“Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the most. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out the window.”
~William Faulkner
A writer is supposed to also be a really good reader as well and I have to admit that, while I used to be, I am not the best at reading. Not since I have thrown myself more into writing and concentrating on perfecting my writing skills and techniques. I make an honest effort every year to try and do better at maintaining my reading pace. When I make my list of books to read I try to put a little bit of everything on the list from romantic novels and mysteries, to some writing instruction books as well as motivational books. I typically find myself only completing about half of my enormous list that I actually think I can read in a year.
I suppose I would like to think that I could still read at the same pace that I used to read (like ten years ago). But in reality I know that as I get more and more into writing my novels and other writing projects, I most likely won’t be able to read at that same rate but that never stops me from trying. This year I am really going to attempt to make a manageable list that I will hopefully complete. However instead of packing it with an eclectic mix of genres as I normally would I am going to be reading all mysteries next year. For the last few books on this year’s list I’ve chosen the mystery books and I am really getting into the mystery genre. I really like Sue Grafton and J.D. Robb novels right now.
Also since my novel is a mystery and I am beginning a series, then it seems that I like to write mysteries as well. So if any of you have any mysteries that you would like to suggest for my 2012 reading list I sure would like to hear them. I have a few of my own already to put on there but I still would like to hear what books you would recommend. Well I have a list to go finish. Until tomorrow…What’s on your reading list?
Jimmetta Carpenter
Writer/Editor
The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)
Writing as “Jaycee Durant”
https://writetobe.wordpress.com/
http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310
Write 2 Be 
A noble and inspiring wish. Gives me food for thought, certainly. I can’t make claims to being either reader or writer (my own blog is surely a ramble – not a write 🙂
My reflections on reading your post: I stopped reading the “everything” after taking up study again. The study has been a narrow focus of reading only ‘somethings’. Ugh. You may just have nudged me toward a new years resolution… finding the time and space to read everything. Balance is a good thing, right?
Thanks again, I think I’ll follow you just to keep an eye on what I might be able to add to my own “to read” list 😉
Ooh, if you’re into paranormal mystery, try the Dresden Files. It’s like, fantasy + Paranormal + Mystery. It’s pretty super cool.