How Often Do You DNF A Book?

Good morning! I hope that everyone is doing fabulous on this great Tuesday! I have so many books on my TBR shelf and that I am currently reading it is a shame. But, I still have my July TBR and Booktubeathon starts next week. Not to mention the books that I got in the mail that need to be reviewed. Where does one find the time? Any who, I wanted to get your guys opinion on DNF’ing a book. Is there really a proper way to stop reading something that is no longer interesting to you? How many pages do you give it? Sure, they can be some good parts and bad parts, but for you what do you do when you are like, ” Okay, I am not finishing this, I will be DNF’ng it.”

I have read many books that are slow and does not pick up fast enough for me. Granted, I read slow already, but if the book looses interest so do I. Does that make sense? If I read a book,I want it to be enjoyable from the beginning to end. On the other hand, I start to wonder if a part of the book is slow and then it just starts to pick up and still turns out good. You never know unless you read the entire book. One of my goals this year is to not DNF books so much.

What I DNF’D This Year:

I know that some of you maybe thinking, what?! Let me explain. Home going is a book that was making me cry with every page that I was reading. The book is sad, but real. Unfortunately for me, the sad and gruesome parts overwhelmed me. An Ember In The Ashes, was good, I was listening to that book on audiobook. I still have it and can always go back to it, but it started to be slow as well. I want a book that is fast paced and if it is slow, i want to be slow because it is building the world or the characters POV ( point of view).  I can always pick both back up, but as for now I am going to read and try to get through other books. Tell me in the comment, what books have you currently DNF’d thus far?

Having A Good Writing Flow

Happy Monday!

I know this day is gruesome for some, but try to keep an open mind. For those writers who are doing Camp NanoWriMo, how is it going? As for me, I just hit a little over 27k and I am loving the progress of this story. It is really coming along nicely. My total word count goal is 70k so please keep my fingers and mind in your prayers.

It is imperative to have a good writing flow once you are finish with your outline. This can be creating an awesome schedule, writing with a writing buddy or participating in sprints. Sprints are when you write for a certain amount of time by yourself or with others. They are really fun. At times the flow of writing can be so good that you forget to eat meals or even do other things that were on your to-do list. Yesterday, I started to write in the afternoon and I did that for 2 hours then took a break. Then I started back up at about 9pm until 11 and I wrote 4000 words! I surpassed my goal by more than half. I was so proud of myself.

Having a good writing flow is important, but allow yourself some time to take a break. The last thing that you want to do is suffer from burnout. Burnout to writing is like unemployment to workers. It does not mix at all. There are some people that are mood writers and like to write when they feel lead to. I used to be like that, but since I want to write for a living like Stephen King, I have to  write and read daily. Reading is just as important when you are taking a break from your writing flow. It keeps you fresh and innovative in my opinion. Whether you are writing every day or sporadically, enjoy the writing flow and let it take your story to another level.

My BookTubeAThon TBR For 2017

Hey Readers!

Happy Tuesday! I hope that is well. I know you are wondering by the title, ” Krystol are you crazy, you are writing a book?” I know. I participated in this read a thon two years in a row and failed miserably. I want to redeem myself and have a great experience with reading. Granted, I am already reading so many things that are posted on my TBR, but I can try and squeeze in a few more goodies. This read a thon starts on July 24-July 30th, 2017. I hope that you are able to participate with me. If you are, please let me know in the comments what books are you going to be reading.

Click here to see my TBR video. Also subscribe if you have not! 

Book Review: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Lux Consequences ( Opal)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pages: 395

My Copy: Paperback Bind Up of 2 Books

My Rating: 4 Stars

My Review:

I am really enjoying this series very much! Katy, a girl who moved to Virginia with her mother after the death of father tries to make friend. After seeing her neighbor who is just the most cutest and arrogant, Katy develops a crush and a new friend, Dee. Damien is the boy she wants to know more about even though he’s a real jerk. Katy notices something different about Dee and Damien that she just can’t put her finger on until its too late. I won’t give out any spoilers because this book is a series. I highly recommend this series to everyone!!

A Lost Post On A Monday

Happy Monday! I know that it’s been a while, but I am here. Thanks to the new subscribers that have subscribed to my blog. I have been reading a book by Nicholas Sparks and it is my first book. It is a slow paced read for me but I am really enjoying it so far. Right now, the main character Russell, is going through a lot and he feels like his life is upside down. I am kind of feeling the same way, but I know it will have a happy ending, lol. Has anyone read this book?

I am really  liking it. This book is 481 pages and I started it last week. My ADD or the fact that it isn’t grabbing my attention as I’d hope is allowing it to be slow,but good. So, what are you currently reading? What page are you on?

A Writer’s Cry For A Career: Help Me, Help Us!

I’ve been out of work for going on one year now. I’ve had tons of interviews for everything ranging from research, administrative jobs, and even retail. Granted at age 32, I feel like i should already be in my career. It doesn’t always happen for everyone early on. If you would have told me ten years ago, that I would be jobless/career-less I would have laughed in your face. Yesterday, I was taking a step back and reflecting on my life now and where it is headed or where I hope it will lead. This for me is writing. Having a career as a columnist for a magazine, or even in a studio. After all, my creative writing degree should stick and stand for something right?

As I sit on my couch listening to Maxwell while writing this blog, I often wonder, why am I not successful? I have great skills and education just like the next person who is in a suit and tie. Why can’t I find my success with what I want to do? For a while, I was so all over the place with no structure or knowing what I wanted to do. First it was writing, then it was research, then it was having a publishing house, then it was being a consultant. I have exhausted my mind and in turn my life with so many ideas and things I wanted to do because I was in the moment of the next big thing. Now that I think about it, it has all been brought back to being a writer. Sure, I’ll still write for myself with my own books and screenplays, but I want to write to make a difference. Allowing people to understand my life through words or even their life through my words. I want to be able to convey a message that will reach all through the written word. As writers, we have to fight to belong to the world. Its like saying, ” We are here, just read us or better yet, hire us so we can show you that we exist.” No matter what company you work for, TV or movie you watch, magazine you read or even commercials that make you chuckle, that all starts with a writer. Someone who is me or like me. All we want is a chance. A chance to be read by anyone who is willing to click on the screen and read. We have a voice. We can become popular and well-known without even being seen. Our introverted minds bring out the best in what we have to say in order to please our readers and the ordinance to hear our words in some fashion whether you watch our words come to life, read our words in a magazine or have our words in your most intimate place–your hands. Give us a chance. Give me a chance. Hire me and let me show you what I’m made of.

Promoting My Latest Book

I had a story to tell and I was told to tell this story. So, here it goes! I noticed that my writing style was shifting about 4 years ago. I was reading more Stephen King and different psychological thriller books. Before you knew it, I was hooked! Yes, I had to try my hand  at another psychological thriller. Trapped is a book that will take you to a different place in life. We met Candice who  is a girl trying to live her life and want the best of it. Her parents  look like the part, but at home, it’s a different story. Being an only child, most kids needs attention or someone to play with. Candice had that in her best friend Damon. At home, things were SO rocky because Candice was dealing with a great deal of physical and emotional abuse that it took her emotions to a different place. Have you ever in life wanted bad things to stop so that good can come in and do damage in the best way?  Candice archives just that! Well, sort of.

I really enjoyed writing Trapped because I was able to have a different story to tell. In life we want to win so bad that we will do anything to make it happen. At times I was Candice. I know what’s it like to want love from someone and they don’t see your existence or choose to not go there for whatever reason. But, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Readers who love the written word, if you are into psychological thrillers, give this one a try.

Synopsis:

Nineteen years old, psychology major, Candice Hertz worked hard on her studies. After losing her father to cancer, Candice decides therapy would help with her loss. The therapy session turned into a nightmare. While reliving her past, Candice recalls the traumatic experience of being physically abused by her father at age twelve. Unable to deal with the memories, Danielle, another memory appears and become who Candice can’t. Danielle becomes Candice’s vehicle for revenge on those who caused her pain. Will Candice be cured from Multiple Personality Disorder or will she remain trapped with Danielle forever.

Pages: 314 pages

Copies: Paperback and Kindle

About The Author:

Krystol Diggs, the award winning published author & writer for multiple news & magazine outlets, has captured the attention of readers around the world with her thrilling & captivating stories of love, loss, and life. Krystol, of The Krystol Meth(od) has written numerous books & screenplays, including “Through Her Eyes”, her first book published in 2008, and “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It”, a screenplay that won 2nd place in the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival Screenwriting Competition in 2014. You can find Krystol in 2015 getting her Ph.D in Educational Psychology at Walden University, highlighting as a Reporter for CNN iReport and releasing another published book titled “Trapped” and adapting a property for the producer of the film ” I DO, I DID”, Cherie Johnson.

Purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/Trapped-Krystol/dp/1503350681/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1486353848&sr=8-2&keywords=Krystol

Book Review: The Lux Series: The Beginning by Jennifer L. Armentrout ( Obsidian)

Title: Obsidian

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:

There’s an alien next door. And with his looming height and eerie green eyes, he’s hot…until he opens his mouth. He’s infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, he marks me. Turns out he has a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal his abilities and the only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to him until my alien mojo fades. If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Number of Pages: 380 ( For Obsidian only; total number of pages 800)

My Version: Paperback

My Review:

This was my first book by Jennifer L. Armentrout and I must say why did I not pick her any of her books sooner! This book is an alien love story. I thought it would be boring, but I was so surprised. The book is about a girl named Katy who moves to West Virginia with her mother looking for a new start from Florida. Starting school soon, Katy’s mother wants her to make friends and mention that there are two kids her age (17) who live just next door. One of them is a hottie. Now, what I like about Katy is that she is a book blogger and loved to read, ( sounds familiar, right). She knocks on the neighbor’s door in hopes of making new friends and seeing the hottie for herself. She met Dameon who is a complete ASS! I mean he is so rude and extremely over protective about his twin sister Dee. Katy makes friends with Dee and in the process she gets to know Dameon. As time passes, Katy starts to notice different things about the twins that are a little ” peculiar” and she wants answers. Once she finds out the truth it changes her world. I high recommend this book. My only con is that the ending was very predictable. I know that there are four books in this series, but I wanted more. I look forward to continuing this series.

My Rating: 4 stars

Book Review: The Girl in 6E by A. R Torre

Title: The Girl in 6E ( A Deanna Madden Book #1)

Author: A. R. Torre

Synopsis:

My life, inside this apartment is simple. It works, as long as I follow the rules.

1. Don’t leave the apartment. Not in case of fire, not to mail a letter, not to run an errand. The door stays shut, and I stay inside.
2. Don’t get attached to clients. I take off my clothes, I stand in front of the camera, and I perform. What they want, I give. Their secrets, I keep. Everything I tell them, is a lie.
3. Don’t kill anyone. I’ve obeyed that rule for over three years.

Number of Pages: 374

My Version: Paperback

My Review:

To say that this was book is not a great read, is a lie. I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Before I proceed with the review there is a trigger warning of strong sexual contact  and killing so it is not suitable for younger kids.  This psychological thriller was the book that I needed in order to get out of a slump. I never wanted to put this book down. This book is about a girl named Deanna, but goes by her ” stage” name Jessica Reilly. Jessica is what you call a ” cammer” someone who performs sexual acts on herself for an internet audience of men. She basically works in the adult industry. She has a fear of going outside of her house due to the fact that she dreams of killing someone. To calm her urges she locks herself into her apartment during the day, but at night, it is anyone’s game. Going through a lot in her childhood, Deanna dreams of going outside and having a normal life, but she fears of killing everyone in sight. Surviving in every day living does not stop Deanna aka Jessica because she is able to order ALL of her things online from food, toiletries, etc. This book was very unique and interesting and I look forward to reading the second book in this series.

My Rating: 5 stars

Book Review: A Little Something Different By Sandy Hall

Title: A Little Something Different

Author: Sandy Hall

Number of Pages: 274

Synopsis:

The distinctive new crowdsourced publishing imprint Swoon Reads proudly presents its first published novel―an irresistibly sweet romance between two college students told from 14 different viewpoints.

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common―they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together.

Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out.

But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. You’ll be rooting for Gabe and Lea too, in Sandy Hall’s quirky, completely original novel A Little Something Different, chosen by readers, writes, and publishers, to be the debut titles for the new Swoon Reads imprint!

My Review:

This was the first book that I read by this author. I was a little hesitant at first but excited. What made me want to pick up this book was that it had creative writing in it. I am a writer and have an MFA in creative writing. It definitely peaked my interest. Lea and Gabe are two students in a class who start to fall in love. The book was a quick read, but at first I was confused because there were so many different perspectives. As I kept reading I understood the concept. Sandy wrote a great book and I look forward to reading more from here. The only con that I have is  I wish it would have continued and we could see what happened after the fact. The characters that I really enjoyed was of course Gabe and Lea, but I also liked Victor’s character. He brought a different perspective on the book that I thought was hilarious. I highly recommend this book to those who are interested in reading it!

My Rating: 4 stars