Create Explore Read: books

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Friday, January 31, 2020

How many books will I read this year?

Last year I read 91 books out of my goal of 90 (just made it!). This year, I'm taking a look at my 2020 reading goal, what I've accomplished so far, and what I think I'm going to shoot for.

Most Anticipated Releases of 2018

Yes! It's that time again. The time to look forward to new books in this New Year! There are so many amazing books coming out - and I'm sure I've missed many in this list - but here are my most anticipated releases for 2018.

Young Adult Fiction SALE!

Those of you who know me know I LOVE me some Young Adult fiction! Well, I just found out two amazing things.

1) There is a promotional code for book purchases on Amazon right now (I believe it's the last day too!). GIFTBOOK17 will get you $5 off $15!

2) There are a TON of Young Adult fiction titles on sale right now!

I'm going to link several below - these are all paperback or hard cover. I don't know how long the prices will last but it's worth checking out!!! For some reason some are showing up as more than they are listed for on Amazon - when I added these most were below $10 so make sure you click through to check them out on Amazon.

Honest Thoughts: Happy Endings

We talked a little bit about this in last weeks post about fictional romance, but I felt it deserved its very own, honest post.

Let's get this out in the open just to be safe:

I LOVE HAPPY ENDINGS.

Whew. There, I've said it. I confess. No, I'm not strong enough to endure a sad ending. No, I don't want to look for the "slightly hopeful tidbit" that "really creative" author put there in that last sentence. No, I don't want to feel like I've been run over by a truck and, despite what everyone says, will recover eventually. I don't like sad endings. I. Just. Don't.

Okay, before I rant any more, I will say that I do however, understand sad things happening in a book. I guess, if we're being specific here, a case could be made that in many instances of "sad endings" there were "happy things" to redeem the book, but to me it's usually not enough. I guess we could debate on a case by case basis if needed.

The Why

My desire for all things to work out may stem from my motivation to read. Why I read what I read is a direct result of what I want to feel after I read. (tweet this) I want to be taken on a journey. To feel the adventure. To agonize over the path that leads to the end. BUT, I want to be left satisfied. I guess, for most books that I've read or stories that I've heard told (or seen in movies) satisfaction is gained by happiness.

Hum, that could be analyzed if we dove more deeply into what happiness really is and all that, but let me mention the second reason why I read fiction (I'm add "fiction" to this so it's more specific). I also read to escape. Not as a way to ignore my own personal life, but as a way to jump off the ledge of reality and plummet headfirst into a world that's not my own.

It doesn't have to be a fantasy for me to get lost. I will find myself in another world that's very similar to our own, but in this world there's one particular thing that makes it magic: It's not our world. It's a world where love can over come obstacles. Where killers can be found and stopped. Where good can overcome evil. Where we get to see into the minds of characters.

In this world, I don't think it's too much to ask for a happy ending.

The How

I'm not going to say that everyone's happy endings need to look the same. In fact, that wouldn't necessarily make it a "happy ending" just an ending. I think the beauty of real happy endings come from the authors mind. It begins with their characters and the issues they must face, overcome, and conquer. Then it transfers onto the page by the adventures and misadventures their characters journey through. It lands when the resolution shows just how it all works out.

The tricky thing about this, in my opinion, is for authors to come up with a truly great ending that packs a punch (no matter your genre) while surprising the reader. We don't want the typical, easy answer. We want something vibrant, creative, and unexpected (if I can speak for readers as a whole).

Let's face it. Anyone can say "they lived happily ever after" but if you don't show us how they got there, it's not worth it. (tweet this) We need to see them working for that happy ending. It needs to be like a juicy stake we get to after a month of eating salad (this metaphor breaks down if you're a vegetarian...). A truly happy ending comes after a lot of pain--just like most good things in this life, right? (tweet this)

So please, authors, remember the power of a happy ending. Your readers will grow based on what your characters discover and that will, in turn, shape more than just your story.

Your turn for honest thoughts: Do you like a happy ending? Why? Is it a requirement? What are some of your favorite books with happy endings?

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Books I'm looking forward to in 2016

This will not be a completely list because I don't have a complete list of what's coming out...but these are some of the highlights for me at this early juncture to 2016.

Morning Star: Book III of The Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown
I just...I can't...I... It's safe to say I am SO excited (and terrified) at the thought of this book. It means the end of a series I've really enjoyed!

The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron

Nothing more lovely than Kristy Cambron's writing. I highly anticipate this book!

The Calling (A Seer Novel) by Rachelle Dekker
Must. See. What. Happens!

Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

Friday, January 29, 2016

A little bit of writer fun

If you're following me on social media (which I hope you are) then you may have seen some of these above items shared recently on my FB pages and Instagram accounts. You may be wondering though...what is all this?

I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to my Society6 shop! I've titled it E.A. Creative (kind of similar to my "E.A. Creative Photography" business name) and in it you will find all sorts of things!

My hope for the shop is to combine two things I'm passionate about: reading and exploring.

What that looks like is fun prints about reading and adventuring into nature, prints of my travels, and fun sayings that I hope will resonate with other reader/explorers out there.

I know it's a slightly "strange mixture" because there are a lot of shops out there that focus on one or the other: all things reading or all things nature. I aim to be a hybrid.

I have lots of plans for the future, but for now you can find the products like you see here in this post as well as others.

I'd invite you to take a look

Visit my shop {click here}

And to join my shopstagram (ha, made that up). The Instagram account for my shop:

Create. Explore. Read.

Join the fun by using the hashtag: #createexploreread I can't wait to start sharing more images of items from the shop. I've gotten a few myself and love them!

Readers: What's your favorite thing: reading or exploring? Or both?

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Honest Thoughts: Blogging - The struggle is real

Can I get an amen?

Here at Thinking Thoughts I celebrate all the good things like books, reading, coffee (ok, tea too), awesome authors, and writing. As I've been thinking about the purpose behind...well, lots of things but especially things like this blog and my writing, I've come to some interesting conclusions. Um, maybe conclusions is too much of a word. I've started to think about things. Ironic, I know, due to the title of the blog.

One thing that got me thinking about this is the fact that, per a conversation I had with an industry professional back at the ACFW conference last year, the title Thinking Thoughts isn't a "good" title. My younger, start-up blogger self from 2009 cried a little at this thinking, "But...but...it's my blog! My baby!" Though the slightly-more-marketing-savvy-blogger-self half halfheartedly agreed with the sentiment.

I've come a long way since my first blog post not only in word count but in understanding of what a blog is and should be. I am by no means an expert, but I've come into a rhythm with myself on what it looks like to write Thinking Thoughts. I've devoted it to readers, writers, and Jesus followers (as I like to say) but is that enough?

Following my super fun and productive weekend in Florida with fellow writer friend Natalie (this is her modeling the "Dream. Write. Inspire." bag from my Society6 shop), I walked away with one major thought that she so graciously pointed out.

...PASSION...

Did you just think: Um, what? Well, that's understandable but let me explain. As we talked about marketing, the publishing industry, our books, other people's books, and sooo much more, we started to narrow down the focus for each of us. It's easy to say you want to make an impact on others, but it's another thing to figure out what that impact will bring.

We each started to think through this question: What do I bring to the table?

It's one thing to answer that question for yourself but another to see what other people say about that for you. I so value Natalie's opinions because she nailed down something that had been lightly hidden beneath the surface of all the things I like to do or participate in. It's passion. I'm likely going to butcher the way she explained it to me, but I needed to put it in my own words so that I could grasp it.

I thrive on the passion. I've blogged about it often (like here, and here) but the thing I keep coming back to is how much my own passions--as well as that of others--inspire me. It pushes me to create, to explore, to understand. If I meet you in person I will likely ask you what you do. Here in DC that is a common thing because a lot of people place importance on their day jobs. I don't ask because of that, but because I want to see how people describe what they do. There is a stark contrast between people who describe what they do in a monotone and those who launch into an all-inclusive depiction of their jobs because they love them. Those are the people I love to listen to.

In thinking about this blog (and the numerous attempts I've made to hone in on something specific) I see why I have trouble. I'm not a person who is only passionate about writing. I'm not just passionate about reading. I'm not only interested in photography. It's just...not possible for me. Not in my DNA. I'm not sure, but I do know that I am consumed by more than that. (This is likely why it's hard for me to pick one genre to write in...but that's a whole different blog post).

This passion shows itself in my writing, in my photos, in my social media posts, you name it. It's all inclusive. That passion is the thread that binds me together. That makes up who Emilie Hendryx is.

Ah, wonderful, I think. Now what?

Honestly? I'm not sure. I know (mentally) about the smart steps to branding yourself. I understand the concept of growing an audience and...blah blah blah (um, can I say that?). But I get frustrated with convention. Yes, Thinking Thoughts isn't the most descriptive name and it will likely change at one point, but there are a few things that I realize I'm committed to and passionate about:

I'm passionate about sharing about great books and authors here on the blog and through my reviews.
I'm passionate about books with great story lines--no matter the genre.
I'm passionate about sharing what I'm learning about writerly things like marketing, design, writing, and the like.
I'm passionate about reading (oh soooo much reading).
I'm passionate about Jesus and how He is at the center of my life.
I'm passionate about being REAL with everyone.

There isn't a conclusion to this post. It's a lot of thoughts (again, likely a no-no) meandering throughout, but it's refreshing to admit that I enjoy a lot of creative things. I'll leave you with this: Hello, my name is Emilie and I struggle with being ~~too~~ passionate about creativity. ;-)

What about you? What are YOU passionate about? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

Thursday, December 31, 2015

14 Favorite Reads of 2015 + GIVEAWAY

I'm wrapping up the year on Thinking Thoughts and I'm so thankful looking back over this year. I've gotten to read some incredible books. I've met amazing new friends here on the blog. I've gotten to know some amazing authors. I've started a newsletter. I got an agent (eeeik!). And all the way I've gotten to share these experiences with you my dear readers. I am so grateful!

As a kind of wrap-up I've compiled a list of my favorite 14 reads of 2015. These books...well, I can't recommend them highly enough! You can also check out my reviews of them (find them here). And make sure you scroll to the bottom for the GIVEAWAY!

A Praying Life
by Paul E. Miller

Devotional/Prayer
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQSq45

Emissary

by Thomas Locke

Fantasy

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1loF3y5

Plot & Structure
by James Scott Bell

Writing Craft
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NG9buS

Golden Son

by Pierce Brown

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NG9Egx

Playing Saint
by Zachary Bartels

Thriller
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQT9SQ

How to Catch A Prince

by Rachel Hauck

Romance

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQTvJ4

These Broken Stars
by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

YA Lit/Dystopian/SciFi
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQTAN7

Cinder

by Marissa Meyer

YA Lit/Fantasy

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NGaOZA

Falcon
by Ronie Kendig

Military Suspense
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NGaUQY

Unbroken

by Laura Hillenbrand

Biography/WWII

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NGbEFJ

From the Start
by Melissa Tagg

Romance
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQUp8B

Seek and Hide

by Amanda G. Stevens

Dystopian/Suspense

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQUEQT

A Time To Die
by Nadine Brandes

YA/Dystopian
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQUUiY

Embers

by Ronie Kendig

Fantasy

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQVfSC

To end the year with a BANG! I thought I'd offer up one last giveaway. I've got 12 books (that will remain a mystery) to giveaway. They are review books so they have been read once, but I thought I'd share the love and pass them along. The best part is that, should you win, you won't know WHAT you won...well, until you get it at least. I thought it could be fun - hey, they are all great books and, if you've read the book, you can pass it along to someone who will enjoy it!

Leave a comment below with your favorite genre - no guarantees, but as the winners are chosen (via Rafflecopter) I'll try and match up genres with winners.

Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Holiday eBook DEALS under $5 you can't miss!

It's no secret that I'm CRAZY about Christmas. Christmas lights, Christmas music, Christmas cookies, Christmas decorations...well you get the point. SO it only makes sense that I would be crazy about Christmas books too. I've compiled a list of some amazing eBooks under $5* that are perfect for this holiday season. Treat yourself to a few and get in the Christmas spirit!

*The price was under $5 at the time I made this list ;-)

eBook Deals under $5

*Just a side note: I have not read all of these books so I'm not vouching for them being "good" necessarily. I did try to choose books from authors I know and have read other things from.

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