Resolutions for 2021, Here We Come

Want to know something odd? I’d never celebrated a New Year’s Eve before last year. I’m not big on celebrations in general, with the sole exception of my kids’ birthdays. In 2019 though, my husband and I decided to host a small party with our closest friends to celebrate the new decade incoming. It was a merry event, one that I enjoyed a lot.

And then everything went to hell.

Somehow I can’t help but feel responsible for the whole COVID-19 mess –hey, magical thinking is a legit issue here– and I really don’t want to jinx 2021 as well. While I won’t be hosting any parties this year, I’m going to start the new year with a bang anyway.

Reading, actually, since I have too many books waiting for me in my kindle library.

Hey, wait. Is too many books a thing?

Anyway, resolutions. The first one is to read more. I didn’t read a lot in 2020, mostly thanks to a lockdown-induced apathy that I’m only now starting to put behind. Since I have read 67 books in 2019, I’m setting that as the score to beat next year.

I also plan on reading less mainstream in 2021. Sure, there are several traditionally published novels coming out that I can’t wait to read, but I feel that giving a chance to indie authors as well is important right now. And since I’ve been impressed by those I’ve read so far, I’m looking forward to discovering new titles, new authors and new stories.

I can’t believe how many talented people I’m spotting on Twitter –M. L. East, I’m talking to you. I’m dying to know what happens next!–. Keep working on your WIPs, guys. I can’t wait to read them all.

In the meantime, here is a quick overview of the indie novels I’ve already added to my kindle library.

Quicksilver and Brimstone by Elizabeth Eckstein

Have you seen this cover? I’m in love with everything about it. And the story seems so interesting!

Rise of One by Dixon Reuel

Great cover, absolutely fresh concept. Vampires against a zombie apocalypse? I was sold in no time. I’m positive this is going to be a great read.

Ghost River by Chad Ryan

This is out of my comfort zone, but after reading the excerpt I can’t wait to start it. Again, the cover was what caught my eye at first.

Max and the Spice Thieves by John Peragine

This one is actually an ARC I’ve been gifted with by the author in exchange of a review, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s a great book because I can see both my children liking this one.

I can’t wait to share my thoughts about these novels with you.

On this note, are there any indie books you loved? Let me know author and title in the comments, and I’ll be sure to check them out.

Last but not least, I swear I’m going to read the ARCs I get more quickly. I’m so far behind at this point that I’m starting to wonder if all the copies I got are gathered up in a small virtual pile, plotting against me and my irregular reading habits.

Now that I think about it, I want to give another chance to this little one as well.

Love Fast Los Angeles is the second novel written by Davey Havok, lead singer of AFI and Blaqk Audio, and most adorable human ever. As kids would say nowadays, I’m such a soft stan for him.

Anyway. To say that his first book was a weird read would be the understatement of the year, so, as soon as I picked up this one and I began suspecting that history would repeat itself, I quit reading.

Well, no more. From this moment on, I’m going to change.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed if you’ve come this far, my resolutions for 2021 are to read more, read faster and to finish what I start. Now that I think about it though, I should also read smarter, which in my case means I should broaden my horizons a bit.

What about you, guys? What are your reading goals for the next year? Authors, what about your writing goals?

See you all in 2021.

Love,

Val