by Amanda Forester
Many things go through my head when I consider the pursuit of happiness, but one of the things I enjoy the most are the quiet moments I get to read a book. Honestly, in my busy life I’m happy just to have a few quiet moments to myself, and if I can share them with a book it’s all the better. I love escaping into a different world and living, if only for a while, the life of a swashbuckling hero or a daring lady (with beautiful long hair, a size 2 body, and the generous bosoms nature did not see fit to give me in real life - hey, it's my fantasy!)
Summer is a particularly great time to read a book. My favorite place to read is at the beach, with the warm sand in my toes. When I was a kid I read books in a tree – not at all sure how I managed that one. These days I bring my own beach chair – the one with the arm rests and the cup holder. Oh yeah, that’s the life…
Currently one of my passions has been reading the Georgette Heyer books. I’m not sure how I missed them for all these years, but I just started reading them a few years ago. At that time I was having difficulty finding her books and I was forced to scrounge libraries looking for old copies. Then, as if to meet my every desire, Sourcebooks re-released her works, and I’ve been buying up copies ever since. I simply can’t tell you how much I adore these books. I love the crazy plots, the larger than life characters, the dry wit, and the glorious attention to detail.
So what is your reading passion this summer? Do share! What is on your reading list and where is your favorite place to read?
Hey Amanda, great blog! I'm reading a lot of different stuff--between contemporary romance, a vampire...hmmm, don't think it's a romance, at least not yet and I'm on cd #4 so far--although I keep waiting for the romance to come into the picture--sigh, and historical romances. I'm eclectic, you see. And of course, I read wolf stuff. The real stories about real wolves. :) Have fun reading!
ReplyDeleteThat was an interesting read. For myself, give me air conditioning and a good easy chair! I read just about anything, but at the moment I am catching up with J. D. Robb, I 'discovered' her about a month ago. I have quite a few authors that I keep tabs on, Terry Spear, Cheryl Brooks, Kendra Leigh Castle, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lora Leigh, Kate Douglas and too many more to name here. And yes you are one I keep an eye out for. Thanks for all the good times.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading Georgette Heyer all my life and have even worn out copies of my personal favorites. I think it's wonderful when someone new discovers her. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteLook at all of those lovely Sourcebooks Heyer editions! I'm slowly making my way through them, but I tell ya, I am in LOVE with what the art department has done with them. And we'll be releasing more of Heyer's regency romances in Spring '11!! Cotillion was the first I had read and it holds a special place in my heart. I just started reading her mysteries, too, and they are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your summer reading :-)
Amanda~
ReplyDeleteMy favorite place to read is anywhere I am. I'm one of those people who walks around with a book in my hand. I read while I cook, I'll be stirring the pasta with one hand and holding a book in the other, if I'm in line at the grocery store, I have my book with me. I'm known in my neighborhood as the book lady. I used to wait for my daughter's bus and would be reading while I waited morning and afternoon.
Right now I'm doing something I almost never do--I'm re-reading a book. It's The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. Sourcebooks will be releasing it for the US...Hmm...I'm not sure when, but I know they will and it's fabulous! I read it a year and a half ago and it's stayed with me all this time. I was going to bring my copy down to my Mom to read, but I honestly don't want to give it up. I thought I better re-read it before I lend out--even to my mother.
Reading has always been one of the greatest sources of pleasure for me too. Sadly I don't have as much time either, and have to say that is probably the biggest draw back to adding writing into my already busy life. *sigh At least the books will always be there waiting for me. Such as Heyer. I have yet to read one of her books and know that I should. Maybe that would be a good Kindle add for my upcoming vacation! Which one would you suggest I start with?
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteThe reason I started writing was because I loved reading. I grew up in a small town that had very little going on. I'm one of seven children so we didn't travel a lot. But I could travel anywhere I wanted by reading a book and I did. I loved it then and I love it now!
I just read a friend's book that had a demon, a witch and an incubus in it. After I finished, I thought "I'm not sure I wanted to go there!"
Amelia
Interesting read! My guilty pleasure is reading books where the snooty uptight guy turns into a charming suave gentleman. :-P
ReplyDeleteThe next on my must read list is a book by Lauren Dane.
On a separate note, I read on BooksOnBoard that Lauren Dane is going to be chatting on their Facebook wall live on Friday! That is awesome! If you're interested in getting details - http://bit.ly/LDchat
I've never read Georgette Heyer, but I'm sure I'd love her work. My to-be-read shelf is already overflowing, but what's a dozen more?
ReplyDeleteI read everyday, but only a few pages at a time. I don't know how long it's been since I read a book from start to finish in one sitting. Oh wait, yes, I do. It was when Harry Potter 7 arrived in my mailbox. That's been a while.
Reading definitely brings happiness.
Hey Robin--The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley will be out in December of this year :)
ReplyDeleteI don't read historicals as much as I used to, but I had a used book store back in the eighties and I loved it when I could find old editions of Georgette Heyer's books. Back then (in the olden days - yeesh), they were all out of print and we didn't have the internet where you can get that kind of thing easily - so it was a real thrill when you found one!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist right now. I just go through my TBR pile book by book. I like to read in bed, but lately if I lie in bed, I fall asleep. So i have to sit up!
ReplyDeleteJessica, I love the JD Robb books too.
Danielle, Cotillion was the first Heyer I read too!
Great post Amanda
ReplyDeleteI love reading on my couch, at bedtime, in the car, at work.
If I could find a way to play tennis & read I would LOL.
Robin, I so get that. A bunch of us met last year & it was common among us that we choose purses that have a compartment for a book.
My son thinks I'm nuts but I say I'm never bored waiting in line anywhere.
Just finshed Fatal Affair by Marie Force which I loved. I'm loving Exorcising Sean's Ghost by Beth Kery. Looking forward to Into the Crossfire by Lisa Marie Rice, Black Magic by Cherry Adair & Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy.
Terry - it's fun to read a mix of things - but a vampire story without romance??
ReplyDeleteJessica - J.D. Robb is great - as are all your favorites. It's nice to have so many books to read. I only wish I had more time!
Cheryl - Heyer is wonderful - I am enjoying her books greatly!
Danielle - I loved Cotillion so much that I loaned it to a friend, then wanted to read it again so I bought myself another copy! Other than Austen, I think Heyer is the only author I have read more than once.
ReplyDeleteRobin - my hat is off to you! If I tried to read and walk at the same time I'd end up in traction!
Sharon - Heyer's humorous regencies are a great place to start. I loved Cotillion (see above for proof!). The Corinthian is another of my favorites - crazy tangled plot and dialog that is fantastic - if only I could write like that!
Amelia - ha ha - yes books can certainly take you away, so it is best to watch your travel plans!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - cool - thanks for the tip!
Olivia - my trouble is when I start reading I can't stop. Not great for sleeping at night.
Joanne - isn't it great to have all these Heyer novels? I'm collecting them like a fiend. I'm planning to box them up for my daughter so she'll never know the tragedy of not being able to find the next Heyer novel(snif!).
Shana - I hear ya! I feel like a babydoll now - lie me down and my eyes close and that's it!
ReplyDeleteMary - of course a purse must be able to hold a book. What the heck else is a purse for?? :)
Great post, Amanda! Reading always makes me happy, and I feel rich when I leave a library or bookstore. I'm currently reading Patricia McKillip, an amazing fantasy writer!
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