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May 7, 2012

Do you find the book or does the book find you? [Discussion]

As authors, it’s nice to know that we can chalk up an obsessive reading habit to research, right?

I’m always involved in one book or another — often one or two on my kindle, two or three in paperback and then suddenly I’ll shove all five of those aside to indulge in something else. It’s not my fault! These books just seem to find me!

Between recommendations from you guys, my aunt (a volunteer librarian), my mom (from whom I get my insatiable reading habit) and those tempting covers sitting on the shelves at the grocery store, the library, the used bookstore, etc. I can’t help but dive in!

I’ve been on an Elmore Leonard kick since January (thanks to Justified), but as the weather has turned warm my interests changed and I became desperate for a great summer read (currently being satisfied by Elin Hilderbrand’s The Island). In the midst of that book, however, I started planning a trip to Yellowstone next month and became consumed by travel guides. I can’t keep anything straight!

So I want to know — am I alone here?

What are you guys currently reading and how did you find it) (Or did it find you?) More specifically, I’d like to hear your thoughts on any of these questions:

  • Do you read more than one book at a time?
  • Where do you go to seek out new things to read?
  • What makes you decide to start reading a new book — especially if you’re already in the middle of something else?
  • Do you read the same genre that you write in or something entirely different?
  • Who gives you recommendations for new books to read?
  • Have you read something lately that you loved and would recommend to someone else?

Shout out in the comments below so I’ll know I’m not the only crazy person who gets wrapped up in a million books at once!

Filed Under: Discussion

  • I like Arabic-style dinners where you get served 12 salads as soon as you sit down. So naturally, I like reading a book here, a book there…to make a grand symphony of creativity.

  • Take heart, Shannon! You’re NORMAL, lol!
    1) I have an office book for lunch breaks, a car book (just in case), a bathroom book, a night table book, and a list of “to-reads” ready to download onto my  Kindle.2) I generally search online, unless it’s something specific that I can get from the library. Most of my Kindle list comes from indie authors that I “meet” through Twitter. If I like what I see on their author platform, then they get added to my list.3) If the author has a great hook or excerpt, then I’ll consider bumping them up on my list.4) I’ll read anything that’s well-written, regardless of genre, because I learn a lot from other authors. I mean, a few months ago I was itching for a monumental sci-fi epic, but it was late at night and I didn’t feel like surfing the net or going out, so I settled on a little novel called “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck. It wasn’t sci-fi, but it was epic, and I couldn’t put it down. One of the best books I’ve ever read.5) I get recommendations from other indie authors, friends, and Goodreads.6) I would absolutely recommend “East of Eden,” but I really enjoyed “The Call of Cthulu” by H.P. Lovecraft as well.Thanks for another great post! I love this site! -Vlad Vaslyn, Author of “Brachman’s Underworld” https://www.TheVlad.net

  •  Well, as a jaded old editor, I have to dig deep to find something entirely captivating:
    I try to avoid reading too many at once.
    Seeking out? – well, last night I asked for submissions from Kindle authors on Twitter (@ukeditor) and found a captivating book to buy called “Elephant Girl” by Jane Devin, which I continue to enjoy, though it’s a rocky ride. And recently I had a tip from a proofreader about the fabulous “Purple” by Graham J. Sharpe, which pulled me away from even working, so I recommended it on my blog – there’s a gem for the discerning reader…
    I read all age groups but not genres, if that makes sense.

  • Hi! Found your blog from twitter (#MyWANA). I just bought Elmore’s “Raylin” because I’m a huge fan of Justified and amazed at how well crafted it is. Before tackling it though, I’m finishing a contemporary romance and YA “issues” type of book. Sometimes I feel all over the map, too! I write YA so I read a lot of it, but I have to branch out, too. I also determine what I read by mood. 

  • Ilana Katz Katz

    I definitely tend to read more than one book at a time! I’m a slow reader, but there are so many great books. :-) Plus, as an author, I want to support my fellow authors and read their books.I use a kindle and also have paperbooks. I think it’s all good. I read *all kinds* of books. 

  • I have read up to six books at once and was still able to keep track of the story lines. I read books so quickly that I usually need to add enough at once to slow myself down to finishing them (usually 3-4) in one week.

  • Meli

    First, the answers to the questions:1. I’ve read up to 3-5 books at a time, never more than 6.
    2. Honestly, I don’t even know what makes me look for more books…probably that hunger I have for reading. I think one book I’m reading sparks something and makes me want more even though I’m not even finished with it.
    3. Like I said above, it’s that hunger I have for more. Especially if it’s similar to the book I’m reading…or books I’m reading.
    4. I usually stay in the same but I’ve been expanding slowly.
    5. Internet, friends, Google, Amazon and their recommendations. Also walking along the book isles in different stores, especially if they have a large variety.
    6. Oh I haven’t even finished some of them but yes. I’ve been in a mythology/Religious mythos bend for some reason, I blame the show Supernatural, there are many books like, The Mythology of Supernatural: The Signs and Symbols Behind the Popular TV Show, or The “Supernatural” Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls. I’m actually waiting for some books not related to the show like Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome,Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs and others about Egyptian and Aztecs.

    I loved this article by the way, it was like reading something from inside my head. It was great!