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Are you a bookworm? Do you find yourself getting lost in a good story? I fully identify with this statement. In fact, one of the reasons I went to school to become an English teacher is because of my deep love of reading. I wanted to help students discover topics and genres that inspired and excited them as much as my favorite genres did that for me.
Since I was young I’ve gravitated toward mysteries and darker plots. I love the fast pacing and exciting plots of a “who dun it” type plot. I soaked up The Boxcar Children and Goosebumps in elementary school and quickly moved to R.L. Stine’s teen books by fourth or fifth grade. I remember getting stacks of books on a Saturday and returning a few days later to swap them for more. I couldn’t read fast enough!
I’m not much different these days. My reading time is significantly impacted by these little creatures that roam my house but I still do what I can to get reading in. I listen to audiobooks when my hands are busy but I like to keep a book or two handy around the house when I have a few moments. Usually in the kitchen when I’m cooking or in the living room when I’m nursing babies. Or ya know… the bathroom (don’t deny it – you read or use your phone in there too!). Anyway… *cough cough*
A week or so ago I was at the library with the kids and a display of new books caught my eye. I needed a new fiction book to read while Micah’s hours are a bit longer so I randomly chose a book called If I Run by Terri Blackstock. I seriously chose a book by it’s cover. Well, that’s why I grabbed it but when I read the teaser I decided it sounded like something I could get into and stuck it on the pile.
You guys, I was sucked in the moment I started reading! I couldn’t put it down. The main character, Casey, is on the run from the police because they believe she murdered her best friend, Dylan, but she didn’t! She spends the book running and trying to figure out how she can clear her name, all while the police are on her tail. It’s quick paced and a riveting story.
When I was only a chapter or two in I happened to flip the book to the back few pages and saw a note from the author about Jesus. What? I skimmed the note but realized it held a few spoilers about the book but I gathered that Terri Blackstock is actually a Christian author. Awesome! I was ready to keep reading the story.
By the end of the book she weaves a story of hope, faith, and redemption into her characters’ lives. Her characters are real, broken, flawed, and seeking more. Some have grown up in the church but walked away, others are strong in their faith but still struggle with real issues. It’s a wonderful thing to see (read) in a book.
Once I finished If I Run I jumped on Overdrive to see what else I could get from her. She has written several series and thankfully the first book in The Moonlighters Series was available to check out. Done. I think I read it in two days. I carried my Kindle Fire everywhere. I stood at the stove cooking with it. I nursed the little guys while reading. I read during naps and at bedtime. Any time when I had a few moments I was reading.
I also pulled up our library’s online catalog to reserve physical books as well. I came home on Saturday from my mommy-son date with Jamison with five books and I’m almost done with the second. I’m currently reading the third book in the Moonlighters series. Next I’m moving on to The Intervention Collection. I’m already dreading the day I run out of her books to read.
I’m really impressed with how quickly I’m able to get through these books. Part of it is due to me simply being a fast reader but also because of the great pacing in these books. Terri Blackstock has a fantastic talent for drawing a reader in immediately and keeping the plot interesting throughout. And her characters are so true to life that I’ve found myself thinking of actual people I know when I read these stories. They question God and wonder if He cares or if they are really worthy of His love. They pray with passion for their friends and family that don’t know Him. They struggle with forgiveness and hurts. They are real people, not picture perfect Christians!
If you enjoy a good mystery and are in need of some good material, I highly recommend checking out Terri Blackstock. I’m off to finish Twisted Innocence right now! Although I should probably finish the dishes first…
I’m linking this up over at 152 Insights to My Soul for Three Word Wednesday.
What types of books do you like to read? Do you have an author that you read everything he or she writes? What was the last book you read?