Before I started seriously writing, I read a minimum of one book a week. Usually two or three books a week, in addition to school or work or raising the kids. When I was on maternity leave with my son in the summer of 2001, I read 77 books in four months. Two of those books — THE THIRD VICTIM by Lisa Gardner and THE SEARCH by Iris Johansen — jumpstarted my dormant writing. I’d put aside writing when I started having kids, because raising kids + working full time = no time for writing. I changed that in March of 2002 by giving up television.
In March of 2003 I had another baby, Brennan #4, (yes, I know how babies are made) and while my maternity leave was shorter (I didn’t have enough accrued sick and vacation time for the full four months), I still only read 4 books in two months. Four. Books. Why? Because I spent all my free time writing.
My reading dwindled down to a book a month, sometimes two. Nowhere near the five books a week I’d been reading in 2001. A few years ago, realizing that I was only reading my die hard, never fail me authors and galleys for blurbs, I committed myself to reading one book a week.
The only reason I can say I read 52 books or more each year for the last three years is because I’ve judged the RITA and the Thriller awards. I AVERAGED one book a week, but I binged–reading 5 books one week, then nothing for a month.
I’ve gotten better about this, though again, I’m back down to two books a month. I’m FIVE BOOKS behind in the JD Robb series. I used to make a personal commitment that I’d read the newest book before the next came out, and now I’m far behind.
I did read the last Lisa Gardner and Tess Gerritsen books the week they came out, but I have Robert Crais’s latest, and haven’t cracked the spine — though it’s Joe Pike and I love Joe Pike. 🙂
I buy a lot of books I don’t end up reading. I give many to my mom, and others sit on my shelf glaring at me to open them and read them. I want to. But I get lost in good books. I can’t write, I just want to finish reading the book. Which is why I read a book on every plane trip, because I read fast and if it’s good, I’ll finish it while sitting in the airport with my baggage, or right when I check into the hotel. I read ICE COLD by Tess Gerritsen flying back from Thrillerfest last year, and I had 40 pages when I got home. That night, after the kids went to bed, I finished it. I had to. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep otherwise!
To put me back on track to read one book a week, I decided that I needed a theme. Or, rather, a hobby of sorts. Okay, not so much a new hobby, as it involves reading, but I’ve embarked on a new project: I’m reading crime fiction and suspense “classics” that I missed over the years. Books that I always meant to read, but never got around to.
I started with THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (1955) by Patricia Highsmith. I never saw the movie, and I had always wanted to read the book. I picked it first because she wrote it in the viewpoint of a sociopath. And she does it extremely well. I’m almost done–hope to finish this weekend. (As well as the old JD Robb I’m trying to finish in my effort to catch up!)
Next up in my classic tales of murder and crime, is A KISS BEFORE DYING (1953) by Ira Levin. Another tale of a sociopath, but this one plotting the murder of his pregnant girlfriend. (Hmm, I’m sensing a theme to my selections!) I picked this because my pal and Murderati blog mate Robert Gregory Browne recommended it a year or two ago. I bought it, then it sat on my shelf. Now, it’s at the top of my TBR pile.
Then, it’s THE SIMPLE ART OF MURDER (1950) by Raymond Chandler. I picked Chandler because I hadn’t read anything by him. I’ve read several Dashiell Hammett books–THE THIN MAN, THE DAIN CURSE, and THE MALTESE FALCON) — but none by his contemporary. I picked this book because it’s a collection of short stories and I’ve been writing (and reading!) a lot of short stories lately. While I hope to get to it before the end of February, because I have a book due in March and a release at the end of February, this might have to wait until April.
And then, I’ll decide which 1940s or 50s crime classic I’ll read next.
What about you? Is there a classic book–anything published before 1960 let’s say–that you’ve always wanted to read but never did? THE ODYSSEY by Homer? (I read it in high school, then had to read THE ILIAD in Latin for third year Latin. I remember the former, but not a word of the latter.) Or THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald? (I read in high school and loved it; I think I was one of the few. It was the voice. I also had a fascination with Evelyn Waugh when I had to read THE LOVED ONE in school. A satire, but it stuck with me for years. When I first drove past Forest Lawn in L.A., 10 years after reading the book, it was the first thing I thought of!) Or maybe TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES (depressing), ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand (brilliant, if a bit over-written–I prefer the simple, straightforward ANTHEM), or THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN by Twain (fabulous story, I’ve read a lot of Twain. I prefer this book to TOM SAWYER, but think I like his short stories the best.)
Something else? What tickles you? What have you always wanted to read but haven’t . . . and don’t want to admit it? I promise, it’s a secret–just between us, here at Murder She Writes. Share, and I’ll enter you in a contest — I’m giving away five copies of LOVE ME TO DEATH to friends! Meaning, you win, you get to pick a friend you want to give my book to. I’ll sign it, credit you with your thoughtfulness, and send it off to your lucky buddy! You get all the credit, and I (hopefully) get a new reader.
I’m still so impressed that you read THE ILIAD in Latin. That’s seriously one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard. I’ve had to read both that and THE ODYSSEY for school and I can honestly say it’s two of the very few mandatory readings I actually enjoyed.
I’m very ashamed to say I’ve never read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, though I always meant to. It sounds really nice. Also, I’d love to read the complete works of Fernando Pessoa (a Portuguese poet from the early 1900s and the most fabulous poet EVER), under his FOUR heteronyms. I’ve read several of his poems, but never all.
Something I’ve always wanted to read and haven’t, and don’t want to admit it? don’t want to admit that I’ve wanted to read, or that I haven’t read? Umm… I’ll take the first one, because I have no answer for the latter. Something I’ve always wanted to read was… erotica. I’m curious to see just how it works, but I’m way too shy and there’s a prude living here in me. 😛
Barbie, I enjoyed PRIDE when I was a teenager, though it’s a bit slower than books I prefer. I should clarify that I had to translate THE ILIAD before I could read it, because while I did well in first and second year LATIN, I barely survived third year. I didn’t get a lot out of the book!
I so enjoyed your post and have jotted down some new books to try. I am an avid mystery/thriller/suspense reader and I’m looking forward to your upcoming release.
I want to read the complete works of Josephine Tey and hopefully will get to it this year. I read a short blurb on her life which twigged my interest in her writing.
Hi Louise! Thank you . . . and I hope you get to those works! I haven’t read them, but there have been authors who have intrigued me who I read more for that reason than because of their work. That’s how I read the first Michael Connelly–I liked his background, and just picked up a book because of that.
I’m like Barbie: Pride and Prejudice tops my list of books I keep saying I’ll read. That, and the Bible–cover to cover. Thanks for a thought-provoking column.
cover to cover on the bible . . . I’ve read chunks, but I doubt I could read the whole thing (especially the Old Testament.) Nice thing about Catholic Mass–through the liturgical year, they pick a gospel and then pull out all the relevant OT readings related to the gospel. So by the end of the year, you’ve “read” the entire gospel (i.e. Mark, Luke, Matthew) and all the OT parallels. Maybe by the time I’m dead I’ll have read the entire book . . .
My reading has definitely taken a dive since I’ve been writing several books a year, and I hate it, too. My family surprised me with a Kindle for Christmas and I already see an improvement in reading. It’s so darn easy and fun to get instant gratification!
I have never read a J.D. Robb book and I’m daunted by the sheer number of them now. I thought I wouldn’t like a series about a married couple – I’m all about the journey to that point – but I keep hearing about what a great hero Roarke is. I think the Kindle is going to open the J.D. Robb door for me. What is the first book called? I want to start with that one.
Great post, as always! xo
NAKED IN DEATH is the first Robb book, Rocki. I discovered these books several years ago and after reading the first from the library (and not able to get a copy of the second as they were all checked out!), I gave in and ordered them all in used paperback. From #20 on, I have them in hardback (and the anthologies in paperback). My goal is to have all the hardbacks AND digital copies on Kindle for easy reading. I revisit this entire series at least once a year and lose much sleep when I do. LOL
I’ve read all JD Robb books from about #8 on. (Okay, I’m behind, but I’ve read them in order.) I’ve never gone back to read the first books. I’ve heard from some people that the earlier books were rougher and that those who discovered the books later, don’t enjoy the earlier books. So I’m scared. But I did buy NAKED IN DEATH. Someday I’ll take the plunge . . . and yes, you should read them. They are both amazing characters with lots of history before they met, and because they’ve only been married a year in her world, there is still a lot of conflict and learning about each other. Both are strong-willed, stubborn, and love each other. My favorite re: conflict was when Roarke’s old lover from his criminal days came back and Eve was jealous. It was so organic to the story, and their conflict was so real, and I understood both their arguments and how they felt about the other’s reaction, that I could not put the book down waiting to see how they resolved it. And the mysteries are (usually) excellent. (I’ll admit, there have been 2 or 3 where the mystery didn’t hold — but most are very intriguing.)
Anyway, I ramble, but it is one of my favorite series, and since I’m writing a series with the same h/h I have learned so much about keeping them interesting and the conflict real.
Allison, NAKED is worth the read! It’s probably my favorite book in the whole series. It is such a personal glimpse into Eve and Roarke that my heart aches even when I read for the umpteenth time!
I read a lot of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Elmore Leonard in high school- I was heavily into detective/mystery fiction then. I haven’t read them in years but now you’ve got me itching to hit the used bookstore to see what I can find.
I started reading ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ series last year and I almost wonder I passed this up so many times before. Now I plan to re-read the books with a pencil in hand so I can underline all the best lines.
I think you could spend a lifetime reading all the classics and still not get to all of them. And I know when I kicked my writing into high gear my reading went really downhill. This year I’m finally getting a good rhythm between the reading and writing. And I do have a classic or two I’d like to fit in (Pride and Prejudice being on top of that list).
I do love my crime fiction! When I was in high school, I read a lot of Agatha Christie, Stephen King (suspense, not crime, but fabulous) and Joseph Wambaugh. My mom also had this series about a female detective before female detectives were popular, by Lillian O’Donnell, and I really enjoyed them.
Ugh, there are a ton of older books I want to read. In fact, I made a short list and resolved to read at least five classics this year.
Several years ago, I picked up a set of Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason series at an estate sale, and I’d like to read all of those. Oh, and in keeping with that genre, someday I want to finish reading all the Mickey Spillane novels. (If you haven’t read Gardner or Spillane, Allison, I’d totally recommend them.)
I’ve read one or two Spillane’s, a long time ago. None of Gardner. I can put that on my list after Chandler.
what a great idea, Allison. I’m deplorably read in anything but contemporary fiction. I was a poor student and did not read as I should have because i was always sneaking books instead of doing homework. I love the fictio of the south and would love to revisit favorites and complete my reading of 20th century southern fiction. that’s sort of cheating because it’s still contemporary. i watch my kids reading for their english classes and by the time they leave high school they will be far better read than i.
What a great post! There have been so many times that I thought about picking up some classics but then decided not to. Maybe this year I will challenge myself to do so. I was able to download a few for free for my Nook so maybe I will give it a go. I agree with Barbie and LSUReader, I have always wanted to read Pride and Prejudice. I hear so many good things about the book. I think I may just read that next. Thanks for the inspiration!
I read anything I want now so there’s nothing I have on a list to be read. I cheerfully admit I like to read for pleasure and reading classics isn’t usually it.
For college, one book I groaned at having to read was Moby Dick. But I absolutely loved it. Reread it at least 5 times. But Melville wrote in a style which didn’t bother me to read. I’ve tried to read Dickens, but it’s a slog and not worth it if I don’t have the need or interest, regardless of them being classics.
I am a fan of Twain and have read pretty much all of his work, including Huck Finn, many times.
I enjoy the classics and have read many which I appreciated. Your list is wonderful. I have not yet read James Joyce.
I haven’t read James Joyce, either. I started one book, but it was hard to get into.
what a wonderful idea for a give away! There are so many classics I want to read, but don’t know if I would like them, but I want to be able to say “I read that!” Like the Narnia series, Alice In Wonderland, Dracula and Frankenstein (I have those on my kindle). I have read lots of the Roman and Greek classics, but want to read them as an adult. Dante’s Inferno, I could go on. I actually get sad and overwhelmed when I finish a book and have to pick the next one. There are so many, how will I ever read them all, how do I pick? With new books I want coming out every week, how will I ever catch up and read them all!!! (sorry, I’m okay now )
Sharon, I’m with you on the choices–there’s going to be a backlash among readers, if there isn’t already. I love Greek and Roman mythology (I took a class in it when I was a senior and read a lot of the stories.) I read FRANKENSTEIN, but you know I’ve never read DRACULA! I’m going to add that to my list.
Basically my philosophy is, if I want to read it…I do. I guess the one series that I did read and don’t talk much about is the Twilight series. I loved them so much more then the movies but usually catch a lot of crap about it. I am a new reader and have only been crazy about it for about a year and a half. I enjoy all romance sub-genres and change it up so I don’t get bored. In that time I have read probably 150-200 books, both full novels and short stories. I usually read about 2-3 books a week when I am working a normal schedule, sometimes less if I am busy, but if I have more time off I will read more. Sometimes I will read 2 books in one weekend. I love reading and when I am in the middle of a book I can’t help but read it cause to me it is like watching a movie then stopping right before the end. I need to know what happens. If I am in between books it drives me nuts if I don’t know what book I am going to start next so I at least have to pick it out, even if I can’t start it right away 🙂
Great blog and contest!!! My sister-in-law is my book buddy and always enjoys it when I win these contests cause she is the one who gets the books, LOL!!!
I haven’t read the TWILIGHT SERIES, but my daughter enjoyed them but hated the movies, too (though she said the third movie was better.) I think she expected them to be too much like the books. But now, she doesn’t love them as much, I think her tastes have changed. What really gets her, though, are books that have the TWILIGHT theme (“I love you, I want you” — “But I’m bad for you, I’ll kill you” — “I don’t care, I can’t live without you!”) but don’t pull it off nearly as well. Also, she had a problem that Bella wanted to commit suicide when Edward left. I’m glad she had a problem with that!
Still, the books resonated with a whole generation (or two!) of readers. The first book will certainly become a classic.
I’m on eof the few who haven’t read Pride And Prejudice. I read a few pages and was bored. I know…heresy. But I should read it!
Your reading list is very impressive!
The beginning is boring, Jen, don’t stress. Even my daughter, who loves historicals, though the beginning didn’t grab her. But she’s going to read it later. It might not be dark enough for her, LOL.
I must admit that I have never read Tom Sawyer. I don’t really know how I missed it but it wasn’t one of the books that I studied in school and I just never picked it up at the library. I had always intended to do so.
I remember that Huck Finn was required in whatever class it was, but not Tom Sawyer. But, I had a collection with those two plus THE PRINCE AND THE PAUCER, so I read all three. I really love Twain–his voice just stands out to me.
I guess it would have the be Jane Austins books that I never got around to reading and I heard so much about them. The Pride And Prejudice is one of them that I have been meaning to read and I have it on my Kindle but just haven’t got around to reading it yet. There is just so many books I want to read and so little time to read them.
So many books, so little time . . . true, true.
Allison, I hear you on the reading taking a backseat. I took an 11-day cruise a few weeks after getting my Kindle. Even though I also had to work on final revisions while I was gone, I read incessantly. LOVED having time to Just. Read. Since then, I go in fits and starts but I’m trying hard to read at least a book a week. I’ve also gotten to the point of not finishing books if they don’t hold my attention. SO many books, so little time! (Yes, this hammers home what I need to beef up in my own writing!)
Let’s see…Classics/old books I haven’t read and wish I had…OH! I received a box of early editions of Baroness Orczy’s Scarlet Pimpernel books from an English friend. The first book has a copyright date of 1950. 😀 I’ve read it in modern paperback reprint, but I want to reread it and the rest of them. It’s not quite the whole series, but close. I should check to see if they’re available on Kindle…
Oh, that sounds fun!!! . . . I blogged at Murderati last week about not finishing books I don’t like. Too many good books to waste time on something that doesn’t draw me in.
Wow, nice to know I’m not alone in not reading Pride/Prejudice. I’ve always wanted to read Tom Sawyer. I can get it on my Kindle and download it to my iPod touch.
Rocki–JD Robb’s In Death–gotta try it. The world/relationships/people she’s built–amazing!!
A lot of the classics are free as e-books. I’ve downloaded a few to my iPad, but haven’t read them yet. I don’t feel as engaged with my ereader as I do with a physical book. Maybe that will change . . .
As a romance writer I feel I’ve been neglectful by not reading Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice yet. They are now on my Nook and TBR.
Yeah you Jill! I remember I liked them when I was a teenager; I don’t know what I’d think of them now, but my daughter (14) thought P&P started out slow, so she decided to read ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST instead. (there was a list of like 100 books and she had to pick one to read.)
Fun topic, Allison!
I’ve got a couple books like this on my TBR pile… Classics I somehow missed. They include LOLITA, CATCH-22, and THE GRAPES OF WRATH. One thing about my book club is it makes me read outside my comfort zone.
I hated the GRAPES OF WRATH. Loved CATCH-22. (Well, loved it in a depressing way.) Never read LOLITA.
Haven’t read many “classics” since they stopped being required reading. Have yet to read Jane Austen (You did say this was a confidential confession). However, I am caught up on JD Robb. There ARE priorities, you know.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I have always wanted to read the entire Sherlock Holmes series. I have read a few but not all of them. I would like to one day read them in order. A few others are: Oliver Twist, War and Peace, Madame Bovary, Dracula, and Moby Dick. They are all classics that I keep saying one day. It just seems that I have so many books to read and never enough time.
Not in to classics too much nor have I been tempted to try any. I have read a few many years ago but now with all the great authors out there I would rather read new books.
I don’t read History books. Lord knows I have tried but I just can’t get into it. I have read a lot of the classic literature but it was a long time ago AND for school so I would like to read them again for myself.
Wow, wow, wow! I am so impressed! I need to take up this hobby!
I read this in high school but that way too long ago to remember, but I still love the feeling of Camelot. I would love to have time to read The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights, which I’ve stuck on Kindle but not had time to read yet. Once spring is here I hope to have time to enjoy reading while my house has a dog going off to boot camp.
Good Luck with the self-publishing and the new releases coming up.
I loved THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING which is one of the stories of Arthur. Hmm, I might have to look up some more . . .
I’ve had John Fowles’ The Collector in my TBR stack for ages (1963, so I fudged a little). Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train is right next to it.
Great question Allison!
I’m not really into reading classics but I have always wanted to read “Gone With the Wind” (I’ve seen the movie and really enjoyed it).
I grew up really quick right out of highschool. I was engaged in May of 2000, graduated highschool in June of 2000 and found out I was expecting in September of 2000 and had my little man in May of 2001. I loved reading when I was in school. I read a lot of Dean Koontz, Stephen King and V.C. Andrews. After having my son and struggling in being an adult and learning how to be a mom, reading was somewhat lost to me. 7 years and 2 more kids later I was struggling and felt like I lost pieces of myself. I didn’t know who I was outside of “MOM” and “HONEY” I decided to pick up reading again, not reading kids books to my kids, but books for me that I enjoy. I wasn’t sure where I was going when I entered the bookstore. It had been years and it was a little overwhelming. The first few books I picked up where some of the same I liked from H.S., I enjoyed them, but they didn’t do it for me. I was in a different state of mind and a lot older. Next, I picke up Atonement, Reservation Road, The Shack and The Road. Again, I liked the books, but I wanted more. Back to the book store and this time I hit gold. I picked up a Susan Elizabeth Phillips book, Linda Howard, and Larissa Ione and Mary Blayney and was thrust into the worl of romance, Paranormal, UF, Contemporary, and Romantic suspense. I finally found something that was for me and me alone and was able to find free time to myself to get lost in an amazing book. It has been bliss. I love the books I pick up and have recently discovered erotic romance and indie authors. Though I have only read a couple of each I am hoping to explore some more and see what else is out there.
I’m with rocki way up there. J.D. Robb. I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts. I’ve read a zillion of her books and have never read a In Death book yet. Confessing here that i actually have about 10 of them sitting on my bookshelf but i haven’t read even one. Same reason as Rocki. there are so many of them i’m not sure i want to commit the time to start them. If i do i will NEED to read them all in order without reading anything in between. I’ll feel like i have to do it that way lol Then there is tracking them all down. The library won’t have all the ones that i don’t although i can interloan them that takes waiting time for them to come. I also got a Kindle for Christmas so perhaps i just need to get book one and get started! lol
Lisa B
well, i just found this blog (linked up from Lori Armstrong’s site), and i’m looking forward to following; finding some great new reads, and meeting a few new (to me) authors! and a contest to boot! how lucky am i?