Fiction Friday: Books Anonymous
Over most of the past two weeks, as I’ve been working on my new Breathers Christmas novella and not doing much of anything else, I’ve sort of forgotten to do certain things. Like clean my apartment, post to my blog, and remember to floss.
Another casualty of my writing has been my stack of books to-be-read, waiting for me to give it some attention. Them some attention? Whatever. The problem isn’t so much that the stack of books isn’t getting any smaller, but that it’s growing taller. This is due to the fact that I keep doing book signings in book stores and am either offered an author’s discount or given my choice of a book for free as a gratitude by the book store.
Don’t they know I have a problem?
Some of the books in my stack have been there for nearly two years, like The Passage and Spook and L.A. Confidential. Others, like Monster and Divine Misfortune, both by A. Lee Martinez, were impulse buys at the L.A. Times Festival of Books. And Sacre Bleu and Pest Control came courtesy of one of the bookstores where I had a recent signing.
And this doesn’t include two new books I picked up or the other dozen books I have waiting on one of my bookshelves.
I’m wondering if there’s some sort of Twelve-Step Program for buying books:
- First I have to admit I have a problem, which I’ve done.
- Then I need to recognize a higher power who can give me strength. I’m thinking Stephen King fits the bill. Or maybe Neil Gaiman.
- Next there’s admitting past errors, like Twilight, and then making amends for those errors, like re-reading Bloodsucking Fiends.
- After that, I’d need to live a new life with a new code of behavior. I’m still working on that.
- Finally, there’s helping others who have the same addiction or compulsion. I’m here for you.
Obviously I’ve missed a few steps, but then I never was good at math.
Hey, based on this picture I went and bought The Zombie-Wilson Diaries ebook. Read the Matt Ruff! He’s one of my favorite authors.
Comment by Dan Geiser — June 1, 2012 @ 8:58 am
I love this picture! Read HORNS, Joe Hill is awesome. I can’t wait until I get back to my TBR list. Right now all my reading is dictated by classes so it’s all textbook, children’s and YA material. Found some good stuff but I had to read 13 chapter books just this week. Lucky Bastard is first when I get back to reading for fun. Embrace the addiction!
Comment by Rachel — June 1, 2012 @ 10:06 am
Thanks Dan. I read Bad Monkeys, so The Mirage will be my second of his. Had the chance to meet Matt when he was in SF for his book tour.
Comment by admin — June 1, 2012 @ 4:21 pm
Rachel, I read Heart Shaped Box a while ago so I’m a Joe Hill fan and looking forward to finally getting into Horns. And thanks for putting Lucky Bastard at the top of your list. I hope you enjoy the read.
Comment by admin — June 1, 2012 @ 4:22 pm
Read The Mirage next. That is all.
Comment by Thom Marrion — June 4, 2012 @ 7:38 pm