2014 Reading Resolutions

It's the end of 2013, and yeah, I  know, I haven't really been review that many books. Mostly because I got all tuckered out by all the books I had reviewed in 2012. There are so many stories that stuck in my mind and that I was experiencing all at once everyday that I thought it would be best if I didn't add more to my hallucinating state. 

My plans for the New Year is to only read books that I am genuinely interested in, and give the most honest and out truth reviews I possibly can, because I miss this connection and habit that I built up to write down my thoughts on a book I just finished. Some books I'm planning to read are:

Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Book 3 of Divergent Series)

My review for the Divergent and Insurgent are hyperlinked. So go ahead and feel free to read my thoughts on the series. 

Summary:

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. 

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. 

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

from goodreads

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Summary:

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

from goodreads

I've heard really good things about this book, and I have been wanting to read a really cute and girly love story lately. 

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

Summary:

There's a creepy new terror haunting modern-day London.

Fresh from defeating a Jack the Ripper killer, Rory must put her new-found hunting skills to the test before all hell breaks loose…

But enemies are not always who you expect them to be and crazy times call for crazy solutions. A thrilling teen mystery.

from goodreads

I have had this book on my shelf for what seems to be close to a year, and have not been in the mood to read a ghostly story. Hopefully I will get to this book in 2014. 

There are many more indie books of series I want to finish of course, and much more to come. 

Happy reading

Clara

Post-NaNoWriMo

I use Grammarly plagiarize check because I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

November 1st, 2013 was the second year that I tried to complete nanowrimo. Last year I was new and extremely excited to be writing 50,000 words in the course of a month. I spent hours inside wearing my bright florescent sweater and drinking tea, writing word after word like my life depended on it. This year was quite different. I did not plan out and set up a plan for what I was going to write this year, and that is why I failed and was not able to complete those 50,000 words I wanted so badly to be put down.

I congratulate those of you who have been bathing in the glory and success you got on the last day. So not letting this be a pity party of me not accomplishing my goals, I have some tips for you guys that will be helpful for editing and getting a published copy of your book.

1. check out the nanowrimo website and use all of their resources-there are so many opportunities that are in the sponsor tab of the website. All of which you should take advantage of like Amazon's CreateSpace which gives you two free copies of your novel. 
2. get a writing partner-if you didn't already have one, there's no better time than right now, right? I mean you've got a loose rough draft ready to be teared apart and then put back into the beauty it is. Tumblr's writing tag can be helpful to find others that are looking for writing partners like you. Also goodreads, for example the Beta Reader Group, which I am a part of. Plus, I'd love to read anything you've written during nanowrimo. Just send me an email at clarareads@gmail.com
3. use Grammarly.com-this website is like your own personal editor that you can use anytime of day you want. Basically someone who won't get annoyed or be too busy to help you when you most need it. :)

If you guys have anymore ideas or suggestions that I can add to the list feel free to leave a comment below. 

Have fun writing/editing 

Clara