While I love being a writer, one of the downsides is that it definitely cuts into my reading time. I used to read several books a month, often reading several at once, and now if I finish one or two I feel like I’m doing well.
And then there are contests. If you enter some contests, you’re required to read entries in other categories. Plus, having found contests SO helpful when I was trying to get published, I really want to help judge them.
All of that to say I read fewer books for pleasure than I’d like to.
But, like cutting back on chocolate, it makes the books I DO find time to read all that more wonderful. And here are a few I particularly liked from last year:
- River to Redemption by Ann Gabhart – Okay. So sometimes being an author means you get reader perks. This book doesn’t actually release until 2018, but I got to read it as an endorser. Just let me say, you are in for a treat come July!
- Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate – I’m not the only one who loved this book about a notorious woman who was essentially stealing and selling children under the guise of running an orphanage. Chilling and redeeming all in one!
- Camino Island by John Grisham – This one was such fun! It’s a writer’s book, with a main character suffering writer’s block and lots of literary fun. Not Grisham’s typical fare, but maybe that’s why I liked it so much.
- Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette – I don’t read a ton of Biblical fiction, but this story really brought Exodus to life for me. Really well done!
- Circling the Sun by Paula McLain – If you liked Out of Africa, read this book. It’s the more or less true story of Beryl Markham who was the third corner of a love triangle with Denys and Karen. And that may be the least remarkable thing about her.
- A Dog’s Purpose by Bruce Cameron – I didn’t see the movie, but adored the book. The writing is simple (it’s a dog’s POV after all), but deeply touching. Plus, I’m pretty sure my dog could write a book, so it gives me hope.
How about you? What did you read in 2017 that stirred you?
And now I’ve added to my TBR list. Paying it Forward works nicely.
Awesome!
River to Redemption sounds wonderful, and I look forward to reading it! The book that may have stirred me the most was Gail Johnson’s book Treasures of Hope. It’s not fiction, but I really couldn’t put it down! I read so many other fiction books, that it would be hard to just pick out a few. We are blessed with so many good Christian authors!!
I’ll have to check out Treasures of Hope. And I know what you mean about picking out favorites. Maybe that’s the up side of having less time to read!
Do you still have 1, 4 or 5?
On my Kindle . . .