How do you follow authors?

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?