2014 Books, Books and More Books

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to read more as for 2013 I read about eight books which for a writer is shocking. And that includes a holiday in the sun where you’d think I’d have read a book or two. But no. I read nothing, not even a magazine. It was too darn hot.

It’s not as if I haven’t anything to read. My Kindle is choc full of books downloaded but not read. My paperbacks are building up, gathering dust as they wait to be opened. Imagine all those journeys waiting to be travelled just by opening a book.

Already my reading journey for 2014 has started well, having finished two novels and half way through a third at the start of Feb.

I hope to at least triple last year's pathetic total and then some.

The first book I read was given to me by a friend.

If ever there was a character that needed a slap around the face, she was in this book. Spoilt, fickle and annoying, creating situations and drama out of nothing. And you could see what was coming up a mile off; sooooo predictable. But it was a light, fluffy piece of escapism with a cute ending.

The second book I read in Jan was for teens, based on the experiences of a teenage Jewish girl escaping Hitler’s Germany.

Written by Judith Kerr, it explores the life of Anna as she moves from country to country to find safety and an identity.It’s a captivating read and I’m already halfway through the second book.

  

A strong start to the year for sticking to my resolution. Of course, my reading isn’t limited to books. I spend a great proportion of my time reading short stories on blogs as well as writing them myself. And I am currently reading my own novel for the purposes of editing in the hope of self publishing.

One month down, eleven to go. I wonder if I can keep it up? I have books from Christmas (2012) I haven’t even read as well as 2013. There’s no shortage of material. I just have to organise my time better when it comes to reading and become engrossed in the story so it’s hard to put down.  

I've also started another book, a classic that I've never read and some of you may be shocked to hear that I've never it. I'll leave that admission for the end of the month when I hope to have finished it.

Do you have recommendations for my reading journey of 2014? And what's on your reading list for 2014? I would love to hear and expand my reading lists too. xxx

  

Moments 5 Sentence Fiction

 

It's been sometime since I wrote for 5 Sentence fiction and I've realised how hard it is getting back into it. I won't leave it so long next time as I try and find my way around this challenging fiction. This week is 'moments'. For other stories based on the prompt, visit http://lilliemcferrin.com, the home of 5 Sentence Fiction

There are rare moments when I still love you more than anything, more than anyone could possibly love another person; I wish I didn’t but I can’t help my heart.

There are raging moments when I imagine killing you with one sudden plunge of the kitchen knife, then all the pain and violence would be over; but the moment,  along with my will to live, is pummelled out of me.  

The lies would be over too; having to lie to my family and our own children that I walked into the door again, tripped over the skateboard, again; all would be over if only my self preservation lasted for more than a moment.

There are powerful but fleeting moments when I know I shouldn’t love you, that I should just pack up and leave, taking the kids with me somewhere where you can never hurt me again.

But then there are moments, like when you bring me a cup of tea, just how I like it, before  smiling at me with cold staring eyes as you return to your newspaper, that I know I can never have the strength or the courage to leave you.