First Chapter Reading Exercise

Hello. I hope you are doing well.

Today, I guess I’m doing something a little different.

So, this year I’m on a book-buying ban until I have read at least 20 from my own library. So far I have only read 6 out of that 20. But I’m sort of at an impasse because I don’t really like my shelves anymore.

I want new books. I want books I’m excited about. I want books that I read and loved to look out at me and make me smile. But I can’t get any of these books until I have read another 14.

So I want to try something I’ve seen Kate Cavanaugh do multiple times, I’m sure others have as well but she’s the one I’ve seen, and that is reading the first chapter of a book and seeing if I like it. If I do like it, I will either continue reading it, or I will put it in a pile for later. And if I don’t, it’s going into my sell pile.

I’m also wanting to do this because I’m actually pretty behind on my reading goal for the year. I’m sure I can still catch up, but I also want to shift my perspective on books and how much I should be reading.

So, I’m going to list all the books that I have selected for this. I only have 5 right now because that seemed to be a good number that was both a challenge and not too intimidating to me. All of these books have been on my shelf for quite some time. At least 2 years. Though I think one I only got last year. I still want to either get through these or decide I don’t want to read them anymore.

I’m not going to feel too bad about selling or getting rid of them at all. Books are meant to be experienced and enjoyed. And if they would bring someone else happiness, who am I to stop it?

Anyway, I think I’ve put enough prelude down. Let’s get into it.

The Darkest Minds By Alexandra Bracken
The idea of having powers thrust upon you at a very young age after an illness that killed many kids your own age and being imprisoned in a government camp? Hello, interesting premise and fighting against the system. Where have you been throughout my life? I do have high hopes for this one. And admittedly, I think the only reason why I haven’t read this one yet is because my library doesn’t have it in audiobook.

Again, But Better By Christine Riccio
I was originally drawn to this one because I felt like I could really relate to it. It’s supposed to be a story about a girl who’s never been in a relationship her entire teenage life, and so in her early twenties goes to school abroad and basically reinvents herself. I’m not sure how exactly I feel about it right now because I have come to terms with and gotten more comfortable with my realities. I still think I will enjoy it, but I’m still not sure where exactly I stand on the contemporary genre.

Red Queen By Victoria Aveyard
I think out of all of them I have the most mixed feelings about this one. I’m still not a big fan of romance, and I’m not sure how I feel about a forced lost princess angle. But I had very similar thoughts about Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen, and I really liked that book. Maybe I don’t know what I like just yet? Maybe that one was oddly well-written? Maybe I’m just in denial about my preferences? Who knows?

Heartless by Marissa Meyer
I have found that I really like Marissa Meyer’s writing. So I have probably the highest hopes for this one. It’s a retelling or reimagining of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It has forbidden love and forced expectations and someone who just wants to be true to herself. What more can you ask for, really?

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
I am a sucker for a good apprentice story. Couple that with magic and assassins, I’m a happy camper. I think I haven’t picked this up sooner because I can be quite a mood reader, and I just haven’t been in the mood for it recently. I don’t think I’ve been in the mood for much recently. But I’m changing that today!

So there we have it. 5 books I would like to get through the first chapter of, at least, in the next couple of days. I don’t know how long it’s going to take me. I’m hoping I can stick to it because I’m posting it and that helps to make me follow through with things.

I guess that’s all I have at the moment. Please let me know if you’ve ever tried this and how it worked for you. I would love to know if you’d like to share.

I hope you are having a wonderful day. And if it’s not wonderful, I hope it gets better. Stay safe. And I will see you next time.

-T.R. Flynn.