What I Read Last Week

I've gotten into the swing of reading while walking on the treadmill, adding an extra hour to my reading time. Heck, I squeeze in reading time whenever I can! Here's what I finished reading since last Wednesday:

Jan 19: "Odd Apocalypse" by Dean Koontz. This is the fifth book in the Odd Thomas series and is considered horror. These books are written in first person and I've come to enjoy getting to know Odd and all the adventures he gets involved in. Odd sees ghosts (and other weirdly stuff). Blurb: Once presided over by a flamboyant Hollywood mogus during the Roaring '20s, the magnificent West Coast property known as Roseland is now home to a reclusive billionaire financier and his faithful servants. And, for the moment, it's also a port in the storm for Odd Thomas and his traveling companion, the inscrutably charming Annamaria. In the wake of Odd's most recent clash with lethal adversaries, the opulent manor's comforts should be welcome. But there's far more to Roseland than meets even the extraordinary eye of Odd, who soon suspects it may be more hell than haven. A harrowing taste of Roseland's terrors convinces Odd that it's time to hit the road again. Still, the prescient Annamaria insists that they've been led there for a reason. Just how deep and dreadful are the mysteries Roseland and her masters have kept for nearly a century? And what consequences await whoever is brave, or made, enough to confront the most profound breed of evil? Odd only knows. Like his acclaimed creator, the irresistible Odd Thomas is in top-notch form – as he takes on what may well be the most terrifying challenge yet in his curious career. I do find that I read some books faster than others. This one wasn't necessarily a long book, but it did take me longer to read, because there's more action than dialogue. Not that that's bad, but it takes me longer to picture action than to read dialogue! I do love the fact Odd doesn't care for vulgar language and the way he conveys that in his dialogue is quite humorous. There is a sixth book due out eventually, but I buy (or am given as presents) all of Dean Koontz's books anyways, so I'll be reading it eventually (whenever it comes out). I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

Jan 21. "Too Hot to Hold" by Stephanie Tyler. This is the second book in a romantic suspense series, which I believe is only three books long. It had been awhile since I read the first book, but it didn't seem to matter reading this one. I won't wait as long to read the third, though (it's up next). Blurb on back: Nick Devane's life is one big classified secret. Until Kaylee Smith busts his covert world wide open, threatening to blow his cover. Digging around where she doesn't belong could get them both killed – especially when the beautiful journalist uncovers top-secret information that could set off a global disaster if it falls into the wrong hands. Nick can't let that happen, even if he has to battle deadly mercenaries and an irresistible attraction that is all-consuming. Kaylee didn't expect her search for her missing ex-husband to lead to this sexy and dangerous warrior. Now she's teamed up with Nick on a mission that takes them into deepest Africa – and into the middle of a massive government cover-up. With rogue agents hot on their trail, Kaylee's going to unearth all Nick's secrets. Before they both vanish without a trace. Before the passion burning between them sets off an explosion no one may survive… I got a nice stretch of time to read, and took full advantage. While there might have been a few too many characters to keep track of, and a bit of head-hopping (which I'm not fond of), it still kept me on edge and turning the pages. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

I sometimes wonder if I were writing instead of editing, would I be able to get so much reading done, because writing doesn't always require a lot of thought. Yeah, surprised me, too. Editing, though, is ALL thought. Are the sentences in the right order? Did I use the correct word here? Have the characters reacted? And because of all that thinking, by the time five o'clock rolls around, my brain is pretty much fried! Reading really helps he rewind and recharge. And I learn a lot from it, too.

Hey, if you haven't picked up a book in awhile, get to it! It's the best form of entertainment and can happen anywhere. I even read while waiting in line at the post office yesterday! Make every minute count.