“I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

As I’ve mentioned in a couple of previous posts, I’ve been taking part in the “Goodreads Reading Challenge.” This is where a reader can select a target number of books he or she wants to read throughout the year and continually log their progress as more books are read.

My goal for the year was 40. I’ve reached and surpassed that number with 49 books read from January 1st to September 30th. With the time I’ve spent away from reading to concentrate on my writing, I’m surprised at hitting my target with three months to spare.

I particularly enjoyed reading “Cathartic Screams” as it contained my short gothic, paranormal story “Nevermore.” I’ve had hundreds of news and sports features and photographs published on both sides of the Atlantic, but being able to touch and see MY work in print is the highlight of my writing career so far. That being said, I intend on raising the bar where my highlight level is concerned…

My to-be-read list continues to grow at pace and includes such luminaries as Hunter Shea, Adam Nevill, Jack Ketchum, Robert Galbraith and many more. So many books, so little time…

In the finest tradition of old-school wrestling promos, without further ado here’s my list of books read from August 1st to September 30th (in order of date completed):

• Chainsaw by John Bender
• Tales from Valleyview Cemetery by John Brhel
• Steel Valentine by Joe R, Lansdale
• Gate 4: The Eater by Terry M. West
• Put on a Happy Face by Terry M. West
• Gate 4: The Man with Many Faces by Terry M. West
• Cathartic Screams: A Collection of Paranormal Horror Stories by Severance Publications
• Rattus New Yorkus by Hunter Shea
• Overshadowed by Vannetta Chapman
• Trust Me by Hank Phillipi Ryan
• 1001 Sci-fi Writing Prompts by Christina Escamilla
• Dolly Did It by William Cook
• Writing Genre Fiction: Creating Imaginary Worlds: The 12 Rules by Charles Christian
• Little Black Spots by John F.D. Taff
• Rag Doll by Troy McCombs

My fourth quarter books read list already includes Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker, Stephen King and Jonathan Maberry.

Happy reading!

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” – Ray Bradbury