You Should be Reading Indies! New Blog Focus Announced

This blog is about to get the love and attention it deserves thanks to my newfound focus and dedication. To read more about my goals, please visit today's Depression Cookies blog post.

I recently stumbled upon a great site: Should be Reading. It's dedicated to books and book lovers. Every day has a theme and some book-related blog fun. The perfect find to inspire me to get this blog pumping.

My plan for the rest of 2011 is to review 3-4 books per month, minimum. Ultimately, I'd like to review a book every few days. Baby steps... In addition, I will post here three times per week. Again, hoping for more, but I have to start somewhere. Wish me luck!

What are you most excited about reading, right now? (can be a book you’re currently enjoying, or a book that’s yet to be published, etc.)

Honestly, I am excited to read more independent and small press published books. I enjoy finding hidden gems. My own independent journey has led me to some wonderful books and authors I wouldn't have found any other way. It's a shame so many well-written and thought-provoking books don't have the publishing industry dollars behind them. I hope my two little blogs will provide some exposure for the best of the independent books.

I love when Oprah puts out her top reads for the month or encourages readers to pick up a book she's enjoyed, but who shows love to the little guys/gals? The publishing industry is changing, thanks in large part to the eBook industry, and it's time we all took responsibility for finding good reads and not just read what Amazon or some other business pushes on us.

I will always read some traditionally published books as well. The Help, one of my favorite books in the last year, was turned down by multiple agents before it was published. Would it have been less entertaining as an independently published book? No. Would it have been discovered? Depends.

After fulfilling my review obligations for Rebeccas Reads, my next three books will be:


* Precipice, Melissa Luznicky Garrett
Her new book, Turning Point, is also on my list. I will be featuring some information about this book throughout October here and on my Depression Cookies blog, so stay tuned! Find out more about Melissa and her books at her blog, Someday, When I'm Famous.


* Megan's Way, Melissa Foster
I also have Chasing Amanda and Come Back to Me waiting in the wings. Come Back to Me will debut November 1, 2011. Again, stay tuned here and on my Depression Cookies blog for more information in the coming months. Find out more about Melissa and her books at her website.


* A Blue so Dark, Holly Schindler
Recommended by Shauna Kelly. Shauna's novel, Max and Menna, was one of my favorite reads this year, and an indie. More details in this earlier post. Find out more about Holly and her books at her website.

Look for reviews of these books soon.

Please take a chance on indie books. Be the first of your friends to recommend that diamond in the rough.

Please pass your suggestions on to me as well. I'll make sure and credit you for the find when I do the review.

Happy reading!