Tuesday, July 28, 2009

My Out of Control Book Habit

I went book crazy this week, even while I was still reading a book I checked out of the library. I'm out of control. After too many months of working on other projects, withdrawal set in. I had to start reading for fun again. It's not as if I didn't have enough unread books in the house. It's just...bookstores call to me...it's a siren's song.

The two books I just finished:

Three Weeks to Say Good-Bye by C. J. Box
Lords of Corruption by Kyle Mills

The one I'm reading now:

Pretty Is As Pretty Dies by Elizabeth Spann Craig

And the other new purchases:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Preserving Food by Karen K. Brees, Ph.D.
Freezer Burn by Gayle Carline
The Doomsday Key by James Rawlins
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
My Antonia by Willa Cather
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Apostle by Brad Thor
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Call of the World by Trent Newcomer
Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan
The Call of the Wild and White Fang by Jack London
Living With Your Kids is Murder by Mike Befeler

See what I mean? Out of control. And there are still a few books by new friends that are on my list for future buys. If this keeps up, I'll have to request a bailout for reckless book buying.

14 comments:

Terry Odell said...

I'm about 100 pages into The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. You'll have to let me know how you like it. I've found I have to have another book going at the same time (something I rarely do) because I can't read that one in my normal reading haunts, like the Y or at the hair salon. It requires too much concentration. (Did I say I like 'escape' reading?)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I'm humbled to have my book in such good company on your bedside table!

I started "Dragon Tattoo" and ran out of time before the library took it back (wish I had more time to read lately!) I'm going to try it again soon.

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

Patricia Stoltey said...

I agree, Karen. When I attend the writers' conferences and mystery conventions, I get in even more trouble because I meet new writers, find them fun and interesting, and want to see how they write and what they have to say. So many books, so little time.

Terry and Elizabeth, I'll put Dragon Tattoo high on the list and let you know how it goes.

Anonymous said...

I think it's a fine habit to have. You've just given me some titles to add to my To Read list.

Terry Odell said...

Patricia -- I'd rather see one of MY books high on your list! :-)

Patricia Stoltey said...

Terry, I see what you mean...okay, stacks of books now rearranged....LOL

joe doaks-Author said...

I left a similar post at Nancy Sharpe's blog, but it's applicable here. Where do you good folks find the time to read these things. Is it just me? Do I do too much digital fiddling? (For sure.) Am I a slow reader. (Not particularly)—A slow worker. (Oh yeah.)

I assure you, however, in all honesty, readers who can tackle...or even think about tackling the list you've got...and be looking for more…have my highest respect. I just can't keep up. But, bless you all. I never realized until I started visiting friends blogs how “accomplishment deficient” I am. (Sigh)

Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog

Terry Odell said...

Galen - I MAKE time for reading. I read on the recumbent bike -- that's a guilt-free uninterrupted 32 minutes 4 times a week. I read every night in bed. But I also have TBR LISTS, not piles. I rarely have more books than half a dozen books on hand that I haven't read (not counting giveaways that aren't my preferred genre).
I have TBR lists, not piles.

On good days, I'll also take a brief afternoon reading break.

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

I know what you mean, Patricia. I love books but they stack up way faster than I can read them!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Terry, I have a TBR list as well. I tote it along when I go to the library or to the library used book sales.

Galen, I gotta read just like I gotta write. Can't help it.

Elspeth Futcher said...

Patricia, I highly highly recommend "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society". I admit that I read it first because I have a mystery happening on Guernsey during the Occupation, I have reread it and reread it because it is a beautiful love story to the joy of reading.

Hope you enjoy it as well!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Elspeth, your stories sound pretty good too. I'd like to hear more.

To all -- went to the library to return those two book. Picked up another one. Really, I did.

N A Sharpe said...

Guilty pleasures, my friend and a fine reading selection you have - I am so jealous! Enjoy!!!!

Nancy, from Realms of Thought…

Anonymous said...

That's a bunch! Where do you get them, Amazon? I'm going to order yours ASAP, and I hope you'll order mine too.

CJ Box is at the top of my rading list too. I met him at the MWA symposium in NYC; he was very friendly and I liked his cowboy hat!

Julie Lomoe's Musings Mysterioso
http://julielomoe.wordpress.com