world countries, and yet 30 million of our fellow country men and women can't read well enough to fill out a job application, a medical consent form, can't research any subject on the Internet or at their public library, can't vote . . . some can't even read health warnings on any labels.

How scary!
How heart-rending!

I so glad that Romance Writers of America supports adult literacy and that each year at the national convention a massive book-signing (often with over 400 authors in attendence) is held with all the proceeds benefiting literacy.

Is there something more that can be done?

Go to ABC News for a list of national options regarding illiteracy. Also, if you're a parent, click on Reading Is Fundamental for great tips in motivating children to read.

There are lots of reason why people can't or don't read. Sometimes, they require the assistance of a specialist to overcome learning challenges. Sometimes, it takes motivated volunteers. If you want to assist on a local level, try your nearest library for any programs they might have in place.

What else can you do?

READ!

Join my reading challenge. One book per week for 2008. Busy isn't an excuse -- it's a cop-out.

Read on!

Until next time
~Sandra

Keeping up with the reading challenge

Here's what I'm reading this week.

One of my critique partners *Shannon Canard* is published in this collection of short stories. So, it's definitely been on my 'TBR' (to be read) list.

BTW Shannon, I read your story first. My only problem . . . I want more than the little tidbit from the short story. Can I have a full length, please?

In addition to this book being a great read, the proceeds go to benefit Women's Shelters. Great romance reading and for a great cause -- how cool is that?

Reading Challenge

I didn’t set out to be cutting-edge, but it’s nice to know The Reader’s Digest and I agree on something basic.

People aren’t reading anymore. Not nearly enough according to RD’s information. According to a short snippet in The Reader’s Digest, February 2008, A National Endowment for the Arts study found that Americans are reading less and less for pleasure.

Why?

Are we working more? More than our forefathers (and especially foremothers) who toiled from sunup to sundown in order to work farms, dairies, ranches?

Less educated? Not likely. During the 1910s only 15% of those between the ages of 14 and 17 even attended high school. Today, every state has a mandatory stipulation that students under the age of 17 must attend school. According to The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems – who publicizes graduation rates for the past 14 or so years – US high schools graduate somewhere between 67% to 71% (National average) of their students.

So what are we doing if not reading?

My guess is that we fill our time with other things. Stuff and such, as my kids always called it. During a recent writer’s meeting, I overheard two writers discussing how little they’d actually read since the beginning of the year. I happen to belong to the romance genre, so generally we love our happy endings and are more than willing to delve into another great novel. However as writers, we must schedule time for writing, self-promotion, blogging, publicity, research, book-keeping, and then there’s the whole family scene. So, overall, even though we are writers who want to read, who need to read in order to keep sharpening our writing skills . . . we aren’t.

Here’s my challenge (I didn’t really intend it to be a New Year’s Resolution – normally I’m a dismal failure at those – but everything over the past several weeks has catapulted me in this direction.)

Read one new book per week. Okay, they don’t need to be an epic read, novellas are fine.

Why?

In 52 weeks (sorry, no vacation from this challenge since the best time to read is on vacation) you will have exposed yourself to 52 new brilliant or not-so-brilliant works of literature. You will have expanded your mind – taken 52 new adventures/journeys/or quests. You’ll have read multiple new authors, enjoyed happy endings and sad ones, loved characters and hated them, agreed with plot lines and chances are you’ll have totally wanted to rewrite a book or two from the mix.
To kick off the challenge, here’s my group since the first of the year. Keep up with me and feel free to share yours. Psst! My complete list will be on the bottom of the left-hand column. Check back and see what I've recently read.

I’d never want to live in a world where I’ve learned everything, read it all, or cease to experience the world of literature.
I challenge you to pick up a book, then another, then another. Simply read!

Classic Reads . . .

Great fiction is worthy of reading effort. My oldest child, a lover of timeless literature, has shamed me into reading DEEP titles. She’ll ask my opinion on a certain classic, and I’m dreadfully guilty of giving her a blank look. Searching my collegiate memory, I can only remember struggling through the mightily complex House of Seven Gables. Did I read more than one classic while obtaining my Liberal Arts degree? You betcha. Perhaps, I was too simple-minded, too youthfully naive to understand great books at that time. So with age, does true wisdom come? Maybe, or maybe I’m simply capable of seeing between the lines now.

Mandy Moore, in ‘A Walk To Remember’, practiced an interesting dying philosophy: focus on accomplishing everything on a ‘to-do’ list, rather than the inevitable end. Not a bad goal for any of us.

In the past few months I’ve read Mark Twain’s, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Prince in The Pauper. I’ve reread for the eight or ninth time, Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, recently completed To Kill A Mockingbird and tonight started and finished S.E. Hinton’s, The Outsiders. They all have one thing in common: they were worthy of my time.

Have you read a classic recently? Feel free to share the title with me.

If you’re not reading great literature . . . practice the habit. It’s one worth keeping.