Don't Forget the Hashtag

Friday Reads Modern Love Anthology
eBook
Published February 2011 by Shelf Media Group
Read February 2011

A rapidly growing phenomenon is occurring on Twitter and Facebook. Each Friday, thousands of people mention what they are reading. I found #FridayReads a couple of months ago when I joined Twitter. In just the few months that I have been following it, this hashtag has grown from 3,000+ participants to routinely more than 5,000 participants. So what is #FridayReads (also can be found on Facebook here for the non-tweeting type)? Each Friday people tweet (or comment) what they are reading. It may be a blog, a newspaper, a book, anything. Each week there are prizes given out - autographed copies of new books, subscriptions to literary magazines. Now that #FridayReads has broken the 5,000 barrier they don't want to stop there. In an effort to reach 1 million readers this week Shelf Unbound (Shelf Media Group) and @thebookmaven (who started #FridayReads) are offering to everyone that comments or tweets tomorrow (Friday - Feb. 11) a FREE copy of FridayReads Modern Love Anthology (it will be available on Amazon for Kindle users and Google Book).

I had the pleasure of being able to preview this prize. This anthology is composed of four short stories and 1 poem. I have to be honest when I received my copy I wasn't overly thrilled that I would be reviewing a collection of love stories. It isn't that I don't like love stories, but as a single gal that has only had 1 date for Valentine's Day in her entire life, well I might be a bit jaded. But these stories aren't your typical romance stories and I found myself rather enjoying the tales.

The Cartographer's Girl starts off the anthology and sets the tone quickly that these are not the love sick stories that typically accompany Valentine's Day rhetoric. I can just imagine the map maker painstakingly drawing out by hand the maps he uses to discover his lost love and the tragedy he must feel when instead he discovers the truths that she kept hidden.

I might have identified best with Reading Rilke. A passing of a bookstore brings up memories of the girl who got away. Whether this girl was his last love or his true love, she has left a mark on him. The memories inevitably lead to the end - the moments where all went wrong are brought forth (what if I hadn't questioned... just dropped the subject...). As the unpleasant thoughts fade the story turns to what the future would hold should they meet again. And there you discover what love transpired between them.

From a gal who isn't keen on love stories I recommend taking a look at FridayReads Modern Love Anthology. It might just remind you during this season of flowers and candy that love isn't just the mushy sentiment of corny cards, but a profound emotion that impacts your life in ways you might not imagine. You can get your own copy of FridayReads Modern Love Anthology for free by telling the world what you are reading on Friday. Go to the FridayReads Facebook page or on Twitter remember to add the hashtag #FridayReads.

It's the end...No, the beginning...It's a Circle

Green by Ted Dekker
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published September 2009 by Thomas Nelson
ISBN13: 9781595542885
Read January 2011

I was reading another Dekker book, Skin, when a reference on Goodreads.com caught my eye listing it as pat of the Books of History Chronicles. I clicked the link to see what other novels were part of it. Surprised to see The Circle Trilogy listed there, but even more shocked to see that another book at been made part of the trilogy (making is quadrology?). After this revelation I scurried around to locate a copy for myself - a library in south Georgia was able to send it my library. I had to wait about a week for it (but the huge snowstorm may have impeded its delivery).


I couldn't wait to start it and was slightly confused when it was listed as the prequel to the series. An introductory note from Ted Dekker helped to clear it up. Just as no circle has no beginning or ending, neither does this series. You can start with Green or Black. If any of my readers should read Green as the starting point of the series I would love to hear what you thought without have all the story in your head. I was constantly trying to piece together how it could be the end and beginning. 


The opening chapters and the description of The Gathering to celebrate The Great Romance immediately reminded me of what I loved about this series. Once again I was pulled into wanting to stay in Thomas's desert world and not flip back to the other world. But again these to worlds collided and each had a part to play in the story.


When I first read this series I had not read C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. Ok, so I still haven't read it, but I did see the movies (Prince Caspian in Dawn Treader is totally swoon worthy). Anyways, I could see definite similarities in the works. Of all the Dekker books I have read, the Circle series is by far of the most heavily Christian themed - though at the center of all his books is a battle of good and evil, and to some extent a message of redemption. 


Have you read Green? Did you read it first or last? I highly recommend this series to readers that enjoy a good thriller novel. The writing is wonderful. Dekker is masterful at the written word - some of his Facebook statuses have given me chills in their profoundness. I must warn you if you are considering embarking on this journey: A circle has no beginning nor an end, but is just a continuum.

How will it end? White

White by Ted Dekker
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published: October 2004 by Westbow Press
ISBN13: 9780849917929
Read: June 2006
Goodreads, IndieBound, Amazon


When I read this book it was assumed it was the end. The series at the time was called The Circle Trilogy. Many questions were answered. Thomas Hunter had to make a tough decision in this world, however, it was made easier by what he had learned in the other world. 


You may recall in my review of Black that I had trouble getting into the story. Well, it was while reading White that I discovered just how exceptional the series is and had a new found appreciation for the beginning of the tale. So if you begin this series with Black and feel a little like giving up, please don't you are well rewarded in this ending book. 


I may have even shed a few tears while reading White. The description of the Great Romance and the love Elyon has for his children resonated with my soul. The boy, the lion, the warrior all is one and He comes to bring joy and life. With the threat in this world thwarted, Thomas is free to pursue his Lover in the other world.


Have you read this series? I would love to hear your opinion. In a couple of weeks I will be reviewing a  young adult series and hosting my 1st giveaway. If you want to get the details on it either follow the blog or my on Twitter @Girl_Who_Reads

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Perfect Start

Picture Perfect by emg78

Online Original Fiction
The Writer's Coffee Shop Library

About a year ago, I discovered a new opportunity for reading - online. Since starting to read these stories, I have fallen in love with this media. Why? Because I get interact with the writers through leaving reviews on their chapters and, in some cases, through private messages. A second reason is I get to encourage new writers in their craft. It is exciting to see them grow as they write more and incorporate the feedback they are receiving. A final reason I enjoy reading online so much is when there is down time at work or I am taking a brief lunch break at my desk I can quickly access a good story. And should the boss walk by, I can just as quickly click a different tab on my browser.

A few weeks ago, I started perusing the original fiction section of The Writer's Coffee Shop Library. I stumbled across Picture Perfect by emg78.  A dark story that so far is only one chapter, but I am hoping to see more from this story.

Something tragic has happened o the main character Emma. What could have happened that terrorized her so badly that the friendly wave from stranger on the neighboring dock sends her into a full scale panic attack? The only contact she has with the outside world is visits from her brother and occasional, but regular, phone calls with her mother.

Emma isn't the only one that has questions swirling around her. Andrew, the stranger on the dock, walks away from his successful life in a busy city to a rather secluded forest home in a small town. He is immediately intrigued by the fleeing woman he sees on the dock. After asking about her in town, he learns not all is right with her.

In the opening chapter, emg78 has set the perfect stage for a story full of twist and turns as the reader discovers the hidden pasts that have Andrew and Emma seeking seclusion in this isolated woods. I look forward to seeing the rest of the story unfold.

More from Dekker

Since I have been blogging about Ted Dekker's Circle series, I thought I would share with my readers a message posted on Ted Dekker's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/teddekker.  He is planning a companion to the series and he is requesting input from his readers. Check out his fan page and maybe your idea will make it into the book.

Can't Put It Down: Red by Ted Dekker

by Donna Huber

February 2006; Thorndike Press
audio, ebook, print (637 pages); suspense

The thrill, nor the confusion, lets up in the 2nd novel of The Circle Trilogy. Thomas Hunter uncovers life-threatening secrets and ever-lasting love. Somehow the two worlds are connected, if injured or killed in one world it means the end of you in the other.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

My adrenaline was pumping fast by the end of Black, or so I thought. But it was nothing compared to the rush I got from Red. After finishing Black, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next one. Instead of waiting for my church's library to be open I rushed to the public library to pick up Red and couldn't put the book down. Whereas in the first one I wanted nothing more than for Thomas to stay in the other world, I found myself just as intrigued in what was happening in "our" world where bio-terrorist were plotting the release of a deadly virus.

I finished this novel in record time and I couldn't wait to pick up the next in the series with the hope that there would be explanation and closure with the final book in the trilogy. However, White was elusive as I had holds placed at my church's library, public library, and university library in hopes of getting my hands on a copy.

Are you a Ted Dekker fan? I think the Circle Trilogy is my favorite (which I will talk more about as I review White and the new book Green in the coming days). What is your favorite Dekker book?   

Buy Red at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour. 

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