Curling Up With A Good Book

The past two weeks I've spent a lot more time reading than normal. Reading time has slipped by the wayside as I struggle to manage time for family, writing, work, and a whole host of other things. Sometimes I'd wish really hard to read, but remind myself that I'll never be published if I slack off instead of working on my own work-in-progress.

Secretly, between you and me, sometimes I'm afraid that if I read too much, I'll start avoiding my writing even more. Why? Well, reading is easy. I can get lost in a really good book with no effort whatsoever. Writing is hard. Enjoyable, rejuvenating, but hard, nonetheless. I know I'll never give it up, but that niggling worry is still tucked in the far reaches of my brain.

Then there is the inevitable feeling of inadequacy that can follow reading a really good book or particularly eloquent passage. Most of you have probably had these thoughts after finishing a satisfying read. "If that's what publishers are looking for, they'll never buy my book. I'll never be that (fill in the particular trait you envy the most)."

Whether by choice or time constraints, reading hasn't been high on my priority list for the past year. But in the past month or so, I've been drawn to books more and more, and managed to pick out some really good ones. I thought I'd share some of my most recent gems with you this morning.

Currently Reading: Real Women Don't Wear Size 2
by Kelley St. John

KILLER CURVES is right! I'm about 1/3 of the way through this book and forced myself to put it down to write my blog. I'm partial to this heroine because I'm short and... we'll just say well-endowed. Anyway, reading about Clarise's journey to "wildness" has been thoroughly entertaining and a wonderful rest after a weekend of marathon painting.

Recently Read:

Dream Man
by Linda Howard

Somehow I'd never gotten around to reading this book, though Linda's have become a "must read" since I got a hold of the first one. Wonderful book about a clairvoyant heroine and a detective hero. I love Dane Hollister because he is the typical male doing things the way he thinks they should be done and, guess what, he's wrong. But I love him anyway because he loves Marlie.

I also recently reread Shades of Twilight, one of my favorite Linda Howard books. Roanna Davenport's search for unconditional love moves me every time. Webb is just yummy, there's no way around it.

The Player
by Rhonda Nelson

I love Rhonda's books because they are very funny and shiveringly sexy! This hero gets put in the very position all "players" would kill to get out of: close proximity with a sexy woman, but no touching allowed. I can't wait to find out how the other two "Men Out of Uniform" meet their matches, as well.

Every Move She Makes
by Beverly Barton

Beverly's romantic suspense always keeps me guessing until the very last minute. This story is about the "good girl" who ends up falling for the town bad boy, a man her own father convicted of murder. Not only is the nemesis someone you'll never guess, you'll also be surprised by the complicated relationships throughout this book. A definite page turner.

A Hunger Like No Other
by Kresley Cole

I've read several paranormals lately, but this one kept me riveted until the very end. The conflicts are strong and compelling, but it was the romantic relationship that pulled me in. I have three words for you-Hot! Hot! Hot! But what can you expect with a bunch of vampires, valkyries, shapeshifters, and werewolves running around? And it has my favorite kind of heroine: a woman recognizing and learning to utilize her inner strength to overcome her particular battles. I can't wait for the next book to come out in October.

So, here's a little taste of my reading list. What about yours? What's the best read you've had your hands on lately? Does it inspire your writing or intimidate you?

Angel