Reading Life

Another horror find from Bookshop’s eBooks under $4 newsletter—a globe‑trotting dark fantasy about a painter who steps inside cursed canvases & must destroy them b4 collectors or the magic does. eBook on sale for $1.99—why not grab that deal? Added to my Want to Read: The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson.

DNF-ing I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes for now.

Robin’s Books summed it up perfectly —

‘about 350 pages too long’ and ’needed a much tighter edit.’

Feed Me Fiction backed that up, saying

’those first 200 pages were overwhelming, so detailed in telling backstory which you weren’t sure you really needed to know.'

Hayes is verbose and meanders instead of getting to the point. Not in the mood for that kind of commitment right now.

So I am currently reading The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly. 📚

My mamaw started a tradition of giving me a John Grisham book every Christmas. After she died, my parents kept it going. Grisham releases about one book a year, so I’ve got them all in my collection. Just got The Widow last Christmas and I can’t wait to read it. Such a special tradition to continue.

Watched Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 episodes 6 (rewatched) and 7. One more to go and it’s been great! Season 3 is coming and I can’t wait. Season 3 is coming and I can’t wait! Now I’m tempted to read books 6 & 7, or maybe just reread the whole series (1-5) to refresh my memory. 🍿

I’m excited to watch the Scarpetta series on Amazon Prime. I am trying to finish Patricia Cornwell’s Dust, #21. I should read Post-Mortem, #1 first before watching. I’m already juggling three books. Should I read it now or wait? I feel I have a short attention span. Ahh. Anyway, check it out: Link.

Apparently reading can drop stress by 68% in just 6 minutes? Wild. Also activates multiple brain areas and strengthens connectivity over time - may even lower your risk of memory loss as you age. This is why I love reading - feeds my writing, sparks ideas, builds vocabulary, boosts creativity and focus. Fiction builds empathy, too. Legit brain training for longevity. Another good article: “10 Brain Reasons To Make Reading a Habit.”

“an active engaging of the imagination…cause you to enter what is essentially an altered state of consciousness.” - Dr. David Lewis, Sussex University (WebMd)

I decide to read another book, I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes 📚, while I am still reading The Secret of Secrets (Robert Langdon, #6) by Dan Brown 📚.

Reading strengthens your brain, builds empathy, improves sleep, & might even help you live longer. I will do a 30-day winter wellness challenge—just reading daily. Feels like the kind of self-care I can actually stick with. Benefits of Reading Books: How It Can Positively Affect Your Life

Came across a review for Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-Reum, and now I’m sold. 53 gentle, bookish prompts to help me fall back in love with reading? Yeah, I need that. [Link]

P.S. If you are not a member of Medium, here is the Friend link.

I am taking a break from watching TV. I want to read a book! So I am currently reading: The Secret of Secrets (Robert Langdon, #6) by Dan Brown 📚