What kind of reader are you? Do you read every book that a particular author publishes? Do you only read romance novels? Do you only read science fiction? Do you mix up your reading material so that you have a wide variety? What would it take for you to drop an author off of your must read list?
I’m a selfish reader. I read what I want, when I want. It is all about me. If I’m not feeling a particular story, it’s not getting read. Reading is a release for me. It’s an escape into another world. I’m not willing to let anybody interfere with my “me time” and that includes the author.
I choose where I want to go when it comes to my reading selection. Maybe I should write a choose your own romance novel.
i’m like you, i read what i want, though sometimes i’m duped into reading something because it’s won an award or the cover looks good, but the story turns out less than appealing to me. i read all kinds of genre, but generally i read more young adult and chick lit books.
and a cute quiz to go with your title
http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_kind_of_reader_are_you
By: sulz on December 5, 2006
at 7:08 pm
sulz- thanks, I’ll check out the quiz and tell you what it says.Okay, I took the quiz and it said I’m a dedicated reader always reading. It also had me bordering on obsessive compulsive.
By: scooper on December 5, 2006
at 10:21 pm
I read everything, but I tend to go in cycles. I’ll read lots of romance for a while, then switch to true crime, then move on to fantasy, then mystery, then maybe some big fat historical fiction, then back to romance. It just depends on my mood. If I find an author I really enjoy I’ll try to read all that they’ve done.
By: Gypsy on December 6, 2006
at 11:11 am
“I’m not willing to let anybody interfere with my “me time” and that includes the author.”
I find this really interesting, especially the last part about the author. I know what you mean, but I don’t personally have this same sentiment. (Maybe I don’t know what you mean, but I assume it relates to “not feeling a story, so you’re not reading it” thing.) The books I read, I tend to want to read in full. I think a lot of times I choose them because of the author, or I choose them because I’m drawn to his or her style, or maybe he or she is experiementing. But, if the story sucks it sucks. However, to avoid this, I choose my books carefully. Or, I buy them used and thus they are cheap and it really doesn’t matter if, in the end, I absolutely loved it or not.
By: Ginsprich on December 6, 2006
at 11:45 am
gypsy- I do that too. For awhile I only read historical romance, then I went to suspense, before going on to science fiction and paranormal romance. Throw into the mix required reading from school (Anatomy, Chemistry, Writing for the Web, Poly Sci) and you’ve got my reading list from August to today.
After today things will be slightly different because the semester is almost over and there are only finals left to take. Yippee!!!!
By: scooper on December 6, 2006
at 11:55 am
Ginsprich- I don’t buy a book just because I usually like the author. For example, I love Christine Feehan’s Ghostwalker series. I’m not into her Drake sisters series too much. When it comes to reading the Ghostwalkers it’ll take some serious mojo for me not to read, but less with the sisters.
When it comes to the sisters, I take it book by book. If the back doesn’t sound promising I won’t read it. I guess this is my way of saying, I’m a fickle reader. I owe loyalty to myself. That said, I do appreciate my authors. Without them I’d be stuck in reality and everybody would suffer. *grin*
By: scooper on December 6, 2006
at 12:02 pm
I’m a glommer. Which means once I find an author I love (and have read at least 2 books by said author) I immediately start buying their entire backlist until I own every book they’ve ever written. It’s kind of sad and disturbing in a way, but there it is.
As for what I read…well, everything. I have a weakness for romance novels and the classics, but I always say, “If it’s a book, I’ll read it” and that’s the truth. True Crime, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Fantasy, Biography, Historical Fiction, whatever. I like them all. I go in spurts, though. I’ll be on a romance kick and read strictly romance for months, and then I’ll switch to Mystery. Just depends on my mood. lol
I tend to hold out hope for an author longer than I probably should. Let’s take Julie Garwood for example. She was the first romance author I ever read. I started with a contemp (Killjoy), which was ok, but her historicals were just amazing. I read her entire backlisted historicals and then picked up her contemps. Which just plain sucked in comparison. But I read all of them. I won’t be reading her newest, though. I finally gave up, after 5 bad books. Even if she writes another historical, I probably won’t read it.
Hmm, I kind of rambled there, I think.
By: Holly on December 6, 2006
at 1:31 pm
I read across the spectrum, trying to avoid literary award winners (I seem to wind up throwing a disproportionate amount of them across the room. Must be the ghost of MFA past, making me do such a thing).
How to get an author off my radar? Write a bad book. If it’s the first one I’ve read, forget it. I have too many others either here or that I’m wishing for. If it’s one bad one after some good, I’ll read a few more. Maybe it was a hiccup.
Sometimes, authors like Sharyn McCrumb only write one series that I can stand. Elizabeth McPherson can go away for all I care. Give me more mountain folk!
By: Susan Helene Gottfried on December 6, 2006
at 3:41 pm
Holly- I’m a fan of Garwood historicals too. I tried to read a few of the contemporaries but I’ve not been impressed by them. The historicals always made me feel good and I usually got a good chuckle out of them.
Susan- There’s nothing like starting a book that’s been praised and then wanting to hang yourself for ignoring that little voice that told you not to buy it.
By: scooper on December 6, 2006
at 6:04 pm
Buy? Rarely these days. I am an avid online trader — but once I love something, look out! I’ll buy out all 100 at BookCloseOuts.com!!! (or four at full price. Comes out the same)
Horrible for a writer to admit, huh?
By: Susan Helene Gottfried on December 6, 2006
at 7:41 pm
susan- hey, I appreciate honesty. I’m just to lazy to look around for a deal, not to mention I’m just to impatient. Looks like I need to check out Bookcloseouts.com, huh?!
By: scooper on December 6, 2006
at 8:31 pm