Stephen King says that in order to be a writer you have to read a lot. I just assume that he’s right, because… well…he is who he is. And I do read a lot now. I didn’t used to.
Confession: I really didn’t like reading until late in life. It was The Poet. And for that gift I will forever be indebted to Michael Connelly. That novel was followed by The Firm, Disclosure…and that’s all she wrote…as I devoured everything from those authors along with Cornwell, Finder, Rice, Higgins-Clark, Woods, Evanovich, Brown…At this point, the list is too too long and spans beyond suspense thrillers, although that’s where my heart is.
Unlike King, I read in fits and spurts. This is because I have a hard time reading for pleasure when I’m deeply involved in writing projects, with the exception of the audiobook – I always have one going on in the car. It’s, like, “Calgon, take me away,” when I drive sans kids.
I seem to read the most in the winter. Maybe it’s the coziness, maybe it’s because Mom knows exactly which literary indulgences to get me for Christmas, but I thought I’d give you the recent run down.
- Guilty Wives, and Don’t Blink, and Private-London, James Patterson. Loved all three!
- The Racketeer, Grisham’s latest. Loved it!
- Black Box, Connelly’s latest. Loved it!
- Notorious Nineteen, Evanovich’s latest. Loved it!
- The Shining, (for the first time), It was weird, but I liked it
- V is for Vengeance, Grafton’s latest. Loved it!
- The Lost Journal, Chris Blewitt. Loved it!
- Foxworth High, Chris Blewitt. Loved it! A history buff, Chris effortlessly entwines history into the middle-grade adventure. You should consider downloading this for your ‘tween!
- You May As Well Die and A Friendly Game of Murder, JJ Murphy, Loved and loved.
- Plan B, Joseph Finder. Honestly, is there a Finder that couldn’t be loved?
- Buried Secrets, Joseph Finder. Duh.
- The Affair, Lee Child (This is a Jack Reacher. After seeing the movie, I just had to get my hands on this.) I listened to this in the car, and it lent itself well to a listen.
- I Got Laid Off, Traveled and Wrote This Book, by my dear old friend Shari Hochberg. Non fiction, this is a (rated-R) hoot. Shari is well traveled, well spoken and has so much insight to offer.
- The Fifth Vial, Michael Palmer – This was so good I had to get more Palmer.
- A Heartbeat Away, Palmer – Audiobook, awesome.
- The First Patient, Palmer – Ditto.
Why have I loved all of the books I’ve read lately? Because if I ain’t lovin’ it by page 35, it gets tossed. And I won’t blog about something that didn’t “fit” my style. I don’t think that’s fair. Reading tastes are very subjective.
Why haven’t I been reading much middle-grade or YA lately? When I’m on a writing binge, I shy away from the genre I’m writing, because I fear my characters’ voices start to lean toward the book du jour.
I love recommendations; what are you reading?
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