Jill here. And I'm with Stephen. I admit. I get frustrated by writers who tell me they don't read. And, yeah. There are a handful of muliti-published authors who somehow get away with this. But the majority of authors love to read. They must read. They can't not read. And that makes sense. The only thing that is better than writing to improve your craft, is reading. You should do it. Lots.
Answer the following questions in the comments. My answers are in green.
What is the last book you completed? Jerk: California by Jonathan Friesen (This book was so good!)
What book(s) are you reading now? Ladies in Waiting: From the Tudors to the Present Day by Anne Somerset, An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers, and The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
What book do you plan to read next? Rush by by Jonathan Friesen (I'm meeting him this weekend and want to get these books signed!)
I really don't understand how people can actually produce good writing without reading books either. Fortunately, I love to read. The last book I completed was "Chasing Jupiter" by Rachel Coker, right now I am reading "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak and I plan to read "Scarlet" by Marissa Meyer next.
ReplyDeletehttp;//www.butterfliesoftheimagination.weebly.com/
Last book I read: Frankenstein.
ReplyDeleteCurrent book: The Book Thief.
Next book I want to read: The Great Bridge
I can see how reading would be just as important as writing. The last book I finished was The Shadow Throne, by Jenifer Nielsen. I'm reading, Twice Freed, by Patricia St. John, and I'm not sure what I'm going to read next, but I have a whole stack of books!
ReplyDeleteTwice Freed is sooo good ;)
DeleteLast book: Reapers by Bryan Davis
ReplyDeleteCurrently reading: Nothing, but I'm listening to an audiobook of The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander
Next book: Probably Crown of Embers (can't remember the author)
Whenever I hear about an author who doesn't read, I have to wonder- if you don't love to read, why do you want to write?
The last book I read was Horse Dreams by Dandi Daley Mackall. I'm now reading The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet. You're an amazing author, Stephanie! I don't know yet what book I'll read next. Might be So Not Okay by Nancy Rue, but I'm not sure. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://teensliveforjesus.blogspot.ru
Aww, thanks, Sofia!
DeleteMy book went missing i took the time to clean my whole room till it sparked clean to find my book but i failed and Sofie, the worst part is when i lost the book the Countess Of Liechester was about to b executed over false charges!
DeleteThe last book that I read was Trust by Molly Evangeline. I am reading Truth by Molly Evangeline (for the third time) aloud with my mom and sister. The next book that I will read will probably be Courage by Molly Evangeline aloud with my mom and sister, or Resistance by Molly Evangeline by myself (it comes out May 20!).
ReplyDeleteI love to read, but because I don't know how to read for anything but pleasure it's difficult to see why reading could be helpful if I'm not paying attention and I don't know how to pay attention to it... I know there was a post on deconstructing a novel, but ain't nobody got time to deconstruct every single novel they read. Reading as a writer is hard.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved to read. Lately, though, I've been struggling. I think part of the issue is not having a good book. After all, a few months ago I devoured The Fault in Our Stars and The Knife of Never Letting Go. Right now, I'm stuck in the middle of a few books. Whenever I start reading, I'll read for only an hour and then I'll get this itch to go write. It bugs me because I know I HAVE to read, but if I read for longer than an hour I start to skim. But somehow, when I read craft books, I hang on to every single word.
ReplyDeleteI've just got to get reading more! I really like these inspirational days. Thanks, Jill!
Loved this little snippet. I've only met one or two people who say they love to write but never read. My first reaction was like, "Is that...even allowed?" Of course I didn't say this, but you get my drift. There are days that I feel guilty because I'm reading more than I'm writing, but I remind myself that, I'm just working on my craft. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe book I'm currently reading is No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig
The book I just finished was Love Comes Calling by Siri Mitchell (I absolutely adored that book!)
Book that I'm hoping to read next? I think probably Undetected by Dee Henderson (I have a soft spot for Dee. ;-) )
Thanks for the great post!
I totally read more than I write, at least in number of books (well, kinda obvious), and quite frankly in number of hours spent. Not just you. I get that feeling. ;)
DeleteGood to know I'm not the only one! Thanks, Amanda. :)
DeleteWhat is the last book you completed? "Covenant Child" by Terri Blackstock
ReplyDeleteWhat book(s) are you reading now? "Bridge to Haven" by Francine Rivers, "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
What book do you plan to read next? "The Longest Ride" by Nicholas Sparks, "Christy and Todd: The Married Years" by Robin Jones Gunn
How are you enjoying Bridge to Haven? :D
DeleteFrom Amo Libros:
ReplyDeleteCompleted: The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw by Christopher Heely (I think. I'm not sure about the name). It's the third book in a series about the Princes Charming - Frederick, Gustav, Liam and Duncan. It's hilarious!
Now: Winterling by Sarah Prineas
Next: Either the next in the Winterling series, or one of the 12 or so books I got out from the library yesterday.
Last book: Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
ReplyDeleteCurrent Book: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
Next book: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson or The Book Thief by Zusak
I notice a theme, Katie. ;)
DeleteLast book: Anna Karenin by Leo Tolstoy
ReplyDeleteCurrent Books: Ivanhoe by Walter Scott, and Twelfth Night by Shakespeare
Next Book: I'll see if my library card still works.
Love Ivanhoe!
DeleteAuthors should read. How else will they learn (other than writing, of course)?
ReplyDeleteDivergent was the last book I finished. I'm reading Les Miserables, Hero of Ages (Brandon Sanderson), The Ankulen (Kendra E. Ardnek), and some beta-reading.
Next will probably be Steelheart (Brandon Sanderson) or Shades of Milk and Honey (Mary Robinette Kowal).
~Robyn Hoode
I've always been a passionate reader. My list of books that I've read goes well past 200. :)
ReplyDeleteSo, the last book I finished was The Mine, by A.L.O.E, and before that, The Last Sin Eater, by Francine Rivers.
I'm currently reading Bridge to Haven, by Francine Rivers (my very sweet sister bought us both copies to read together, as a special gift for me because I'm going through friendship problems).
And the book I plan to read next? :) Another one of Francine Rivers' books; haven't quite decided which one yet. :)
Thank you for the post, Mrs. Williamson! :) I love these!! How are you enjoying the "Mark of the Lion Series" by Francine Rivers? That's one of the first things on my wish-list. :)
Right now I'm reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom and Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis. Next I'm going to read Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I'm glad I'm not the only one who reads more than one book at a time. :D
ReplyDeleteLast book I completed: River Secrets by Shannon Hale
ReplyDeleteReading now: The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher
Reading next: While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad and Project Gemini by Jill Williamson.
I love reading!
I spent a long time not reading because I felt like the author's writing style always managed to sneak its way into my book(s). I started reading again in December and discovered just how much easier it is to write after reading so much and I also feel like I rediscovered how much I like to write!
ReplyDeleteThe last book I completed was Breaking Rules by Tracie Puckett. I just finished it and I'm not currently reading anything. My next trip to the library will determine my next pick.
Last book I read: Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm reading now: I'd Rather be Writing by Marcia Golub(I. LOVE. THIS BOOK.)
What I plan to read next: Allegiant by Veronica Roth(except I know a huge spoiler about the end and so now I don't want to read it).
Seems like a lot of people heard/saw/whatever that spoiler somehow, Lisa... -_- I did, and I know how you feel. (IT'S SO PRETTY THOUGH.)
DeleteI saw a spoiler too. :/ Oh well, I'm still going to read the last two still. :)
DeleteI *WILL* read it... sometime... maybe... possibly... I was warned though, that there was a spoiler, and I read it anyway, so it's my fault really.
DeleteBut I am looking forward to seeing Tobias's POV!
Ha! That's me :) Jill, you're sneaky.
ReplyDeleteLast book I finished: A Soft Breath of Wind by Roseanna White (which releases this fall)
Books I'm reading now: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys, American Mafia by Thomas Reppetto, and David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
What I'm Reading Next: Heist Society by Ally Carter
Last book I read: Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
ReplyDeleteBooks I'm reading now: Er... The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Spears, Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, and Shield of Stars by Hilari Bell.
Book I plan to read next: Mind Games by Kristen White (for a refresher), then the sequel Perfect Lies.
Just finished King, by R.J. Larson (awesome!)
ReplyDeleteWorking on Hope Rising, by Scott C. Todd (having a hard time getting into it)
Up next...hmmm....Not sure. Too many options!
I just finished The Blue Sapphire by D.E. Stevenson
ReplyDeleteI'm reading The Return of The King by J.R.R Tolkien
I'm planning to read All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot.
I agree on reading before you write. It's like never looking at art and trying to be an artist.
Last Books: Kim by Rudyard Kipling and The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Stewart Lee
ReplyDeleteCurrent Books: John Adams by David McCullough, The Lost World by Arthur Doyle, and War and Peace by Victor Hugo
Next Book: The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare.
I have to totally agree with reading is an essential part of writing. I honestly don't know how one could go about learning to craft beautiful, amazing stories without reading books by the Master Writers. :)
I LOVE the Mysterious Benedict Society!!!
DeleteDitto Alea!
Delete~Robyn
I'm just finished "Against All Odds" by Irene Hannon. It was good.
ReplyDeleteI am now reading "100 cupboards" by N.D. Wilson. It is super good!
I plan on reading "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" by Philip Yancy. And I think it will be excellent!
I just finished: Anne of the Island, L.M. Montgomery
ReplyDeleteI am now reading: Anne of Windy Poplars, L.M. Montgomery
I plan on reading: Anne's House of Dreams, L.M. Montgomery
Part of my assignment to read all the Anne books. ;)
I just finished: Penny From Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm
ReplyDeleteI am now reading: J.S. Bach by (insert biographer's name that I cannot remember.)
I plan on reading: The Book Thief by Markus Zuask
Unfortunately I haven't read a whole lot lately. But the last book I completed was the Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet! Such a wonderful sequel! I devoured it in like 3 or 4 days lol.
ReplyDeleteThe next book on my list is a book I got for my birthday called "The Goose Girl" by Shannon Hale. It looks sooo good!
You seriously HAVE to read The Goose Girl! It is probably my all time favorite book. All the sequels are amazing too (: tell me if you like it!
DeleteThanks, Jazmine!
DeleteI agree about the Goose Girl! I read it awhile ago and am planning on reading it again soon, along with the sequel!
DeleteI just finished The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (I've never read the books but I've seen all of the movies, it's a blast to read the history).
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading The Two Towers, The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart, Nightmares & Dreamscapes by Stephen King, and Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card. I have a book for different places. Dr.'s appts, home, at my desk to inspire me before I write, and a craft book to reference.
Next up, will be The Return of the King, the sequel to The Crystal Cave, and I have Nathan Bransford's How to Write a Book and K.M. Weiland's How to Structure a Novel and I'll pick another scary one from my shelves.
I just finished Between Shades of Grey and Here Lies the Librarian
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading The Omnivore's Delema, The Fellowship of the Rings, and a couple other books XD
I hope to read Howls Moving Castle and The World of Captain John Smith (by Genevieve Foster) next.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe last book I read was my 400th since I started keeping track: Love Me if You Must.
DeleteI've heard that “a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies," so 600 to go!
Reading now: Tolkien and Lewis: The Gift of Friendship.
Reading next: hmmm . . . not sure yet. Maybe Writing Historical Fiction by Angela Hunt (free on Kindle right now!)
Last book I read: Rocky Mountain Oasis by Lynette Bonner (Loved. This. Book!)
ReplyDeleteCurrently reading: Once Upon A Summer (Seasons of the Heart series) by Janette Oke (for like the fourth time), Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling.
What I plan to read next: Winds of Autumn (Season of the Heart series) by Janette Oke, All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriet (I have always loved the movies and you can bet the book is even better).
HP
What is the last book you completed? The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Not a choice (school assignment) but I actually really liked it. Even stayed up an hour past bedtime to finish it.
ReplyDeleteWhat book(s) are you reading now? I try very, very hard to only read one book at a time. Right now that's A Broken Kind of Beautiful, a new book I'm reviewing on my blog.
What book do you plan to read next? Looking for Alaska. I loooved The Fault in Our Stars (so psyched for summer!! can't wait to see it on the big screen) and I found John Green's other books in BAM for $10 each, so I bought three of them.
What is the last book you completed? Surviving Antarctica Reality TV 2083 by Andrea White
ReplyDeleteWhat book(s) are you reading now? I try to read one book at a time, and I just finished this one about an hour ago, so I haven't started a new one yet!
What book do you plan to read next? Either The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau or When We Wake by Karen Healey. I can't decide! :)
~ Kayla
The City of Ember is a great book!
DeleteI finished Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins; I'm currently reading the next book in that series. After that, I'm gonna read Airborn by Kenneth Oppel and then the last book in the Gregor the Overlander series.
ReplyDeleteLast book: The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (have probably read this oh... 10 times)
ReplyDeleteCurrent book: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (rereading)
Next book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I agree! If you're too busy to read, you're too busy.
ReplyDeleteI literally just finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. (so exciting!!!) I'm currently reading The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan and A Dream Deferred by Charisse Nesbit. Tomorrow, I start on The Unwanteds: Island of Silence by Lisa McMann.
And Rush is amazing!!!
Alexa Skrywer
alexaskrywer.blogspot.com
Let's see...
ReplyDeleteLast book I completed: Sleeping Beauty's Daughters by Diane Zahler
Book I'm reading now: A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine
Book I plan on reading next: Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Oh, I want to read A Tale of Two Castles!!
DeleteIt's good! It's a mystery, which is fun.
DeleteLast book read: Hard Times, by Charles Dickens
ReplyDeleteCurrently reading: This one's complicated. I'm sure to have tabs in several books at any given time, but the focus (at this particular moment) is on Pride and Prejudice/Northanger Abbey (for the gazillionth time, ha!).
To read soon: Again, a very complicated - but the biggest things on my list are Mere Christianity (reread), Treason (Ann Coulter), The Phantom of the Opera, and Rachel Heffington's Fly Away Home (as soon as I can purchase it ^_^).
i have been reading Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott countess Amy is being executed! Sadly I lost my book a few days ago.
ReplyDeleteLast book read- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
ReplyDeleteCurrently Reading- Maximum Ride: Max by James Patterson and A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
What I Want to Read Next- Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (or one of the twenty-eight different books sitting on my shelf)
I recently finished Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson. I'm currently reading White Space by Ilsa J. Bick, and How Should We Then Live? by Francis Shaeffer (somewhat interesting but its for school :P). Next I'm going to read Eye of Minds by James Dashner.
ReplyDeleteLast read : Heart of Fire by Voices of the Martyrs
ReplyDeleteCurrently reading: a 300+ biography on C. S. Lewis, the Apocrypha, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis ( for the second or third time.)
Plan to read: Come Sing, Jimmy Jo by Katherine Paterson
I believe reading is essential for writing.
Last read: (I think) The Help
ReplyDeleteCurrent: Divergent, Airborn, and Daddy Long-Legs
Plan to... a bunch on my shelf :P
Completed: Just finished Geek Girl by Holly Smale this morning
ReplyDeleteCurrent: Almost finished Teenage Outliers... Nothing right this second
Next: Fractured by Teri Terry and Breathe (just bought those two yesterday!) and some Netgalley books
Completed: Hornblower in the West Indies by C. S. Forester
ReplyDeleteCurrent:The Gallic War by Julius Caesar
Next: Sharpe's Tiger by Bernard Cornwell
I'm confused on how you manage to read 3 books at once... I wish I could!
ReplyDeleteThose people who got away with such things should be punished! haha!
ReplyDeleteCompleted: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling (for the third time; this time I'm studying her writing style)
Current: Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
Next: I'll probably end up closing my eyes and pulling one from my ever-growing pile on my desk!