100 Books a Year!

In 2009 I began to keep track of the books I read with the goal to reach 100 books each year.  That year also coincided with the point I decided to take my fiction writing seriously and finish writing a book within a year. I managed to reach both goals, completing the first draft of my teen novel CIRCLE OF NINE – BELTANY and reading 149 books that year. Obviously, I love to read. 

So far this year I’ve read 26 books. Some are my tried and true favorites by JD Robb (Nora Roberts) and Janet Evanovich, but I’ve been reading a number of other series. Most of these have been around a while, and I am finally getting to them. The benefit of starting these series a little late is that I don’t have that agonizing wait for the next book and am immediately satisfied by grabbing the next one in the series. You know what I mean!

The variety of themes in this year's books, makes me laugh. I’ve read about a sexy vampire brotherhood, magical highland warrior druid time travelers, dwindling alien survivors fleeing alien hunters, and a futuristic society divided into factions. You might be able to guess some of these series by their descriptions.

The first is the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. Yes, I am still reading about vampires – but wait – these vampires are different!  (LOL) We meet a warrior class of vampires battling against those who want to destroy them. Each novel features one of the brothers and his love interest set within the twists and turns of their fight for survival.  Great entertainment and the sex scenes aren’t bad either.

Karen Marie Moning writes a wonderful Highlander series about time traveling druid warriors and their romances with modern women.  They time travel through STANDING STONES – much like my all-time-favorite Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  Love those stones circles!  I am a sucker for a good historical romance with well-developed characters, an amazing setting, a little magic (okay a lot of magic), and loads of sensuality. (The first in the series is pictured below.)

While these first two picks might make it seem like I am addicted to paranormal romance, I actually do read books in the genre I write.

I finally caught up with the young adult Pitticus Lore/Lorien Legacies science fiction series. This is an engaging, fast-paced, and inventive story about ten young survivors from the planet Lorien who are sent to Earth to ensure the survival of their race after their planet is destroyed by Mogadorians. The Mogadorians are a constant threat as they pursue these survivors who are just learning to control their own powers or legacies in order to fight back. 

Now to the series that you most likely guessed very easily – Veronica Roth’s Divergent series - set in what I believe is one of the most crazy, interesting worlds an author has created in a long time. (Yes, I like this series better than the Hunger Games.)  In this futuristic landscape set in a badly damaged Chicago, teens must choose to join a faction on their 16^th birthday.  A test determines the faction they are best suited to join from the choices of Abegnation, Erudite, Dauntless, Candor, and Amity.  But watch out – if you show an aptitude for more than one faction, you are considered Divergent and a danger to the status quo. 

Sadly, the first three series aren’t complete, so now I’m back to waiting for the next installment after a nice long run with what’s already been released.  (Big sigh.) 

I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading lately. Drop a comment here or on Facebook to let me know.