#BooktagsBlogHop
The purpose of this blog hop is for readers and writers to share what they are reading, have read, are writing, or have written with others. This is not about promoting free or discounted books, though some of those may be featured. This is about book lovers sharing what they love about books. This blog hop is about the Joy of Reading and the Joy of Writing with tags of your choosing and is hosted by author and blogger, Toi Thomas, the 3rd Monday of each month.
We've been encouraged that, if we prefer, we can do a themed post - and being October, that would of course lean towards dark, night and all things spooky.
But I think the scariest thing about this month is how many things I'm trying to cram into it.
It's my own fault really, I'm addicted to reading books, and I'm struggling to control my works-in-progress.
So deep breath, and let's introduce you to what's keeping me busy at this very moment:
The Distant Sound of Violence
by Jason Greensides
A very awesome story that brings together 90's high school, gang culture. It's written in a way that is very real, yet still very entertaining and endearing.
I'm about 80% through, and desperate to see how it all ends.
Excerpt
'You can't change the size of fire.'
The first words he ever said to me were half lost in the rumble of traffic along Ladbroke Grove.
I'm sure he thought he was being poetic of something, but right then I didn't care: someone had just stolen my aunt's lawnmower while I'd been inside the repair shop. I stormed up to him from the curb, where I'd been scanning the road for some sign of the thief, and barked down at him, 'Where's the mower?'
He gave me a crooked smile, delved into his trouser pocket, pulled out a stick of Dentyne and offered it to me.
How did he think a stick of gum could help in this situation? How would that help when my aunt went batshit? Weirdo shit like that made everyone at school run whenever they saw Nathan. It also didn't help that he was supposed to be part of a gang - The Grove Runers - and it was this that made me weary of him now. If any of the girls from school saw me talking to him, they'd be gone.
So I smacked the gum out of his hand, sending it flying onto the concrete.
'Which way did he go?'
'That way,' Nathan finally said, jerking his thumb towards the Harrow Road.
I turned from him then ran off in what would turn out to be a futile search for the lawnmower.
Irons in the Fire
by Antonio Urias
The first in the Chronicles of Talis series. This is a fantastic mix of high fantasy, political intrigue and murder mystery.
I actually finished this book at the weekend, but I need time to give it a suitable write up, so the full review should be on the blog later this week.
Awethology LightAwethology Dark
by The Awethors
Two free anthologies that were released yesterday. Both are collections of stories and poems by a very awesome group of writers. Light is suitable for under 18s, and mainly YA-focussed; and Dark is suitable for over 18s.
OK, you caught me, I do have a story included (Kristen: Witch-Hunter in Awethology Light if anyone's interested), but there are another 48 entries that I haven't read yet. Anyway, I'm going to be content for the next week or so.
K.S. Marsden
So when I'm not curled up with someone else's book, I'm busy writing my own.
There are 4 works-in-progress that are swallowing up all my free time.
1. The Oracle: Book Two of Enchena
Exactly what it sounds like. I'm working on the sequel to The Lost Soul, which was released at the end of August. This book will hopefully be ready Summer 2016.
Find out what happens to Samantha, David, and the myriad of characters from Enchena. It's time to intercede again, to show the path to a final victory.
2. Unnamed YA Short Story
I have been invited to join in a winter anthology - and looking at the other authors included, I just couldn't turn it down. I only have a few weeks to whip this into shape, so wish me luck!
I'm already getting stuck into Mark's story!
3 & 4 Witch-Hunter Prequels: Sophie & James
OK, I know, I know, I keep mentioning that I am working on these prequels, and I promise that they're coming!
The problem is that there are so many things (see above) that keep pushing these prequels further back in the queue.
I often feel like these accompaniments are a treat, as the main trilogy is done, so they don't have much urgency to them. Especially as Kristen has had a short story recently published, so people can get their Witch-Hunter fix.
But I think I want to make these stories shine in their own right, rather than rush them to meet current demand.
OK, so thank you for stopping by on the blog tour. Make sure you post and let me know what you're reading/writing at the moment.
Check out the rest of the bloggers below!
Theft of a lawnmower? Not something you would expect from a gang. Sounds different.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all of your projects.
That was weird...Let's try this again.
ReplyDeleteThanks bunches for joining the hop. Your selection for this month sounds gritty and somewhat nostalgic since I grew up in the 90s. I also like the other books you mentioned.
With all this tempting reading material, I can see why a few writing projects have been delayed, but it sounds like the wait will be totally worth it. I've found many things to add to my TBR list.
Good choice for the dark October theme, but I am so engrossed in creepy Halloween things for the WEP bloghop at my place, that I chose to go with a sweet Paris bookshop story...and to announce I've just published a Halloween paranormal romance. Reading and writing, eh, my two favourite things! :-)
ReplyDelete