Novels – Carol Bevitt

I Read How Many Books Last Year!!!

I’m not sure I’ll be buying and reading as many books this year, as in 2022, but I will still be buying books. I need to set myself a monthly e-book budget…

Formats

I do most of my reading on my Kindle device. The majority are fiction, but a handful of non-fiction crept into last year’s ebook total.

The paperback and hardback books were mostly non-fiction, but half-a-dozen were second-hand novels- the e-book version wasn’t available at the time I looked.

I haven’t finished all of the non-fiction I bought, as some are reference works for future projects, and one is gardening related.

Book or e-reader- image from pixabay.com

Stand-alone or Series?

I don’t have a preference, though toward the end of the year I moved from historical romance series into romantic suspense series.

December’s bout of Covid was responsible for a large number of romance (ebook) purchases.

Genres

Expanding my reading (beyond favourite authors, and others where I’ve read their previous books) was an ongoing aim.

A new-to-me author last year was Rachel Grant. I chose her 2022 book, Crash Site. (I’ve since read more of her books.)

Romantic suspense with varying heat levels accounted for around 40 % (this link gives a good breakdown if you’re unfamiliar with heat levels).

The rest was a mixture of historical romance: Sarah Maclean, Sabrina Jeffries, and the League of Rogues series, from Lauren Smith, filled my late autumn/early winter reading binge.

Also, there’s been a few cosy crime, writing books, a couple of rom-coms, social history, collections, and one or two classics.

I reread a dozen old paperbacks, and three ebooks- great way to see how accepted writing styles change across the years.

Any favourites?

I’m a fan of any book written by Jayne Ann Krentz- and her pseudonyms: Amanda Quick, and Jayne Castle. Some of her books are on my living room book shelves- those I have room for!

With the release of Sweetwater and The Witch in the summer, it was on my Kindle as soon as it became available in the UK.

How many books?

Okay, honesty time. The hardback and paperback totals are probably a few short, so they’re an estimate.

Hardback: 5

Paperback: 15

E-books: bought and not read yet, or have been started; 8

E-books: bought and read; 66

2022 wasn’t a good year for me with family health issues eating into my time, so reading was my main relaxation for stress-relief.

For 2023, I won’t be reading as many books, but I am going to keep a reading list this time.

Now it’s back to writing my novels, and reading very different books to what I’m working on…

Do you keep a record of the books you read each year? I’d enjoy hearing from you in the comments…

Time for the 2022 Review…

So far…

2022 has been a mixed year for me.

The year began with a coherent plan, then life dropped large boulders across my path. I had an alternative route- it wasn’t ideal, but better than nothing.

There was time spent in the garden getting fresh air and exercise: early in the year I dug up the rhubarb crowns, split them and replanted the best four pieces.

I’ll find out whether the effort was worth it in Spring 2023, when I pick a few stems.

Apart from a few failures because of the extreme heat, my fruit and vegetable growing went well, especially the tomatoes.

But, writing was hard. Those life events ( boulders) made creativity a struggle.

I succeeded in getting my partial submission into the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme by the end of the July deadline.

But, it was an alternative novel, an early first draft of a future project (a plot still under construction in my mind, and characters I’ve not got to know well enough, and research remaining to be done).

Most of my trips away from home have been get-togethers with other romance writers in Nottingham, and Leicester. The support and encouragement of other writers is crucial. So, a big thank you to the Nottingham Story Weavers, and the Belmont Belles and Beaux (the Leicester RNA Chapter).

There were a couple of weekends away to Yorkshire/Lancashire to see family. Plus potential photo opportunities. A change of scenery is always good.

Early December, I missed all the Christmas parties due to train strikes, and then Covid- it left me tired, so I’ve spent the Christmas holidays resting, and reading numerous books on my Kindle.

Aims for 2023…

I’ll be working to complete the (current) draft of my contemporary romance novel in 2023. I know where the story is going, and what needs doing.

Meanwhile, I’ve dug out my mix of short stories from back-up discs and memory sticks. I’ll rewrite some, while others need editing. They’re a, as and when, side project for 2023.

I’d like to write some 450 word stories, but that’s a random time item.

I have plenty to keep me busy without adding more.

Changes…

The major change for the coming year, I’m not continuing in the RNA New Writers’ Scheme.

I’ve learnt a lot, and I’m grateful to those readers who’ve read my manuscripts, and given me valuable advice and important insights to help me improve my writing.

The plan…

Being flexible is my key phrase for 2023.

I’m also going to resume noting my word count- as I used to do. Seeing the total increasing or remaining static is helpful and can act as a spur when needed.

That’s my writing resolutions for 2023.

Happy New Year…