Readers Rule discussion

Tell us a little about yourself. What kind of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Favorite Books? If you're a writer what do you write? Tell us anything you'd like to share!

Hello-- I'm a reader and a writer. I put it that way because the reading came well before the writing When my first novel was published, I'd never taken a course on creative writing, but I'd read so much, I was well educated in writing.
I've had over 40 books traditionally published and now am an indie author, focusing mainly on eBooks and audio.
I write a lot based on my background as former Special Forces-- thrillers-- and also science fiction, mainly my Area 51 and Atlantis series.
My reading is leaning heavily toward non-fiction as research for my books, but I still enjoy novels my wife recommends as she's even more a voracious reader than I am.

Hey, I'm Cary. I love books of all genres,the Artemis Fowl series, Malcolm Gladwell, Game of Thrones, The Help. A few of my favorites, Swan Song, The Day Before Midnight I read in Saudi Arabia during my time in Desert Storm. Every night that there was free time I had a book while others were playing cards. I'm working on converting a few of my scripts to eBooks since practically no-one will read them as screenplays.

I'm Angela, a reader, writer and blogger at The Bookshelf Muse. I love reading both Middle Grade and Young adult, and have a special love for Mystery books, Dystopian and anything with an unusual take on the 'same-old-same-old'. I also love adult Fantasy and darker Thrillers. (Cary, Swan Song is one of my Favorites, too!) I read everything by Stephen King, and the late Robert Jordan.

I also enjoy reading books on writing craft and lately I've been devouring books on Screenwriting. My first book is close to release--a tool for writers struggling with how to show character emotions. It's called The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression.

I've been a reader all my life -- my mom finally taught me to read at home before I was old enough to go to school because I bugged her to read to me so much. I will try to read almost anything (including cereal boxes if that's all that's around) except horror and other scary things. Tension and suspense does not bother me. Terror and gore does.

After years of writing non-fiction devotions, I've surprised myself in the last couple of years by discovering I love to write fiction. I write Christian romance with touches of emotional healing. My debut novella came out in January 2012 and its sequel is due out this summer.

Angela wrote: "I'm Angela, a reader, writer and blogger at The Bookshelf Muse. I love reading both Middle Grade and Young adult, and have a special love for Mystery books, Dystopian and anything with an unusual t..."

Angela--I enjoy your blog!

Hi, I'm Cynthia, also a reader and a writer. I love all kinds of books, especially if they are fast-paced. I love horror, thrillers, romantic suspense, paranormals, YA ... the list goes on and on. I've published both paranormals and romantic suspense. Love strong characters who find their inner strength while fighting the good fight! Right now I'm reading The Hunger Games and Where All The Dead Lie by J.T. Ellison -- both great books.

Cynthia wrote: "Right now I'm reading The Hunger Games and Where All The Dead Lie by J.T. Ellison ..."

OMG! I love J.T.! Not only is she a fabulous writer, but she's so much fun in person! Feel free to start a book talk about one of her books. Just love her to pieces!

I just finished, and highly recommend, Defending Jacob. It lives up to the cover blurb hype.

Bob wrote: "I just finished, and highly recommend, Defending Jacob. It lives up to the cover blurb hype."

I'll put it on the bookshelf.

That does sound like an interesting book. I added it to mine, too. Thanks, Bob!

Hi everyone! I'm L.J. Sellers, author of the bestselling Detective Jackson mystery/thrillers.

My bio says, "When not plotting murders, I enjoy performing standup comedy, cycling, social networking, and attending mystery conferences. I've also been known to jump out of airplanes."

My favorite "long-time" authors are Lawrence Sanders, John Sandford, Elmore Leonard, Michael Connelly, Laura Lippman, and Perry O'Shaughnessy. (I have to look up the spelling every time I type that name!) But I've discovered a lot of new indie authors lately, and they're too numerous to list.

In fact, most of what I read comes to me from people/writers I network with who want me to read their work.

Thanks for inviting me to join the group.

Hi Everyone,

I'm a reader, writer and lover of fairy tales. My favorite books have quirky characters, great dialogue between the hero and heroine, and sexual tension that curls your toes.

Some of my favorite books are by Jude Deveraux, Teresa Medeiros, Jayne Castle, Georgette Heyer and Karen Moning. All for different reasons. Karen's "Fever" series is a wonderful, fast-paced read. My favorite time travel is Jude's "A Knight in Shining Armor" and I'll never forget Georgette's "Devil's Cub." Her chaste historical was the first romance I ever read. (Yes, I blame Ms. Heyer for this romance writing thing.)

Overall, the type of romance doesn't matter to me as long as it's a good story, with memorable characters. And of course, I have to believe "...and they lived happily ever after."

Cynthia wrote: "Hi, I'm Cynthia, also a reader and a writer. I love all kinds of books, especially if they are fast-paced. I love horror, thrillers, romantic suspense, paranormals, YA ... the list goes on and on. ..."

Hi Cynthia,

I believe they are making "The Hunger Games" into a movie. I just saw something on it today. I don't normally read books with that setting, but the premise sounds interesting. I think I'll see if I can get them. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.

Dawn

My daughter is reading The Hunger Games and she's really loving it. She's pumped for the movie. She got me hooked on Twilight, so I'm sure I'll be hooked on this as well.

Hi, I'm Ara. I'm a listener, reader, blogger and writer.

My mom read Agatha Christie books out loud when she was pregnant with me. My fate was sealed from then. My grandfather was a stage actor, poet and writer. I used to sit outside his study, listening to his typewriter moan under his thundering clip. I dreamt of doing the same "some" day.

When I met the person that would one day become my wife, I was nineteen studying engineering. She asked what I would do if I could do anything. I said, I'd be a writer. Unwilling to face the fear that I would possibly suck (and destroy my dream), I focused on my other career. Twenty years later my wife told me she'd heard enough about my dreams. It was time to do something about them.

In the last two years, I've completed three manuscripts, one is being shopped around to agents. The others are in revision. I've been endorsed by a NYT Bestselling author, and a fellow "Readers Rule" guru, Laura Taylor.

And if I was told I will never sell a book, I'd plant my butt back in the chair and write about it.

I read everything and anything. Camus, King, Poe, Malcolm Gladwell, Seth Godin, Voltaire, Agatha Christie, Bob Meyer, Asimov, Nora Roberts, Laura Taylor, James Scott Bell, Tahere Mafi, Stefani Perkins-- EVERYTHING. Per month, I read three HC books, listen to three audible books, and read three to five ebooks. I write from 10 PM to 1 AM everyday. I have a day job too -- Technology executive in the Entertainment industry. And when I don't do those, I teach my boys how to write, read them Harry Potter in my inexcusable Birt accent, and thank my wife for enabling me to write and live out my dream.

Ara

Jen wrote: "Angela wrote: "I'm Angela, a reader, writer and blogger at The Bookshelf Muse. I love reading both Middle Grade and Young adult, and have a special love for Mystery books, Dystopian and anything wi..." Thanks Jen! :) That means a lot :)

Angela wrote: "I'm Angela, a reader, writer and blogger at The Bookshelf Muse. I love reading both Middle Grade and Young adult, and have a special love for Mystery books, Dystopian and anything with an unusual t..."

Angela, my fellow tribe mate! What your blog does is give writers information. And information is power. Thank you for making me a powerful writer :)

Ara wrote: "Angela wrote: "I'm Angela, a reader, writer and blogger at The Bookshelf Muse. I love reading both Middle Grade and Young adult, and have a special love for Mystery books, Dystopian and anything wi..."

Ara, you are way too good to me--what a kind thing to say! I'm happy to pay it forward however I can. So many writers have helped me by sharing their knowledge, so if I can in turn do the same in some small way, that's aces! :)

Jen wrote: "My daughter is reading The Hunger Games and she's really loving it. She's pumped for the movie. She got me hooked on Twilight, so I'm sure I'll be hooked on this as well." Oh you have to read it. It's something else. I can't wait to see the movie--both my kids loved the book and they *sniffle* hate to read.

Another must-read is Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor. Brilliant book! And Divergent by Veronica Roth. Such excellent YA books.