I recently came across a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I was halfway through another book (Indigo Girl), which I actually recommend, but once again, I was struggling to stay focused.
The story itself is pretty interesting, and the writing style is top-notch. However, it began to lag in the middle, and apparently, I don't have the bandwidth for dragged-out middles anymore.
While perusing the library shelves, I came across What You Wish For by Katherine Center. It was a story about a librarian who reconnected with a man from her past. It intrigued me right away.
As I began to read, I realized that what I was enjoying about the story was its primary focus on dialogue and action. It had minimal description, beyond the bare minimum. The story grabbed you at the beginning, and the pace kept you hooked throughout.
The story was endearing, and the setting, Galveston Island, is a place I've visited many times. The school setting was also fun, considering my years as an educator.
What I learned from this book is that I think I've been stuck in the historical fiction genre for too long. As much as I enjoy learning about historical events through the eyes of the characters, I need a lighter reading style.
I'm thinking I'll need to check out some of her other books.
(As a side note, I've been concerned about my lack of description in my own writing. What I'm learning is that a story doesn't necessarily need a lot of description if the dialogue and action carry the story along. However, I don’t have a problem challenging myself to do better with my descriptions.)
