Earlier this month, I finished reading the third novel of the year. I constantly put off writing my review because I didn’t really know how I felt about it. I enjoyed the story and it was a very fun read. But I was perplexed about the number of romance novels that I have been reading lately. It wasn’t where I wanted my reading life to head.
I normally don’t pick up romances at all. I read a couple in the fall when I was trying to maintain some sort of reading routine during a particularly stressful time. A few books by Jackie Collins appear on My Library Shelf challenge, so I knew I was going to have to dive in eventually and see what the fuss was all about. When I made a stop at a second hand bookstore over the winter break and saw the paperback available at a reasonable price, I picked it up and decided to get going. I was pleasantly surprised by what a enthralling, enjoyable read the novel was.
Why did I have preconceived thoughts about Jackie Collins? First of all, there were the many television mini-series from the 1980s that defined her work. As a teen, I picked up one of her novels lying around the house (desperate times call for desperate measures) and could not put the book back on the shelf quickly enough. It simply was not for me! Now I’ve discovered that Collins is actually a talented storyteller that is able to weave a tale that captures my imagination.
Do I think I will only read romances now? Not by a long shot! But I must admit that it was nice to depart from my normal reading palette and explore something different. I have a few more Collins novels to read for this challenge — and I may dive into another pretty soon to get myself through the rough part of the spring term — but I am also anxious to dive back into some meatier novels that stretch my mind.
What’s on my reading table at the moment? I need to finish reading Talent is Not Enough eventually, but I’m also working my way through Memorial by Bryan Washington. Perhaps if the winter storm moves in this weekend as expected, I’ll get to spend a few extra hours curled under my blanket with my nose deep in the pages of a book!
Reading for Me 
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