Do you know what today is? It’s National Buy a Book Day!
I’m always curious who exactly decides to make these pseudo-holidays a thing. National Buy a Book Day is a great thing, don’t get me wrong, but I would be so down for a National Stay at Home and Read Day instead. Now wouldn’t that just be great?
But in all seriousness, (tongue-in-cheekness?), I am really so happy that this day exists, because as my Amazon account can testify, I clearly need more excuses to buy books!
Or maybe, I just need more legitimate excuses to make me feel less guilty about buying all the books that I do … This wandering writer is all for living light, except when it comes to collecting books. As much as I love the idea of space efficiency and light travel that owning a kindle provides, I simply cannot get over the feel of a book in my hands, the creak of the spine when I crack it open for the first time, the smell of the pages, and the weightiness of a lengthy tale. Such beautiful things!
But I digress. It’s National Buy a Book Day, so what better day to talk about our latest book finds?
Currently Reading:
I’m currently reading these two exciting stories …
Valiant by Lesley Livingston
A female Cantii warrior turned Gladiator? Why, yes, please! Just started this one recently so I’m only a few chapters in and loving it so far. I have many favorite books and movies in this era, including Gladiator (movie) and The Eagle of the Ninth (book), so I’m always game for something new! And I’m a huge fan of tales about female warriors … in case you hadn’t picked up on that yet.
Dare by Tricia Mingerink
This one has been out for several years now, and I’m sad it’s taken me this long to pick it up. Still only a few chapters into this one as well, but I’m enjoying the reluctant assassin feel, and I do think I could quite come to like Leith Torren. Yes, indeed, I think I could. (Who am I kidding? I’m always a sucker for the guy stuck in the no-win situation!)
To-Read Pile:
Next up, I have these three beauties …
Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig
*sigh* This one came in the mail today, and I made the terrible mistake of reading the first sentence. The first sentence, y’all! And then I had to close the book and hide it away, because I’m already reading two books, writing, attempting to live life … and you get the picture.
But because misery loves company, I’m going to share the first sentence with you too!
It took one ten thousandth of a second—exactly 0.000169 seconds—for the bullet to rip through his shoulder.”
– Crown of Souls
There. Now I dare you to not go out and buy this book and devour it in one sitting, because Ronie Kendig is the mastermind of this type of “must-devour-now” fiction.
Roar by Cora Carmack
I rarely buy a book without reading the first chapter. The first two pages of this one convinced me to buy it. (That and the premise and this fascinating cover!) But really, I picked it up because I love a complex fantasy storyworld with unique, elaborate details and a well-written, well-developed tale, and this book promises to have just that. It’s been sitting on my shelf just begging me to read it, and I can’t wait to dive in!
Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors
This one is a completely different change of pace from the others, but I’m putting it up here because I am just too excited to read it. I recently read Katie’s story of how she moved to Uganda, wound up adopting thirteen daughters, and starting the Amazima ministry, in her book Kisses from Katie, and I wound up staying up until all hours of the night to finish and underlining and highlighting nearly 1/3 of the book. So when I learned that her publishing company was putting together a launch team for her next book Daring to Hope, I couldn’t wait to get a copy and help spread the word.
It is always awesome to hear how God is at work, and I appreciate the reminder that true ministry is so often accomplished in the little day to day sacrifices and moments spent loving on people and meeting their needs.
So there you have it, folks! That’s what I have coming up next. How about you?
Your turn!
- What are you currently reading?
- What do you have coming up next?
- Will you be buying a new book on National Buy a Book Day?
Sarah E Pennington says
Hey’a, Gillian!
I think I’m immune to Ronie Kendig’s “must-devour-now” charms. That said, it might just be the genre. I’m a spec fic girl through and through. The rest of your reads look awesome, though! I really need to read Dare . . .
I’m currently reading the second Harry Potter book, and after I finish that, I’m going to read Wanted: A Superhero to Save the World so I can review it for the upcoming blog tour. After that, well, it depends how long it takes my roommate to finish also reading Chamber of Secrets so we can move on to book 3, but I do have a book of Diana Wynne Jones short stories sitting on my shelf that I want to reread . . .
As for buying new books: definitely! I’m using today to catch up on all the book-buying I meant to do over the summer, or I will just as soon as I get back to my dorm room. It’s going to be awesome.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
That’s part of the beauty of books though, each one appeals to a different set of readers! It’s not a one size fits all type of thing. Which I think is what makes it so fun! :)
Ooh. Good choices. The Harry Potter series is definitely so good. Haven’t read the other one though. It’s a Bryan Davis novel, right?
Hope Ann says
I’m currently reading the third Mistborn novel, Hero of the Ages. I just started it, but I’m loving the series so far.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Ooh. It’s a good one. Tough one. But a good one. Have you read Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive yet? If not, I highly recommend it!