Something Different
Like I mentioned on Monday, March is Reading month! Hip Hip Hooray! I’ll be writing often this month about reading because, well, I like to read. It’s a big part of my life. I’ll also be challenging you to be a little more adventurous in your reading.
I can very easily fall into a reading rut if I’m not intentional about changing things up every now and then. I can gravitate to what’s comfortable. When I do that, I’m actually stunting my growth as a writer and a thinker (okay, I just giggled a little when I called myself a thinker).
When I’m in those ruts, I grab a book that I normally wouldn’t read. I go to a different genre.
Just last week, I read Dina L. Sleiman‘s newest novel DAUNTLESS. Dauntless is the first in a series of Young Adult novels (which I’m beginning to read more of) which are set in Medieval England. I don’t usually read novels set that deep in history, but thought the idea of a band of merry child thieves headed by a girl would be interesting to read. And it was. It had a bit of an “Ever After” or “Knights Tale” feel to it. But the big kicker that made this book something I generally wouldn’t pick up was the romantic element.
Romance is not not a genre I gravitate toward. That’s not to say that it’s an invalid form of literature or that it’s wrong to read it. It’s just not my thing. And that’s okay.
Dauntless had a bit of a love triangle. There were feelings of budding relationships. There were a few kisses. A good deal of the plot is driven by the romance between two characters.
But the love aspect isn’t all that this book has to offer. There are acrobatics, fight scenes, historical context, power-plays, lessons in friendship and loyalty. Merry, the protagonist, is a good leader. She makes sacrifices for the good of those who need her help. There is a spiritual stream that runs through the whole of the novel.
Dauntless is more than YA Medieval Romance. It’s a book about finding refuge in the Lord.
It’s amazing what kind of beautiful nuggets you can find within the pages of a book you normally wouldn’t read.
I challenge you. Pick out a book that isn’t your typical go-to read. I bet you’ll find something of value there.
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A little about Dina Sleiman. She is the editor who discovered me. She also edited both Paint Chips and My Mother’s Chamomile. Dina is part of the reason I’m the writer I am now and for that I am grateful.
susiefinkbeiner.com 
I just finished a book that required work hard to plow through. Though reading it was worth the effort, it did require perseverance.
Now I’m on to something fun: Robin Mellom’s new book Perfect Timing. A YA romantic comedy. Yeah, I’m into that. (http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Timing-Romantic-Robin-Mellom-ebook/dp/B00U6EVPGS/)
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I may or may not be in shock and awe that you’re into YA romantic comedy. You surprised me, Peter!
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