Gimme a Break

How did August sneak up on me? May was two weeks ago, it seems. But, alas, it is, in fact, August 1.

For the past 11 years, I have observed a fiction fast during the month of August. I enjoy murder mysteries, historical fiction, and YA fiction, but a diet of marshmallows alone will eventually make you sick. Every once in a while, you need a break in the everyday diet and cleanse your palette. With food or written/electronic/social media.

But I'm not prepared! August snuck up on me, and I don't have my list of books.

As such, the Annual Fiction Fast will be postponed until September this year. I need your help. I'm looking for recommendations. Usually I'll read anything from history or science, and occasionally math (why do I torture myself?). This year I want to branch out.

I want to focus on philosophy and biography. What do you recommend?

I also want to extend an invitation. Two, actually. If you live in northeast Pennsylvania, would you like to join a Fiction Fast Support Group? This is not your average book club! While a book club usually chooses a book that everyone will read and discuss, this FF Support Group will allow you to choose your own book -- as long as it's not fiction -- and we'll meet once a week, for one hour precisely, to share coffee and good book conversation.

The second invitation is open to anyone. Would you participate in a facebook Live broadcast where I talk about my book(s) of the week and interact with the chat? What day and time would be best? And, have no fear, it won't be an hour long! My goal would be 10-15 minutes only, once a week. If it's successful, I might continue past September.

I look forward to your feedback!