I rarely get to read for leisure these days and due to the big gaps in between reading sessions, it takes me ages to read a book, but when I do read for leisure, I have to say I love those books whose plots and premises challenge my mind or innovate from the norm.

I’m in the midst of a book called Blood Gospel by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell and while I haven’t reached the half-way point, I love it. Now this can change but right now it is charged with action, history, religion, attraction and vampires? A bit of a crazy combo but it works so well. I’ll have to let you all know how it turns out once I do finish it, but this isn’t the only different kind of book I’ve picked up within the past year and loved.

Last year, I picked up A Matter of Circumstance and Celludrones (Dark Matters) by Claire Robyns. I must be honest. Before this novel, I had never read a Victorian Steampunk, let alone one combined with the paranormal and sprinkled with romantic elements.  The premise captivated me from the get go, but this first of the Dark Matter novels rewarded me with so much more than I expected.

It had an amazing hero, a strong heroine and oodles of tension that just rippled off the pages. Claire Robyns did a great job of pulling me into the past along with her characters, creating a very real flavor for the period and the steampunk elements through dialogue, descriptions and most especially, the interaction of the celludrones.

So why am I talking about these books that innovate and challenge the mind? Quite simply, because in this day and age of innovative technology and fast pace living, we need something to challenge our minds. And for clarification, that doesn’t mean the strange and unheard of (although if you can make it work, go for it). Simplicity used well also challenges us… now go and write and push that envelope and have fun doing it!

Have a great week!