With deadlines (our own or imposed by editors) and love of writing, it's hard to carve out time to read. Just like I can't not write, I can't not read. I was a reader before I ever became a writer. I think that's true of most writers.
Some authors are 1-Clicks for me. Veronica Scott (our former contributor who often returns with new books) is a 1-Click. So is our own Nancy Gideon's books. Veronica posts new releases on her blog on Wednesdays, which is good news/bad news. Love new sci-fi romances, but my wallet groans.
My local newcomers' group has a book group. Most of the time the books chosen are part of the library's "book group in a bag" where the library provides the books for us. Belonging to the book group makes me read outside my comfort zone. Left alone, I'd read genre fiction--mysteries, romantic suspense, science fiction romance. Our group has had lively discussions over historical fiction, biographies, best-sellers, poetry, and genre fiction.
BookBub and Thrillist often post "lists"--like 31 Best Summer Reads, a great place to find new books. Last year, PBS ran a series on America's Favorite 100 books (I think I mangled the title). So, I printed out the list to see how many I'd read. Not even half. If I wanted to stretch my reading wings, that was a good place to start.
With all the great suggestions (like Lea Kirk's post yesterday on dragons), it's hard to decide what to read next. My iPad is chock full of books. I have a virtual TBR pile. My choice to read depends on my mood. Or a deadline, like book group's next meeting. If I really like the first book in a series, I'll binge read the rest.
I think my favorite method of choosing what to read is word-of-mouth, the recommendations from people whose reading choices are similar to mine. So, if a friend says "You gotta read this," you bet I'll try it.
How do you decide what to read next?
16 comments:
Great post Diane! I started reading to my twins in the womb and continued ever since- and they are both avid readers. I have authors that I buy the book based on previous reads, sometimes based on reviews or reading the first line or so of the story.
Thanks, Maureen. I'm sure reading to your twins made them avid readers. That's why I always read to my kids (when they were young) and now to their children, as they do.
I also have several authors who are one-clicks - most of them are people I know through one of my writing groups! My difficulty is once they're ON my device, which one do I start first? And once I find out a book I enjoy is part of a series, I want to read the rest of it.
I enjoyed the post! I choose a book by the genre first, then the blurb, then a sample. I have a few on-click authors as well.
Great post! Before I was a published author, I read about 50 books a year. Now, I feel lucky if I have time to read more than the RITA and Daphne contest books that I judge. There just isn't enough time to write, edit, market, and read. Such a shame. However, my bookshelves overfloweth because I continue to buy books (much to my husband's annoyance) even if I don't have time to read them. Sandra Brown is an auto-buy because she was my inspiration to write in the first place.
Answered on FB but I love to read! Don't read as much as I used to, but still occasionally binge and read several books over a week or weekend then back to writing/editing/promoting etc
Great post!
Good luck and God's blessings
PamT
I have a huge TBR pile (both print and digital) and what I read varies, but sometimes I need to read books my comfort zone, which is historical romantic suspense or adventure and historical mystery.
Depends what mood I’m in. Sometimes I want a good old- fashion romance but I also like mystery/suspense. If I’m reading a series, I like to read several books in a row. Remember that poem? Went something like, “Books to the ceiling, books to the sky, my stacks of books are incredibly high. How I love them. How I need them. I’ll be old and gray before I read them.” Author unknown.
Patty, I know what you mean. I love series.
Alicia, your method is close to mine. If the cover grabs my attention, I'll read a bit (love Amazon's "Look Inside" feature.
Marissa, thanks for stopping by. I know what you mean about not having enough hours in the day to do everything. I've always enjoyed Sandra Brown's books. Same with Linda Howard.
Pam, thanks for your response on FB and here. I hope you get time to binge read a lot.
Alina, it's a good thing my TBR pile is on my iPad, otherwise it would be toppling over. lol
Lucy, I never heard that before. LOL So true! I have to live at least another lifetime to read all my books.
Diane, tried to comment last evening, but lost my ramble somewhere in the ether! Love your post and insights, always! Like you, I cherished my reading time with grands. My own tastes are definitely eclectic as I enjoy new ideas and ways to fashion them.
Keep burning that mid-night oil over your books and sharing your thoughts here. You are truly appreciated!
Francesca Q.
Thank you so much, Francesca. One of the good things about being retired is I don't have to get up early after reading late into the night. :)
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