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Sunday, August 1, 2010

BOOKS IN REVIEW: ANNUAL REVIEW

For some reason, I keep track of books read by my birthday, not by calendar years. (Come back tomorrow for some birthday news) So this month completes the latest year's reckoning.

The results? I have a read a total of 137 books (a little more than 11 a month). Of those, 122 were print books, 15 were audio. I used to listen to tons of audio books before I stopped working in an office. Of those, a scant 9 were nonfiction. The rest was a mixture of romance, historical and mystery/suspense/thriller, with a few other oddball titles.

I dabbled in chick lit: Round Robin by Jennifer Chiaivirini and the Potluck Club stories by my friend Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson. They were all good, but will never replace a good murder mystery to my way of thinking.

I also found my way to a couple of YA books: Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth Spear George and The Giver by Lois Lowry. Lowry's book blew me away.

I keep looking for a new mystery author to take his or her place beside James Lee Burke, Sue Grafton, and others as "must reads," but I have yet to find one. Two Christian mystery writers that have become don't miss are Brandt Dodson and Stephen James.

I won't even attempt to choose between the many excellent historical romances I read this year. That would be like asking me to choose my favorite sister, and I refuse. There are so many good ones! I judged several ACFW Carol (formerly "Book of the Year") candidates and suggest you check out the winners when they're announced. All of the ones I read from the list of finalists are definitely worthy.

Thanks for hanging along as I reminisce about a year's worth of reading.

And if you want a chance for some free reading material ... leave a comment on any or all posts this month for a chance to win one of my books or Marylu Tyndall's Surrender the Heart (review and interview later this week).

11 comments:

grannyvon said...

I am leaving a comment because I would love to win the monthly contest. Thanks for giving away book. If you read a much as I do you can't afford to by books. I win a few few books and use the local libary for reading material. Thanks for the entry. ybutler@oppcatv.com

PriviesAndPrims said...

You read more than I do! It usually takes me about a week to read a book, but sometimes if I'm feeling lazy, I have read some in one day! Isn't that what recliners are for???

Blessing to ya!
Doreen
priviesandprims@ yahoo dot com

karenk said...

enjoyed your recommendations, darlene...thanks for sharing :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Darlene Franklin said...

Good morning, ladies! How lovely to hear from you. Granny, I will draw winners at the end of the month. So far you have 3 entries. :)

Darlene Franklin said...

If you wish to follow my blog, click on the "follow" tab at the top left of the screen.

Robin said...

I found your blog from Writing for Christ blog site. I love reading book reviews to help me decide what book to read. The book they reviewed sounded great. Keep up the good work.

enter me in for your drawing.

robinribbit@yahoo.com

Merry said...

Reading birthday to birthday is a great idea. I love keeping a log of the books I read. I've challenged myself to hit 100 this year (70 so far) and try to fit in 12 non-fiction since I definitely lean toward fiction.
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Kameko said...

Oh my - I have a lot of reading to do if I'm going to get anywhere near your yearly total! Right now, I'm doing good to finish one book a week on average. I never thought about really keeping track of how many I in any length of time until I started my book blog. That should give a starting point from now on. Blessings to you for a wonderful August!

Beverly

misskallie2000 said...

Gosh Darlene, that is a lot of books. lol I have not read any where near that many.
Just found you and added to my new author list.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Maureen said...

I am also leaving a comment in the hopes of winning.
Belated Happy Birthday!
Loved your comment about choosing your favorite sister/book!
alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

barbjan10 said...

Darlene, it would be a wonderful surprise to me to win any of your works or the work of Marylu. You are both quite interesting ladies and I'm sure you write in the same manner. Please add me to the giveaway and thanks for the opportunity to win in a big way.

Blessed Be in Christ,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

 
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