Are you an angry reader?

As a reader, how willing are you to suspend your disbelief? If you read a vampire novel, is it ruined because vampires don't really exist? If the book is set on an imaginary planet, do you find yourself pulled out of the story by a blue sun or pink grass? I'm guessing most of you would answer no to this.

Books are an escape, romances/fantasy/sci-fi especially, however the contemporary and historical romance genres don't seem to get cut as much slack as the paranormals do. It seems readers fully expect the paranormal worlds to be unreal and the historical and contemporary ones to be as genuine as possible.
Why is that?

To be honest, as a reader, I'm okay with some altered facts. I'm not reading a history book when I read a Victorian romance, I'm reading for entertainment. If I read a contemporary that features a small, quaint town, I'm perfectly accepting that such a place still exists in this world. Hollywood gets away with it all day and night, why not books? Are you one of those readers who gets bunched up by such things or are you capable of taking a story at its entertainment value?

The Trouble With Reading

I didn't make my goal of reading 50 books last year, but I've realized that for me a heavy writing schedule and reading for pleasure don't mix very well.

I wish that weren't the case, but when my characters are so much in my head I have a hard time concentrating (or wanting to concentrate) on one else's characters.

So far this year, I've read one book and am almost done with another, but then I'm just doing edits right now. Even then I tend to shy away from the genre I'm writing in and pick something completely different like historical.

How about you? Can you read while you're writing?

Wednesday is for readers

I've been so caught up in writing that I haven't been doing much reading lately. I'd like to, but reading and writing don't always go hand-in-hand for me. And I especially can't read in the genre I'm writing - I think a lot of writers feel this way.

So tell me what you're reading and maybe I'll find something new to tempt me!

I'm wiped.

If I were cute and furry, that would be me, passed out on my keyboard.

Who knew release day was so tiring? And so busy, yet so lacking in accomplishments?

I'm taking the day off from the net today so I can write and catch up. I suggest you do the same, but you know, so you can read All Fired Up, natch. ;o)

You know, reading is one of those things I'm woefully behind on too...how about you? Read anything good lately?

Gettin' back on it

There are three things I want to do today. Notice I said want. Not need. Not have to. Want. That's very different from the To Do list of laundry, dishes and other chores awaiting me.

1. Read - I have two books in progress and plan on finishing both today so that I can start Maria Geraci's Bunco Babes Tell All.

2. Write - I have a shifter (of sorts) novella that's about halfway done. I really want to finish it and get it submitted. I don't like having unfinished stuff hanging over my head. Will I finish it today? No, but I want to get started on it again.

3. Bead - I've gotten some incredible beads in the last few days. Peacock pearls so fat and shiny they look like candy. Rondelles of misty green prehnite. Faceted sterling silver beads. I want to create!

What's on your Want List for today?

Whatcha Reading?

I'm finishing up The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne (not sure what I think of it yet) and about to start Roxanne St. Claire's First You Run (which I already know I'm going to love).


What are you reading?

Addictions

I have a very addictive personality. I know that about myself. I become addicted to things easily. For example, I had to uninstall Sims from my computer because I played it constantly. Five to six hours straight at times. Finally, I came to my senses, said enough is enough and uninstalled it. That's really the best way for me - cold turkey. There are some addictions I have no intention of giving up, however.

1. Shopping - Love it. Even if I don't buy anything, I love to see what's new.
2. Shoes - A subset of shopping really, but it's enough of an addiction that it deserves mentioning.
3. My cats - I adore them. I'm addicted to taking pictures of them, addicted to their silliness, their cuteness, the need to groom them like I'm their birth mother.
4. Reading - I would quite often rather read than write. It's true. Reading is an escape and one I crave.
5. Food - Okay, this is one I could do without. It's a constant battle. Why could I be addicted to working out? I know, I know, everything in moderation.
6. The Internet - Good or bad, depending on how you look at it. I love web surfing! This is probably why I'm not addicted to exercise. lol

What are you addicted to?

Reading-n-Floating

That's what I spent the day doing yesterday. Just floatin' and readin'... I didn't even work out! I did get a little pink for my efforts (or lack thereof) but I think by tomorrow it will have turned into a lovely golden tan. There's something so wonderful and soothing about floating. And reading. Combine the two and it's like chocolate and peanut butter. Really hard to beat.

After the previous day's adventure in the airport, I didn't have it in me to do much more. Hotrod felt the same way, although he somehow managed to find the strength to make it through 18 holes of golf. He's such a giver, that man.

Anyway, I'm reading Carl Hiaasen's Sick Puppy. It's not the first Hiaasen book I've read by any means. I'm a fan of his work and it's such a nice change to read outside the genres I write. Hiaasen is a native Floridian and a huge environmentalist. To say he's not a fan of Disney would be putting it mildly. Pick up one of his books and you're guaranteed to find crazy characters doing whacked-out things in bizarre situations. His books are like vacations for your mind.

I'm almost finished with this book and it's really hard to stop reading. Maybe I'll do a little more floating today...

What's on your schedule?