Merry Christmas 2015! Book Recommendations For Your Holiday Season

Merry Christmas!

Holidays are a great time to read books. Whether you are getting sick of eating the abundance of food and just want to read for a bit, or maybe you want some time by yourself… away from family for an hour or two 🙂

More than likely it’s a safe bet that all of us here are book lovers and I’ll admit to being an ultra book geek, consuming a couple ebooks each week. So I thought I’d share some of the books(not necessarily new) that have stood out in my mind as the most helpful and unforgettable in 2015.

*Photo Credit by: Keven Dooley – Creative Commons

For Storytellers

   Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing: Revised Edition
by Libby Hawker really helped me to understand the benefits and the ‘how to’ of planning a story better.  I learned how to develop a better character arc and plot and how to pace my book better so that readers get more of a ‘unputdownable’ read. Of course I still have so much to learn, but this book was really helpful.

    Write Your Novel From The Middle: A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers and Everyone in Between
by #1 writing teacher, James Scott Bell, helped me to view the middle of the story in a whole new way. The main idea is learning how to craft your story from the middle…. what James Scott Bell calls the ‘Mirror Moment’ – the moment when your main character decides which way she/he should go. Honestly, this book has helped me learn how to check for – and fix – weaknesses in my storyline. It’s simple to understand and a short read too.

 Story Structure — Demystified by Larry Brooks simplified story structure for me. I was getting lost in the ‘muddy middle’ writing my contemporary romance and this book saved the story. Now I understand why the best movies and books I love use this story structure. Now I have a better idea where to put critical scenes and the reasons why doing this will make your novels, page turners.

For Writers

    The War of Art  by Steven Pressfield is a book I re-read at least once a year. This book has been an incredible influence and has helped me to understand, face and push past resistance that I feel every time I come to the blank page. It helps you embrace what you were meant to do.

    Louder than Words: Harness the Power of Your Authentic Voice by Todd Henry, helped me to understand myself and my own authentic voice and passion better. My biggest aha moment were his words: fear of rejection is precisely what prevents many people from taking risks with their work choosing a unique path, and finding their authentic voice. However once you recognize rejection is simply an opinion, it frees you to follow your intuition and add unique value…”  A really amazing book that helps you to move beyond the walls of fear, to uncover, develop and bravely use your authentic voice.

  Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert is so straight up honest and life affirming. I didn’t realize how desperately I needed to hear these words. This past year I’ve struggled to push through fear as a writer and authorpreneur. This book was so timely. So if you’ve ever asked yourself if it’s too late for you to be a writer, given up, cried in private, have stalled or have had any other sort of angst about your creativity, this will help you find your way again.

For Fiction Lovers

    Killer Thrillers Box Set: 3 Techno-Thriller, Action/Adventure Science Fiction Thrillers by Nick Thacker was such a fun read. I usually read either historical romance, contemporary romance or YA Dystopian books. So since this set of three techno thrillers, had a little bit of history, romance, suspense and futuristic elements, I was hooked. A great new indie author to check out.

    Ryan’s Return is a contemporary romance by #1 NYT bestselling author Barbary Freethy. It’s about a photojournalist who comes back to the same family and hometown that has disowned, abandoned and betrayed him. He meets Kara, who has been wounded by divorce. The story of how the father, brother and people in the town find forgiveness and healing from past mistakes and sins… is really touching. I loved this story.

Oh yes, you could also try one of my books…

    Answering Annaveta (Russia to Canada Trilogy Book 1) is a historical romantic suspense. Book #2, Anchoring Annaveta, will be published in March 2016.

Annaveta Travotsky, a young girl in 1913 Russia, is poised at the dawn of womanhood.

In the span of a few short weeks, Annaveta finds her world turned upside down. Prevailing over trauma, tragedy and loss she moves on, but the guilt and rejection she carries from past abusive relationships, cause her to struggle with feelings of unworthiness.

Her heart holds her back from receiving the love of the one man who longs to protect her.

As her past catches up with her, Annaveta flees to St.Petersburg, a place where she seeks safety. However, unrest in Russia makes the country ripe for an uprising, where terrorist groups like the Black Hand are flourishing. In the middle of this city filled with turmoil and rebellion, Annaveta and Alex discover a murderous plot devised by members of the Black Hand.

When terrorists threaten their lives, she faces a choice:
Hold onto the lies of her past or
believe in the power of love.

If you want my full list of books ~ they are listed here: www.lornafaith.com/books. Or if you want to see what I’ve been reading and reviewing I’d love to connect with you on Goodreads.

Ok, it’s your turn. What are some of your most helpful or memorable(or both) books that you would recommend people read during the holidays? Please share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to learn about the books that you love!

*Photo Credit by: Keven Dooley – Creative Commons

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