I'm a writer & I love to read. I don't like to limit myself to a single genre or author (as you can see) and I love finding gems (both old and new). I like a book that will make me laugh inappropriately, make me cry when the bad guy dies, or make me angry when the hero says something stereotypical. I don’t like books that I can predict in the first few chapters. I don’t like stories that are preachy or end with a happily-ever after moment. I like to be challenged, disappointed in my heroes, surprised by the bad guys, and I love a book that leaves the ends messy because life is messy.
My favorite authors are Steven Brust, Simon R. Green, R.A. Salvatore and Poppy Z. Brite. My favorite Manga-ka are Kazuya Minekura, Kohta Hirano, Hirouki Samura, and You Higuri. Just because I like an author doesn’t mean I automatically like everything they’ve written. I judge a book on the merit of the book and if it’s part of a series, how it flows with the other books.
"I know that when I stumble across someone who has not only read but loved one of these books as much as I have, I've probably made a friend for life." - Nancy Pearl 5 Stars – I love the book – was touched by it or inspired by it. I have probably already purchased it, have it on my gift list, or would buy it if I had the funds available.
4 Stars – Very good book – I’ve probably read it more than once or will read it again.
3 Stars – Good book – probably a library gem that I might read again, depending on my mood.
2 Stars – Ok book – not likely to read again, but was still enjoyable in some way.
1 Star – I can’t believe I read this book – wasted my time or my money and won’t read again. These books are the reason for my philosophy that life is too short to waste reading bad books. I also added any book I can't remember but found on my old fashion hand-written list of books I've read over the last 20 years.
Most of my non-fiction collection is from my graduate studies (a few from college) and it may seem like an odd group of books considering my tastes in fiction, but it works for me.
Other than reading, I’m into anime and video games, but I always have a stack of books out from the library. I’m always searching for the next great book to read, so if you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them.
“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted. You should live several lives while reading it.” - William Styron « less