I  don’t normally write book reviews. Maybe this will help you to understand why…..

Once I finish a book, I have one of four reactions. They are:

1. That was really good! I liked it! Now…what shall I read next?

2. Eh. It was alright. What shall I read next?

3. Wasn’t really feeling that one. Now what shall I read next?

4. Dear Lord, thank you for finally letting me finish that absolutely atrocious crap that someone calls a novel.  *Considers burning sucky book* Okay. Now. What shall I read next?

You see, once I finish reading a book, I‘m far more concerned about what to read next to spend time evaluating the one I just finished.

I would be a terrible book club member.

However, sometimes I feel the need to make an exception.

Generally speaking, I don’t give a crap about an authors ability to write “beautifully”. Just give me some interesting dialogue, exceptional character development, and a good story…that’s all I need. This is why I love writers like Janet Evanovich and Charlaine Harris. Okay fine….and Stephenie Meyer. They tend to leave out the “excess” story enhancers (i.e. fluffy prose, in-depth descriptions, and generally just trying to be poetic…I hate that), and focus solely on what’s happening with their characters.

An author that comes to mind to use an example would be Dean Koontz. He’s an extremely prolific writer, but I’ve only read 2 of his books. That man can write a great story, but his over zealous prose, descriptions, and generally poetic crap ruin his writing for me.

CLEARLY, this is all a matter of opinion. My opinion. Some people (a lot of people) adore Koontz and may hate Janet Evanovich. That’s cool. I’m just stating what I like here.

Now, ANYHOO…

The Distant Hours.

Love it.

Kate Morton can WRITE. Brilliantly so.

This story is not something I would consider my “regular reading”. It is paced much slower than the average modern day novel, and the modern day novel is usually what I’m reading. But as I was reading this book, I could care less about the pacing. She had good character development happening, but mostly, I was just amazed at how beautifully she wrote.

Confession:

Sometimes when I finish reading a book, I’ll think to myself, “I could do that. I could write like that.”

And sometimes, after finishing other books, I’ll think, “There is no way that I could ever write like that. Not if my life depended on it.” <———————- This is how I felt upon completion of “The Distant Hours”.

I actually kept a pen and notepad handy while reading this so I could write down quotes from the book. I never, ever do this.

Okay…hang on a minute…..

Am I suggesting you read this book?

Well…..maybe not.

One of the reasons that I loved this book so much is because it is heavily centered around books…reading them and writing them. This is a subject that I devour in whatever form I can get it. So, if your not into this subject, I don’t know that you would find this book as wonderful as I did.

I know for a fact that if I were to put this book in front of my husband, he would die of boredom in about 30 minutes.

It all depends on your taste.

Me? I’m in love with the way Kate Morton can write. She is an artist with her words.

I’m on a mission to hunt down her other works.

(I must admit that the covers of her books kind of turn me off. But, ya know, don’t judge a book by its cover and all.)

Also…..I found several pictures of Kate Morton online….and guess what???

She’s hot too.

And she has an Australian accent.

*jealous*

Geez. I read a lot. Maybe too much.