For the last week or so, I’ve been reading a print-out of my next novel (A Winter by the Sea, December 2023) and making LOTS of changes as I go.
I catch so many more errors/repeated words/unnecessary words when reading a paper copy than when reading on screen. (If you are a writer, have you had the same experience?)
Now I’m inputting all those many corrections into the Word file. As soon as I’m done with my revisions, I’ll be ready to read some other books, like these:
The Metropolitan Affair, by Jocelyn Green. Doesn’t it look intriguing?
And I’m tardy in reading two Regency romances by British author Rachel Knowles—A Perfect Match, and A Reason for Romance.
I am also eager to read an advanced copy of friend Erica Vetsch’s next novel, Children of the Shadows. And, as a fan of the television series All Creatures Great and Small, I’m looking forward to sitting down with a cup of tea on a lazy afternoon to read James Herriot’s Yorkshire as well as Gill Hornby’s novel, Miss Austen.
What are you reading currently (or looking forward to reading)? I’d love your recommendations as I anticipate having more free time to read soon.
Thank you for stopping by today!
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I just finished Counterfeit Love and Counterfeit Hope by Crystal Caudill. Both were excellent. Counterfeit Love had some unexpected humor (my favorite when reading). Counterfeit Hope had an amazing faith thread. The heroine’s backstory reminded me of Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love, only it was a much easier read – not quite as heavy. I had just finished reading Lynn Blackburn’s secret service series (Defend and Protect) and so it was fun to then read a historical series also involving the secret service. I’m looking forward to Erica Vetsch’s second book in the Thorndike and Swann series. I’m a bit behind but loved the first one.
Appreciate the recommendations, Joy. I’ve heard good things about Crystal Caudill’s work but have yet to read her. Adding to the list! Thank you.
Oh my word, it is uncanny how we are so much alike with reading preferences! I have James Herriot’s Yorkshire tales, All Creatures Great and Small on my Kindle as well as Gill Hornby’s novel, Miss Austen on my bedside table! I am also drinking a cup of Yorkshire Gold Tea (from the Yorkshire Dales—BEST TEA I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! 🙂 https://pin.it/1hC8Y7A
Thank you, Mary. We do seem to have a lot in common!
😉 We do and I just can’t wait for your next book! 🙂
I’m reading Elizabeth Goddard’s Always look Twice, the second of three in her Uncommon Justice series. I always look forward to your next book.
Thank you, Harriet. I appreciate that!
I just finished reading Pepper Basham’s The Heart of the Mountains. It’s book 2 in that series, but it was absolutely wonderful!! I have ARCs for When Tomorrow Came from Hannah Linder and The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright. I’m very excited to have the opportunity to read both of these books coming out in April. I’ve already put a Want to Read on your book 2 that you are working on now. Exciting!!
Thank you so much, Rebecca. Appreciate your support and enthusiasm!
Marti Talbot’s Highland series. It follows one Highland clan through many generations and is 14 books but each is stand alone. Very clean romance books.
I’m not familiar with that series, Linda. Thank you.
I’m currently reading THE CAIRO CURSE by Pepper Basham (sequel to one of my favorite reads of last year, THE MISTLETOE COUNTESS). I’m loving seeing Fredrick & Grace again in a new setting. And I’m delighted to know there is a third book about them coming in December.
I finished THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB a few days ago (second reading, this time for book club). It’s delightful, and I’ll be continuing to read this series too.
Wow. Thursday Murder Club has GREAT reviews. Will have to check it out. Sadly I’ve fallen behind on Pepper’s books but The Cairo Curse looks wonderful!
Cheering you on with your edit! “I catch so many more errors/repeated words/unnecessary words when reading a paper copy than when reading on screen. (If you are a writer, have you had the same experience?)”
YES! I always read at least one draft of my book on paper. Viewing it in a different format helps me experience it differently than I do when it’s on screen. Which is so helpful!
Thanks, Becky. I’m glad I’m not alone. It’s crazy how much I miss while reading on screen. Reading a hard copy is a step I just can’t skip—even to save a tree. 😉
Yes, Julie and Becky, I don’t understand why, but I, too, spot SO many more errors when I read on paper. It also helps to have my computer read to me. Even though the computerized voice doesn’t read with the right inflection, I do note when a word is missing, repeated, or misspelled.
I’m currently reading a Jodi Picoult book recommended by my daughter. Though I don’t usually agree with Picoult’s conclusions, I love the way she makes you think about hard choices.
I haven’t tried having the computer read it to me yet. I’m guessing no British accents? 🙂
I’m praying for you, Julie…as always! Editing and revising are a challenge, but a needful and appreciated step as the manuscript moves its way to the printer and then into the excited hands of the readers, like me! Thank you, again, for all your hard work and the joy you bring to my reading heart.
That looks like a great collection of reading. Erica’s next story! So exciting.
My daughter and I love to sit down together and watch All Creatures on PBS. When my kids were younger, they loved when I read to them James Herriot’s Treasury for Children. That Yorkshire book looks so familiar. My mom might have it. I shall check. She is also a fan!
I’m currently reading A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner. This is the first book I have read by her, and I am enjoying it. I think the next book I will read is Shades of Pemberley by Shelly E. Powell. My daughter got to it before I did; she said it is good!
Happy almost March 🌸.
Thank you, Laura. I sincerely appreciate your prayers!
You’re welcome. 💛
I’m currently reading Brooke by Ronie Kendig. It is not for the faint of heart!
Scary or nerve-wracking? I’ve heard good things. Thanks, Nicole.
Julie, you’re spot on about editing on paper as opposed to doing it on the computer. I’m not a writer but have done much editing for others over the years and find it’s much easier the old-fashioned way. 😉 Keep it up because I read enough to notice a lot of writers are either not doing the job or their editors aren’t doing theirs. Oh, yes…and my recommendation is Kate Morton’s “The Lake House”. It’s a great mystery filled with wonderful and interesting characters!
I’m currently finishing Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem. My next book will be The Metropolitan Affair!
I love All Creatures! Both the old and the new.
Just yesterday I preordered a copy of The Metropolitan Affair yesterday!
Right now I am reading My Darling Miss Dupre by Grace Hitchcock.
Sorry, it’s My Dear Miss Dupre!
I read The Sisters of Sea View (Devonshire Shores #1) in January and loved it! I didn’t want it to end! All the characters were so realistic–I wanted to be a part of the family!
What I’m reading now: I read All That Is Secret, by Patricia Raybon last January. Then I saw that it had won a Christie for best Debut novel of the year. A second “Annalee Spain” title has come out–Double the Lies–so I am rereading All That is Secret to refresh my memory of the characters, and then I plan to read Double the Lies. (Btw, I seldom reread novels–but this one was so good!)
Blessings on you and your writing!
I enjoyed Miss Austen; read it before getting to hear the author at the British Library, which was fun! She seemed to have a bit of a chip on her shoulder for being the sister of a more famous writer (at least here in Britain).
Oh – I just looked up my review (from Jan 2020!). I guess I loved it more than I remembered!
Review: Such a delightful novel. I am normally skittish about liking a novel set around a favourite author, but Gill Hornby does a superb job of imagining Cassandra Austen’s life as the beloved sister of Jane Austen. We know that Cassandra burned most of Jane’s letters; the author imagines what some of them may have said in this story, along with fleshing out how their lives could have been at the various stages depicted in the letters.
What came home to me so clearly was how tough life was as a spinster woman who was fully dependent on a man for their home, food, and everything.
Not only well crafted, but fully enjoyable. Five stars from a reluctant five-star giver!
PS totally with you on the print-out of mss. Yes!