 | 8 Jan 09 |
Yes, I’m addicted to books. No surprise coming from an author, right? I love books. I love the way the look sitting on my shelves, I love the way they smell when you first crack them open (and there’s nothing like an old but well-dusted library!), I love the way they feel sitting in my hand at the dinner table, in my comfy chair, and especially during my increasingly rare bubble baths. (There is NOTHING better — okay, very little better — than reading a good book in a hot bath with candles, bubbles, a premium red wine, and cheese and crackers.)
My addition started young with the library. We couldn’t afford to buy a lot of books because they were expensive for a single mom and her only child to indulge in–so when I got a book to keep, it was treasured. They came on special occasions like birthdays or Christmas or as a reward for getting straight-As. (Yes, I was a geek. At least until high school, but that’s another story . . . )
But most of my books growing up I obtained–and returned–to the library. I was able to sample a lot of different books, because my mom’s shelves were dominated by crime fiction and romance. (Hmmm . . . any wonder I write romantic suspense?) When I was on my own, I didn’t buy many books because they’re expensive but I’d swap with friends and my mom. Over time, I started rebuilding my library–beyond Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, Lois Duncan, Stephen King, and Nora Roberts (see how I grew?)
Now, I get a lot of books for free. And I buy a lot of books. I’m dreading looking at QuickBooks to find out exactly what I spent on books (yes, I write off books–they’re research . . . either competitive research or research research, right?)
I suspect it’s a lot more than I think it is. And I think it’s pretty steep.
But I have a sub-addiction: Research Books.
I love the Internet, but I’m at the computer at least six hours a day (and usually ten) writing (or thinking about writing, or thinking about thinking about writing) and doing research online is not always fun. Sure, it’s great for the quick answer (what’s the name of the creek that runs parallel to Highway 49?) but for detailed research–the kind of research that isn’t specific, but where you want to almost absorb through osmosis a deeper understanding and feeling of a subject.
And then there’s the think about sources. I mean, where did Wikipedia get all that information and how do I know it’s right? At least with a book, I have someone to blame if it’s wrong! And with LOTS of books I can cross-reference and double fact-check and verify whether a submerged body turns green from the torso out of the limbs in.
Until recently, my addiction was forensics. I have somewhere between 28 and 30 forensics/crime/profiling/law type books. This doesn’t include dozens of true crime books (which I love because they give me an insight into the people involved in every aspect of the crime, though sometimes they’re too clinical and like a reporter writing a long article.) I’ve referenced all the books in this library, though some I’ve only read a couple pages, and others I’ve read cover-to-cover.
When I was writing SUDDEN DEATH, I binged on military books. I bought nine books, read two cover-to-cover, referenced small parts of three others (one on hand-to-hand combat which wasn’t military per se) and will probably never read the others. Or maybe I will, if I have another character like Jack Kincaid . . . (wait, I do. Three of them. Yowza, I’d better buy more books!)
But since I have only one more romantic thriller to write before I start the Seven Deadly Sins series, I started stocking my shelves with books about religion, the supernatural, demons, and witchcraft. I may have gone a bit overboard. (I DID say this was an addiction, right?)
33. Yep, thirty-three books. A couple I had before I started the series, like maybe four of them, but all the rest I bought over the last six months. I haven’t broken open the witchcraft books, including THE SATANIC RITUALS. (I’m kind of scared to do so, and I gave my St. Michael the Archangel medallion to my daughter’s best friend because I scared her when I told her I believed that demons were real. So until I get another . . . I think those books are best left closed. Okay, I’m a bit superstitious. Sue me.)
But there are some very intriguing books that I’ve read chunks of and suspect I’ll finish with them before I start the serious writing of Book One. My goal for this series, other than of course telling the stories as well as I possibly can, is to make it as real as possible. I need to believe it could happen, hence the research. Okay, so I want then to be scary . . . but I promise, as with all my stories, there will be a happy ending! It just might take seven books to get there . . .
Here’s a taste of my research:
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HELL by Miriam Van Scott.
LOVE this book. It’s simple, straightforward, a true encyclopedia with origins of demons (i.e. what culture), the levels of Hell in Dante’s INFERNO and cross-references to other literature, names of demons and the devil, plays, movies, and books that significantly reference Hell, etc. I’ll be referring to this book often. Not so much to read straight through, but a GREAT reference source without commentary.
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS: Jewish, Christian, and Classical Reflections on Human Psychology by Solomon Schimmel.
This one I’ve almost read straight through. It’s a fascinating discourse on human nature by showing the results of the seven deadly sins in our lives today, and while relating the sins to religious understand of sin in general, the books isn’t religious as much as it’s spiritual in helping see how the deadly sins affect everyone. I also love how he shows the deadly sins in class literature, such as Shakespeare’s Iago envying Othello’s success and wife. A real world example of envy in every day lives:
“Premed students, envious of the academic success of a classmate, maliciously destroy her laboratory experiments in which she had invested long hours of painstaking work. They hope thereby to ruin her chances of being accepted to a prestigious medical school.”
I’ll be finishing this book as it helps me understand the human psychology of the seven deadly sins. And when you have a demon affecting people, they’re all going to react differently–so I need all the examples I can get!
LILITH’S CAVE: Jewish Tales of the Supernatural by Howard Schwartz
I just started this book and read the first two stories, and it’s fascinating. I’m looking forward to getting back to it–particularly the older stories in the beginning of the book. I’ve always enjoyed myths, and I think because these are wholly new but explore similar themes as Aesop’s Fables (but not for children!) I’m intrigued.
THE DARK SACRAMENT: True Stories of Modern-Day Demon Possession and Exorcism
Using the experiences of a Protestant minister and Catholic priest who have encountered demon possession, haunted houses, and performed exorcisms, I read the first true story and was hooked. The appendix comes with additional research details and shorter stories. It’s very accessible and easy to dive into (whereas some of the research books are more laborious.) These are real people with their thoughts, feelings, fears, and how they dealt with the supernatural from a practical, earthly sense. Because my series is “real world” — meaning, it’s present day — I want to be as authentic as I can while still building my own world with rules. As far as I know, the seven deadly sins have not actually manifested themselves into corporeal demons, so I can make a lot of stuff up.
THE CRYPTOPEDIA: A Dictionary of the Weird, Strange and Downright Bizarre by Jonathan Mayberry and David Kramer
I like the way these guys write. This is more a reference book (truly a dictionary, but much more fun than a real dictionary!) if I need to look something up, but I’ve spent some time reading some of the entries . . .
Now, buyer beware . . . most of these books I bought on Amazon after reading the excerpts, checking out the author’s websites, or (gasp!) reading the reviews. I don’t read reviews on fiction, but I like to know the basic content: what am I going to get? I’ve bought books that had a lot of one-star reviews because the book had something that I wanted. And I’ve passed on books with glowing reviews because it was more of what I already have. BUT I did buy one book that seemed to be exactly what I wanted . . . and it was garbage. It was full of typos, brief one-paragraph chapters, poorly written, and full of her opinions about the supernatural, not anything of research value. Surprise, it was self-published. I usually look at the publisher to make sure I recognize it, but this time? Well, I got suckered by a slick cover. Live and learn. I tossed it in the trash. (I bought it, I can throw it away.)
That said, I’ve been also reading some Eastern myths . . . because, well, it’s all in the name of research.
What subject have you recently researched to death and what did you learn (or not learn?) Or what’s your favorite research book? Did you get suckered like me and buy something that wasn’t what you thought it was?
Oh, and because this blog post which was originally going to be short and sweet (Ha! Allison short OR sweet? Not.) and you read it all the way to the end . . . guess what? One lucky commenter will win an ARC of SUDDEN DEATH (Jack Kincaid’s book.) Just post a comment by midnight Friday PST and I’ll announce the winner over the weekend.
© 2009, Allison Brennan. All rights reserved.
Allison Brennan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award winning author of seventeen romantic thrillers and several short stories. She lives near Sacramento, California with her husband and five children. Recently, RT Book Reviews called Allison "A master of suspense." And Lee Child said of her Kincaid series launch, "A world-class nail-biter ... Brennan is in the groove with this one." For fun Allison enjoys wine tasting, swimming, kids sports, playing video games, and "of course" reading. Her most recent release is IF I SHOULD DIE, book three in the Lucy Kincaid series. Watch for SILENCED coming on 4.24.12.
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I’m the one who read the entire World Book Encyclopeida set when I was in jr. hi. I really don’t have a whole lot of research books. I don’t write historicals because they’d demand too much research (me being the one who hated history class). I’ve never undertaken a project that delved into things I needed to know a whole lot more about. I’m a grazer, I guess. If I need to know about firearms, I poke around the Internet and then find a contact person who can help me. If I need an entire book, I’d try the library first before buying one.
I do have Police Procedure & Investigation by Lee Lofland, Forensics for Dummies, by Doug Lyle, and Book of Poisons by Stevens & Bannon on my shelf. Some craft books, synonym finders, flip dictionary (and a favorite, the Descriptionary, for ‘when you know what it is, but not what it’s called).
by Terry Odell January 8th, 2009 at 3:44 amTerry, you crack me up.
I have some craft books, but I’ve tossed most of them. My faves are Vogler, SAVE THE CAT, and Stephen King. I’ve kept Sol Stein and STORY (though I really don’t like much about it–too dense and structured for me) I tossed Dwight Swain (okay, donated it to my chapter raffle) almost as soon as I bought it . . . yikes! I went cross-eyed trying to read and understand it. I have I think ALL of Doug Lyle’s books, Lee Lofland’s, and a couple sense textbooks like PROFILING by Turvey and PRACTICAL GUIDE TO HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION which I use to look things up, not to read cover to cover 
I also love finding people to help because as we all know, experience trumps everything.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 9:57 amI bougjt Noah Lukeman’s “First Five Pages” early on, and it was so depressing, I gave it away. Then, once I got serious, I bought another copy. Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne & King has been the most helpful. But if there was a good, “This is how to write and get pulbished” book, then everyone would be published. I looked at all the selections and figured they were doing more for the folks who wrote them than actually providing a ‘magic bullet’.
by Terry Odell January 8th, 2009 at 10:07 amI love books, including research and have way to many, especially the esoteric, philosopy kind about fairies, demons, ghosts, witches, tarot. That’s what writing paranormal mystery and urban fantasy will do to a straigh-forward mystery suspense library, with a little King and Koontz thrown in. Doesn’t quite explain Jane Austen or Gene Stratton Porter.
by Carol Shenold January 8th, 2009 at 6:46 amCarol, Jane and Gene round you out! Loving some things that are “out of genre” so-to-speak is part of your unique voice. I think because I’ve read a lot of King, Peter Straub, John Saul and similar as well as police procedurals while growing up, they have heavily influenced my darker voice. I haven’t gotten into the fairies and other mythical creatures, though I have a couple books on ghosts and haunted houses. I know, I know, some people don’t believe in ghosts. Not my problem! Again, we all have our own foundation and we do with it what comes natural.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:01 amAllison – I was raised by my mother and grandmother, as an only child. ( I found out when I was 27 that I had 7 half brothers & sisters.) I guess we know what my dad’s skills were. Anyway, my mom and I were at the library every Saturday morning. Books were magic, they still are. With 5 kids of my own it is wonderful to share my love of books w/ them.
I’m not really into research books.
by HollyD January 8th, 2009 at 7:01 amYou’re a reader Holly! Our favorite people here at MSW. I’m kind of shocked how much we’re a like–I was an only child raised by a single mom with my grandmother either in the house or down the street. I found out I had two half-sisters when I was 18 when I went to find my father. Amazing!
I love sharing books with my kids. I have one non-reader (my athlete, though when she finds a book that grabs her, she’ll stay up all night to read it. It’s rare, though.) And one avid reader (TWILIGHT series in two weeks, seriously, plus the Libba Bray series which were also hefty books.) I think my oldest son will read (probably only non-fiction . . . or the encyclopedia, like Terry, since he devours information like a sponge) and my 5 year old daughter read before kindergarden and she loves it. The littlest Brennan . . . the jury is still out. Right now he has far too much energy to sit through a story I read (longer than a picture book with one sentence on each page), let alone try to read himself.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:04 amOMG, I love this post! I am a research junkie too and I have added a couple of the books you mentioned to my amazon.com wish list!!!
Don’t be afraid of the witchcraft books, in real life witches are not at all scary, it’s Hollywood that’s given them a bad rep. It’s really quite interesting stuff!
Your comment about loving books is so right on. I wish my husband would understand why I feel the need to have hundreds (maybe more) of books and still want more. LOL. I used to bring them home from the library by the wagon-load!!!
As far as a good red wine…I have been looking for one for a long time, I usually do white zinfandel, but have been wanting to find a good red. What do you recommend?
by Lauren January 8th, 2009 at 7:06 amLauren, LOL . . . I know quite a bit about Wiccans, and they don’t scare me, but the witches who practice black magic . . . THEY scare me! My book starts with a group of teen-age girls who fashion themselves Wiccans, but one of them is evil and into the dark arts . . .
As far as red wine, I’m spoiled. I love good wine. For one of the best under $10 is Bogle merlot. One of my favorite cabernet’s (though it’s generally between $15-20) is Sterling. I also like Stag’s Leap, but I haven’t been happy with the last couple years released (04, 05) and since it’s expensive, I’ve hesitated trying it again. Merlots seem to be a good bet and I generally like them, even the cheaper merlots. Cabs, to me, tend to be acidic when they’re on the cheap side.
Karin knows a lot more about wine than me! Maybe she’ll pop in with some options.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:09 amDepending on the topic research can be my favorite part of writing or my least favorite part. Often times its just there. Most of my research books are texts that I needed for school, and being only 2 years out they are still for the most part up to date. My favorite would probably be the Criminal Investigation Handbook – by Maurello. The book has so much info in it and explains much more then you need to know. And it’s a practical handbook often used by police departments (yeah that who the target audience is for that one and the police departments pay much more then I did, it helped that my professor was the author) But I have other that are good and contain some useful information, plus all those years I was sitting in class I think some of it sunk in and that ‘research’ is just verification of information that I know. Even though my friends and some times my parents really wanted to know why I was not selling back my textbooks, I am glad that I saved them – it is saving me lots of money, more then I know since my parents purchased my textbooks to begin with! And Allison (granted most of them were for class or purchased for class research projects) I have over 50 different books covering various topics in criminology and criminal justice, yeah my dad needed to build me a few new bookshelves! That doesn’t include my psychology books or my books on government (that I really don’t need anymore but I just can’t seem to justify getting rid of them)
by Tiffany January 8th, 2009 at 7:12 amOkay, I’m jealous. I don’t have the Criminal Investigation Handbook . . . I think I need to visit Amazon today . . . I love my psychology books. And, like you, I have a hard time getting rid of books. I have a new office and virtually every shelf is full. I may have to purge some . . .
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:12 amOkay, I’m all about the bubbles, red wine and book…but cheese and crackers in the bath? Is it Brie? A new level of decadence, darling.
I’m buried in underwater salvaging and treasure hunting books right now as I finish MAKE HER PAY, my Oct. 2009 Bullet Catcher book with a salvage diving storyline. This time, I set the book close to home and got to do some very amazing hands on research with divers and the folks at a few of the treasure/diving museums down in Vero Beach. Books are great, but the plot line just takes on a life of its own when you do hands on research. (Although, this would be kind of difficult or, um, warm in hell.)
Great post!
by Roxanne St. Claire January 8th, 2009 at 7:28 amOoooohhhhh! I can’t wait to read MAKE HER PAY!!! I love Treasure Hunting/diving books. I read one years ago that was so, so good. I wish I could remember the author . . . maybe Jayne Anne Krentz.
I don’t like Brie. I know. Sue me. I usually have a selection of extra sharp cheddar, a milder gouda, and whatever happened to look good at the deli counter that week. My family loves cheese.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:16 amResearch is one of the best parts of writing. I’m gearing up for lots of Mississippi bayou and small town research. Although the Internet is an amazing place for research, there’s no replacement for books!
by Debra Webb January 8th, 2009 at 7:44 amDeb, when you get to that point, I can probably help.
by Toni McGee Causey January 8th, 2009 at 8:54 amEXACTLY Deb. The Internet is great, but I need the book. NEED . . . hence the title ADDICTION.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:16 amI have bought books for research that weren’t what I thought it was going to be, but I have so many others that have done the job for me. I use everything and anything to for research.
by Lee January 8th, 2009 at 7:46 amI just hate being misled about a book. It’s almost as bad as when someone tells me a book is fantastic and I go out, buy and read it, and keep waiting the the fantastic part.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:17 amWriting off books as research? Oooh, I am making a note of that one. Thank you!
by Hayley E. Lavik January 8th, 2009 at 8:07 amTalk to your accountant! Okay, I did my public service announcement for today
. . . I don’t want anyone getting mad at me for getting audited or something.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:17 amI’m right there with you on the reading addiction! I’m also online atleast 3 hours a day!
by Teresa W. January 8th, 2009 at 8:23 amYes, it IS an addiction. Brennan #2, my Reader Girl, has already finished all but one of the books I got her for Christmas (I got her like five or six) and has re-read TWILIGHT.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:18 amAllison, I want to come visit your library! Mine isn’t anywhere near as extensive. I need to invest it in, but after moving all my books to paint, then putting them back, I’m thinking research books on an electronic reader has it’s appeal!
One of my witch books THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WITCHES AND WITCHCRAFT is falling apart. It’s really old, but it just has so many useful tidbits that I’m always thumbing through it. My latest research book that I bought on black magic vanished. I vaguely remember stashing it someplace so as not to freak out houseguests, but I can’t find it now. Weird. And TOTALLY unlike me, I don’t lose things.
by Jen Lyon January 8th, 2009 at 8:45 amOh Jen! I want that book! (Note to self: Add to amazon list with criminal investigations book . . . )
BTW, I don’t worry about houseguests. They won’t be stealing the silver (if I had silver).
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:19 amI tend to go research book crazy, too. (And ditto on the book in the bubble bath with the wine and cheese and crackers. I thought that was a RULE.)
Most recently, I bought a lot of military books (some of the same as Allison), and my previous book research binge had been on the CIA, FBI, NSA, DIA, etc. I have a few forensic type of books, but that’s never been my focus in scenes–I tend to use the general information stuff. Right now I’m reading a few histories as reference for something (though I am not writing a historical)… but I think the best titles of these are Sex With Kings and Sex With Queens.
I sense I am about to be on another big book binge, as these characters form up. I’ve had to expand my bookcases to two other rooms aside from the converted dining room-now-library. Now I’m running out of room in the bedrooms, so I’m wondering if I can somehow finagle to get shelves up in my bathroom.
by Toni McGee Causey January 8th, 2009 at 9:00 amTime for a book purge. I do it periodically. It’s just really, really hard . . .
Sex With Kings? Hmmmm. Now I’m curious
If the bubble bath meal wasn’t a rule, it is now. Toni and I say so.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:21 amBooks mean the world to me. Since I was young I have been a dedicated reader and still am. I read at every interval I can and do not watch television and never had an interest in the tube. Thanks for this greaat post. Also, I am a devoted library user.
by anne January 8th, 2009 at 9:08 amHi Anne! Thanks for visiting. Books are knowledge, and without them, the human race would be far worse off. Stories challenged my imagination growing up, and still do now. I rarely read non-fiction (except true crime) until I had to in college, now I’m enjoying it.
I love TV, but not as much as I used to. I gave up TV for three years when I was working full-time out of the house and writing at night after the kids went to bed. I probably watch a fraction of what I used to. There are some days I don’t even turn it on (except to listen to my iTunes through the AppleTV.)
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:23 am[...] strengths, their weaknesses. And I want to buy more. I’m not alone, if today’s Murder She Writes post by Allison Brennan is any indication. Oh, would that I could buy books and count them as a tax [...]
by All in The Name of Research | Murder & Magnolias January 8th, 2009 at 9:12 amI just checked the moderation . . . yikes! Sorry some of you got caught in the net, but I’ve released you
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 9:57 amI do have a number of research books but I tend to be more of a stalker when it comes to research LOL! I find someone who really knows the subject and then I hound them to death he he.
Love your list of books! Oh and for me it’s wine and chocolate with my bubble bath
by wendy roberts January 8th, 2009 at 10:23 amWine and chocolate? Are we talking chocolate covered strawberries? I can withstand the candy, though when rich, red, juicy strawberries are immersed in warm, decadent chocolate, I tend to have a . . . oh, wrong blog.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 10:25 amResearching the seven deadly sins and satanic rituals must have been fascinating and educational. I haven’t bought research books since college. Even though my encyclopedia set is outdated, I still pull it out once in a while and look stuff up. Another favorite is the Hammond Citation World Atlas.
by Jane January 8th, 2009 at 1:55 pmJane, the most fascinating thing I’ve learned is the commonalities between the world’s major religions. Even disparate cultures who seem to have nothing in common have myths and religions with similar ideas of Heaven and Hell, even if they have different words and views and ideas about how to reach each place. Another incredible thing is that the seven deadly sins seem to be universal. As early as the Fourth Century, the deadly sins were named (including an eighth sin, sadness) but even prior to the time of Christ, the seven deadly sins were expounded upon including by Horace and Aristotle. But the Jewish people, the Buddists, and many others recognized the seven deadly sins even though they weren’t given a collective name. In fact, the whole premise of my series is not new, but going back to ancient beliefs that sins were external, actual demons we battled lest they find root in our bodies. Very interesting stuff.
by Allison Brennan January 8th, 2009 at 3:26 pmOK – have never heard Trixie Beldon mentioned before!! I hardly find anyone who has ever heard of her . She was my all time favorite, have read all the books at least five times. It was in this series that a lifetime passion for reading was born. Must start researching collecting those books!! thanks for reminding me of a name I haven`t heard in a long time, made me smile…
by Susan January 8th, 2009 at 4:02 pmI love books. The husband would say more than the children. LOL A book is a friend, a companion, a shoulder to lean on, an hour to lose yourself. What’s not to love?
I buy a lot of Ann Rule’s true crime books. I find it fascinating to read of people who start out so in love and then end up killing one of them. I want to know what break brought them to that point, why did they fall out of love?
by Amanda January 8th, 2009 at 4:40 pmI love research! and research books. I also love to scour the internet. I did and continue to do a lot of research for my historicals. I love the intrigue. But recently, I have been watching a lot of assassin movies for research for my current RS series. Fascinating.
by Karin Tabke January 8th, 2009 at 4:41 pmA friend gave me this book: “The Complete Dictionary of Symbols in Myth, Art and Literature”. Great information.
by kmg January 10th, 2009 at 6:30 pm