Checked Out: Week 3

You know, since I started this series I find I’ve been taking the time to read more than I was previously. Don’t get me wrong. I have always read a lot, but it seemed like I had fallen off just a little bit, and this series has given me a sort of revival. What has also helped is talking to more people about books. It’s funny how many people I didn’t realize were readers, people I talked to every day about so many other topics, but now I have more reading buddies, which is always more exciting. It also means, however, that my “to-read” list has grown in leaps and bounds. Currently at the top of my “to-read” list:

1. The Tiger’s Curse, by Colleen Houck
2. Divergent, by Veronica Roth

So many people have recommended both of these series that I feel my life won’t be complete until I at least start them. Yes, in this instance I gave in to peer pressure. When it comes to books you should add to your reading list, I think that’s the only time I think you should have no problem following the crowd. I guess I figure you can always stop reading if it doesn’t interest you, so why not at least start? I also recognize, though, that series books are a commitment, which is a reason I like to keep at least a few individual novels to break it up, or for when you’re waiting for the next book in a series (like I am with the Mortal Instruments series).

Books I have Checked Out this week…

1. The Impossible Knife of Memory, by Laurie Halse Anderson

2. The Tyrant’s Law, by Daniel Abraham

3. Little Black Book of Murder, by Nancy Martin

4. Teardrop, by Lauren Kate

5. Sycamore Row, by John Grisham

Funny how I talked about series books, because numbers 2, 3, 4, and even maybe 5 would count as such. Only one of them (Teardrop) is the first books of its series, which means I definitely liked each of the previous books in the series enough to keep reading. The Tyrant’s Law is the primary book I’m reading right now, which means it’s my bedtime book, the one I read every night before I go to sleep. It’s interesting that I chose that one since it deals with war and lots of blood, prime fodder for nightmares. It’s the same thing I did with Game of Thrones and subsequent books in that series as well.

Little Black Book of Murder is the newest book I’ve Checked Out, and it was actually a surprise. My wife (the librarian) kept it a secret until it finally came in and she presented it to me a couple of days ago. It’s the latest book in the Blackbird Sisters‘ mystery series, one I love because it’s set in Philadelphia, the place I grew up in. I started reading that series on a whim because I heard about its setting, and I’m seven books in and still loving it. I’m hoping this one continues in the tradition.

And now, for books I have to check back in. With all of these new books swirling around, I know I’m not going to get to Nos4a2, by Joe Hill, so it goes back for now and gets a prime place back on the “to-read” list. Also checked back in was my book club’s book for January, Innocence, by Dean Koontz. It was a wonderful read, and a return to works of substance for one of my favorite authors. If you like paranormal stories, you’ll enjoy Innocence.

Until next time, keep reading…

Sam

Checked Out Archive