Who me?
I am a glutton…
There is no use putting it any other way. I am ravenous for a good story, commonly reading multiple at a time.
Yet I so rarely stop to reflect on what I just finished reading. Rather all my thoughts consume me while I read. I openly scoff at word choice, cringe at things characters say or do. Baulk at their choses. Roll my eyes, giggle, hold my breath alongside the characters.
It’s not uncommon for me to write in the margins of a book or at the end of a chapter with my thoughts, good or bad. – Yes I truly believe in living in your books, highlight, write, dog-ear, snap spines if that’s what you’re in-to. Claim it like you are claiming the story within, it is yours now.
If that upsets you you may be in the wrong place. But maybe, just maybe, if you give me the chance, I may change your mind.
Here and now I will be intentionally posting thorough and detailed reviews of my reads.
Shocking.
Groundbreaking.
Never-been-done-before.
I know.
But this is for me. I read dozens of books per year, yet, when I fill out the small review on my app it is no more than 5 or 6 sentences, and that’s on the good side.
No, this simply will not do. I want to expand my world of books and open doors that lead to beta reading, audiobook recording, and editorial work. I want to articulate my thoughts and feelings for characters, authors, worldbuilding, stories, tropes in a way that leaves you reeling for the next one.
One day, I even plan to write about myself. And when that day comes I’ll pull from every story I’ve read and emotion I’ve felt to bring something to life.
And I do this with practice. I read enough to write regularly on the subject. So it begins now.
It may be worth noting that I read fantasy and romance.
Another shocking, groundbreaking, never-been-done-before surprise.
I’m just full of them.
My origin story with reading is not unique or fanciful. I read as a child, but only when told to. I found a book here and there that I liked, but I was an outdoorsy kid. You would sooner find me in a tree than a library. As a teenager I was a social butterfly, fluttering from friend to friend, party to party. A relatively smart kid that passed class without cracking open the book.
It wasn’t until 2019, at 26 years old, that I cracked open a book at random and decided to read.
I had little time to myself; I worked too much for an employer who took too much. I had three small children, and my only friend was my husband.
The book, you’re wondering? I couldn’t tell you how I came to have possession of it. I promise you, it just appeared.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas.
Shock- oh, not really I suppose. Not in this day and age.
But thus a reader was born. Renewed maybe?
I didn’t read much after that, but a few books. Again, I didn’t have time.
I always thought of books as a story. Well, duh. But as a front to back, lots of words, pretty fantasy dreams that only lived in the pages. Kind of story.
As I read I found the humor of the authors, their own opinions and ideas being pressed from the pages, their multiple lives coming true right before my eyes. The stories never just stayed on the page, they walked with me everywhere I ventured. My vision of the world forever changed.
At first I read for the worlds that were brought to life. Magic, fairies, long lost souls.
Then for the romance, the enemies, the unrequited love, the brothers-best friend.
But now I read to understand the book, the ups and downs of the characters, the hidden meanings, and finding easter eggs from the author. The word choice. The timelines. The grammatical errors. The side characters. The three act, four act, 1st person, 3rd person, multi-person pov’s.
Whether it is audiobooks – remember busy mom over here. Or ebooks – on the go! Or a physical book to grow my library with the chance to highlight, scribble, tab, and color-coordinate.
Bring on the 10+ book series— these are my favorite.
Or the sweet trilogy.
I’ll stick around until each character is paired off.
Give me every book the author has ever written, genre be damned.
The novelle’s.
The spin-off’s.
The fanfic.
Give me cozy.
Give me smoldering.
Give me dark.
Give me magic.
Just give them all to me.
And in return I promise to be honest. I promise to cite my sources. I promise to point out the good, the bad, and the ugly.
To be intentional and thorough.
And to improve, inspire, and show up.
Sonder: n. The awareness that everyone in the world has a life as rich and complex as your own
Have an opportunity?
I’d love to talk about being a beta reader, recording an audiobook, or editing your new story!
