The Shopaholic series: Like mother, like daughter! Enjoyable and entertaining, as always.
The story of the creator of the iconic A-Z London Map: because women can read maps!
A fun, romantic read about finding yourself -- even when you're far away from home.
One sentence, one book -- very stressful. I didn't make it through!
An American expat takes on London -- and its men! Lots of this rang true and made me laugh.
Can you read when you're editing or do words stress you out?
I'm always reading no matter what stage of writing I'm in. In fact, depending on the book I'm writing (I cross genres), I try to read books in that genre.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these reading recs! You've mentioned a couple of books I hadn't heard of.
I get what you mean, Talli, but sometimes reading a book also makes me think "hey, I write better than this/I could've written this better" and I get renewed energy to DO IT!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, two of those books' titles look very similar, don't they? Are we finally running out of fonts in the world?!
I can do both.
ReplyDeleteI can write and edit with the TV on, too!
I love Sophie Kinsella! I have read every single one of her books under that name. Haven't had a chance to read any under the Madeleine Wickham pen name though.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Alex. I can do both and have the TV on. I think it feeds my ADD. I have to distract the critical area of my brain with TV and then I can write freely.
ReplyDeleteWow - you do better than me!!! I tend to seek solace in books I've read before - ones I know I loved so they comfort me!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteTelly is our friend! :-) Well iplayer for me!
Thanks for these fab 140 or less words review - I wish I could be so succinct!!
Take care
x
Yeah Sophie Kinsella is always a fun read the Kelk one looks like a fun read too. i so cant wait for ur book to come out now
ReplyDeleteLove your reviews :-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought of Sophie Kinsella in a while, I think I will pick her up. I miss chick lit...it has been to long.
ReplyDeleteHannah--I never thought of it before, but that must be why I have to have the TV on when I write! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the lightening reviews! But I didn't get a good feel for your take on that dancing one... j/k ;p
ReplyDeleteYes I do read while I edit, while I write, while I research. But I don't watch tv or listen to music. Those distract me, while reading does not.
ReplyDeleteThe problem w/ reading when editing is that it's so much easier to read a book than editing 1!
ReplyDeleteThat said, thanks for reminding me to read the next Shopoholic book.
That's a gift ... 140 or less. I did this just the other day for my book (Insert shameless self promotion): The Breakthrough trilogy - a near-future Sci-Fi action series weaving together theoretical physics and technology with greed, murder, and mayhem.
ReplyDeleteI think every writer should be able to do this with their book as well as quick reviews of books they read.
Stephen Tremp
You defintitely read in your genre! I do too. These days, I find myself looking for YA novels or YA fantasy more and more, just to keep up with what's happening in my genre's world!
ReplyDeleteWhat I've read recently: too many to name, but a few - Robin McKinley's SUNSHINE (good!), Lisa McMann's WAKE (great), Tim Lott's FEARLESS (aww, made me cry, but it was amazing!)
Thanks for sharing Talli! I hadn't heard of the map one, that's definitely going in my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Debs R. I keep a couple of especially awful books for those times when I feel I really can't write another word. I pick up one of those and...wow, in comparison I'm a Booker winner! I won't name either of them for fear of being sued, but...boy, they are rubbish. And the fact that they got published makes me feel so much better about my own writing.
ReplyDeleteI've had to stop reading while I finish my wip.
ReplyDeleteSaying that, I can read and have the TV on at the same time. I need the background noise. lol.
Great selection of books. I've not read any Sophie Kinsella. Time to rectify that!
I love this list!!! I am going to come back to reading when I start to pick up a new book.
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm on reading lockdown (yup, just made it up! Fabulous isn't it?) but I plan to start writing next week and editing and I can't concentrate on both tasks! However after I'm done I always reward myself!!!
WOOHOO!!! I might end up cheating you listed some awesome ones!
I can read anytime. Reading helps to relieve my stress.
ReplyDeleteTalli, thanks for offering your congrats. :)
ReplyDeleteNo, I can't read at all while editing. The author's voice gets all mixed up in my head and comes out in my writing. I tend to avoid reading while I'm writing.
Words stress me out when I'm NOT editing.
ReplyDeleteI'm always reading. I bring a book with me everywhere, just in case! I don't know what it is, but television doesn't keep me interested. Maybe it's all the annoying commercials that interrupt the show? But even with movies, which I love watching, I don't like when they're longer than two hours. I get bored just sitting there and feel like I've wasted my day away, lol. I know reading is sitting around, too, but reading engages my mind in a way that TV just doesn't!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who find reading troublesome when I'm editing! I do like Jane Lovering's solution though!
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot for a book to wow me these days. Not sure who's changed.
ReplyDeletegeez...I somehow missed all of those! Read anything on camping, cars or sports lately?
ReplyDeleteGenerally I read no matter what stage I'm at in the writing process. BUT:
ReplyDelete1) When I'm in critique mode and I take time out to read for pleasure...I get annoyed with myself and the author, because I want to red ink it up and leave my comments in the margins.
2) When I'm deep in revisions, I don't have time to read at all. Or do anything at all. Because if I stop, I won't get back to it...revisions are hellish to me, and easy, too easy, to procrastinate. This is the one phase, IF I'm being a good girl, where I don't read.
I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. I've been in revision hell, and really trying to buckle down and get it done to hand off to my CPs (plus, I was hoping to be done by Nov. 1st for Nano...not sure that's gonna happen)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Love,
Lola
Everything stresses me out at the moment! But I always read as well whatever writing stage I'm at.
ReplyDeleteAs I don't write novels I can't fully answer your question, but if I am working on a special poem then yes reading and words do get in my way.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I lost my reading mojo for a bit and am looking for something to spark it again. Maybe these would help out.
ReplyDeleteLove romantic comedies! Thanks for the recommendations. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I definitely know what you mean...I used to always compare my work to authors' books as well, but I've recently tried to start using the books I read as a tool to learn about how other genres are written and how to write better myself.
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
I used to avoid reading when I wrote or was in serious editor mode. But then I tried it and realized it made no difference in my writing. But no matter what I'm doing, if I read a fantastic book, it does make me compare myself to the author.
ReplyDeleteI like the way this sounds:
"A fun, romantic read about finding yourself -- even when you're far away from home."
Yeah, it stresses me out! But I still read. LOL
ReplyDeleteI must thrive on anxiety. :)
I'm like you, I can't seem to find time for reading. Based on your reading choices however, I don't think you'll like my book.
ReplyDeleteCD
I randomly picked up a Sophie Kinsella novel the other day (Remember Me?) and LOVED IT! I'm a total fan now. I also loved the Confessions of a Shopaholic movie too! :)
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to read and write but I can read and edit. Editing takes so much more out of me that I have to take more breaks. I tend to get migraines when I edit.
ReplyDeleteI can have 4 books on the go, write with the TV on and even have a conversation with my husband at the same time. How is that for multi-tasking?
ReplyDeleteSome good books there, but you sound a bit twitchy with the editing and probably too much vino!
I don't know - I haven't tried! But it's an interesting position, though:)
ReplyDeleteHi Talli,
ReplyDeleteI'm a total ninny sometimes. I saw the link after I sent the message.
I love your blog. Look forward to reading more.
Tetonia:)
Nice list, sounds like some fun reads there! I read when I'm writing and when I'm editing - it's only when I get busy with the paid work that I don't read as much, but there's always an audiobook for when I'm doing mundane stuff like cleaning up the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these helpful book reviews! I'm putting a few of those on my To-Read list.
ReplyDeleteI can read no matter if I'm writing, editing, outlining, etc. The only thing that keeps me from reading is my day job, because sometimes I come home feeling too exhausted to read. (Or write, for that matter.)
For me, it depends on the day. Sometimes I can speed through chapters without a care, enjoying myself the entire time. The next day I can pick up the same book and feel that every sentence is a masterpiece that makes my sentences look as though they were written by a child.
ReplyDeleteStresses me out, but I force myself to do it. It helps me rethink my approach.
ReplyDeleteGood topic btw =)
I can usually read anytime...except I find myself far more critical of the book when I'm reading while writing. I'm constantly analyzing and re-reading paragraphs... sometimes it takes a little of the fun out of it!
ReplyDeleteOh God, I can't read ANY book without assessing and analyzing and comparing it to my own book. It can drive me nuts and slow down my reading but at least I know I've become a better writer. :)
ReplyDeleteWords stress me out! No, in fact, reading helps me edit. I get inspired to improve my MS. And then I make said "improvements" to realize I may have been influenced and I revert back to the original.
ReplyDeleteI try to read something that is nothing like what I'm currently writing, although I do sometimes start analysing the writing. But I wouldn't stop reading!
ReplyDeleteI do read when I'm editing, but only when I'm in the bath or in bed.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read the Shopaholic book yet and really must do so soon.
You read a lot for someone who struggles not to put the books down, I'm impressed. I understand too how hard it is not to compare your own writing to every other author you read.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for TV.
I have to be careful what I read while editing. And I probably read less then, too.
ReplyDeletei loath the shopaholic series - way too much fluff (apart from “The Undomesticated Goddess” I could never read a Kinsella book – they kill my brain cells).
ReplyDeleteBut I am thinking of reading I heart New York. Hope its not too chick-lit-ish.
Thanks for sharing the Twitter sized reviews!
ReplyDeleteI can read at pretty much any time.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Carla Neggers' The Whisper.
Hi Talli .. love the 140 word review .. and so well done ..
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of the map book .. and sounds an interesting read ...
Thanks - fun post .. Hilary
I know that stress thing very well - I do that to myself all the time. But I read constantly; the best books engross me enough to let me forget about comparing myself all the time.
ReplyDeleteI recently finished Immortal Beloved. Let's see...
ReplyDeleteFor Nastya, immortality isn't much fun. Terrified for her sanity and her soul, she embarks on a journey to discover her future & past