Are You a Reader?

Pillars of the Earth is the only book I ever read twice. I loved it! It was my favorite book for 20 years although I now have another favorite "This Much I know is True" by Wally Lamb. Wally Lamb and Ken Follet are my two favorite authors.

Well...I like to read all types of books....

S.M. Stirling is an author my husband likes. I was out of books to read one night and he suggested "Dies the Fire" and it was good. I think i finished it in 2 days...maybe 1...it is a series and I've read them all.

Another good one that my husband introduced me to is Terry Goodkind...he started me on the Chainfire series...I was hooked....

I've not read the Follett Book Pillars of the Earth - however - he's a good author!!

I loved, loved, loved the Stephanie Plum series...One for the Money - always a GREAT laugh!!!

I am a huge reader ! My Kindle is the best gift I have gotten in a long time. I can take tons of books with me at all times :) I tend to read lots of romance. It's easy reading and doesn't require much thought. I do get on kicks where I read political thrillers & some mystery. One of my favorite authors is Joel C. Rosenberg. I don't know anything about PIllars of the Earth as I haven't read it. My next series I want to read is the Hunger Games books.

I read everything I can. I usually check and see what books are hugely popular and see if they fit my tastes. I haven't been let down too much yet. :)

I also read a lot of young adult novels. Why? Because I am a young adult author, and I like to see what the market it doing. Which books are popular. Which books are over saturating the market. Personally if a book is WAY popular every other author on the planet tries to copy it.

I do the opposite, I try to find a new niche and work on that. My last book was a complete failure because the market became saturated with the story line I was telling. Of course it had taken me a year to write it, and I started before the saturation hit. But such is like. The new one I am writing is showing MUCH more promise.

I'm a voracious reader of all types of writing. I heartily suggest you take your friend's advice about "Pillars of The Earth"! It's a wonderful novel with wide appeal. I know many different types of people, but everyone I know who has read it, loved it!

I also suggest the "Songs of Ice and Fire" series by George R.R. Martin. "Game of Thrones" is the first book. The books are big and engrossing! I read all five of the ones he's written so far between Christmas and March, and I did neglect all but the absolute necesseties around the house! They captured me like nothing else. The HBO series is great, but the books provide so many more layers and stories.

If you want to get caught up in a very fast read, go for " The Hunger Games" trilogy. They're YA books but fantastic, and you won't put them down. It's okay though, because you can tear through them very quickly!

I'm all over on what I read. fiction and non-fiction.

a favorite is nevada barr's anna pigeon series. mysteries set in national parks. they're short, light, but irresistible.

or browse the new book section at your library. I always find interesting things there. I also use the favorites on the libraries ebook site and look at Barnes and Nobles ratings.

I've heard lots of good things from adults about the Hunger games; haven't yet read them myself.

don't know about pillars of the earth, but remember what I tell my kids. every reader has the right to not finish a book. so, give it a chapter or two and then make the decision.

happy reading.

I'm an avid reader (at least one book every two days) but my tastes are low brow entertainment/quick reads. I read rather than watch TV or movies so I want to be entertained not strained. For the most part I prefer mysteries, historical fiction and the occasional crime fiction novel. My husband bought me a Nook against my will and I love it. I read more than before because I don't have to go to the used bookstore which is difficult with a toddler in tow. I"m not sure my husband loves my Nook as much as I do but he does say at least I don't have piles of books everywhere. With the Nook I have branched out and tried some genres I would not have tried otherwise. I am too chicken to stand in the romance section for instance and paw through the steamy covers. Now I can read the odd romance or science fiction and laugh at myself in private. They tend to be low brow even by my nonexistent standard but they can be wickedly good fun and nice for variety's sake. I read cover to cover and without interruption preferrably. I cook with a book in one hand for the most part. I gouge out as much reading time as I can because there are times I have to stop midsentence.

I love Pillars of the Earth. Give it a shot I say. Edward Rutherfurd's another one in the similar vein (lengthy historical fiction) and I love those. Fear no book length I say. It just challenges me to carve out more of that shrinking reading time. Reading at lunch at my desk is miracle during the middle of the day. Good luck and happy reading.

I like historical fiction and I like historical fiction based on fact the best.

The historical fiction I've read recently that was a real eye opener was written by Allan W Eckert. He went to library archives, and private collections of diaries, and papers, and things like ship's logs and then wrote the stories of America based on his research. Its fiction because he gave the characters thoughts and dialog based on what he learned. But because he wasn't there to read their minds, it must be called fiction.

Allan Eckerts books that I've read: The Conquerors, The Frontiersmen and Wilderness Empire.

All are excellent and give a lot of historic detail, but Eckert tells it like they did it. No whitewash. He tells their (pioneers and indians) tactics and tortures and the ways they killed their enemies and how they lived . . . and died. Some of it is really graphic, but it certainly tells a different story than what you get out of the history books.

My 8th great grandparents were killed by indians in Pennsylvania prior to the revolutionary war. I'm only here because their children hid in a hollow log until help came to drive the indians away. So his books tell a story that tells what my greatgrandparents went through. My wife's multi-great grandfather was actually mentioned by name in one of the books.

I also like the "Earth's Children " series by Jean M. Auel. The first book is "Clan of the Cave Bear." She has a very good vocabulary, did extensive research in Europe and Asia on how the ancient people lived and visited museums and talked with prominent anthropologists about the ancient people of Europe and Asia.

Good luck to you and yours.

I love to read but unlike you I don't make enough time for it! I wish I would because when I get into a good book I think to myself I really need to do this more often. But I have lots of hobbies so sometimes I just choose those over reading. Right now I'm reading the second Hunger Games book b/c I read the first and saw the movie and really liked it. I had no idea it was young adult until I was nearly done with it. :-)

I like to read lots of "real life" books--I'm not really sure what that genre is called but some of my favorite authors are Anita Shreve, Jodi Piccoult, etc. I also love culinary mysteries or any sort of "cozy" mystery (the kind where the character solving the mystery is an accidental sleuth).

I also read A LOT of non-fiction, particularly parenting related and food related. I am a food blogger and I like to keep up with nutrition and how our food choices impact our planet and our bodies (i.e. scientific research type stuff). I started a virtual book club on my blog and include selections that are food related each month: non-fiction, cookbook, fiction, young adult/kid fiction and picture books, so there is something for everyone!

I adore books. In fact, we joke that I 'eat' them.

First: RIP the print edition of Encyclopedia Britannica.

I read a lot of child development/child psychology books for my professional betterment. I love 19th Century/Turn of the Century British authors (Austen, Thackeray, Trollope), modern fiction, the occasional chick-lit book or graphic novel and biographies. And I read the local papers as often as I can. Just for kicks, I'm reading a Tim Dorsey novel right now--need a bit of political Florida silly right now!:)

My girlfriend (we have a book group of two) loves the same sorts of books you do and LOVED Pillars of the Earth.

I don't get as much time to read each day as I used to. Each day, though, we have a Quiet Play time for about 45 minutes, so I get that, plus any time in the evening I have might go to that.

Great question!

I am a reader.
Read various stuff.
When I was younger, I actually read an entire Dictionary, from front to back and would then, look at the cross referenced words too.

But recently, I read in order to relax. I don't wanna read "how to" books or non-fiction. Just wanting to read pure fiction lately and just relax and have fun reading.

What I have done lately, is read my Daughter's books. She is 9. But she has a great collection.
One GREAT book I read from her shelf is called "The Mysterious Benedict Society." REALLY great book. Not a "kiddie" book per say , but like me, an adult... I really enjoyed it. It is also a New York Times Bestseller book.
After I read that book, I HAD to get Book #2 and Book #3.

The offshoot of this is, by reading my Daughter's books, we have had so many really great conversations about the books. I didn't "plan" on reading her books just for this aspect. But it was just a great side benefit. Its like our own little book club.
And she gets a kick out of the fact, that I actually "read" her, books.
She thinks its cool.
Again, I never planned it that way. I just wanted some fun books to read. So I started to get books from her shelf.

I have not read "Pillars of the Earth" but it is on my "to read" list.

I just read "Defending Jacob," which sounds right up your alley! But if you want to break from your norm try one of these:

The Red Tent
Cutting for Stone
Night Circus
Kite Runner
The Son of Hamas
The Help

Only biographies, my mind 'makes pretend' enough without any help.

I think it's a good idea to mix it up.
I used to mainly read "women's" stories, that is, great fiction written by women from a woman's perspective, usually centered around families, relationships, etc.
But I have also gotten into biographies and autobiographies lately, and historical fiction. For example, I picked up Andre Agassi's autobiography (Open) last year, even though I knew nothing about him and I've never had any interest in professional tennis. But wow, it was great, what a fascinating life story! And I read some young adult fiction because I like to keep up with what's popular with my kids and their friends (The Hunger Games was a great read, for example.)
Some other recent favorites:
The Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses, both by Jeanette Walls
Little Girl Blue, a bio about Karen Carpenter
The Paris Wife
Marie Antoinette, The Journey
Room by Emma Donoghue
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Born to Run
Unbroken, a WW2 Story of Survival
Oh, and yes, you will enjoy Pillars of the Earth, I'm sure, EVERYONE I know who has read that book has loved it, including me :)

HA! I am a fully engrossed reader, too. The world fell apart for four days after Christmas while I read all three stieg larson books back-to-back-to-back. (I had to get them finished before the semester started - lol!)
I ususally only have time for fun reading over vacations or summer.
I haven't read Pillars of the Earth, but if it is a big book and you like to commit, I'd be sure it is a time you can afford to be tired (from staying up) and distracted (from thinking about when you can get your next book fix -hee hee).
Lately, I have been reading a lot of legal case focused books (Make no law; Remix, Free culture, etc). I have a few books on the burner to start in May including the Hunger Games Series and a re-read of a few of my faves.

I'm a big big reader. I read a lot of Young Adult books as well as some adult books. I really liked The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Series, A Song of Fire and Ice Series, Hunger Games Trilogy. Also enjoy a chick lit book once in a while. I joined goodreads (a book site) to keep track of books, look up reviews and see what my friends are reading.

I read like you ,
I mostly read historical romances.
They are easy to read and I can finish one in 2 , 3 days max.
I am currently reading Karen Hawkins
Grace Burrowes
Deanna Raybourn (Lady Julia Grey mystery series)
MJ Putney (paranormal regency romance, very cool series)
Kathryn Kennedy

When I read, I do it to escape, so I don't want to read mysteries, thrillers, or anything like that. I read traditional romances (not smut novels) and fantasy or sci-fi. I do not want to read anything ripped from the headlines- I have the news for that! Nothing grounded in reality! LOL!
When I DO pick up a book, I read it straight through, if it catches my attention.

I love the read too but I love Fiction. I like Romane and Thrillers. My favorite authors are; James Patterson, Anne Rice, Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts, Terry McMillian, Judy Picoult just to name a few.

I used to read non-stop but now my DD won't let me. Anymore when i go to bed I fall right to sleep so it takes me foreever to finish a book. I do miss reading often.

I love to read and at times, like you, I neglect my family :)

Some of my recent favorites are:
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Redeeming Love
Left Neglected
Hunger Games series
Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward

Try historical fiction as an ice breaker ;)

I like reading random book reviews wherever I can to get ideas for books I wouldn't normally read. The library is great for grabbing handfulls at a time so you don't have to commit financially if you're not into it. (Ebooks included.)

Here are some recent reads that I liked:

Loved the Hunger Games (only read first one so far)
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
The Descendants
House of Thieves
Two very good Biblical Fictions from female characters' perspectives: The Red Tent & The Dovekeepers
Anna Karenina (it's long, but don't be fooled it reads like a soap opera) be sure to get the David Magarshak translation
Since someone else mentioned it, the Andre Agassi bio :)
Ellen Degeneres books are light, funny and easy
I also recently read/re-read a bunch of classics...
Great Expectations
Any and all Hemingway
Steinbeck
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Mark Twain
Have you read any Larry McMurtry?? I just got on a kick after reading The Last Picture Show. And he wrote so much that you don't even realize (Terms of Endearment!) and tons of sequels so it could keep you busy for a while!! You're in TX so he could be even more enjoyable. Check him out.

I have to laugh at this because I feel the same...I've only heard amazing things about that book, but when I look at how big it is, I have to step back and say, "It's not you, it's me..." lol
In July, my kids are going on a 5 day vacation with my sister and I'm thinking that may be a good time to read it.

I love, love, love to read! I just finished Stormchasers, by Jenna Blum, at 3 o'clock this morning. I started reading it in the bath, and after awhile realized my water was FREEZING cold, stopped reading long enough to brush my teeth and climbed into bed to finish the book while my sweet husband slept with a pillow over his eyes to block the light.

I am going to have to read Pillars of the Earth now that you mentioned it!

It is a long book but I read it several years ago and loved it. I personally think it was worth reading. I do like to read shorter books sometimes that I can finish in a day or two but sometimes a book like Pillars takes me over a week to several weeks but it ends up being worth it.