Sitting on a Cornflake

Since running my book forum, I have been privileged to connect with various writers and authors.. some well known, others not. What continues to amaze me is that I’ve read some pretty rubbish books in my time, and yet there are some great writers out there, who either can’t get published, or can’t get that ‘marketing push’ that gets them properly noticed.

One of these writers is Katherine Warwick. Although published, she is struggling to get the big publishing houses to notice her. As far as I’m concerned, they’re missing out!

Katherine visited the forum, and she then sent me a copy of one of her books. This was one of her ballroom dance romance books, and I have to admit, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it at all!

Thankfully, I was proved wrong. The romance element in the book was believable,  and the insight to ballroom dance was rather interesting. Katherine avoids writing about sex, and yet the book ’sizzles’.. you can sense the passion in both the dance, and the romance.

Another interesting part of the story was the experiences of the main character, caring for her young daughter with autism. I found out after that Katherine has an adorable daughter with autism herself.. and it feels as if she’s poured her own experience into the book.

Since that time, I have read the rest of her ballroom dance novels, and have enjoyed each. It’s still not my ‘thing’, but Katherine has a writing style that pulls you in to the story, and that has made each book a joy to read.

Katherine also writes YA fiction, mainly romance. Whilst reading these, I can picture each one as a film. I would imagine that most teens would enjoy reading them.

In addition, Katherine has written what she calls ‘edgy YA fiction’. An Open Vein is one of my favourite books, and has been loved by everyone who has read it on the forum.

As a bonus, Katherine is a lovely, caring person, and has become a very close friend. However, that doesn’t influence the way I feel about her books. ‘Ballroom dance’ and ‘romance’ are just not my thing, and yet I’m proud to have her books on my book shelf. I think that’s a reflection on the level of writing.

To find out more, please take a look at her official site. 

I love to read, and always have done. I am really hoping that my girls will be the same. At 3, Amy is very keen on books.. she loves going to the library, and will happily sit with someone whilst they read to her. I hope it lasts.

Bethany certainly has no problem with the ‘mechanics’ of books.. she whizzed through her reading stages at school, and I’ve recently noticed that she’s much better at understanding the story. She sometimes reads to Amy, and she makes them sound really good.

However, she’s not reached that point where she ‘enjoys’ her own books. When she says she’s bored, it has to be suggested that she reads, rather than her reaching for a book as I would do; and I’m yet to find a longer book that she will get into. She’d rather read short, easy books.

What about your children.. are they keen readers; any recommendations for an 8 year old who’s more of a tom boy? And what about you, were you a childhood bookworm?

A couple of years ago, on a health forum I ran, we started chatting about books, and someone mentioned we needed a book club. I promptly started a yahoo group, moved it to a hosted forum, then quickly moved it again, this time to a phpBB forum.

I’ve always liked reading, but my tastes are pretty simple. I’ve avoided forums in the past, because I’ve always felt that if I didn’t read the ‘right’ books, or have anything profound to say, I wouldn’t be welcome to post. That’s just what I didn’t want for my forum.

And, I think I’ve achieved it. We have some wonderfully friendly members, and they’re happy to talk about all sorts of books, be it chick-lit, horror, fantasy etc.

We’ve moved to a vBulliten board, which has more to offer, we have a growing selection of author interviews, and some even hang around for a month, as our Featured Authors. Reader and writers together.. what could be better?!

If you haven’t visited, give us a try. And if you vsited a while ago, pop back and see what’s new.

www.bookclubforum.co.uk

Seeya there!

The Stand by Stephen King.. the complete version, 1344 pages. My latest reading challenge!

When you mention King on the forum, this is the book that most often gets mentioned. Many quote it as their favourite, a few are reading, and many more have it on their TBR pile. I read most of King’s books when I was younger, but I honestly can’t remember if I read this one.. and if I finished it if I did.

At this point, I have so many books that I want to get to, that the larger ones in my collection are rather off putting. This one is likely to take me quite some time, so I’m going to read it alongside others.

So, how about you.. have you read it, do you intend to? If it’s something you’re considering picking up, why not come join us on our forum reading circle. There’s going to be no time limit on it, and our members are really good with spoiler tags!

Wish me luck with this one.. any guesses on how long it’ll take?! lol