What are we reading? - by Wendy H. Jones

By -
A selection of books by ACW members

We talk a lot about writing on this blog, and quite rightly so. It is, after all, a blog run by the Association of Christian Writers. However, as writers, we should also be reading. I read passionately and try to vary what I read. I present a radio show, called Wendy's Book Buzz, where I interview authors. This makes me step out of my comfort zone when it comes to reading. That's not the only reason I do it. Reading widely makes me a more interesting person and helps me develop as a writer. 

I believe we should all be reading widely and trying something new. My challenge to you today, is to read something you wouldn't usually choose. I shall do the same. Post in the comments the title of the book you are reading at the moment. Then choose one from the comments, to buy (or borrow from the library or a friend) and read. 

The books at the top have been chosen because I have them on the bookshelf. This should give you some scope for starting if you don't like my current reading material. I am reading Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory.

So, over to you, and I am looking forward to finding a new book to read. 

About the Author 

Website

Amazon Author Page

Wendy H. Jones is the author of the best selling DI Shona McKenzie Mystery series of crime novels set in Dundee. Killer's Crew, the fifth booking the series was released in November, 2016. Dagger's Curse, the first book in her Fergus and Flora, Young Adult Mystery series was released on 10th September, 2016. She also has one non fiction book, Power Packed Book Marketing: Sell More Books.








Comments

  1. Fiona Lloyd1 May 2017 at 08:51

    Good idea, Wendy. I'd be interested to hear what you think of the Philippa Gregory book - I really like some of hers, but the last one I read I didn't think so much of. I'm currently reading Unless, by Carol Shields - my OH bought it for after a colleague of his recommended it. My favourite book so far this year is The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion.

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    1. Wendy H. Jones1 May 2017 at 09:06

      I'm off to look them up. I'm trying to stretch myself. Will keep you posted on the Philippa Gregory

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    2. Mari Howard8 May 2017 at 15:33

      I LOVED the Rosie Project, Fiona! I am reading 3 books in a kind of carousel of reading ... 2 are by authors I know through ALLi , the other I browsed in a bookshop and bought (I'm getting to know that bookshop in case it wants to know me!) I'm reading a cosy murder (not my usual choice) Best Murder in Show by Debbie Young; Hampstead Fever (a kind of romp around Hampstead types) by Carol Cooper (I love her blog, not quite so fond of her book); and The Words in My Hand by Guinivere Glasfurd (historical literary fiction, about a woman's secret romantic relationship with the philosopher Descartes. Historical isn't my usual taste in LitFic, and Descartes was quite a difficult study when I did my sociology course - So, 3 books which stretch my reading taste is 3 ways - not doing too badly!

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  2. Philip S Davies1 May 2017 at 09:50

    I also enjoyed Graeme Simsion's "The Rosie Project", Fiona. I've just finished "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier, which posed some interesting parallels between a painter's and a writer's life. Next I'm reading a title for the Blackwell's Teen Fiction Reading Group, which is a Young Adult fantasy: "Ink" by Alice Broadway.

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    1. Fiona Lloyd1 May 2017 at 09:55

      Ooh, I enjoyed Girl with a Pearl Earring - and some of Chevalier's other books - and also Ink.

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    2. Wendy H. Jones1 May 2017 at 10:12

      Haven't read, Girl with a Pearl Earring. Thanks for the recommend

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    3. Rosemary Johnson1 May 2017 at 15:41

      I read The Girl with the Pearl Earring a long time ago, but I'm afraid it wasn't one of my favourites. Rather spoilt Vermeer's painting for me as well.

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  3. Anonymous1 May 2017 at 11:58

    I have just finished reading Waterlog by Roger Deakin. My next book will be The Fiddler's Leg by Ann Lingard.
    I review most of the books I read on Sue's Trifles (Shameless plug!) Regarding earlier comments, I have recently discovered Philippa Gregory. I agree entirely with Fiona Lloyd about Tracy Chevalier. (Virgin Blue was not to my taste.) There are several books in the comments I have not heard about previously, but my to read pile is currently bigger than usual. Sue

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  4. Susan West1 May 2017 at 16:36

    Having just visited the Bronte Parsonage Museum I am about half way through the Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte.

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    1. Wendy H. Jones1 May 2017 at 16:45

      I've not read that one. Must give it a go

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  5. Agatha Finch1 May 2017 at 17:26

    I've also read a few of Philippa Gregory's books and enjoyed them. My favourites are Earthly Joys and Virgin Earth, about the plant collector, John Tradescant. They're historical fiction (though biographical) in the early 1600s ... exciting, beautifully-written and brought me to tears in places.

    At the moment, I'm reading The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. I've read it before, but wanted to read it again as I never tire of her writing, and I wanted to revise work done in the 1st person. It's a ghost story based in a crumbling, Georgian house in rural Warwickshire just after the 2nd World War.

    I'm willing to try something I wouldn't usually go for, so looking forward to picking up some recommendations.

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    1. Wendy H. Jones1 May 2017 at 17:36

      Sarah Walters is great and I love The Little Stranger. Hope you find something you like

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  6. SC Skillman1 May 2017 at 20:07

    Just finished and reviewed Sheridan Voysey's moving and brilliant 'Resurrection Year', and finished Annie Try's compulsively readable 'Trying To Fly' about an hour ago.

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    1. Wendy H. Jones1 May 2017 at 20:13

      Both brilliant books and superb recommendations

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  7. Mari Howard8 May 2017 at 15:36

    Left my comment above hope it can be seen -I think it got caught up by the 'reply' toFiona Lloyd's comment! Here it is so you can see the books, incase it doesn't show up to everyone: I LOVED the Rosie Project, Fiona! I am reading 3 books in a kind of carousel of reading ... 2 are by authors I know through ALLi , the other I browsed in a bookshop and bought (I'm getting to know that bookshop in case it wants to know me!) I'm reading a cosy murder (not my usual choice) Best Murder in Show by Debbie Young; Hampstead Fever (a kind of romp around Hampstead types) by Carol Cooper (I love her blog, not quite so fond of her book); and The Words in My Hand by Guinivere Glasfurd (historical literary fiction, about a woman's secret romantic relationship with the philosopher Descartes. Historical isn't my usual taste in LitFic, and Descartes was quite a difficult study when I did my sociology course - So, 3 books which stretch my reading taste is 3 ways - not doing too badly!

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    1. Wendy H. Jones8 May 2017 at 23:30

      These sound really good. I've got Debbie's book to read as well. I like the sound of the Descartes one so will check it out.

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