Reading's for wussies...

[Note: Originally written Feb 23, 2008, see update after entry]

Not really, but I once believed that. Growing up watching my sister lounge around the pool or house with book in hand, I never understood why someone would want to spend their time reading. I felt that I should be outside being active rather than just sitting there flipping pages. Even watching movies (which I did a lot of) took less time than reading.

I suppose much of my prejudice came from the fact that I am a slow reader. Because of this, I found myself reading a lot of comics (the pretty pictures!). "Ghost Rider" was my poison and I read everything related to the Midnight Sons that I could get my hands on. As I've gotten older, I have come to appreciate lounging in the sun doing squat, zilch, and notta, and have therefore learned to enjoy a good book. Now that I'm writing again, I want to read, too. I suppose it comes with the territory.

A few years ago a friend lent me his copies of a trilogy by a very talented lady named of Jeanne Kalogridis. Her vampire trilogy, "The Diaries of the Family Dracul", rival any vampire story written or filmed. The story is told through journal entries of various characters and is exceptionally written. Everything is so detailed and alive. Kalogridis expands on "Bram Stoker's Dracula" by setting the first book in the trilogy 50 years before that legendary tale. By the time you reach the third book, the story begins to overlap that of Bram Stoker's.

Shortly after finishing "The Diaries of the Family Dracul", I found myself reading a series of books about a boy wizard by J.K. Rowling. Maybe you've heard of him? "Harry Potter" needs no introduction. It's one of the greatest series of novels ever written and a true generation bender. I started reading Harry Potter when I was 27 and my mom, who was approaching 50 at the time, had started years before me! Even that guy from Maine reads Potter.

Despite having seen almost all of his movie adaptations, I am a newcomer to the written world of Stephen King. It only took one novella ("The Mist") to make me a lifetime fan. I absolutely adore his writing style. I really enjoy his short stories and I highly recommend his book, "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" to any beginner or established writer. It's a fun read. I've also recently discovered Clive Barker's books, which I thoroughly enjoy. "Books of Blood" is a must read for any horror fan.

There are a few other horror authors that I'm eager to try (Laurell K. Hamilton, Brian Keene, etc.), and I just purchased "Sharp Teeth" by Toby Barlow, which I can't wait to sink my teeth into.

So, in closing, I suppose I have to either fess up to being a wussie or stop reading. And I ain't no wussie. Or a quitter.

We'll call it a draw.

[Update: I'm happy to report that after writing this entry a year ago, I have read even more books! In fact, I started the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton and read the first 7 books in 4 months. It's a great series!

I've also read numerous books on filmmaking and screenwriting. Everything from Lloyd Kaufman's "Make Your Own Damn Movie" to Robert McKee's "Story". I'm currently reading "Save the Cat! The Last Book On Screenwriting That You'll Ever Need" by Blake Snyder.

To say I have found an interest in books, especially self-help books, is an understatement.]