Saturday, May 19, 2012

What kind of reader are you?

I’ve always been an avid reader but I’ve found that, through the years, my reading habits have changed. When I was a little girl and a teenager, I used to start a book and, if it drew me in, I’d read every spare minute until I’d finished it – day and/or night. I haven’t done that for many years because some things changed.
I became an adult with lots of other responsibilities. There was housework, job, family; you know what I’m talking about. But I loved to read so I had to figure out a way to get my reading time into every day. Now, I read in bed each night before I go to sleep. As a matter-of-fact, I can’t go to sleep until I’ve read for at least an hour or so. Believe me, there are many nights when I don’t want to close the book I’m reading but, when I find myself reading the same sentence three times, I know I have no choice. That’s the kind of reader I am.
But, there are different kinds of readers. Several people have told me that they don’t normally have time to read; they’re too busy. Others have said they suffer from eyestrain by the end of the day because their jobs require spending extensive time on the computer and reading business related material. They say the only time they read is when they go on vacation. They read on planes and/or by the pool, which is something all readers seem to have in common. We wouldn’t dream of going away without a book; it’s as important to us as bringing our toothbrushes!
Well, vacation time is drawing near. Soon, people will head for various destinations for the three R’s: rest, relaxation and reading and they’re going to want to have a good book to take with them. Each month, I post at least one “Getting to know you” interview with a published author. I try to provide the readers of my blog with a wide assortment of books to choose from. Mostly, I feature mystery authors because that’s what this blog is mainly about and that’s my genre of choice but I occasionally interview authors in other genres too.
This week, I’m offering a free copy of Mixed Messages, the first novel in my Malone mystery series, to someone who leaves a comment answering the question, “What kind of reader are you?” I’ll put all the names in a hat (or a Tupperware bowl) and pick one at random. Then, I’ll list the winner’s name as a comment on Saturday, May 26th, the last day for this post. Please check back to see if your name is chosen and, if so, email me with your mailing address. Even if you don’t win, I hope you’ll take my book on vacation with you. :)