Funny that since I started writing I have done less reading. My crit partners and friends on Facebook or Twitter always talk about the books they are reading. I feel like such a slacker! I read at night, just before I go to bed, for perhaps half-an-hour. Or if I’m out somewhere, stuck in a waiting room, I pull out my Kindle and read until it’s my turn.
As a result, my TBR list has grown in leaps and bounds. Because I run across books all the time and say “I must read that!” and then don’t. One friend in my local RWA chapter reads books at red lights! I don’t know how she does that. I’d be dead if I tried that–killed by drivers enraged that I sat through the red and green lights because I “just had to finish the chapter.”
I have always been a voracious reader and when I first started writing I went for weeks on end when I did nothing but read romance novels. Didn’t write a word, but absorbed everything I could from those books. Now the pendulum has swung to the opposite side and all I can think about is writing. But I feel the need to go back, read more, maybe sleep less. But I need to escape not into my fictional worlds, but into others’.
So here is my TBR list, or part of it–I don’t want you to spend the day on this blog. LOL These are in no particular order, when I read I read according to my mood, not when I added a book to the list.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Recommended by a crit partner who also loves historicals
The Help by Katheryn Stockett Looks like a lot of fun and I’m from the south.
Through the Rabbit Hole by Lisa Kumar One of my crit partners’ books; I read excerpts that really intrigued me–and the cover is gorgeous!
The Sins of Viscount Sutherland by Samantha James New romance by one of my favorite authors
11/22/63 by Stephen King Comes out this fall, about a man who travels back in time to prevent the Kennedy assassination. I love Stephen King and this story had me at hello.
Mariner’s Coveby E. Ayers A member of my local RWA (not the red-light reader, however) whose excerpt I loved. It seems a very gentle love story and we all need that every once in a while.
The Bargain by Mary Jo Putney Another one of my fave authors. This is a reprint, but I haven’t read it. A fun story line. I’m a sucker for romance. 🙂
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins I don’t actually want to read this book, but have been told by too many people that I must. It sounds incredibly brutal to me, but I’ll probably read it right after I watch Gladiator for the first time. (I may be the only person who hasn’t seen it.)
Black Dorn by Daryl Devore An erotic historical by another crit partner. Set in a Scottish castle and again, a gorgeous cover. Don’t even know what it’s about, but the cover sold me (see what they tell you is true!).
Memories of Murderby Lara Nance Another member of my local group (still not the red-light reader) whose blurb intrigued me. A paranormal romance, about a witch, set in Virginia. Yep, I was going to bite.
Well, that’s a small part of my TBR. At least with my Kindle I’m not knocking them over as I rush to get to my computer and write. I promise to do better and whittle down this list. Just as soon as I finish my next book.
What’s on your TBR? When is your time to read? Do you find yourself reading more or less these days? Why? I’d love for you readers to share!
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
Jenna, I sympathize with you. I am always swinging back and forth between reading voraciously and writing frantically. And always wanting to do more of the other. The only one on your TBR pile that I’ve already read is Outlander. It’s a classic. Some of your others are on my TBR pile and it looks like I’ll have to add a few more. *sigh*. My Goodreads list gets longer and longer.
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I really am going to move Outlander to the top of the list. I’ve heard so many good things about it,. And it’s a long book–my favorite kind–so I don’t have to make the decision “what next?” so often. I’m really getting psyched over the new Stephen King. I will have a “Lost Weekend” when I get that one (no one will be able to find me). Thanks for coming by, Simone. 🙂
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I’m looking at the Table of Contents for my Kindle as I type this. I have two non-fiction titles to read: Let’s Get Digital: How to Self-Publish and Why You Should by David Gaughran (excellent so far), and The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman. Not terribly exciting are they? But they’re interesting. Interspersed with the non-fiction is some fun stuff: Side Jobs and Ghost Story, both by Jim Butcher. The list goes on for several pages, but those four are the top. I don’t have as much time to read as I’d like, but I hope to spend some quality time with my Kindle when I’m on vacation in 10 days.
Good post, Jenna!
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I’m impressed, Patricia, that you also read non-fiction. I haven’t done that in quite a while and I need to keep up with things better. Your Let’s Get Digital is also on my TBR since I’m planning on sticking a toe into the self-publishing stream. And yes, vacations are a great time to kick back and read. Hope you make a good dent in your TBR then. 🙂
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I have become a regular reader of your blogs as they are always informative and entertaining
I could add to your TBR list…. however I am like you and only read before bed at the beach or waiting for an appointment With writing so much and the required reading to keep up with my groups, there truly isn’t time or energy to read.
Though I’ve just read and then reviewed Night Walker by Lisa Kessler It’s her first book and since she is part of my writing group I thought it would be a good subject for the weekly blog.
There are way too many books in the world to keep up!
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Thank you, Sue. I always look forward to seeing your comments–I noticed you’ve become a regular. 🙂 And you are absolutely right–there are too many books, though I’ll be glad to increase their numbers as fast as I can. LOL My list has grown just since posting!
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I’m like you, Jenna. It seems I only have an hour at night to read because I am so busy with life, writing in my WIP and preparing for the GH next month. I love to read, but wish I had more time, lol. Just picked up Cindy Gerard’s With No Remorse and love it! Have Stephanie Tyler’s new one and Maya Banks. Also, two new authors I can’t wait to read. Okay, now I really want to go pick up a book!
Thanks for the fun post!
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I know! Talking about reading just makes you want to read more. I’ve been taking days just to write and crit–I’ll have to add a day just to read. What a luxury!
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I have a lot of books on my TBR. Even though I am an aspiring author. Main reason, I love to read, always have. Next reason they say that is a good way to hone the craft of romance writing, see whats out there.
My tbr list is so big…so I am going to add the link from goodreads.com that way you can see it. (more is added daily) http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5484014-ebony-dreams?shelf=to-read.
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With all the reading and discovering new books, how do you find time to write, Nichelle? LOL I’ll check out your Goodreads link–a great way to keep up with all your books!
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I think I have more books in the TBR pile than I have in the read pile on Goodreads (love that site btw) ac Mason’s Night Reins, Carrie Olguin’s Soul Swap and George R.R. Martin Game of Thrones Book 1 of Song of Ice and Fire Series. BTW if anyone has a nook and wants to be friends with me let me know. We can lend books.
Jenna – you do have to read Outlander. Jamie Fraser is now my all time favorite hero and one of the most supurbly written characters I have ever read.
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Wow, Casea! I guess I’ll have to bump Outlander up to the top of the list if it’s that good. At least that takes the guesswork out of what to read next. LOL
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I would love to be friends with ya. I have a NookColor.
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Good list. Mine is too long to post, but mostly contemporary westerns. Some suspense, everything from Intrigues to STs.
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Westerns are supposed to be really hot right now. What’s out there that’s good?
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Hey Jenna, You really love to blog don’t you. Not me, unfortunately. It doesn’t seem like productive time and I always have trouble thinking of something to write about.
You’re not the only one who reads a lot less since they stated writing. I barely read at all anymore. In fact I don’t watch TV, except for news and the occasional sporting event. I haven’t watched a movie since Avatar and that was because my kids gave me the DVD for Xmas. I can’t tell you the last movie I saw before that and it’s all because I’d rather write than anything. Of course since the economy killed my thirty five year building business, Writing is now hoe I eat. That’s a pretty good incentive.
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That is a good incentive, Dee! That’s my incentive for going back to school each fall. 🙂 I wish I could write full time, but that’s not in the cards right now. Of course I’d hate to be forced to do it, but I’m glad it’s worked out for you.
Blogging is kind of my downtime. I don’t watch TV either (I did get Stars last August to be able to watch Pillars of Time and Showtime last spring to see The Borgias); we just recently went to see Cowboy’s vs. Aliens, but that’s the first movie we’ve been to in 6 months. So writing on the blog is like play time. And it looks like more people are coming to the site, so I’m encouraged.
But once I start school in two weeks, it will unfortunatley be severely curtailed. I’ll choose writing once again over playtime.
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Reading Born of Ice. Just finished Secrets of a Summer Night. Next? Maybe Deathstalker War.
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I loved the Wallflower series! My favorite is always the current one I’m re-reading. Have you read any others?
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I second Daryl–love her cover. Blushing here, too. TTRH has a gorgeous cover, hope you like what’s inside just as well. Lol, at least you’ll like those excerpts you’ve already read;)
As for my TBR list, besides critiques, I don’t have any certain book I plan on reading. I know, I know, how shocking!
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I’m sure I will love TTRH. I don’t know what I’m going to read next either. I’m reading a book to review now and afterward, I’ll just pick a random book out of the pile–unless something starts screaming my name. LOL
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My TBR list grows almost daily. Thank goodnes for the Kindle or I’d be shoved out of my home with all the books I read and want to read. And in the twenty minutes since getting home from work, don’t ask, I’ve already add one more book to my Amazon Wish List.
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Fortunately (I guess) I don’t go looking for books to read much. Otherwise there’d be an even bigger TBR list!
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I don’t go looking for books. They find me
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I ma almost done reading City of Bones. Good question on what’s next! 🙂
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I’m sure you’ll think of something to read, Mart. We never seem to lack for material to choose from!
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Now that’s embarrassing to find my book on your TBR list. Hope your enjoy it. I love my new cover. Glad it caught your eye.
What am I going to read next – I’m doing a beta for cp partner Angie..
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Shouldn’t be embarrassed, Daryl. I hope it ends up an a lot of TBR lists when it comes out. 🙂
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