Today, I would really like to hear from all you readers out there. I want to know…what are you reading? What are you loving? (And I mean books. I don’t want to hear about your new boyfriend’s six pack. Okay…let me take that back, I do want to hear about his six pack. But I also want to hear about your reading habits.) What’s on your must-read stack? And what encourages you to read a book? Is it the cover, the blurb, the author, the word of mouth, or is it the reviews? Oh and one last question. How many books do you read a month?
Right now, I’m judging the RITAS. For those of you who don’t know, this is a contest sponsored by RWA. It’s a contest of published books with a copyright date of 2007. I have eight books. And they are from all different genres. I have some steamy hot books, a few novellas, and several paranormals. I enjoy judging the RITAs because it introduces me not only to other genres but to new authors. Last year, I found an author I’d never read, Christie Ridgeway, and I have since bought several of her books.
Now, as for what’s on my to-be read stack? Well, let’s see. I have Nina Bangs, One Bite Stand. I have Kerrelyn Sparks, The Undead Next Door, I have Natale Stenzel, Pandora’s Box, and I have Lori Wilde’s, Once Smitten, Twice Shy, Jenny Gardiner, Sleeping Ward Cleaver, and also have Real Vampires Have Curves, by Gerry Bartlett.
And what encourages me to read a book? Well, I’ll be honest. I have so many friends who are writers that I do tend to read them because I like them and because I like their books, but then I think my second reason to read a book is word of mouth. If someone I know recommends a book, I will usually go pick it up.
And how many books do I read a month. Hmm… I would say I read 4 to 6 books a month.
So come on, play along. Let’s hear from you.
Crime Scene Christie
.jpg)
Posts
15 comments:
I just finished Guns Will Keep Us Together by Leslie Langtry and I enjoyed it.
The books that I have waiting for me to read are: Killing Fear by Allison Brennan, The Murder Game by Beverly Barton, Unpredictable by Eileen Cook and Hard To Handle by Lori Foster.
My must-buy authors are Nora, J.D. Robb, Janet Evanovich, James Patterson, Stuart Woods, Tess Gerritsen, Jill Shalvis and of course the ladies that make up Killer Fiction.
The two books that I'm waiting to be in the stores are: Stranger in Death by J.D. Robb and Alibi in High Heels by Gemma Halliday.
I have my favorite authors, word of mouth, the blurbs, the covers and visiting author's blogs aids me in choosing the books that I'm interested in reading.
I read an average of 15-20 books a month.
I used to read around 5-6 books a week. Now I'm lucky if I can finish one in two days.
I just finished reading No One Left To Tell by Jordan Dane and I've started Lady & The Vamp by Michelle Rowen.
What encourages me to read - cover, blurb, a quote from a favorite author, recommendations from a friend who has similar tastes in books. I barely read the reviews though, mostly because it's all very subjective. I mean, what someone might hate, I might like so there you go.
I think I'm reading around 3-4 a month now. If I'm lucky and I get time although with exams coming up, I probably won't have time to read at all.
And ooh, I have The Undead Next Door on my TBR pile too! Can't wait to read it. :)
Christie,
Okay, I’ll bite. What am I reading now? Well, I have several books that I’m reading for the RITAs also. I’ve got a couple of women’s fiction titles and a couple of paranormal romance, so I’ve got a lot of variety there, too. All of the authors are new to me, so I’m hoping I find a new “must buy” among them.
I’m also reading DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DELICIOUS and LOVING it. Now, I should explain, I usually get to read all of Christie’s work before her editor does. (Lucky me!) But this book was finished before Christie and I started critiquing each other’s work, so all I had read before it was published was the first chapter. (It was a great first chapter, though!) I finally got to start reading it on a recent flight back from Houston – love Lacy and Chase!
On my TBR stack, I’ve got Allison Brennan’s latest, KILLING FEAR, which I know will be so scary good I won’t be able to put it down once I start, and the always fabulous JoAnn Ross’ latest yummy romantic suspense, FREEFALL. (Ex-SEALs, scary snipers, hot romance – gotta love it!)
Lucky me with so many great books ahead!
Faye
Since I don't read humor while I'm writing it, I will generally read non-fiction research books for future projects or genres I'm not writing in at the moment.
Right now I'm finishing up ON THE RUN by Iris Johansen. Before that I read COPY CAT by Erica Spindler. Next up? THE RAVENING by Dawn Thompson. I saw it at our local Wal-mart this weekend and am looking forward to reading it.
I have GUNS, WARD CLEAVER, PANDORA'S BOX, and Lori Wilde's, ONCE BITTEN, waiting for me when I finish my latest Calamity Jayne misadventure.
Thanks for posting today, Crime Scene!
~Bullet Hole~
I just finished Innocent in Death and Guns Will Keep Us Together is next on my list.
When I'm writing, I'm a terrible reader. I probably only get through a couple books a month. But, between writing projects, I go nuts and read a whole handful of them.
Hope you love ALIBI, Dru!
~Gemma
I'm also reading RITA's so this month is an unusually high number of books for me - 5. I'm doing a lot of research right now for the next book so I'm reading IN SEARCH OF GHENGIS KHAN by Tim Severin, GHENGIS KHAN & THE MAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD by Jack Weatherford and CRUCIVERBALISM by Stanley Newman. That's right, Coney's going to Mongolia and creates crossword puzzles on the side. After RITAs I have all the Killer Fiction Divas' latest books on my nightstand so I can have some fun again! I LOVE their books!
I read tons more before I started writing, now I read maybe 3 or 4 a month, if that many. There's just no time when I'm constantly writing/revising. I don't have to tell ya'll how it is.
In my TBR pile, I've got quite a few historicals and research books. I'm writing a regency at the moment, so no contemps until I've finished. I'm having a hard enough time changing my modern day arkansas accent into an historical english language voice!
Thanks guys for answering my questions. I love hearing what everyone is reading.
So many of the author's names/titles are also in my bookcase. I wish I had more reading time. I've even given up a lot of TV time to read more.
Happy reading.
Crime Scene Christie
I haven't bought any new books in awhile (trying to save up some money), so I'm rereading old books. Right now I'm reading Donna Andrews' Turing Hopper series.
Currently reading Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer, Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington, re-reading Jan Karon's entire Mitford series, finished A Common Life yesterday and started In This Mountain today. Also reading Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life, one chapter a day, and The Cotton Patch Gospel--Matthew and John by Clarence Jordan 5-10 chapters per day. I usually read a book a day and spend over $100 per month at the bookstores. I choose a book for either information or entertainment--sometimes both as in the case of Up From Slavery. Bought it for a grandchild who has a paper due on BTW for history class, and started reading it while waiting for her to get out of school. Found it so interesting that I went back to the bookstore and bought a copy for myself the next day. I usually read the information on the back cover or fly leaf--if interested I go to chapter one and see if the first paragraphs draw me in. Sometimes I read a book in spite of the cover art and title. (Sometimes I wonder if the artist has a clue what the book is about.)
Hmm, I am reading a bunch of stuff:
Alibi in High Heels will be in my grubby little hands on Friday according to bn.com, so it's next. I just finished Plum Lucky, by Janet Evanovich. Now I am on to Holy Smokes by Katie Macalister; Unlucky by Jana DeLeon; Embrace the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy; You: the Owners Manual by Dr. Roizen & Dr. Oz; and, the Pilates Body by Brooke Siler.
As for what draws me, I always grab new books from my favorite authors. Otherwise, I am drawn first by cover and title; then I check out the blurb. If I like all three, I will generally pick it up. I first grabbed Spying in High Heels because I liked the name and then I loved it! On the other hand, my oldest sister gave me one of the Stephanie Plum books and the name and cover didn't really do it for me, so it sat in the backseat of my car for over a year before I read it only because I was at the hospital and had nothing else to read - and I thought my milk would come out my nose I laughed so hard. Now I buy the Plum books the second they are available!
Enjoy the RITA books!
I just finished Blood of the Wicked by Leighton Gage. I found that book by following a friend to a signing at our local independent bookstore. I liked the author, so I bought the book. It's a great book, by the way.
In total, I've been reading about three books a week. I always have my favorite authors on pre-order, and then I depend on recommendations from friends, other authors and reading groups.
Last night, I started re-reading Dead and Berried by Karen MacInerney, just because I love those opening chapters about a ghost in a B&B. It was a comfort read.
Right now, I have a lot of books on the TBR shelf, but those that have somehow moved on over to my bedside table are Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke, Holy Smokes by Katie MacAlister, Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning, Be Mine Tonight by Kathryn Smith, Family Skeletons by Rhett MacPherson and A Misty Mourning by Rhett MacPherson. And, yes, it's a tall stack. My one-year-old son takes great joy in knocking over the 'ole book stack whenever he gets the chance.
Angie
I just finished reading KARMA GIRL by Jennifer Estep. It was a fantastic book! I read this book in just a couple of days because I couldn't put it down!
Now I am reading Janet Evanovich's book THREE TO GET READY. Love her books! I have the whole Stephanie Plum series but haven't read them all yet.
Also, I am starting the book, THE ACCIDENTAL WEREWOLF and it is really hilarious! I am not the far into yet but the first paragraph is a riot!
I have over 200 books in my TBR pile. I have such a hard time deciding what book to read next!
Michele L.
Thank you everyone for posting. I'm going to go down the list and maybe get some idea of what will be appearing on my book shelves next.
Thanks...
Crime Scene Christie
Just got my copy of Killer in High Heels from Amazon and all I can say is Bwhahahahahahah!!!
I just started it today and am already about halfway through.
Also got a couple of Jennifer Crusie books. Working my way through her back list. Unfortunately Amazon split my order and the half with your book hasn't arrived yet, Christie.
How many books do I read a month? Maybe 2-3. Generally speaking I only read before bed so it takes me longer to get through them.
Post a Comment