How do you pick what blogs or books to read? What’s the one thing that will get you to pick up a book or click on a link every single time?
As a fantasy writer, I definitely read what I write. I love stories with dragons, elves and high adventure. You can bet that I am browsing for fantasy titles at the bookstore! I have shelf after shelf of fantasy novels that I need to get around to reading, and plenty that I have already read. I grew up on Anne McCaffrey, Tamora Pierce and Richard Grant, and I evolved from there. I have a shelf of classic literature, one on culture, religion and linguistics (non-fiction), and some translated foreign literature. I have a lot of sci-fi, too. Lately I have been gathering certain youth-fiction titles, like Among the Hidden and City of Ember.
Truth be told, I haven’t had as much time to read as I would like. I come home from working 11 hours and I’m exhausted and lucky if I am able to read in bed without falling right to sleep. I try to put more time into writing, so reading has taken the dreaded back burner. Still, I have Howl’s Moving Castle on my nightstand, and I am getting to it as often as I can (maybe half the nights of the week). Then It’s back to Lirael, then Elric. After that, maybe something classic.
I don’t go for what is super popular, or mysteries or romance. No way will I touch a western, and the only things close to horror that I have read are certain classics, maybe a vampire book, and a few Ravenloft titles. I think if some people want to read these genres, that’s fine, because at least you’re reading. I just don’t enjoy them, and I’m too busy trying to read all the fantasy and classics I have.
Legends of Lorata 