JENN MCKINLAY: All right, Reds and Readers, it's time for....
JENN: I'll go first! Fast, paperback, cozy, dog ear (remember - no judgment!), love triangle, coffee, sidekick, night reader, solo read, buy.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Fast. Hardback. Suspense. Whatever's at hand. Love triangle. Coffee, hero, night reader. Solo read. Buy.
May I just say–this is kinda fascinating. What a profile it provides!
And I will add a category: One book or more at a time. For me? More.
JENN: Oh, yes, definitely more.
HALLIE EPHRON: Where’s depends when you need it?
So… Slow reader, hardback, suspense, bookmark, love triangle, wine (oops water), hero, day reader, solo read, steal(JK).
JULIA: I’m with Hallie - one of the options should be “when in the mood.” Cause I change up my reading a lot depending on whats going on in my life.
LUCY BURDETTE: Average, cozy (plus women’s fiction!), love triangle, water, hero, night reader, solo, buy…
RHYS BOWEN: Average reader, hardback. Cozy, whatever’s at hand, Insta love, tea, anytime reader, solo read, buy. And like Hank more than one book at a time.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Fast, anything with print, cozy, dog ear (no judgment!), Insta-love, tea, hero, anytime, solo read, buy.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Okay, I guess I need to commit. Fast, which is a pain when it’s a good book I want to linger over! E-reader. I love my hardcovers, but I love changing the print size even more. Thriller, whatever’s at hand (and I don’t care, I’m still judging you, Jenn and Debs!) Love triangle (but impossible, forbidden love is really my thing.) Tea, hero, night time reading because weirdly enough I’m too busy during the day, despite living alone. Solo read, and I’ll acquire books every way possible, including the library swap freebies and loans from friends.
JENN: Oh, impossible forbidden love -- sooooo good.
JULIA: And how can you not have more than one book at a time? There’s the physical book, the e-book, the audio for the car…
Batter up, Readers! Tell us your This, That, or the Other!
Fast . . . Hardback or Paperback or E-reader . . . Suspense or Thriller . . . Bookmark . . . Love triangle . . . Coffee . . . Hero . . . Anytime reader . . . Solo Reader . . . Buy . . . .
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it is impossible to choose just one!
Agreed! So hard to choose.
DeleteFast, E-reader, Cozy, Bookmark, Insta love, hot chocolate, hero, anytime reader, solo read, buy, one book at a time
ReplyDeleteOooh, hot chocolate!
DeleteNot enough choices in some of those categories! But it's a fun peek into everybody's habits, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteFast, any format I can get, cozy/suspense/historical, dog ear except for library books, insta love (or love triangle, but it can't last too long), coffee then water then wine, sidekick, night reader, solo read, buy/library borrow, one book at a time (if I start a book on my kindle but then pick up another one, I rarely finish the first one).
Yes, if I start a new book while reading one i rarely go back.
DeleteFast, E-reader, thriller/cozy, bookmark, Romance is dead, coffee/water, sidekick, day reader, solo read, buy/ARC/library, multiple books at a time.
ReplyDeleteI love that you're all three - buy, ARC, library!
DeleteAverage, but wishing I read more slowly, who-dun-its, bookmark or anything that's handy, impossible forbidden love, water, hero, anytime, solo read, buy/library, usually only one book at a time.
ReplyDeleteI wish I read more slowly, too!
DeleteWhat fun! But (IMHO) you're missing an important word: OR. As in, paperback OR hardcover. Bookmark OR dogear. (I'm with you, Jen. If I bought it, I can dogear it as needed)
ReplyDeleteUh, maybe I meant "AND" not "OR" ??? As in ,"I read paperback AND hardcover". "I use bookmarks AND dogear." Sorry. I wasn't fully awake :-)
DeleteYou're right, Triss. AND is an important option.
DeleteFast, e-reader/audiobook/paperback, cozy/women's fiction, bookmark, anything but insta love, depends on time of day, sidekick, anytime/anywhere, solo/book club, buy/Libby, books open all over the house.
ReplyDeleteJenn! A librarian who dog ears? This is a revelation. LOL
At least she doesn't slap a strip of bacon or a slice of cheese in there.
DeleteSmall mercies!
DeleteThat made me startle laugh, Gigi!
Shhh! Karen and LOL, Gigi!
DeleteKaren, I am coming to today’s blog late, but the first thing that hit me was, “Isn’t Jenn a former librarian? And she DOG EARS pages?!” I never had bacon or cheese turned in with/in the book, but one time a kid was the very first person to check out a brand new book so covered in chocolate, I couldn’t open many of the pages! And the parents still argued that their darling son couldn’t possibly be to blame…. — Pat S.
DeleteFast, all of the above, whatever catches my eye in mystery/suspense (but also women's lit, nonfiction), whatever's at hand if I can't find a bookmark, no triangles or insta-love--I like a slow build-up, soda with lots of ice please, heroes and sidekicks, anytime but mostly evenings/nights, buy/borrow/swap--depends on what's available where at any given time.
ReplyDeleteA perfect evening is being curled up with a book. And I love a slow build up as well.
DeleteAverage; audiobook/ereader; What do you call Debs or Julia or Louise Penny genre, or fiction just not romantic or most psychological ones, WW-either, non-fiction, and cozy in bed at night; usually the off button; hate the love bit unless it is continuation of family stories around the characters; water; love a good sidekick but best is a cast of characters; all day long listener/reader; all three for the reads; library; usually about 5 books at a time, which applies to where – house, yard, car (shared with Jack) – usually all different books.
ReplyDeleteMargo, our stuff mostly gets labeled "traditional mystery," which is a bit like "mid-size sedan" in that it's vague enough to cover a lot, but you also kind of know what you are, or more importantly are not getting.
DeleteI think of them as being suspenseful - they all write page turners - as in, I have to know what's happening next! Compulsively readable should be a category. :)
DeleteYes, Jenn, compulsively readable…not suspense which conjures up the masked stranger in the dark and scary for me. Elisabeth.
DeleteI consider Julia’s, and Deb’s books enhanced police procedurals. In that the police procedural is an element of the book but there are side mystery/suspense issues with superior and excellent character development. Also, very intricate plot development. I really enjoy their books. Louise Penny’s earlier books were similar, but the recent ones are too sinister and dark, no light at the end of the tunnel.
DeleteLove "compulsively readable!"
DeleteFast, E-book/paperback/hardback, Cozy/historical/women’s fiction, Bookmarks,
ReplyDeleteLike Julia, impossible, forbidden love or like Flora, a slow build-up love,
Water, Hero/sidekick, Anytime/all the time but no more at night , solo read
Buy and library borrow: I couldn’t afford to buy all the books I read.
Danielle
Same! I get books from everywhere and have trained the local bookstore clerks to give me their publisher ARCs :)
DeleteVery fast
ReplyDeleteKindle. It’s an eye thing
Thriller, suspense, some cozies
E-bookmark
No love or at least forbidden
Water. Glug Glug Glug
Villain. Love a very good/evil one
Night. 7-11 every single night
Solo usually. Definitely no book club
Buy. I’m the one paying your light bills
I often have more that one going at a time, particularly if one is 800 pages or so — may need a break.
Books by Icelandic authors need a glossary
So do ones with a lot of Gaelic words. French, Spanish, and German are manageable. Or I can use the translate function on my Kindle
Thank you all for treating me with a plethora. Of reading material. At 80 something , a good book is my greatest pleasure
Much love
Thanks for taking care of my CMP bill, Ann! And I agree with Icelandic and other Scandinavian books - please add a list of characters and their nicknames! BTW, this is something Kim Hays does very well with her Swiss detective novels. She starts with a readers' note explaining names, nicknames and pronunciation. It helps to make things much more seamless when reading.
DeleteI echo that. Kim Hays does a terrific job.
DeleteI know it’s all about the translated. Some are much better than others.
DeleteYes, Ann, glossaries. Vaguely remember Constable Evans had glossaries and pronunciation guides for the Welsh. BTW loved those the most of any of your books, Rhys. Elisabeth
DeleteThank you for paying my light bills, Ann! :) We appreciate you!
DeleteYes, love Kim Hays lists of character names and nicknames! It's so helpful.
DeleteFast
ReplyDeletepaper or hardback
thriller/suspense/cozy/historical fiction
bookmark or remembering the page number (my mom the librarian said NO to dog-ears or leaving the book facedown)
Romance, in whatever form
tea
hero
anytime
solo and book club
borrow and buy
Yes to historical fiction, in mysteries and in romances, too. Especially 20th Century!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI was talking an author friend who revealed to me that the 1960's is now considered historical. I had to sit down for a bit and contemplate that. LOL.
DeleteYeah - more than fifty years ago!
DeleteNo. Any time in my life time is absolutely not historical!
DeleteWait 'til you see your first Barbie doll in a museum display of historical toys.
DeleteThere's a historical American girl doll from the . . . get this - 90's!!!
Deleteaverage, hardback/e reader/police procedural/detective, bookmark, romance is dead, diet soda, hero, anytime, solo and buy/library borrow
ReplyDeleteOh, love me the police procedurals!
DeleteAverage to slow; hardcover, paperback, e-reader, audiobook; suspense, cozy, thriller, romance, women's fiction; bookmarks; love - fire rekindled, love at first sight, friends to lovers, impossible obstacles overcome, etc; coffee, tea, wine, Scotch; hero/ heroine and great cast of characters; anytime/all the time; solo; buy, borrow; many books at one time
ReplyDeleteFun one, Jenn!
Oooh, scotch. Yes, please.
DeleteJudy, you've just described my day lol!
DeleteIt is so much fun to read these! We should add an another additional category, how about:
ReplyDeleteif you don’t truly love a book—persevere, or DNF?
I absolutely DNF. Many many times.
But Hank, you write and speak glowingly about every book! Every single book. I do not speak, and certainly don't write, about the ones I do not love. I can't believe that you love every book by the authors you interview. How do you manage it?
DeleteAnd yes, I will put a book down and stop, or quit the audiobook if I feel like it. Too many books, too little time!
I am a DNF at page 50 if I'm not in love with the book.
DeleteDNF here. Too many books, too little time. On that note, I've started Lincoln in the Bardo and am really struggling. Should I persevere?
DeleteDeb, chuck it. I’ve tried and just couldn’t get into it. Go read Demon Copperhead instead
DeleteJudy, we are really careful about the books on Crime Time and FCF and The Back Room--my enthusiasm (which, you will note, has a spectrum :-)) and is genuine! The books I DNF, well, you'll never hear specifics about those!
DeleteOh, Jenn, I give up way sooner than 50 pages. I've been known to quit at 3. Np time, no time. ANd that's instructive, isn't it? I think about it every time I write.
DeleteDebs, Bardo is on my nightstand. Where it has been for a loooong time. :-0
DeleteDefinitely do not finish - give it a day (in an audiobook that is usually about a third of the book), and then decide. Too many books to read, not enough to life to read them in!
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteFast (when I get uninterrupted time, which is almost never), paperback (but really, I'll read anything), thriller (but I like suspense, too), bookmark (NEVER dog-ear!), love triangle (as long as it doesn't go on forever), tea, sidekick, anytime (schedule allowing), solo, buy (I don't lend any more - too many books have never come back or come back damaged).
ReplyDeleteAlso DNF. Usually. I just finished a book I SHOULD have DNF'd, but the author came highly recommended. Oh well.
Sometimes I do keep reading and end up thinking "What did I miss?" Argh.
DeleteI chalk it down to "not every book is for every person."
DeleteFast //All formats including stone tablets//all choices unless thriller involves torture//bookmark/ let kindle find page/ memory// must include cats// must be non alcoholic and not sweat//sidekick. //anytime or as we say in the pool hall, any ball any pocket//solo//borrow and steal aka be an ARC reader
ReplyDeleteCoralee, double take on “non-alcoholic and no sweat”…just room temperature or hot beverages? ;) Elisabeth
DeleteAny ball any pocket. Love it.
DeleteCoralee again: for clarification - don't want to drink sweat whether from people, animals or plants.. any beverage temperature would be considered.
DeleteAverage
ReplyDeletee-reader
Suspense / traditional mystery / police procedural -- lots of intrigue, secrets, darn good puzzle
Bookmark (I get a ton in the mail from WWF)
Insta-love
Tea
Hero / sidekick / ensemble cast of characters each with their own strengths/weaknesses
Day
Solo
Buy
And I will add -- DNF. There are too many books waiting to be read.
DeleteYes, JC! It was a liberating day when I realized, at some point in my thirties, that I wasn't going to have enough time to read all the books I wanted to - so I ought to drop kick the ones that weren't a pleasure to spend time with.
DeleteClearly DNF needs to be addressed. I am always fascinated by readers who finish a book they clearly hate. Why?
DeleteThey like to suffer?
DeleteI had a book not that long ago that I REALLY disliked, but I kept going with it, as it had so many glowing reviews I figured I was missing something. But still, I found it dull and fairly predictable. And the author had one or two turns of phrase that repeated until I was ready to scream. Well, not every book is for every reader. Lesson learned! -Melanie
DeleteMy husband does! He feels he's made a deal with the author. I CANNOT stand it, and sometimes I just take the book and hide it. He'll say--where's my book? And I say: you hated it, so it went away. He's always been delighted about that.
DeleteDNF, definitely. If it's not holding my interest, why keep going?
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteFirst of all, let me say that I'm impressed Hallie can turn water into wine. Handy trick, that.
ReplyDeleteSo here goes:
Average
Hardback
Cozy--I will really read anything, including scientific non-fiction, but this past year I've really enjoyed a lot of cozies.
Bookmark--I like pretty ones and yes, Debs, I'm definitely judging you for those dog-ears.
Love in all its many forms and focuses. One of my characters has a thing for mosasaurs.
Tea
Sidekick--at least if we're talking about how I see myself. I mean, I know I'm the real heroine, but I also like tagging along with other talented people to see what adventures ensue.
Day--all day, every day, if I can get away with it.
Solo--although I will share with cats.
Buy--pre-order, in a lot of cases, although it is fun to run by the local bookstore and just take home random treasures.
That would be our Hallie!
DeleteGigi, I promise I don't dog-ear the books you loan me! And I only dog-ear in a pinch!
DeleteSlowly average. All, but most likely paperback and E-reader. Yeah, but more suspense and cozy, and whatever is at hand. Hmm...I'll need to get back to you on that romance thing. Coffee, diet soda, occasionally water and a margarita once a week. Hero, sidekick and that villain you hate but love. I most definitely am an anytime reader. Solo read. Buy and borrow but getting that borrowed book to back that friend may not happen for a while
ReplyDeleteI have books from friends I borrowed YEARS ago. The guilt plagues me.
DeleteFast (if the book grabs my attention), mainly Paperbacks, Cozy, Bookmark or whatever is on hand, Regarding the Love choices, I will have to get back to you on which love story I prefer, mainly Tea, Hero, anytime Reader, Solo Reader, Borrow then Buy if I love the book. And there are Auto Buy authors of books that I love so I would preorder these books.
ReplyDeleteDiana
I have a list of pre-order authors as well!
Deletefast, hard or pb-depends upon what format is available, cozy, especially humorous, but also just a well written story without too much detail (will skip over too much description) historical-late 19th century, whatever is at hand or turn over, incidental romance, but not required, water, sidekick or solo
ReplyDeleteno graphic violence, borrow from library. I used to feel obligated to finish a book, but why continue reading something you are not enjoying, I will usually give it more than one chance to continue
reading
I have books that I keep making a go at. I think I'm going to institute a three strike rule.
DeleteElisabeth here.
ReplyDeleteToo fast
NEVER an e-reader
? Mystery Novel
Bookmark
Love is not a factor
(iced) coffee, water
?what? all the characters are important
Anytime
Solo
Buy
It's true. You can't have a hero without a villain.
DeleteAverage reader.
ReplyDeleteAny format will do, but I like being able to adjust the font size. Right now I’m reading a book with such a tiny font that I’m using a magnifying glass to help me.
Suspense, but I like all three genres.
Bookmark.
NO love triangle! In my mind, that’s something a fifteen year old might be involved in, but NOT an adult!
Coffee, tea, or water, depending on the time of day.
I’m going to have to continue in a separate post. Technical difficulties.
DebRo
I do think the triangle is dusted and done.
DeletePart two:
ReplyDeleteHero
Solo
Anytime
Buy or borrow. I’m currently trying to work my way through my TBR pile before I will allow myself to buy more books. I’m still borrowing from the library, even though there’s plenty to read at home!
DebRo
My TBR is daunting. I hope you get ahead of yours.
DeleteAverage (I've been told I'm fast, but looking at others, I think I'm more average, it's just that I devote time to reading)
ReplyDeleteAny and all formats. Including audio
Cozy (with the occasional other slipping in)
Bookmark
Insta love (of these choices) (the love triangle is dead. Do not resuscitate)
water
hero
anytime
solo
buy
One at a time with an exception once a month for an audiobook in addition to what I am reading
I am adding more and more audio books to my pile.
DeleteAs I"m now rereading an old favorite, I realize rereading it's a choice missing from the list. No love triangles? Interesting. I have to agree. Another choice I'd add: Turn it back on time or keep it long enough to finish and pay the fine. Also wondering what people feel about which of their own books they'll loan out. I've had such dismal success with friends who "borrow" only for keeps.
ReplyDeleteHallie, my library no longer charges fines. They also automatically renew unless the book is on hold from other people, and movies don't renew.
DeleteI won't loan a book unless I don't care if it doesn't come back!
Hallie, yes to rereading!! Now, most of my rereading is by audiobook. First I read a print version. Love the author? Love the book? Buy the audiobook and listen. Sometimes, listen again. Sometimes, reread entire series before new book comes out.
DeleteEdith, our library also renews automatically unless someone is waiting.
DeleteDuring early days of pandemic, libraries were closed. I packed up the whole of Debs's Gemma/ Duncan series and mailed it to dear friend in Florida. She read it, returned it by mail. Then I packed it up again and mailed it to dear friend in Rhode Island. It's now back here and I feel very good!! PS. Some of your books are going in the next box to Florida;-)
Thanks, Judy! A friend in Texas sent me a photo today of the entire Maddie Day "canon" that someone donated to her small library. Share the wealth.
DeleteOur library also auto-renews and doesn't charge overdue fines. I love that. I try and tell folks if I want a book back. I can't remember who I loaned Barbara Kingsolver's Unsheltered to (and I had only read it once!) and I sadly didn't get it back. Luckily, my twin bought it, so that's just as good. We share books all the time, including library books.
DeleteSometimes, if I love a book enough to urge it on my friends, but don't want to let go of it, I'll just buy a copy for them to keep. No friendships bruised over loaned books that don't come back, and the author gets another bit of royalty money.
DeleteI don't do much rereading since there are so many books out there to read. But sometimes a comfort reread is lovely.
DeleteAnd one book at a time. I confuse too easily!
ReplyDeleteI doubt I will be able to pick just one in every category, but here goes.
ReplyDeleteSlow reader
Hardback (but in some paperback, like the British Library Crime Classics)
Suspense, but plenty of cozy and thriller too. And, historical mystery and police procedurals are at the top.
Anything at hand, but I'm trying to start using my hundreds of bookmarks
Instant attraction even if denied and then a slow build-up to romance
Coffee
Hero
Night reader mostly, but also afternoon
Solo
Buy and Arcs
One at a time, although I can read a short story anthology along with my current fiction read
I can read non-fiction and fiction at the same time but that's about it.
DeleteGreat topic!! Fun learning each other's style. I'm a fast reader, and enjoy hardcovers, paperbacks, and e-books, which I buy or borrow from the library. Ever since developing PTSD I've been unable to read anything too harsh. I can take mild suspense, but hard thrillers are out. Cozies are perfect, as are biographies, autobiographies, and humor (John Waters, David Sedaris). I have a favorite personalized bookmark from my mom, one she had made for me at Harrod's in the 80s. I drink water all day and evening, and coffee (hot or iced, depending on the weather) morning and afternoon. My favorite time to read is ANY time! Never been in a book club, but have a few trusted friends from whom I take recommendations. As for not finishing a book, it used to be unthinkable to me, but 13 years ago I turned 60 and won't waste precious time on a book I'm not getting anything out of. My most recent DNF was All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. ~ Lynda
ReplyDeleteSame. I used to feel compelled to finish but not so much anymore.
DeleteFast reader unless I fall asleep, then fast with caesurae, or unless the language stops me in my tracks, for good or ill; hard OR paper; anything; whatever's at hand; whatever's at hand (yes, that's an intentional repeat); water; it depends (sorry, only answer possible!); anytime,
ReplyDeleteI fall asleep all the time and then I have to go back and figure out where I nodded off. Argh.
DeleteYes, and if you fall asleep and drop the book, it's even harder.
DeleteOops, missing the last two answers, solo and borrow.
ReplyDeleteFast reader, All, Cozy (and traditional), Whatever’s on hand, Insta
ReplyDeletelove, Water, Sidekick, Anytime reader, Solo read, Buy and borrow, One book at a time (unless I’m listening to an audiobook at work), DNF
I feel like audio is different enough that I can listen to a book while reading a different one - not at the same time, tho. :)
Deletethat anonymous comment about the American girl doll was me. Just about killed me dead. So, really fast reader (awesome when in college, not so great now), e-reader for fiction, paperback or hardcover for non (but I'm really about the book no matter the format it arrives in), cozy or suspense, whatever's at hand, insta-love or love triangle or some kind of love, coffee or water, sidekick, anytime, solo, buy mostly, several books at a time, sometimes DNF/sometimes read the last chapter
ReplyDeleteYES! I sometimes read the last chapter of a book I didn't think I'd like. Just to see. It's always interesting, but has a never made a difference.
DeleteYes, I've read the last chapter just to end a book.
DeletePat S.: Fast (too fast because I sometimes misread a word or don’t get an important clue)
ReplyDeleteE-Reader mainly
Cozy, suspense and historical fiction
Whatever’s at hand (never dog ear)
Not sure on the love aspect - prefer less romance and more drama, unless it’s a Jenn cozy!
Tea in the morning, wine at night
Hero or sidekick (love Gigi’s definition re sidekicks)
Anytime reader (though suspense or more serious mystery during the day; have to switch to cozy for just before bed or can’t sleep)
Solo read
Borrow (during lockdown, I switched to reading on my kindle because as soon as I finished a book, I could immediately reload a new one. Love that!) And it’s not like I don’t have a house full of books I own and still keep buying. Just trying to keep only the ones I really want to keep. I donate to the public library or Little Free Libraries when I finish them. (Trying to learn minimalism techniques….)
More than one book at a time
Learning to DNF. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo I was told “give it 80 pages”. I did and was glad. Have gotten less patient and DNF more nowadays.
Thanks Jenn. This was fun!
Hub said I had to give Dragon Tattoo 100 pages - I never got there. :(
DeleteLOL - All - I love it.
ReplyDeleteFast reader, hardback if possible (the print is easier to read), cozy and thriller, a bookmark or whatever’s at hand (sometimes another book!), insta love and love triangle, coffee a.m. tea p.m. and water all day, hero, day reader (see better in natural light but still attempt to read at night!), borrow mostly!
ReplyDeleteI do read more than one book at a time.