What I'm reading - May 2022

 What books are you reading right now? Do you have a preferred genre? What is it? Romance? Historical fiction? Science fiction or fantasy? Literary fiction?

I'm reading a handful of books right now in a variety of genres. While I'm writing my own book, I'm also reading books by other authors because it's a treat to read something that's already written and edited. For some, I'm just reading them for pleasure, but for others, I'm reading them in exchange for a review. When you're as voracious a reader as I am, you need to save some pennies. There are a handful of sites out there that allow you to hook up with authors or publishers to receive a free eBook in exchange for writing a review. It helps generate buzz around a book ahead of publication or just to help boost its public profile. 

These are a few I've used to expand my literary horizon (or feed my addiction, however you want to look at it.)

NetGalley - BookSprout - Wolf Pack Reads - Hidden Gems 

A lot of authors call for ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) readers as well. 

While I've read a variety of genres in exchange for reviews, sometimes it's just fun to read something just for fun. 

These are a few books I'm currently working on - some for fun, some for reviews. The fun thing about reading for reviews though, is I can pick the books I want, so all of these are fun. 

Flared Stiff - Cozy Mystery - Julie Anne Lindsey - one of my absolute favorite authors whom I've gotten to know in real life (Fellow Buckeye!). This is book 5 in her latest cozy mystery series - the Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries. (Clyde is the cat on the cover!) I'm just starting this book. Her books are always terrific whodunnits that are filled with likable and quirky characters that keep me guessing until the end. 

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby - OMG - this is raw and gritty and violent and emotionally taxing and it's so beautifully written. I could just cry at some of the descriptions. S.A. Cosby is an incredibly talented writer. Please check out his books. This is the first one I've read and I've already picked up Blacktop Wasteland (thriller). So good. I'm on chapter 26-27 - a little past halfway through.

This is another cozy mystery I just picked up. I'm only about a chapter in and it seems fun so far. It's set in an equine rescue center. The book is by a new-to-me author, Amber Camp. I love a good mystery and despite being light, I love a good cozy! The book is expected to hit the shelves in November and is already getting excellent reviews. 

This is a biography of Abdallah Azzam, a global jihadist. It's a well-written, albeit densely packed book when it comes to details. There's a lot to take in, but it's super interesting. The length and subject matter factor into the fact that this one will take me a while to finish, but that's ok. I look forward to working my way through this one. 

So this is what I'm up to. How about you? Have you read any of these? What are you reading these days? 

Take care and happy reading!

 - Heather 

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