As I brainstorm an idea for my sixth novel, I’m doing a lot of reading. Trying to make a dent in my TBR (to be read) pile.
I just finished Jody Hedlund’s debut novel, The Preacher’s Bride. I wrote a review on Amazon. Seriously, this book is amazing. I read it in two days.
Now I’m working on The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Next…..
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Demon by Tosca Lee
The Perfect Stranger by Christina Berry
Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart
Belong to Me by Marisa De Los Santos
A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
Plus, I should be getting Snow Day by Billy Coffee. I’m pumped to read that book. In fact, during one of my appointments at the ACFW conference, I met with an editor who worked with Billy on Snow Day. She’s no longer with FaithWords, so I didn’t put two-and-two together at first, until she started talking about how much she loved one of the novels my agent submitted to her – a novel that should be coming out soon. I asked what it was called and she said, “Snow Day.”
I’m wondering….if somebody browsed through my Kindle, what conclusions would they draw about me based on my TBR pile? Do you ever form opinions or draw conclusions about a person based on what they’re reading?
Question to Ponder: Does what you read send a message about who you are? What novels have you read lately? Do you have any to recommend? What novels are waiting patiently on your TBR pile?
Oh *squee* I read The Help this summer, am reading The Guernsey Literary now and one of my all time favs is Peace Like a River! Yay!!!
I love your blog. I'm so happy I came upon it! I'm going to click Follow just as fast as I can! 🙂 Your TBR list rocks! If your looking to add to it may I recommend The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry and The Girls by Lori Lansens? Two of my recent faves!
~Jules @ http://www.adbits.blogspot.com
I think what one has waiting to be read says a lot about the person.
My reading time is short these days and I have been reading more true crime stories–learning a few things even.
Looks like I'm late to the party, as usual! But I love talking books. Currently on my nightstand, I have Athol Dickson's River Rising, Anne Rice's Called Out of Darkness, Writing for Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias, and Someone to Blame by C.S. Lankin. My favorite recent reads were The Help, Faithful Places by Tana French, and The Art of Racing in the Rain — GREAT READ!
First off, Katie, thanks for the comment on my blog! Secondly, I am in the middle of Chasing Lilacs right now and I am loving it. I only get to read a few chapters each night but I am always happy I did!
Also on my list, Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner and The Help. 🙂 Can't wait to dig around a little more on your blog! Wish we'd met at ACFW. 🙂
That editor is correct. Snow Day is an excellent novel, as is his second one coming out next year. I read a little bit of everything. I think my pile of books might be confusing. Regardless of the genre, it's a good story that draws me in.
Hi Katie!! My to-be read pile includes Jody Hedlund's The Preacher's Bride, The Big 5-oh, Code Blue, Walking on Broken Glass and a parenting book "Have a Better Kid by Friday". I'm trying to read all of the books by Rachelle's authors… I know she has great taste so it's an easy way to select novels. How's the school year going?
My TBR pile is a huge mountain that says I buy every book I know I will love. But then the time factor sinks in.
I can't wait to read Jody's book. I ahve heard so much about it. Though I read mostly middle grade and picture books since that is what I write. Hugs Katie. 🙂
LOL! When did you do this post? *grin* I must've been picking up some cyber waves last night when I wrote mine.
My TBR pile probably says I get a lot of free books! Ha! Some are books I've picked, some are books I've won or that a friend wrote that I'd like to read.
Jody's book is amazing! I read it really fast too! It amazes me that it sat in an agent's pile for nine months. Gives me hop!:-)
Hi Katie –
My TBR pile has shrunk, but my Wish List is VERY long.
The Preacher's Bride
A Memory Between Us (Sarah Sundin)
Betrayed (Lisa Bergren)
McKenzie (Penny Zeller)
In Every Heartbeat (Kim Vogel Sawyer)
Those are at the top of my Wish List.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Oh my! The slush pile is growing around my house – I love to read and order books. Most of the time I'm reading non-fiction. Currently I'm finishing up Beth Moore's, So Long, Insecurity.
Next up are:
Choosing Forgiveness – Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Roaring Lions, Cracking Rocks – Warren Baldwin
The Inheritance (fiction) – Tamera Alexander
I think I need to take some time to read tonight!!
Your TBR pile is pretty deep with similar themes in each book. I'd guess you enjoy reading about others' struggles?
My TBR pile features an inspirational romance, a historical romance with an adventure twist, and several random non-fiction books. Oh, and let's not forget the ever-present stack o'magazines!
Anyone who looked at my Kindle would think: "This is a serious nineteenth-century history geek who reads stuff that is weird and boring."
But I will say that I read Meredith Efken's _Lucky Baby_ recently and was blown away. Anyone who wants to read a superbly-written and complex Christian novel should go order it pronto. I also really enjoy Allison Pittman's writing, so _For Time and Eternity_ is on my TBR list.
I think our piles have a similar look. Loved "Guernsey" and "Peace", waiting to read some of the others you mentioned. Happy Reading!
I think what we read does say something about what we like, what interests us. Perhaps, it also tells us what kind of world we would like to live in.
I have a real TBR list and a virtual one, both of which are much too high. Just finished Chris Czajkowski's Diary of a Wilderness Dweller (non-fiction) and Denise Jaden's YA novel Losing Faith, am currently reading Richard Mabry's debut novel Medical Error, and impatiently waiting for Jody Hedlund's The Preacher's Bride. I really don't know what my TBR piles say about me!
My daughter just ordered Jody's book for me today!! Whoo hoo. Can' wait to read it!
My TBR pile is ridiculous! There is a hodge podge of great fiction. I'm adding Snow Day, I didn't know about this one.
While I was plotting my new WIP, I put a VERY big dent into my TBR list…unfortunately, now I'm slowing waaaaaaaay down in order to do things like…sleep.
I've got a lot I still want to purchase, but haven't. So by my definition of the book needing to be w/in my grasp to be on my list, there's not very many left.
Ooo Ooo Ooo!
I'm reading Red Ink by Kathi Macias. K, that one is going to just be read anyway, with or without sleep 😀
I've read some of your TBR pile! Yes, i've often thought about what someone might say if they saw my reading list of books past, present and future. I enjoy both romantic comedies and literature, general fiction and even YA. I think they'd conclude that the entire family shares my Kindle, which they don't. 😉 BTW, I'm loving Never the Bride!
My TBR pile would probably say that I'm erratic and will read anything!
TBR:
MALLIE by Loletta Clouse
MAID TO MATCH by Deeanne Gist
SIXTEEN BRIDES by Stephanie Grace Whitson
THE SILENT GOVERNESS by Julie Klassen
SMOKY MOUNTAIN MAGIC by Horace Kephart
The Preacher's Bride is near the top of my TBR pile.
I'm currently reading The Lions of Tsavo by Patterson, and A Flickering Light by Jane Kirkpatrick, with Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James, A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley, and Camera: A History of Photography from Daguerrotype to Digital in the queue.
Killer Lions, Cameras, Puritans and Cowboys…I'm not sure what that mix says about me. 🙂
It was great to meet you at the conference, and I look forward to reading more of your thoughts here!
My TBR pile continues to grow…there's just too much to read, right? Sometimes I have two or three going at once…crazy.
I'm about to start one of Patty Lacy's books.
Hmm…my TBR pile is suspiciously full of books YOU picked out for me at the conference 🙂 So I'm reading my first Jenny B. Jones book right now and it's great.
I have way too many I haven't read yet so I'm thinking of catching up some before I get to my new WIP.
My TBR pile says I don't have enough time to read all the books I want to. 🙂 Jody's book is on that pile, and I can't wait to read it!
My TBR stack is always growing – I can't seem to keep it under control. I'm about to start Persuasion by Jane Austen for my book club. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I've never read an Austen book before. Yikes!
Have you read Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos? I'd recommend reading that first before Belong to Me. I'd also highly recommend The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst.
There is a huge variety in my pile to be read and what I've just finished. I guess my TBR pile suggests…. likes variety a little too much…. schizo…. :O)
You will LOVE The Help. Very good. The voice in that book is amazing.
My to be read pile says that I spend more money on books than I have time to read 🙂
Oh, yes, everyone's reading reflects what's in their heart. Didn't Jesus say that? If not, He meant it!
I'm reading More Than Conquerors by Kathi Macias right now.
LOVED The Help and Demon.
In my tbr stack is Silent Governess by Julie Klassen, Where Willows Grow by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and Jody Hedlund's The Preacher's Bride. I won it in a contest and am impatiently waiting for its arrival.
I have a bookshelf that is my TBR pile. I'm reading The Preacher's Bride and enjoying it very much.
You'll love The Help and Peace Like a River. If you don't we can no longer be friends. 😉
Pearls in the Sand and Snow Day. Straight Up by Lisa Samson in my TBR.
Have you read Water for Elephants, The Book Thief or The Time Traveler's Wife? All good.
~ Wendy
I think you can tell what that person likes to read, not neccesarily who they are. A lot of books I read for research, so you'd be able to tell what I'm writing or thinking about writing. enjoy your books while the idea process happens!
Wow! What a pile, Katie!! And I loved your post from last Friday!! You took some great pictures. And all of the ones with James Scott Bell in the background are SO hilarious!!! That was just too funny!
And so if I don't have a TBR pile right now, what does that say about me? That my brain is empty? 😉 No seriously, I have a list started of books from fellow author friends that I want to read because I want to support my friends. And I'll definitely be adding Billy's book to my list!
Had a think, and then got a little sheepish with my pile! lol.
But have a look-see. 🙂
http://wp.me/p12srI-6t
My TBR pile is similar to yours. Jody's The Preacher's Bride is first up. I've also got The Help. I'm waiting on Snow Day. Plus others. I have an exciting TBR pile. But I have to finish something else first… Off to do that now.