So in 2017, I made a vow on my Goodreads to get through some books this year – 30 of them, in fact. I’ve been pretty rubbish lately with reading. When I was younger I’d get through two or three books a week, soaking up stories in between writing my own and fantasising about other worlds and incredible characters.
These days I’m stressing about writing for a client or a to-do list for the week, on top of finding time to exercise, eat healthy (bluergh) and sleep. This year is also going to be a challenge as we intend to finally buy the house, move into that and then start planning a wedding. But, let’s see how I get on.
So, 2017 has gone okay so far when it comes to reading, I have two or three books on the go – mainly because I leave one upstairs and I’m too lazy to go get it so I read whatever is closest to me. My upstairs book is Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, I’ve never read any of his work before and I’ve been told he’s done a lot with Terry Pratchett and I’m almost a little ashamed to admit I’ve not read any of his either.
Downstairs I’m reading something even trashier; I added Wayne Simmons’s Drop Dead Gorgeous series to my Amazon wishlist at Christmas and received a lot of the book series as gifts. I’m not sure if this was a good idea or not. The plot is essentially a zombie apocalypse taking place in Belfast, something I should be guaranteed to love, but the characters are absolutely unbelievable and even ridiculous. I know shock affects people in different ways, but the reactions to everyone falling dead around them are utterly bizzare and I have to say, not one of them is likeable. However, I intend to finish at least the first book then decide from there.
I have to say though, the book is set in a location rarely featured in popular fiction, so it’s interesting to read about a real place and learn new things about the local area. Simmons also features characters from walks of life that don’t get much of a feature usually and touches upon issues such as the IRA and alcohol abuse – albeit perhaps not in the most subtle of ways.
I’m also finishing up the last book in the 5th Wave series by Rick Yancey, it’s not my favourite YA book series but it’s not been a terrible read. Although, there is a seriously cringe sex scene in this last novel which I felt a little weird reading. Why do older men think that they can write scenes like that from a teenage girl’s perspective without it being cringe? Of course, I’m not saying men can’t write as female characters but if you’re going to do it stop walking on egg shells and perhaps get some insight from an actual teenage girl.
So, that was a quick catch up on what I’m currently reading, have you also set up a challenge for 2017? How many books do you intend to read?
You can find my Goodreads account here, please feel free to team up with me as a friend and if you have any recommendations on what horror to read next let me know!
Jade
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