Empty Shelf Challenge – Week 1
Jon Acuff is at it again…this time, with his Empty Shelf Challenge.
The premise: Lots of people make a new year’s resolution to read more books. And science holds that you’re more likely to achieve your goals if you see other people also making progress toward their goals. So Jon is pulling a bunch of people together to share progress and motivate each other.
We start 2014 with an empty bookshelf…could be a real one, or, in my case, a virtual one in Goodreads.
You can follow my #emptyshelf board on Pinterest, and you can join in anytime on Pinterest, if you like.
And every now and then, I’ll share a little bit about the books I’m piling up on my empty shelf. Maybe you’ll like some of them.
So here’s what I’ve read so far:
Title/Author: One Day In Budapest, JF Penn
What It’s About: When a priest is murdered at the Basilica of St Stephen in Budapest, Hungary, and the Holy Right relic is stolen, the ultra-nationalist Eröszak party calls for retribution and anti-Semitic violence erupts in the city. Dr Morgan Sierra, psychologist and ARKANE agent, must race against time to find the Holy Right and expose the conspiracy.
Why I Read It: Joanna Penn is an independent author with a success story that I admire. Plus, I enjoy well–written thrillers.
Favorite Idea: Novellas and are quicker to market than full–scale novels, and can still pack in a lot of action and a complete story arc.
Where can you buy it? Right here.
Title/Author: Story Structure to Die For, PJ Reece
What It’s About: Author PJ Reece takes a fresh look at how award–winning stories are structured.
Why I Read It: I always want to be learning and growing as a writer.
Favorite Idea: “A writer has an obligation to the protagonist to test in in the only way that proves him a hero.”
Where can you buy it? Right here.
What are you reading right now? Leave a comment…
The Growing Writer’s Survival Kit is filled with tools to help you when writing gets tough. Get your FREE toolkit (and updates) by entering your email address here:
About Christine
I am a writer, a project manager, and a corporate refugee with a heart for orphans around the world. My two daughters were adopted from Ukraine at ages 12 and 14. I post about writing, chasing dreams, and making a difference in the world, and sometimes I share fun snippets of fiction in-progress.
Hi Christine,
I like that you included “Why I read it” for each book. That is interesting and something I have not seen before.
I am currently reading Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I am reading it because I’ve heard it referred to many times in various podcasts.
I added you as a friend on Goodreads. I like to see what others are reading!
Heidi
Thanks, Heidi! I can’t take credit for it; I stole the format from Jon Acuff, and I liked that part too! I’m not so sure about the “favorite idea” heading, though. It’s a little tricker with fiction because I read both for fun and as a writer…Guess I’ll keep playing with that.
Hello Christine,
We had a little “encounter” through Twitter the other day, and I wanted to let you know I’m working on setting up my blog; I take my flight to Australia in a five days exactly, so I decided to give myself two weeks before posting anything. I’ll pass by to give you the link!
Back to your article, I love the idea! I’m currently reading a lot professionally but very few books by personal choice; I doubt I’ll have much more time in the months to come, but I keep the idea in mind
SO glad to hear you’re still excited about blogging; I can’t wait to hear more about your move from France to Australia, and the little things of life that add up to a big adventure!