In 2018 my goals went sideways. The only thing I succeeded in was reading.
Which isn’t a bad thing. But I would have liked to have written more, or at least finished something. I take that back I did finish a short story which will come out very soon.
I read 108 books. My goal was 90.
I broke those numbers down into gender and genre…because it seemed like fun at the time. Yes, I know my numbers don’t add up to 108. Math is not my favorite and I did this late at night.
Later I was curious to know how many of these books I owned, borrowed, or recently bought.
I learned 2 things from this list.
(1) I love my Kindle and (2) I don’t read books that have been sitting on my shelf for a while. I’ll read new books that recently grabbed my attention. Translation- I’m easily distracted.
One of my goals for 2019 is read what’s on my shelf! No more buying books.
Last week I shared my favorite tropes. This week are my most hated (or least favorite). I’ve had this post ready since Sunday, but I saved it as a draft instead of publishing it. Sorry.
Tropes that have to go!
Love triangles. Gross. Gag. I just read a book centering around a woman who had not 2 but 3 men who wanted to marry her. And get this- they were all friends. Please. Not only is it unrealistic but it’s annoying. She could not make up her mind and the men just happily waited to be chosen. Yuk.
3. Weak female characters who have to be rescued. Again- Twilight. Really Bella. Trouble follows. Life threatened. Needs a man to rescue her. Weak. Weak. Weak. Okay, no more picking on Twilight.
4. The Girl gets the guy. Maybe it’s my age but I no longer like my endings tied in a neat bow. Why does the book only end after the main character and her love interest finally become a couple? Life isn’t like that. It’s messy. Sometimes things go unresolved. I’m okay with that.
5. The Stupid Police Department. I read a lot of mysteries. In some, the local police department is portrayed as Gomer Pyle. Really? Their incompetence leads to a nosy neighbor solving the crime. Or the cop is angry and can’t listen to the little people around them. Enough.
Some of these books listed were good reads. One I even loved (Geekerella) but the trope is worn out and needs to go.
What’s one of your least favorite tropes?
‘Tis the Witching Time by Monica Knightly, book 4 in the Stratford Upon Avondale Mystery Series. Shakespearean village, a tea room, and a Samhain Harvest Festival. What more do you need?
2. Black Cat Crossing by Kay Finch, book 1 in A Bad Luck Cat Mystery series. A murder, a writer, and a jinx of a black cat named Hitchcock.
3. Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie, book 39 in the Hercule Poirot series. Poirot and children!
4. Monster in Miniature by Margaret Grace, Book 5 in the Minature Mystery Series. Haunted dollhouse!
5. Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters, book 1 in the Amelia Peabody series. Egypt, mummies, and murder.
What’s your favorite fall read?
I’m sure none of these will be a surprise. Most on this list are part of a series and it’s not just the books but the world that was created– that I fell in love with.
Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling. How many hours have I spent on this series? Both in print and on the screen. I’m well over the age of twelve but I’m still waiting on my owl.
2. The Original Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks. What’s so fascinating here is that the world in the books is our world way in the future after an apocalypse. So the world of elves is the future, not the past!
3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I just love, love, love this world.
4. The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. This one seems like it doesn’t get enough love. One of my all-time favorites.
5. Murder on Moon Trek1 By Diane Vallere. This one is a bit different. It’s a cozy mystery set in space. I think it’s one of the most original books I’ve read this year.
What’s your favorite fantasy book?
This is like choosing favorites among my children.
2. Luna (Lunella Lafayette)– The Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur comic series by Amy Reeder. She’s a child super genius with a dinosaur for a best friend. A real dinosaur. Who wouldn’t want to be her friend?
3. Fred & George Wesley- The Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling. You can keep Harry and the gang. I want to hang with the twins of chaos.
4. Theodosia Browning– The Tea Shop Series by Laura Childs. Really, I just want to sit in the tea shop to read, eat scones, and drink tea.
5. Hobbes– The Calvin and Hobbes Comic Series by Bill Watterson. Calvin is just chaos but Hobbes. Hobbes is always a true friend.
Who is your literary best friend?