by Kasia | Jan 31, 2016 | Reading
My goal is to read 52 books in 2016. These are the books that I’m reading and my thoughts on them. When you read dozens of books, it becomes hard to remember what they were all about, so I’m making notes and posting monthly on what I’m reading. Do you have any books you’d like to recommend? The below contains affiliate links so if you click and purchase I may be compensated for them. I need to support my reading habit somehow!
I managed to get through 7 books in January. Two non-fiction and five fiction. No, I don’t have much spare time on my hands but I do like to make the most of the time I do have. Most of my reading is done during the commute to and from work if I’m not writing, or before I go to sleep, although that usually lasts about five minutes after a long day and I start dozing and completely forget what I’ve read.
Here’s a quick run down of the books on my bookshelf in January 2016.
In Cold Blood by Mark Dawson
Beatrix Rose has been wronged. Badly. She’s going to get her revenge. I was actually a little surprised by this story and where it jumped to after her stint in Hong Kong which was the novella trilogy I first read. I’ve grown to like this ballsy character and there were a few surprises about her that I hadn’t expected but made perfect sense. They also intrigued me and made me want to read more of the series. Lots of action, interesting characters, and a fun read.
Beatrix Rose – Hong Kong Stories – Volume 1 by Mark Dawson
Beatrix Rose, the type of character I like to read. Over-the-top kick-ass lady who’s going to seek revenge and knock out all the bad guys. I don’t care about plausibility, if you do, then this type of book isn’t for you. As mentioned before, I like to be entertained. If I want reality I’ll stick to real life. I enjoyed these three novellas and I look forward to reading more of the series.
Self-Publishing Success by Joanna Penn
I’m a huge follower of Joanna Penn’s blog, The Creative Penn. I love her podcasts and all the valuable information she shares with readers. She’s an inspiration and someone I would like to emulate. Joanna’s has recently released a new novel for writers who want to self publish, and guess what it’s free on Amazon!
Night of the Assassin (Assassin Series Prequel) by Russell Blake
This was a freebie on Amazon. I love free books, even more so when they get me sucked in, and I end up wanting to read the entire series. The main character is an assassin. Um, yeah, normally that would be the bad guy in fiction but in this case you can decide for yourself. Blake does a great job in making his characters three dimensional and it’s easy to root for them even if they aren’t necessarily moral or go against the grain. This is an entertaining read, at times stomach turning, just the way I like my action thrillers.
Jet – Legacy (Volume 5) by Russell Blake
The fifth Jet book is another page turner. I love books that deal with spies, assassins, and terrorism. The edge of your seat, by God I hope it never happens in real life type of stuff. I have ideas of my own future books on similar topics that have been brewing in my mind for the past couple of years.
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
I’m aiming for 26 non-fiction books in 2016 on various topics. I picked up The Prince on Kindle from Amazon as it was free and related to politics. I’ve heard of Niccolo Machiavelli before but don’t know anything about him other than he was Italian.
The Prince questions: does the end justify the mean?
I like to write about people doing terrible things to get what they want. That’s what crime-action-thrillers are all about, at least the ones I enjoy reading and writing. This book will provide a fresh perspective on morality and getting what you want whatever it takes.
Jet – Reckoning (Volume 4) by Russell Blake
I started reading the Jet series in December 2015 after listening to a podcast with Russell Blake on The Creative Penn. I love action books, I love tough female protagonist, and I love the suspension of disbelief. If I want an education I’ll read a text book, if I want spiritual elevation, I’ll pick up a Bible. When I pick up a fiction book, I want to be entertained.
Russell Blake’s Jet series entertains from the get go. Sure it’s far-fetched and unrealistic action and adventure but that’s the point of these type of books. It’s escapism. It’s experiencing an existence completely different to your own.
Jet, is an ex Mossad agent who’s not having any luck staying dead. Quitting her profession isn’t an option. It makes her a liability to many parties. So, she has to fight the people trying to kill her so she can retire and live happily ever after.
The story is a bit more complex than that but I suggest you grab a copy on Amazon if you like action-packed thrills to keep you up at night.
What are you reading this month?
Can you recommend any good books to read?
by Kasia | Aug 21, 2015 | Reading, Writing
Happy Friday Everyone and welcome to Friday Link Love. It’s a bit irregular but from time to time I love to share with you bits and pieces that I find interesting, useful or entertaining on the web. It’s a wild and wacky world out there. Have a great weekend!
July Blog Income Report (And Traffic, Too) @ The Wandering Gourmand
Reading about others progress is a huge motivator for me. It’s nice to see people who have similar goals and ambitions and are working towards them. This is even more interesting when it’s someone who is still at the beginning of their freelance career. It’s a great way to learn from each other, from what works to what doesn’t, and everything in between. Bryan’s travel perspective is an interesting one that I can also relate to: blending the conventional life with travel.
10 Daily Challenges To Improve Your Life @ Making Sense of Cents
Michelle offers some great tips on improving your life with a few easy challenges you can do every day. I think most of the ten can be done on a daily basis and they will make you feel happier and more content with your life. Remember, it’s the little things that matter most.
The Unfair Truth About How Creative People Really Succeed @ Goins, Writer
What is your success dependent on? Unfortunately, hard work is not always enough Our environment and our social circles are also integral to our success. Check out Goins, Writer for an interesting perspective. What do you think are the key elements to your success?
Authors: 6 Reasons You Need to Be on Goodreads @ The Huffington Post
Are you on an author? Are you a reader? Are you on Goodreads? You probably should be. The benefits of Goodreads stretch far and wide for both readers and authors. There are tens of millions of members and books and provides ample opportunity for discussion, debate and book promotion. Check out the 6 Reasons You Need to Be on Goodreads! I’ve recently started being more active on Goodreads and it’s been a learning curve. I’ve even set up a giveaway for my book Lethal Disposal and when I set it up I was a little bit worried it wouldn’t generate any interest because of my inactivity on the site but within twenty-four hours, I was pleasantly surprised.
Do you like to read author interviews? Here are five great authors I’ve interviewed over the past couple of months for your reading pleasure.
Matthew Peters, author of The Brothers’ Keepers
Russell J. Perry, author of The Returning
Meghan Breaux, author Perfect, I Love You
P.J. Webb, author of Prince of the Blood series
Pat McDonald, author of The Blue Woods Trilogy
Have you picked up Lethal Disposal yet? It’s available on Amazon for $2.99. Here’s a heads up, I’m running a free promotion over this weekend – Saturday and Sunday – only. If you like crime and mystery, pick yourself up a copy on Kindle for free! Check out this link over the weekend!
by Kasia | Jul 17, 2015 | Reading, Self Publishing, Writing
It’s been a busy week. A cold week. The Gold Coast felt the cold snap with temperatures reaching 5C in the early morning. Ok, so it’s not as cold as some parts of the world but when you’re used to winter temperature hovering around 10C-15C anything less and you’re feeling frostbite on your fingers and toes.
There’s been lots going on in the world wide web. Here are just a few articles for some weekend reading if you’re interested. Writing, motivation, marketing and more.
Why Smart People Don’t Quit on Horkey Handbook. Gina’s blog is awesome and she always has useful information for freelancers and writers in general. I think this one is a worthy reading for anyone considering quitting their dream.
How To Be A Freelancer While Working Full Time on Fulltime Nomad. There’s some great advice there for anyone trying to juggle freelancing and full time work.
Marketing Advice from a Publishing Pro: Jane Friedman Shares Her Best Tips on Social Media Just for Writers. This one is about a year old but I stumbled on it in search of marketing advice for authors. There’s a wealth of information out there and this one is a worthwhile read.
7 Things Writers Should Stop Wasting Their Time On at Carly Watters. Literally Agent. Procrastination comes with the writing territory and there are some things writers can’t help themselves with. Here are are seven that we probably should give a rest. I know number 3 held me back for years.
How Freelance Article Writers Can Find Facts Fast – And Make Sure They’re True on Make A Living Writing. You want credibility as a freelance writer and that means getting your facts straight. The article gives you the basics and a good place to start when you’re researching your article.
Have you seen anything interesting around the online community? Share it in the comments!
by Kasia | Jun 7, 2015 | Reading
Four books in two weeks. A three hour Monday to Thursday commute certainly helps. What else are you supposed to do on public transport but tune out and get lost in another world. Here’s a list of the latest books I’ve been reading:
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
This week I discovered J.D. Robb aka Nora Roberts. I can’t believe I’ve never picked up one of her books. She’s written over 200! I’ve just finished the first instalment of the In Death series, Naked in Death, and I really enjoyed it. The story brings together Eve Dallas, a New York police lieutenant, and Roarke, a hard to resist Irish self-made billionaire, and a gruesome murder investigation. It was an easy read, great chemistry between the two main characters, set in the not to distant future and combining elements of romance, suspense, crime, and sci-fi. * * * *
The Taste of Fear by Jeremy Bates
I picked up this book as it was available free on Kindle and glad I did. It was page-turning read. Scarlet Cox, a successful actress, and her husband Salvador Brazza, a hotel tycoon attempt to save their marriage by travelling on an African safari. Battling theft, a terrorist attack, kidnapping and the African wilderness, getting out alive may not be an option. Bates did an excellent job with his vivid descriptions of the African backdrop to the macabre fight scenes. I felt like I was watching a movie play in mind as I read The Taste of Fear. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy a fast-paced suspense novel. * * * * *
How to Market a Book by Joanna Penn
As an indie-author, I want to sell books. While I enjoy the process of writing and will write regardless of my sales level, I want to make the best attempt I can at making a living as a writer. I purchased How to Market a Book, to help me do just that. Joanna Penn is a self-published author, blogger, and entrepreneur. She has created a business around her writing, and a successful one at that. How to Market a Book, offers a wealth of information for indie-authors but also traditionally published authors too. It starts of with Marketing Myths you Need to Forget and advice for short-term marketing as well as long-term marketing including the importance of building an author platform and launching your book. I will be rereading this one with a notepad and pen beside me to take notes. One thing I would have liked though is an appendix with checklists of things the author should do at different stages of their marketing journey. * * * * ½
How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson
I came across the Snowflake Methods years ago but never really gave it much more thought until I bought and read the book. The book is told through the eyes of Goldilocks and other popular children’s story book characters, including the Big Bad Wolf, which adds to the lessons taught in the book and making it a more entertaining read. Goldilocks wants to write a novel but isn’t sure where to start, so Ingermanson uses her story to bring his lessons to life and give the reader a better understanding of how the Snowflake Method works. If you’re having trouble starting your first novel, or your tenth, this book might be what you need for a boost of motivation. * * * *
What’s on your bookshelf at the moment?
Have you read Lethal Disposal yet? You can buy it now on Kindle through Amazon for only $2.99.
by Kasia | Apr 19, 2015 | Reading, Writing
I love reading but lately I haven’t been doing enough of it. It’s not that I don’t have time, it’s that I haven’t been making enough time for it. Once upon a time I’d get through several books each week, now I’m lucky to get through a few month. But slowly that’s changing. Here are a few books currently on my bookshelf:
Self-Printed: The Sane Person’s Guide to Self Publishing by Catherine R Howard
I’m actually re-reading this one for information, motivation and a kick in the butt. There’s so much information about self-publishing, including the marketing, the business, and failure and success that a once through read is not enough. The book has everything you need to know, it’s like having someone hold your hand throughout the entire process. Love it. Thank you Catherine Ryan Howard for writing this one. It’s a must read for any serious writer looking into self-publishing, or self-printing their book(s). * * * * *
20 Must Ask Questions For Every Property Investor by Margaret Lomas
I could talk personal finance and that includes property investing all day long and not get bored. So I started a personal finance blog. I’ve been educating myself on investing for over a decade now. Got my feet wet a while back and am looking forward to doing so more. I like Lomas’s strategy and the information she packs in her books. There’s no ‘get rich quick gimmick’ with her, instead it’s all about creating a portfolio of quality properties that will provide a combination of growth and cash-flow to help you reach your financial aspirations. Since we’re looking at purchasing an investment property, I though it was worth re-reading this one again. If you’re looking for an investment property, those 20 questions will help you pick a winner. * * * *
Again by Tess Gerritsen
Rizzoli and Isle’s make a great team and Tess Gerritsen’s books just keep getting better and better. Set partially in Bostwana and partially in Boston, from hunters in the wild to those in your own backyard, Gerritsen keeps you guessing till the very end. I don’t think I’ve read a book by Tess Gerritsen that I haven’t enjoyed. [ 5 * * * * * ]
The Wolf in Winter by John Connolly
John Connolly has a talent for grabbing his readers and keeping them turning the pages when they know they should turn out the light and go to sleep. I almost missed my station reading this in the train on my way home from work. The Wolf in Winter does not disappoint. A town called Prosperous has a deep dark secret, and when a girl goes missing her homeless father commits suicide, Charlie Parker, a private detective, is drawn in to investigate what really lies beneath the town. I enjoy reading Connolly however sometimes I find that his backstory and descriptions are lengthy, they do seem to work effectively in his stories. * * * * *
by Kasia | Mar 15, 2015 | Reading, Writing
Curiosity is a writer’s asset. Asking questions, being nosy, pushing boundaries. Writers need to that. They need to be curious to be able to write interesting and fresh stories. There’s only so much you can get out of your own experience. The rest you have to be willing to ask for.
I was a curious kid. Maybe a little bit too curious. A little self destructive too. Fortunately, I came to my senses and grew out of it. Regardless, there have always been three constants in my life: my love of reading, a passion for writing, and a desire to be fit and strong.
I was one of those kids who loved a good book. The library was one of my favourite places to visit. Once a fortnight I’d check the maximum capacity of books, I think it was like ten at the time. The books varied from Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew (I was young) to Hare Krishna and the KGB (I was curious). I’d read every day, before school, at lunchtime and before bed. Reading had become ingrained in my personality.
Reading helped build my passion for writing. When I read R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series, I had an urge to write horror stories about vampires, zombies and haunted houses. Then, I loved action packed spy stories with a little bit of romance. I was intrigued on subjects of national security, religions of the world, human science experiments, terrorism, spies, the Cold War, and the psychology behind society’s deadliest individuals. Once upon a time I wanted to work as a forensic pathologist, a criminal psychologist, and a defence attorney. How in the world did I end up with a Business degree and working with numbers?
The good thing about becoming a writer is you can be all those things and so much more. You can be anyone and be anywhere. You can create another world. You can research and learn about different aspects of society, culture, the good, the bad, the ordinary and the extraordinary. You can continuously quench your thirst for knowledge on any topic.
A writer is an everlasting student.
My day job may be working with numbers but I can still be a writer. Writing opens up doors, it’s allowed me to be involved in personal finance, investing, health and fitness, travel and fiction. You can check out The Wholesome Investor where I share my knowledge and research and hope to join forces with other passionate people in the future. I don’t profess to know it all, in fact, with each day I realise I know less and less.
I am an everlasting student.
How about you? Do you have a thirst for knowledge? What drives you to write?
