Re-reading or how I avoid the to-be read stack that is a mile high and the 200 pages of right of publicity case law
but that just seems to be a bit too long don't you think? [and you all thought film school was about making film....]
Now, I will say my re-reading stack is considerably smaller than my to-be read pile. I have a stack of about five books that get re-read at least once a year. These are books who are either special to me because of when I discovered them or the characters never fail to wrap me in their stories. I laugh, cry, and cringe in ALL the same places every time without fail.
They are a random assortment of books so YA some adult, some romance others sci-fi, and even a fantasy series or two.
I think sometimes I'm less adventurous than I should be with my reading skills. I'll pick up all sorts of books [second hand bookstores are my favs!] and they will sit in my stack probably a year before I pick them up. I always enjoy them, but if push comes to shove I'll reread one of my guaranteed best books.
Now the reason for this post. When I started my most recent project I realized one fatal flaw, I'm writing a freaking dystopian novel. If you check out the list below, there is not a dystopian novel on it [and yes for those of you who know my LOVE of the Hunger Games, will be surprised that HG be not on that list--that's another blog post].
As I worried over how to grapple with this genre, someone suggested I read in the genre. Well that's easy, but I'm always skeptical of Amazon reviews. Mostly cause I'm weird and I read all the one star reviews, cause I find people's whiny-ness amusing. Then by the end I don't learn anything useful about the book This is where I hope some of my blogger friends will come in. So I plan to read some dystopian, I mean I will not be allowed to re-read my favs until I have finished these new books. Which I will say I have a book that ALWAYS gets reread at Christmas so there is a goal. Plus, let's be honest, I need some variety in my life.
So tell me your fav dystopian novel and why (if your's is Hunger Games please suggest your second fav). Or one you think I really should check out. Kay thanks!
My Re-Read Pile:
Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn
Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
The Mad, Bad Duke by Jennifer Ashley
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
For what it's worth, I'm reading Divergent right now and I liked it more than the Hunger Games, however the Hunger Games is also quite good. Also, 1984 is a classic that everyone should read at some point, if you haven't already.
ReplyDeleteAs long as Dystopian doesn't have to be set on Earth, read Chosen by Ted Dekker. Also a YA series. A couple boys in 7th grade told me about these books and really liked them. Dekker also does them as graphic novels so even if you don't read the books, check out his savvy marketing for teens. I can't say read my book Erth Won because I'm just as the query stage. If you want to beta read, I'd have to warn you I write a bit like Piers Anthony.
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