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I was emailing with a blogger friend the other day. In the course of conversation, she mentioned a particular author and the recent film based on one of his books. I told her that I hadn't seen the film, or read the book, but I would probably get around to it since I've read a couple of the author's other books and am getting around to finishing his other ones. Sound weird?
Well, I read every book by every author I read. It's true. This doesn't include books in a series! Once I pick something up something by an author, I'm compelled to read everything else they've written.
It might be something of a given that I need to somewhat enjoy the first book picked up. But if I find even one morsel of material that I like (sometimes it can be the use of words I enjoy, a witty phrase that stays with me, or good description), I'm in for the long haul with that writer.
I think it's fascinating to read a book by someone, find out what else they've done, check that out and make comparisons between present writing and earlier work. As the influences in a writer's life changes, it is reflected in their work and their writing picks up on those characteristics, telling a story beneath the one being read. The result of my interest is that my bookshelves look like a library, with multiple titles by each author, represented.
What is your reading pattern?
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I'm not sure I have a reading pattern. I really adore Anita Shreve, and I used to love reading James Patterson, but lately I've fallen off the Patterson bandwagon to discover new authors and poets since beginning my book reviewing blog.
Although I sometimes get sucked into a series if the first one I read is good enough to hold my attention.
I'm the same as you. I will go all out with a single author if I like the first book I read from them. I will even take a chance on a subject matter I don't normally read about if one of those authors has written about it. This is why lately I have been making more of an effort to try new authors -- I've been stuck reading back catalogues for years!
I do the same. I'm always happy to find a new author with a sizeable backlist, although something about really lengthy series can be a little offputting. For the sake of my budget, I typically browse used book stores or the library for these (sorry, heh).
For current best-selling authors, it's usually enough to remember their name, as I'm in the bookstore browsing new releases several times a month.
The hardest ones for me to keep track of are authors who are releasing new material in both hardback and paper, because I don't buy hardback... and then I get confused about whether I've read it or not (Nora Roberts, Jayne Anne Krentz, f'rinstance)
I'm very seldom faithful (I love reading new authors -- love variety), but there are some authors I return to because they so completely took my breath away that I'll keep hoping the next book will rock my world. Daphne Du Maurier is one of those authors. Rebecca blew me away. Jamaica Inn was great. Then I read a title I thought was awful -- in fact, so awful that I put it right out of my head and can never remember it. I loved Frenchmen's Creek. I was disappointed with My Cousin Rachel. I could go on. I'm faithful to her because of Rebecca. It was just that wonderful.
I don't really have a pattern that I stick to. I used to be the type to read everything I could find by an author I liked, but now I tend to enjoy mixing up my reading by varying the author or genre. I will go back to a favorite author eventually, but I appreciate the writing more if I space them out.
I will read all of a series by a particular author, presuming they stay interesting, but I don't feel the need to read all of an author's books. There are so many great authors out there, and just so little time.
Thanks for all the great comments! It's wonderful to read everyone's unique pattern (or non-pattern) towards reading. :-)
I only have a few authors whose books I read continuously. Koontz, King and Iles are on the top of my list.
If I find a new author to love, I will read his/her work, usually chronologically. I stop reading when his/her work transitions from good novels to glorified film treatments...cases in point, Jodi Picoult and Michael Crichton.
Usually, when I find an author I like, I'll start reading everything I can get my hands on by that author. Sometimes it's almost disappointing when I find out it's a first novel LOL. And once I'm hooked on a writer, I'll insist on reading everything he/she puts out unless the quality takes a dive. The bad thing is that if one of my golden child authors disappoints me, I can become rather hateful and banish him/her instantly, never to get back in my good graces again LOL.
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