I read a lot. And thanks to e-books, the selection is wider than ever. I won’t bore you with the way things used to be – we’ve read enough blogs about that, thank you very much. But with this new ability to publish a book where it succeeds or fails on its merits offers readers a new freedom of choice. I’m now able to decide for myself if I like a new author and I might even stop reading some of my former choices when I compare their offerings against newly found talent.
I’ve discovered that my favorite authors are the ones with whom I feel comfortable. When I go on to their next offering, or when they have a new release, I get that warm and fuzzy feeling, knowing that I’ll be disappearing for a while, immersed in the story. In many cases, when I turn the page, I know what the next word is going to be. Does that mean they’re predictable? Perhaps, but it also means that we (the author and I) share a love of words that extends to how we arrange them on the page. Predictable isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, contemporary romance readers expect a happy ending and in a murder mystery, we expect the protagonist to solve the crime.
I recently found a new author named Victor Methos and am currently reading the second book in his Neon Lawyer series. I like the way the books move along, his characters are believable and either likable or detestable depending on their role. He’s simply a good storyteller and I look forward to carving out some time later on this winter to read more of his stuff.
In years past I read a few offerings by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. These were paperback, so you know how long ago that was. I recently purchased her book First Star I See Tonight and enjoyed it immensely.
I’ll read anything by John Grisham. I’ve seen critiques of his writing from time to time and wonder if those reviewers read a different book. It’s popular fiction, folks, and hugely entertaining. His latest, The Rooster Bar is, as usual, an engaging read.
Another new author (for me) is James Swain. He has several series, but the one I’ve tackled is the Tony Valentine series. I intend to read the others, time permitting. The Tony Valentine character consults with casinos to show them how people are ripping them off. Fertile grounds for great stories, and he doesn’t disappoint.
I’ve mentioned Nick Russell before. His Big Lake series has brought him national attention, but I’m also enjoying his new John Lee Quarrels series. Slightly grittier, they’re fast-paced and fun to read. The latest offering in that series is Badge Bunny.
For me, reading is my time away from the keyboard. When I sit down with a book by any of these authors I know I can disappear inside the world of their characters, and emerge refreshed and ready to work again. It doesn’t get much better than that!!