I read. I read a lot. Possibly it’s because of my love of
reading and because of my love of books that I’ve become a publisher. I’m also
a writer and a reviewer. So what do I read?
Keeping a balance
I publish young adult literature and short stories. It’s
logical, then that I read a good deal of those. I also read some non-fiction
that interests me. That is often about literature, writing or something to do
with the publishing business. Or it might be to do with a period of history I’m
interested in. I also read books for younger children occasionally and normal
literature – often books I’ve picked up at writing friends’ book signings.
Then, of course, there are the books I have to review – usually children’s or
young adult. I also read in French, German and Spanish – partly because I can
and partly because I want to keep up my fluency in those languages.
How I choose
I sometimes think they’re choosing me. Since I’ve acquired a
Kindle I select in a slightly different way. I keep it charged up with four of
everything: four young adult / children / four adult in each of French, German
and Spanish of normal adult books and four non-fiction. If something comes up and
I have a gap, I’ll purchase the book. If I’m going somewhere than involves
flying I’ll make sure all categories are full. Added to this are the review
copies, the ones form readings and offers at conferences. At this point the
physical book almost becomes a souvenir.
I also use the local library.
What I think about
I’m afraid I can’t quite shut the editor head up. It’s also
still there when I go to the theatre or the cinema. I notice a cliché here, an
awkward expression there and find the odd character but thinly drawn. I also
notice excellent writing and sometimes understand why a particular book has
been published.
I review self-published books for one organisation and most of
them a reasonable. Some are good and some are even very good and better than some
conventionally published books I’ve read. Other self-published books I’ve
reviewed have been dire and I’m always wary of self-published books: how can we
know which ones are safe to read? Maybe
this is the biggest argument for seeking conventional publishing.
Reading now and soon
I’m reading a young adult thriller in German by Monika Feth.
No one writes quite like her. I hope more of her work will be translated into
English soon. She uses several different viewpoints but he characters are
richly drawn and her stories gripping.
After that I’ll be reviewing a young adult book for
Armadillo Magazine. I also have a pile of seven library books to read – three young
adult, two adult and two children’s. I have twenty books form signings to read
and about thirty non-fiction – some to do with some historical research I’m
doing and some I’ve picked up at conferences about writing.
