Recently my friend Jenny Vinyl sparked a discussion on our reading and writing group asking how we “audition” books. This came from a recent episode of the Bookrageous podcast where Paul Montgomery used “auditioning” as a term to describe how readers decide which novels to pick from the vast cast of books waiting to be … [Read more…]
You know the old USDA Food Guide Pyramid, the shape that specified the amounts of grains, vegetables, and oils Americans should consume daily? I’ve been wondering if we can adapt a similar concept for reading–at least for those of us who like to consciously plan our reading, or maybe just the next book or two. … [Read more…]
I’ve been looking at tons of romance novel blurbs at online bookstores this year–a consequence of being both an enthusiastic romance reader and writer. Looking at all those book covers and blurbs, I’ve noticed something: if I had a dime for every time I read the words “secret” or “alpha,” I’d be able to buy … [Read more…]
It’s only fair to balance my Top Ten Signs You’re Reading Genre Fiction with a list for those of us with a more literary lean. (Same note as before: this post is meant with much bibliolove; last year I read and enjoyed both The Bridge of San Luis Rey and the newest Bridget Jones.) … [Read more…]
Are you reading books of literary fiction? Or do they instead fit into one of the genres like sci-fi, fantasy, or romance? Here are ten ways to tell if you’re reading genre fiction. (Please note that any gross stereotypes and snark here is meant with a big dose of bibliolove. Proof: last year I read … [Read more…]
Give me a bookshelf of romances, virtual or real, and I’ll show you dozens of manscaped men. Naked torsos totally devoid of hair, sometimes gleaming with sweat, almost always sculpted. When did this happen? Where did all the hair go? Is it being knitted into sweaters? Is it clogging our drains? The other day I saw … [Read more…]
I’ve been reading a lot of posts lately from writers bemoaning the author discoverability problem. With thousands of books coming out each year, it’s hard for any author to stand out and sell books. A lot of these posts have suggested how to be more visible by being the loudest, coolest, or smartest writer on … [Read more…]
Of all the New Year’s resolutions I made this month–walking more, using more Listerine, watching my Hulu shows before they expire–I’ve got an extra-weird one: stop being embarrassed about reading romance. I’ve always been drawn to television shows and movies brimming with love stories and sexual tension, but when it comes to books, I’ve often … [Read more…]