Most keen readers have ‘To Be Read’ piles.

I have a physical pile of TBR books and many on my kindle. The popularity of ebooks is said to be almost taking over that of physical books, but many kindle readers will admit to downloading ebooks then forgetting they’re on the kindle, waiting to be read.

Sometimes I have a frenzy of downloading ebooks from Amazon. An author friend is bringing out a new book and I’m keen to read and review it, but then… another author friend brings out his or her new book, and the same applies there, and then two or three others want me to read an advance copy for a blog tour, and yet another has just opened up pre-orders, so I definitely want to read that, and so on. So, apart from deadlines for my slot on a blog tour, which book do I choose to read next?

Since I frequently review my kindle library, I don’t forget what’s there, but have often been aware of shifting priorities in terms of ‘what to read next’. I’m conscious that people may buy my books from me at fairs and author talks and book festivals, but when do they get round to reading it? Now? Two weeks time? A year’s time? That’s the true test, and something over which we have no control. Sometimes, as a reader, I’ll start a few books and make my choice based entirely on what grabs me about the first page, and whether it suits my mood, and jumps out at me as the thing I need to read now.

Some people might get their book recommendations from Twitter but I find so many recommendations from book bloggers and fellow authors that I’m never at a loss for new reading ideas!

There’s no doubt, the first page is the hook. So we writers cannot really complain when literary agents and commissioning editors apply exactly the same principle with our own submitted manuscripts!

Here’s what’s on my current reading carousel on my kindle. I began each of these books but have now settled on one which hooks me right now and which I need to read all the way through as my top priority, before I return to one of the others.

Whose Body? by Dorothy L Sayers

A fellow author who writes cosy crime blogged about Dorothy L Sayers, saying she is up there with the best of the golden age cosy crime writers with her main protagonist Lord Peter Wimsey. I was then reminded once again how shocking it is that I’ve never read Dorothy L Sayers – so here is her first book in the genre. I must say, so far, I’m a bit mystified by the character of Lord Peter, who seems irritatingly facetious, but I’ve read enough to know that his character becomes much more complex later. That intrigues me, so I’ll definitely come back to this novel.

Father Brown: Essential Tales by G.K. Chesterton

Inspired by the wonderful TV drama series Father Brown, starring the brilliant actor Mark Williams, I thought it was about time I read some of the original stories by G.K. Chesterton, a great author whose wisdom I’ve read and known about for years. Sometimes classic fiction or nonfiction pass you by only because of the tidal wave of other books to grab your attention, but I have long known about Father Brown, and now is the time to become acquainted with the original character. So far I find the style a bit wordy, but can see Father Brown’s genius in alighting upon solutions, and I’ll return to the stories better prepared for the author’s literary style.

Straight as a Jalebi by Ritu Bhathal – I loved Ritu’s first book in The Rishtay Series, Marriage Unarranged, and am curious to see how the author handles the subject of gay relationships within the tightly knit, marriage-orientated Indian community in Britain. Again, I feel the mood must be right to thoroughly engage in this story, so once more, this is one for me to return to.

Becoming Queen Bathsheba by Amanda Bedzrah – a look at the story of King David’s adulterous pursuit of Bathsheba, from the woman’s point of view. I listened to an interview with the author on a podcast, and that was the first time I’d heard of her, and of this book. Once more I feel this is a novel awaiting the right moment for me to read and absorb.

The Art of Life by S.L.Russell (published Resolute Books 2024) – recently published, this is the latest offering from seasoned fiction author SL Russell who writes moving, challenging stories of contemporary dilemmas from the point of view of women in different key professions or vocations.

Fen Bailey, the main protagonist of this novel, is outwardly well placed in a financially comfortable marrriage with a grown up son and daughter both doing well but she longs to escape from her disparaging, unsympathetic husband who has no interest whatsoever in her creative calling as an artist. I began to feel the pull of this novel on the first page, as I engaged with Fen’s feelings – and it did lead me to reflect how lucky I am to have a husband, a son and a daughter, who are encouraging and supportive in my compulsion to be a writer, and an artist.

Now this story has me hooked, and I’ll read right through to the end, as Fen discovers a strange and lonely rundown art school in Yorkshire, which promises to give her the space and freedom to realise her dream of painting a lifesize canvas with very big themes, based on images from The Book of Revelation.

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About Me

Hello! My name’s Sheila and I write under the pen name of SC Skillman. I live in Warwick with my husband and son, and my daughter currently lives and works in Australia.

I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and have loved writing most of my life. I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to live and work in the UK. 

My output includes mystery fiction, and historical and paranormal nonfiction. Each of my nonfiction books is illustrated by 100 original full colour photos, mostly taken by myself, and others by my son and daughter (both talented photographers!)

In March 2023 I was the Nonfiction Adjudicator at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference in Glasgow. I’m a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.

My nonfiction books on Warwickshire are published by Amberley and include Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire and A-Z of Warwick. I’ve just delivered a fourth book to the publishers: Paranormal Gloucestershire. I also have a new contemporary gothic fantasy novel in progress, called Director’s Cut.

In addition to my published books, I blog weekly on scskillman.com about books and films I love, people and places of inspiration, life, spirituality, history and travel.

I’m also a public speaker and have spoken to many groups and organisations about Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, the quirky tales of Warwick, the art of writing nonfiction, and the power of story. Do get in touch with me if you’d like a speaker for your group!