Reading Right Now

For the first time since I was at university I am currently reading more than one book at the same time.  I won't lie, I was concerned that my head would explode if I was to demand so much of it all at once (it may still happen!) but so far, touch wood, everything is going smoothly.

Anyway... the first book I started reading was "11.22.63" by Stephen King.

The premise is that there is a time travel portal in a grungy American diner which is used by a local school teacher who attempts to go back in time and prevent the assassination of JFK by Lee Harvey Oswald. I am about halfway through it just now and I won't lie, it is a slow burner.  The first few chapters were verging on laborious which is, in my experience, not typical of Stephen King.  I guess the main benefit of my reading OCD about not leaving a book unfinished once I start is that every book gets a chance to redeem itself. On this occasion I am so glad that I persevered. 

Don't get me wrong I do love Stephen King and normally I would be all over this but I am really finding myself really having to force myself to dedicate the time to finishing this book.  It has got a lot better since the start but there is definitely something missing from this novel.  I am wondering if  the reason I am feeling like this is because I haven't got to the end where lots of loose ends will be tied up - particularly around the time travel aspect of the novel. I will have my final thoughts on this as soon as I finish it - hopefully I will feel a little bit more enthused by then.

The other book that I am reading at the moment is "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood.

 This is a sharp contrast to "11.22.63" in that it has me head over slippers from the beginning.  The recent TV adaptation had a similar effect on me and from episode 1 I knew I would have to start reading the novel. I can't say a lot about the novel so far because I am only about 50 pages in but I know that I am going to speed through this one fairly quickly.

The main thing I have noticed about the novel so far is the style of writing where imagery is used in a fairly vague but dramatic way to create intrigue from the off.  I feel a little bit like I have spoiled the book a little for myself because I watched the series and can see past the vague descriptions of events at the beginning of the novel.  There is something magical about the creation of the characters so far that I really hope will continue.  I feel real sympathy towards the "handmaids" but I also feel real sympathy for the Commander's wife too (this may change as I get further through the novel!) because I feel like the situation is as much forced on her as it is Offred. I am completely intrigued by "The Handmaid's Tale" and just can't wait to power through the rest (possibly this weekend) and finding out more about all of the characters.

I am currently trying to decide whether to add a third into the mix but I will see how the two go for now then decide when I am further through.

My next post will be my June book haul closely followed by a wrap up of books I have read in June.

Meg x

Introductions and Inspiration

I have recently gotten into the habit of sitting myself down for frank chats and the occasional telling off - someone has to do it! Anyway, getting to the point, in one of these recent chats I was telling myself off for not reading enough.  This sounds crazy since I teach English at high school level for a living so I actually read most days.  My problem was that I am not reading anything new or for real enjoyment.  So what did I do about my reading rut?

1. Joined an online book club.
2. Discovered "BookTube" channels.
3. Subscribed to said "BookTubers" and binge watched their last few videos.
4. Went and topped up my book supplies.

So what is this blog going to be about? What are my aims and goals? Why am I doing this?

My vision for this blog is to create a collection of reviews of the books I have loved, books I have hated, books that I want to read again in the future - basically all of the books.

The main thing I want to do with the blog is to keep ensuring that I am making time to read as often as possible (because it makes me so, so happy!) and to give recommendations to others who are looking for something to read.

When we disconnect from reading it can be so difficult to close the gap and start reading again.  Every book is tagged with an excuse as to why you shouldn't start with that one and I want to be able to inspire those who are uninspired with their book choices for whatever reasons.

The blog will contain a few different types of blog including -
Book hauls
My "To Be Read" (TBR) lists
Reviews of books I have been reading
Monthly round-ups
Favourites lists
 (plus many more!)

This week marks the end of teaching term so, as of Friday, I will have the whole summer to get my reading glasses back on, dig out my favourite coffee mug and cosy blankets to curl up and get stuck into the books on my current TBR list!

So...welcome to Books Beyond the Blurb! I can't wait to start sharing my reading experiences with you and to hear your experiences too.

Meg x