Every year since last five years, I start the year with a resolve to read at least 12 books in a year, that is, 1 book per month. I usually start the year well and then end up getting busy with life and losing control of the resolution, so much so that I never end up completing my resolution; except this year.
As usual, I started the year fine but reached a dry spell sometime around the middle of the year. Then in the last 2-3 months, everything changed. Few months ago, I started seeing all these sponsored posts on Facebook of book excerpts by "Pay by Chapter" reading apps which publicise "Free Books" (well, to give them benefit of doubt, the books are free but the coins/rewards/points to open each chapter may be paid; and you may eventually end up paying more than a normal book). I read those excerpts. While most pertain to werewolf/shifter romance, which I usually steer clear of, there were a few that were not paranormal and caught my attention and I would end up searching for the books. That lead me to subscribe to "Kindle Unlimited" and I started reading free books that came with the subscription. I also installed two "Pay by Chapter" apps but those are only for specific books that I became curious about and which I read through daily free coins. But, honestly, I am not a fan of these apps.
The point is that that was when everything changed about my reading style. First, I don't stop myself from putting down books that I don't like. I am the kind who felt guilty about not completing the books I picked up but didn't like but now I may debate about whether to quit, but I have quit quite a few books in between, some even more than half-way through. Second, I now am usually reading 2-4 books at the same time, on various devices. It basically means that I am putting my daughter's Kindle and my phone to good use.
Although most of the books that I have read did not excite me, these are a few that I read and remember off the head:
1. Inappropriate by Vi Keeland - My most recent read, and one which I completed this morning only. This is by far one of the better ones that I have read. I loved the story and the characters, Ireland and Grant, especially Grant. The comebacks and dialogues between the two characters are absolutely loveable.
2. Happily letters after by Vi Keeland - It's a cute and a totally unrealistic story. But it was sweet enough to make me pick up another book by the author.
3. Ved Maya by Vineeta Malhotra Taneja - Vineeta is a friend and I had already read her 'The Nameless Encounters' long back. Ved Maya and her third book had been on my TBR list for a long time and I had even once started reading Ved Maya earlier but had put it on hold 'to resume soon'. Finally, picked it up and lapped it up in one weekend. Again, Ved was my favourite character. Loved his "I don't have a girlfriend, but I'm committed" nature.
4. Roohi Shekhar by Vineeta Malhotra Taneja - Although if I had to choose between Ved Maya and Roohi Shekhar, I would choose the former; but Roohi Shekhar did not disappoint either. It was just as sweet and engrossing. The thing I love about Vineeta's writings is the effortless depiction of everyday urban young generation in Indian cities. The dialogues (Hinglish) and the banter between friends is so relatable and her books make for light easy read any day. Vineeta inspires me to write myself and that's the best part of her books.
5 & 6. Love Hate Relationships and Love in Relationships (LHR2) by Goodness Shadrach - I picked up the second book first and because I got curious after reading the Prologue, I decided to search the first book first. Luckily, it was available free to read on the internet. So, I ended up reading both parts in the series. I now feel I could have skipped these. But, the first book started well, and in the second, it all just went downhill.
7. Chained to the Mafia by Maya Lara - The less said the better.
8. The Arranged Bride by Mattii - Just slightly better than the one on number 7.
There were a few others but I cannot even remember their names right now. Honestly, they were more or less all the same romance cliches. Also, I re-read Harry Potter 1 again and planned to read the others too but didn't get around to.
I am also currently reading two stories on "Pay by Chapter" apps. I manage to read only about 1 or 2 chapters in a day with the free coins but so far I am enjoying them. The books are not edited, the language is not perfect and there are grammatical mistakes. Normally they are a put off for me but these two books have managed to keep me hooked.
1. The Alpha King's Hated Slave by Kiss Leilani - It was initially three books, namely, "My Slave, My Property", "My Master, My King" and "My Woman, My Possession" but on this app it was published all combined under a new name. I might have ignored it altogether because the word "Alpha" tends to make it appear like a werewolf romance but it is not. And the story got me hooked despite it being erotic in nature. I am about 60% through.
2. The Hired Bride by Seemran Haider - Another book that got me hooked because of the fun banter between the two lead characters. So, far I am enjoying it a lot and I am about 40% through. Interestingly, I started reading this to collect coins for another book on the app. But, I left the original one after a few chapters and stuck to this instead.
