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 Disclosureby 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!   TLJ
  • 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.joe
  • 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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