Announcements:
Honya’s Bookshelf reviewed Take Me Tomorrow, “I was gripped and impressed by how intense it is, not just in terms of action but also in emotional impact. This story deals with a number of difficult, even controversial, topics in a thoughtful way, while still leaving the conclusions up to the reader. The characters are vivid and thoroughly developed–I love the attention to detail that is placed into each of them.” Read more details by reading her full review here or checking out the YA, dystopian novel here.
The Bibliophilic Book Blog reviewed Minutes Before Sunset, “The descriptions of the powers of both the shades and the light were enthralling and beautiful. I enjoyed Minutes Before Sunset, but I was saddened by the ending. Perhaps there is more to the prophecy than meets the eye!” Read the entire review here to find out if Jessica and Eric can bear to discover their truths or…you know…check out the book by clicking here. :]
Reading Tips:
Is there such a thing? Probably not. But that doesn’t stop me from writing about it. As an avid reader myself, there is an endless TBR pile sitting on my bookshelf, my nightstand, my desk, and…pretty much everywhere, really. But that doesn’t stop me from adding to it for various reasons, and many of those reasons include the top three lessons I learned, which I’ve turned into “tips” for today’s post. Enjoy!
1. Keep an Open Mind
This means picking up that book your friend INSISTED you read, even though it sounds horribly dry and lacking in the entertainment department. If I hadn’t taken suggestions, I would’ve never found The Mortal Instruments (still one of my favorite YA fantasies despite the major movie fail) or The Art of Racing in the Rain (yes, a book told from a racer’s dog is serious…and you will cry. Trust me.)
2. Try something new
Instead of walking to the same bookshelves in the same bookstore you go to every Friday night and Wednesday afternoon, try a new shelf. Walk without reading the genre titles. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, force yourself not to even look at the book covers. Just walk until you stop. Try not to run into anyone. And find a book in a section you would’ve never tried before. Who knows? You might find out you like poetry, too.
3. Try something old
Remember how much you hated The Great Gatsby in high school? It might not hurt to try reading it again. You might hate it again. I did. (I know. I know. The horror!) But I did end up loving other books, particularly The Scarlet Letter, and it never hurts to re-read 1984.
And finally: Just Read
The more you read, the more you’ll want to read, and the more you’ll realize that it is IMPOSSIBLE to read everything (a true tragedy.) But you will find literature you love, stories you hate, and words that string together so beautifully you felt like you just stared at a painting instead of black and white text.
Do you have any reading lessons or tips for book lovers? Add them to the comments below!
~SAT
Shannon A. Thompson 
My tipu would be to think about what you feel. After all, emotions are a big part of our reaction to culture, but we often don’t reflect on how or why a book moves us.
That is a fantastic point!
~SAT
I think trying something and trying something old are great tips! It’s sometimes a nice surprise to find something you love in a genre you don’t normally choose 🙂
Very true! I don’t normally read books that focus on animals. (I love animals, but they are too sad for me most of the time.) But The Art of Racing in the Rain was sad and fascinating, so I ended up reading it in one sitting.
~SAT
Good advice. We can all get very set in our ways and “know” we don’t like a certain book before we’ve tried it.
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
I love the mortal instruments, too! I was in a book store the other day and started looking at different sections. It’s great to find new stories I’d never otherwise see if I stayed with my tried and true genres.