Today, I’m checking in with you to talk about what I’ve been reading lately. I’m linking up with Anne Bogel over at Modern Mrs. Darcy.
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I’m trying to be better about reading more regularly, but you guys. It’s hard. If you follow me on Instagram stories, then you’ve probably seen me talk about how I feel like I’m coming down with the flu. And maybe you also saw the story where I realized that I didn’t have the flu, but rather, I’m just exhausted.
Reading Lately: March 2018 Click To TweetWhat can I say? I’m nothing if not COMPLETELY IN TUNE WITH MY BODY.
That was a joke.
But suffice it to say, that this semester where I’m teaching an extra class, publishing two posts a week, and posting to YouTube once a week is slowly grinding me down.
Thankfully, spring break is next week.
Unfortunately, I will have 120 papers to grade.
GOOD WORK PLANNING, MOHI.
Anyway, I’ve still made some time for reading, and with that, here’s a glimpse of what I’ve been reading lately.
Reading Lately
The Savior’s Champion by Jenna Moreci
I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And, you guys. I LOVED IT. Seriously. This book was the perfect thing for those two and a half snow days I had at the end of February. This story is action packed, fun, and the dialog between characters is a joy. There’s adventure and romance and magic and an original idea. Like, if I had to describe this book in one sentence, I’d say it’s like if an episode of The Bachelorette were filmed on the set of The Gladiator AND THAT’S ALL I CAN SAY NOW BECAUSE SPOILERS.
Oh, and did you happen to see my YouTube video about why writers should read The Savior’s Champion?
I have been sitting on this book for a minute now, and only because I have a digital copy and I’m terrible about remembering to read digital books. But I picked it up after I got like halfway through the worst YA dystopian I’ve ever tried to slog through, and I’m so glad I read it. This book is what I would call a 100% good time. Like, there’s literally a hippo caper (though a certain character would say it’s more of an operation) and tons of knife-throwing. The story is based on an actual law proposed by a Louisiana Congressman in the early 1900s. In order to clear some vegetation out of the Mississippi River and fix the nation’s meat shortage, he proposed importing some hippos. This book proceeds as if the hippos had been imported. It’s so much fun, and I’m looking forward to starting the next book soon.
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
Kim Chance recently recommended this in one of her videos, which made me remember that Sonia Gensler recommended it last year at OWFI during her tea luncheon. And all that made me remember that I wanted to pick this one up and use it to re-tool the great, swampy middle of my W.I.P. Overall, I think this book is pretty good. Even though it’s a screenwriting book, I definitely see how the beats Snyder uses can translate to a book. So, I recommend it for that reason. HOWEVER! Here’s the deal: Snyder is the king of the ill-informed dad joke, so there’s some problematic stuff in there. One that particularly stood out to me was when he made some sort of dichotomous statement that separated people into “mental patients” or “real people.” So, if that ruffles your feathers, know that you can get all the information that this book contains for free online without Snyder’s jerk face comments.
Oh, and hey, remember all those books I said I was going to tackle back in February? THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.
But there’s always next month.
What Have You Been Reading Lately?
Let me know what book you’re slogging through right now! What book did you love recently? What book left you mad that you spent the time to read it? What book would you recommend for me to read? Leave it in the comments.
What book did you love recently? What book left you mad that you spent the time to read it? Click To Tweet
Ooh, those looks like interesting fiction books to read! I keep thinking I’m going to get back into fiction very soon and then I find another non-fiction to read. *sigh*
I was definitely in that same boat for a while. It’s hard to get out of one mindset when you’re reading.
I just finished The Cruel Prince by Holly Black and oh man. It lived up to the hype. I would recommend it to anyone who loves badass female heroines and has an inkling of interest in fantasy settings.
I’ve heard so many good things about that book. I may need to pick it up this weekend. The cover alone is swoon-worthy, and the hype is insane.