Monday, October 5, 2015

Thought for the Day



Read a good book. Is that simple or what? 

 
I enjoy being entertained and books can often be more entertaining that a television show or movie. Why? Because there are so many details left out of TV shows and movies due to time constraints. I particularly love a good mystery.

Many years ago, before I started writing, I attended a presentation by an older man who made me feel that he knew things – things I wanted to know, too. He said there are only thirty-two types of stories that could be written and that the key was to come up with a unique twist on an old theme. I don’t know where he got his information or if he was correct, but I’m always looking for a writer with a new twist. I’ve found several authors who fill the bill. Yippee!

However, and I’ve said this before, I prefer a mystery with some humor in it. Actually, I think I’m starting to sound like a broken record, for those of you who know what a record is. Off topic, but I was going to play an old 33 rpm record for a child once and they just couldn’t get the hang of what it was. My, how things have changed. Anyway, I’ve probably mentioned enjoying humor one too many times over the years.

There’s so much drama in our everyday lives. Why would I want to read about more? All I have to do is turn on the news and I can watch all the conflict I want. What’s happening in a book isn’t my drama. It’s someone else’s problem, and if they can handle it with humor, I’m in.

That’s not to say I don’t read some dramatic stories. I do, but the author has to really grab my attention. Maybe I’m turning into a prude, but I don’t care for graphic sex or violence, and I’m not too thrilled with graphic language.

There are authors who combine “quirky” with their humor and the combination can be quite entertaining.

I’d name names, but you have to figure out who entertains you on your own. Maybe some of my reading choices would be considered “quirky”. You may enjoy something more traditional.

I’ve read every single book written by some authors, and there are others who seem to change their style midstream. Sometimes that works. Sometimes it doesn’t. I once stopped reading an author’s work because of a comment made to readers at the beginning of the book. It was rude, to say the least. I’m still not naming names, but I didn’t care for what the writer did to some of the characters in the book, either. Oh, well, it was the author’s choice.

Short post this week. Spread your wings and try some new (to you) authors.

Do you have any thoughts to offer about the subject of reading and how you choose your reading material? I’d love to hear them. Maybe I’ll learn something new.

Until next week, I hope you have a good week, that you read an entertaining book, and that nothing happens to switch your Cranky Button on. Enjoy life!

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
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19 comments:

  1. Great post, Marja! One sentence particularly grabbed me: "What’s happening in a book isn’t my drama. It’s someone else’s problem. . ." That's what I love most about fiction.

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    1. Thank you, Pat. When we read about someone else's problems, we can calmly think about what they should do. Not so when it's our own issues. : ) Thank you so much for commenting!

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    2. Here's a little bit of humor for you. I wrote "one sentence particularly grabbed me." Let's make that two sentences. LOL

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  2. Exactly! It's why I read fiction too. It's someone else's problem, but I learn a lot about life watching them come through. I get the same lessons writing fiction. Thanks for sharing this!

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    1. So true, Tonya. I love a book that teaches me something or gives me food for thought. Lots of lessons to learn. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  3. Problem solving is what fiction is all about and I enjoy trying to figure out who the culprit in a mystery novel is by collecting the author's clues.

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    1. You're right, Jean, and half the fun is putting the clues together. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  4. I read a lot of books that people ask me to review--and that give me some great variety. Just finished Tony Piazza's Murder is the Best Sort of Revenge. Read like an old time detective story and I loved it. Made me smile through all the murder and mayhem because he had the right voice for the genre.

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    1. Thanks for the tip, Marilyn. It sounds like a book I'd enjoy. I'll have to add it to my TBR list (which keeps growing). Thank you so much for commenting!

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  5. No rhyme or reason in how I choose my books. I have a lot of auto-buy authors, but I also sometimes read a certain book/author based on a GR group read or featured author. One such book recently read was The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. Original premise, good mystery and characterization, and there were a couple sections that had me in stitches.

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    1. Thanks for the tip, Heather. I'm so far behind on GR lists that I missed this. Another book that will go on my TBR list. I remember someone else mentioning the book, too. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  6. I read mysteries and these days that's all I want to read, whether they are cozies or suspense or international intrigue. I have about 90 favorite authors, most I've been reading for years, and I want to read everything each has written. That may not be possible but I'm trying.

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    1. Good for you, Pat! I hope you get them all read. In between writing your own books, of course. : ) Thank you so much for commenting!

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  7. Excellent post, Marja! (as usual) An example, I probably wouldn't have read Paul Fahey's books, but I "electronically" really like him, so gave them a try. Soooo glad I did. P.D. James said something about read often, and well. I'd add "and far." Especially when it comes to fiction. My book club has me reading all over the place--some I love--some not so much, but a good thing tasting broadly. (PS I LOVE mysteries.)

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    1. I love mysteries, too, Madeline (as if you hadn't guessed). I can think of books that were recommended and I really didn't want to read them, but I finally did, and like you, I was glad I had. My reading range used to be a lot wider. It's narrowed. : ) Thank you so much for commenting!

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  8. My preferred genre for reading (and writing) is mystery, and I like mine with humor also. Recently, however, my husband completed the book A Walk in the Woods. We went to the movie, and I was so intrigued that I also read the book. It's charming, enlightening, fun, funny and not just for those who are avid hikers. I loved it.

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation, Lesley. So many times the book is better than the movie. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  9. Finding a good book to read is not always easy. But because of Banned Books Week last week, I finally started reading Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games series. I'm really enjoying the books, although Harry Potter is still my favorite YA book series. And I'm not a big fan of the main character, Katniss. But I love Peeta! :-D

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    1. Thank you for the suggestion, Lidy. I've heard several people talk about The Hunger Games. Guess I'll have to check it out. Thank you so much for commenting!

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