Read or write? That is the question! Most writers love to read, and I’m no exception. I am typically plowing through at least two books at a time. I listen to an audiobook as I walk the dog, drive the car, clean the house, etc. And I simultaneously read another book in print, usually on my Kindle so I can continue reading even after the overhead lights have been turned off and my husband has fallen asleep. It’s hard to put down a page-turner in the middle of an exciting scene. I’m the adult version of a kid with a flashlight under the covers, staying up past my bedtime to finish a good book. Some things never change.
I’ve participated in a variety of book groups over the years. It forces me to expand my scope of reading beyond the cozy mystery genre, which is my form of comfort food or “chicken soup for the soul.” I enjoy the brain teasing aspect of whodunit mysteries. And I can read cozies before bedtime without having nightmares in my sleep.
My current book group reads a lot of historical fiction. The stories allow the reader to travel to a different place and era and weave fascinating informational tidbits into the thread of the storyline. Some books are based on real people and incidents, making the tales all the more memorable and meaningful. We’ve read biographies, self-help, and other genres as well. Each book is unique and imparts something different. So many books, so little time. I feel like a kid in a candy shop – I want to sample them all.
When I manage to carve out a few moments of time in my day, the question is always, “Do I sit down and write or lay down and read?” Both are tempting choices for a writer. An author gets to create his or her own world. A reader gets to dive into someone else’s world. An enjoyable journey either way.
