Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartSo. I went to Europe and…read a book.
by Carol Burnside
After the sight-seeing, note-taking, picture-snapping, sun-basking, gut-stuffing and smooching with hubby, what’s a girl to do, if not curl up with a good book? Besides, it’s difficult for me to sleep while sunbathing on a cruise ship with music blaring from the family deck. So, I read a book to escape.
Two books, actually.
I know. Big deal, right? At this point, I should probably confess that my reading time has greatly diminished over the last few years. (I know! GASP, Wheeeeeze!) It seems the more I write, the less I read, which is weird for me. I’ve been the quintessential bookworm for most of my life and have often read 4-6 books a week or more. There was no bad place to read, no inconvenient time. As a child, I’d rather curl up in a chair with a book than play outside. So the decline in reading time has been worrisome for me.
Believe me when I say I have a TON of books in my TBR (to be read) pile. Enough that the pile has become overflowing shelves. The choice of what to take to read on my trip was important enough to consult friends over, then I mulled it over and switched out my choices several times. I began by selecting a few books that others had recommended, then some I’d been wanting to read, even a new author or two. In the end, I chose to take with me two books that I knew would be absorbing and entertaining, and one other by the same author in another sub-genre. The author? Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb, or la Nora as some in the biz have dubbed her.
Not exactly beach reading, J.D. Robb’s In Death series has been a favorite for many years. The adventures of Eve and her 2050’s life with Roarke, their struggle to overcome painful pasts and their relationships with a growing family of friends never fails to fascinate me. I devour them. I have a list of the titles by date published so I’ll be sure to read them in order, then I check them off.
I was not disappointed in my choices and happily sped through the In Death books, then started the first in Nora’s Bride Quartet series. Even with reading on the long plane trip home, I didn’t finish it until this last weekend, a full week after arriving back home.
Does anyone else out there have this problem? I’d be curious to know because it seems like everyone on this blog and our readers who comment all read a lot. Am I just the oddity? Do you read consistently, or do you go on a book glut every so often?
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By the way, the picture is of yachts in the harbor at Monte Carlo on the French Riviera with Gran Prix preparations underway.
About the author
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Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn | http://AnnieRayburn.com Annie delivers on the promise of "sizzling romance that tugs at your heart." Her books have soft scifi and light paranormal elements, but there's nothing soft or light about the erotic romance and she doesn't skimp on the emotion!
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May 28th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Hi Carol,
Sounds like a fabulous vacation! And a great book choice.
I wouldn’t worry about not reading. Personally, I devoured books from age 5 to about 30, became total non-reader from 30 – 40 and then started eating them again!
Now, I’m a binger when I’m not writing I read a book a day, minimum. Then poof, the muse comes out of hibernation and I’m writing instead.
My theory is that my head can only contain so many words. I read to fill the tank, then write until I’m empty.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:34 am
Hmmm, and apparently I’m without punctuation late at night. oops.
May 28th, 2010 at 3:05 am
I’ve only read one book this year. I remember the days when I read a book a day. I start a lot of books, but I just can’t seem to finish them. I also have a tough time reading when I writing. I blame this on my offspring, too. With three offspring who has time to curl up with a good book unless its about Madeline. Now if you want to know about good kids books, I’m your woman. Madeline, Click Clack Moo, Knuffle Bunny, Guji Guji. Every once and I while I catch them “reading” a Harlequin or other romance and I think there is hope for them yet.
May 28th, 2010 at 6:26 am
Carol: It is a rare day that I do not read. However, now it is usually confined to a pre-bedtime activity. Gone are the days that I read several books a day or a week. Now, I write more and read less. Just not much less
May 28th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Hi, my name is Tammy and I’m a reading addict. There I said it and made it public. My reading habit is so bad that if I had a day to myself I could read at least 2-4 books a day (fiction-preferably romance). With Harlequin and Silhouette, I could read more.
The books were piling up and pushing my husband and I out of the master closet, which is rather large. So he bought me a Kindle a few years ago to help manage the problem. He wanted to at least be able to hang his shirts without having them squished in with the books.
This is all very shameful because I should be writing. I will say that while I was in school, the time spent on fiction diminished, but I was still reading other stuff.
May 28th, 2010 at 7:40 am
I just want to restate that the number of books read during the day is on a day when there is nothing going on and all I do is read.
May 28th, 2010 at 9:03 am
I totally feel your pain, Carol. I used to read huge numbers of books. I was an English major and had to read sometimes as many as 15 books in a quarter – and we’re talking books like Ulysses. I kept reading and kept reading and then I went to grad school and spent an entire year studying for exams reading every poem ever published in the English language. And some in French. After I sat for my exams I did not read for an entire year. Not even the newspaper. It’s like words had consumed so much of my life I just felt sick over them. I still don’t read very much because now it feels like every word I read is a word I’m not writing. However, this past weekend I read Mansfield Park by Jane Austen so I do every once in a while zoom right through. I’m actually glad to know this feeling of the loss of reading tugs at someone’s else’s heart and I’m not a freak for feeling the loss keenly.
May 28th, 2010 at 9:07 am
I glut. I can’t read while in the writing zone–I tend to be a mimic and suddenly find myself writing my historical romance in SEP’s sparkling contemporary voice–but I do have my gluts.
Vacation is always time for one.
May 28th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Carol, what’s life without a teetering TBR pile?
I always read on vacation. It’s part of the relaxation for me. When we’re in the car, I’m the “navigator,” but once we’re on a highway for a while, I usually crack a book. When we have more intensive days, with a lot of sight-seeing, I read in the hotel at night. It’s just part of my routine. I love being on vacation in some new place where I can get books I might not ever see here at home.
On our honeymoon in San Francisco, on the first morning of our married life, the dh and I looked down from the glassed-in restaurant to the street far below and spotted a bookstore. We went directly there after brunch. I remember thinking how well suited we were, that we should be both inclined that way.
May 28th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Nicki, I used to read a book in a day, too, but not lately. I recently finished one in _three_ days and was very pleased with myself about it. I guess it’s all relative. *sigh*
May 28th, 2010 at 9:14 am
I’m a huge reader, but like Carol, I’ve been very lax in my reading lately. I can blame it on school and all the stuff I had going on (legitimate excuses all), but I’ve seen this trend before (in myself). It usually is the beginning of the end – - for a specific kind of read. Sound ominous, huh?
Actually, I remember doing this when I went from reading predominantly mysteries and thrillers to reading romance (specifically women’s fiction). Then I remember it happening when I started reading mostly category. I’ve started reading a LOT of YA (which is what I’m writing at the moment), so I don’t know if this is the trend or not. But it’s something to think about. Maybe you need to grab another genre.
May 28th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Oh, Carol, how I feel your pain. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to read more. I got almost no reading done while teaching high school–entirely too many lessons to plan and papers to grade. Then I read a lot in Grad School, but it was for class rather than pleasure.
Finally, I put up my list in the notes on my FB page of what I’ve read and what I’m reading. Of course, like Nicki, a great deal of what I read is from the children’s section–pretty well-versed in the kiddie books, too. Other than that, I’ve had to learn to read in spurts. I’m sure my kids think that I was actually born with a book on my right instead of another hand. I’ll read a few pages during supper or while waiting to read Click, Clack, Moo for the 500th time over here
Nancy, hubby and I like to read on vacation. Every now and then we will look over at each other with love in our eyes, and he will say, “Ah, geek love!”
May 28th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Your vacation sounds wonderful. I love the picture and Monte Carlo truly is a fairy tale location.
Your post sounds familiar. I just wrote a post on the same subject and I have the same problem (well it’s not really a problem) as you. My house is overflowing with books. My To Be Read pile is threatening to topple over. Going on a trip always presents a dilemma as to what books to take and what books not to take. It’s easier when you drive.
As for your choice of books, I would have picked the same books. I love Nora/JD Robb and have read every single one of her In Death series and the first two of the bride quartet. I have the third and we’re leaving on vacation tomorrow and that will be in my pile of books to take. It’s great because it’s a paperback and won’t weigh much. You can always count on a good read from her.
I read a minimum of three books and up to 5 a week too. I read all the time, even while I’m watching TV, in line at the post office, etc. I’ll read on the trip down since I won’t be driving.
My solution is the Kindle. I haven’t tried it yet but I’m hoping it will work out. I just got it for my birthday and I’m taking it on the trip. I’ve downloaded “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest,” and I’m taking the first two books in the series (in paperback) with me as well. And an extra hardback I’ve been meaning to read.
When I’m on vacation I read all day so I go through books pretty quickly.
Michelle, our book club just read Mansfield Park and I loved it. The Kindle lets you download some classics for free and I downloaded two of Jane Austen’s books.
So, keep reading. I think reading a lot truly helps improve your writing. You see a lot of things other writers get away with that we are told cannot be done.
Marilyn
May 28th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Okay, Carol. I need vacation details:
1) favorite meal and where (with specifics).
2) favorite experience (NOT allowed to say books).
3) best so-beautiful-it-could-be-on-a postcard vista.
May 28th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Can I just cut and paste Nicki’s comment? I start many books and only finish a few. I find it hard to both read and write at the same time. I’m a good multi-tasker at other things, but not reading. When I do read something I love, I get through it pretty fast. Can’t leave a bottle of wine open or it goes bad, right?
Michelle…Mansfield Park…so brilliant. Fanny trying to pick out the necklace that she thinks means the least to Miss Crawford. Most amazing scene in showing character.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Hmm. So when we’re limited to just a few books, we choose Nora. Don’t you hate her for that? And love her. I do LOVE the In Death series and am listening to them on CD because, yes, I have the same problem you do, Carol.
A long time ago, life was slow and I could leisurely linger with a book, think about it, absorb it. Nowadays, I have to do my absorbing on the run. It’s kind of sad.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Kathy, maybe that’s my problem too. Come to think of it, I read pretty consistently until I started writing. Then it became a slow decline with more writing and less reading. Maybe I just switched my own words for others.
I feel somewhat better.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Debbie, I’m envious. Truly.
Tammy,I was once an addict too and feel my addiction could revisit me one day. And I totally understand about the # of books a day. It was the same for me. The 4-6 bks a wk was when I was a kid. My mom forced me to spend a certain amount of time outside. Sometimes I tried to sneak a book with me, but she was pretty savvy.
Michelle, wasn’t it fun reading that book, zooming right through it? That’s the way I felt about reading the In Death books. It was like revisiting an old, dear friend and having a gabfest until late at night.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
JP, I don’t have the mimic problem, but I could see where that would be a detriment to voice. Write on!
Oh, and:
1. I’d have to say the dinner we had at Palo’s, a 5-star Italian restaurant aboard the Disney Magic. The. Most. Fabulous. Lobster Ravioli and white wine truffle sauce you EVAH put in your mouth.
We ate lunches at each port of call. Other memorable meals were the 5-course lunch provided by the tour in Florence, the lobster and duck pate Paella in Barcelona, and the Salade Nicoise in Corsica (while a duo of accordian-playing guys serenaded us). Sigh. Oh, and the Limoncello chasers after the al fresco lunch in Sorrento. Yum.
2. Hands down, seeing Michealangelo’s The David. Such a culmination of genius and perfection. It touched a soft spot in my soul.
3. Oh, gosh. Vistas are hard to nail down to one. There were some spectacular scenes in Monte Carlo, and the Villafranche port of call. Also Sidi bou Said, with the whole city virgin white trimmed in a vibrant blue. Gorgeous.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Nancy, you’re right. The TBR pile is comforting. Loved the honeymoon story.
Oh, Tami, that’s scary about ending certain kinds of reads. I hope they cycle back around.
Sally: Geek love – great! I had to ‘train’ my love to read.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Gosh, Marilyn, we should travel together. We love the travel and could share the reads. Let me know how the Kindle works for you. I’ve been contemplating getting one, thinking that having it handy in my purse might mean I read more.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Anna, all this talk of Mansfield Park makes me think I should have it in my TBR pile too.
LOL, Linsey. Yep, there’s a love/hate thing there. Addictive characters in the In Death books. Truly. I keep thinking I’ll get tired of them, but it hasn’t happened yet.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Googling Sidi bou Said now.
And also, thank you for making me STARVING! White wine truffle sauce? I feel like I need to say some holy words or something.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
It’s gorgeous! Reminds me of Greece. That crisp white/deep blue combination is just simply summer.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Oh, JP, I day-dream and drool over that meal. We won’t even mention the chocolate-chocolate lava cake for dessert.
May 28th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Chocolate-chocolate lava cake. I gained ten pounds just thinking about it.
On the subject of Nora/JDRobb, I wonder what she reads on vacation?
And turning out the numbers of books she does, is there time for reading?
May 28th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Mansfield Park is a delicious book. It’s one of her last ones and the depth of characterization and the reversal of who you think will be the heroine and who actually is – wonderful. Such nuance in drawing characters. I think you’d really like it, Carol. It’s a reader’s book, for sure.
May 28th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Carol,
Same here. Finishing up this master’s degree has taken its toll on my reading. I still try to fit in a book every week or so, but I could read 4-5 novels a week without even blinking.
I always have a book in the car. I try not to read while I’m driving (just kidding.) But I do read when hubby is driving. And I taught all three kids to drive by age 16. Handed them the keys to the car and buried my face in a book. Read three books on the drive from New Mexico to Atlanta with 16-year-old Jennifer at the wheel. Nothing like rush-hour traffic on 400 to brush up the kid’s freeway-driving skills.
I’ll have to start rereading Jane Austen again, Michelle. I’ve not started the J.D. Robb books because I know I’d get addicted to La Nora again and then I’d be up until 3 in the morning, sleep-deprived and driving to work at 6 in the morning. Nothing good could come from that!
May 29th, 2010 at 2:05 am
Hi Carol!! LOL. Love the blog…really loved the pictures I’ve seen. You’ve done it now. My dh is already talking about going across the pond.
As for reading – what’s that? No, really, I’m relegated to reading at bedtime these days. But I’m working on fixing that. I absolutely love historical romances, they are my escape books. That said, I’m reading more and more contemporary since I started writing because I’ve discovered so many wonderful authors. And of course, La Nora is and has always been a favorite.
May 29th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Carol,
Picture is beautiful. I know it was a fabulous trip!
When I was getting to the end of Agatha Christie books, I purposely read slowly. Took me a while to get back up to speed. Still will not set fires reading.
I should be reading the genre I’m writing, but Patrick Taylor will lure me to his books or I’ve recently downloaded the audio book, Outlander, a 13-hour ‘listen’ but so far it is good.
May 29th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Carol –
Beautiful shot and what a terrific trip. Nice to enjoy a good book in a great setting.
May 29th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Carol, definitely reading less since I started writing. I love the picture of Monte Carlo and like J Perry I googled Sidi bou Said, and it does look like Greece. Reminded me of Santorini and Mykonos. We docked in La Goulette (Tunis & Carthage), Tunisia, but stayed on the ship. I love cruising the Mediterranean. The long flight over and back is the perfect time to read. We will have to compare notes on our cruises!