For many of us the book that we choose to read at any given time is determined by any number of factors.
It could be seasonal. Summer is the time for the blended and frothy type of book. In the spring and fall I tend to be restless so I like the story to take place somewhere other than North America. Winter is for those big cozy works of historical fiction and memoirs
Then we check our mood, do I need to find myself or lose myself?
Finally, there is the time of day; business books and research are great for day time but by the evening I want something with which to as Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot might say “turn off the little grey cells”.
Age doesn’t really enter into the equation; think of the number of adults reading Harry Potter.
So here we are the summer of ‘09. My Amazon book wish list is pages long and I have groaning piles of yet to be read books, newspaper business sections, Time, Vogue, Marie Claire, O and More magazines in the living room, office and bedroom.
I have just finished My Sister’s Keeper which was no great feat; it is to literature what The Young and the Restless is to PBS. I will say though that the ending was unexpected. Next on my pureed summer book diet is Julie & Julia which led me to Julie Powell’s blog What Could Happen.
In the way of a little brain fiber I am reading three business books that have been recommended to me -
“Coolhunting: Chasing Down the Next Big Thing” Peter Gloor
“Tribes” Seth Godin
“Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 7 Powerful Tools for Life and Work”
Marilee G. Adams Ph.D.
I cannot end this post on books without mentioning the one literary genre for all seasons and that is a good murder mystery. This past week coincidentally I was exchanging emails with mystery writer Roberta Isleib, who is currently on the other end of the equation in that she is spending her summer putting the finishing touches on a new book.
No matter what the month is, all that you need to truly enjoy a mystery is a comfortable chair, no one home, a dark night, some fog rolling in, the sound of dogs howling over the moors ……………
Posted in 
I just started a Lisa Gardner thriller called Say Goodbye. I’m not far enough into it to say if it’s good or not. I’ve been curious about her books for awhile and picked a paperback up on sale at the grocery. We’ll see.
Jill, when I finally get my crime thriller edited to my satisfaction, I will send it to you to check out on one of those dark nights with the dog’s howling in the background.
I would be glad to check it out your thriller. Let me know how the Lisa Gardner book goes, I have not read her yet either.
Great blog that you might enjoy is Jungle Red Writers, 6 female mystery writers sharing their thoughts – http://www.jungleredwriters.com/
I have never thought of choosing my reading material based on the season, although I do tend to read either first thing during the day or the last thing before I go to bed. I like to read all kinds of genres though and I do love a good historical fiction novel for the winter. I must read Diana Gabaldon’s An Echo In The Bone this winter!
I am sitting here with two books to review in front of me and realize that the next book on my list (that the author is waiting for my review of) is one that I have to read on the computer which is not my favourite thing to do. I treasure the moments I can read curled up on the couch or in bed, so reading on the computer is the last thing I want to do when I have to work on it all day long. I can’t see myself ever getting into a Kindle either.
What do you prefer Jill? A real pages and binding book, or an electronic one?
P.S. I haven’t got around to reading Jodi Picoult yet. My cousin really likes her work though. Would you recommend I make time for her? I must say I’m getting tired of chick lit and children’s books and it’s time for something way more substantial for me!
Diana Gabaldon’s new book is on my winter list too! I have read every book in the Outlander series.
Do I recommend Picoult? No that will be the first and last book that I will read by her. She just isn’t worth my reading time.
Yes, yes,yes a real book far surpasses electronic. It’s the whole scenario; a favorite beverage, favorite spot and the book between your hands.
Plus as you say, a computer for us has become a tool for work and by the end of the day I am quite hapyy to put it to bed.