tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post1597887212573269746..comments2024-03-28T03:02:16.508-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: Are We Turning Into A Culture of Picky Readers?Jody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-53015873765422226162013-02-09T10:55:48.962-05:002013-02-09T10:55:48.962-05:00I think the short attention spans of many people t...I think the short attention spans of many people today, partly because of the fast-cut TV era, means they will never bring themselves to enjoy the slow and detailed pacing of a Steinbeck novel, and that's a pity.George Hamiltonhttp://browsingrhino.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-24877176073676700902013-01-24T21:24:07.381-05:002013-01-24T21:24:07.381-05:00I love science fiction, but I also read fantasy, c...I love science fiction, but I also read fantasy, classics, mysteries, books about nature, Japanese poetry and sometimes books for kids :) I also read in 3 languages, which allows me to read more authors.Ekaterina Traythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05621313426663290833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-19626551323183459742013-01-21T23:19:05.967-05:002013-01-21T23:19:05.967-05:00This is why I loved being involved in book clubs i...This is why I loved being involved in book clubs in various stages of my life. I always read things I wouldn't pick up on my own and challenged other readers to try new things. <br /><br />I find if I spend too much time in one genre -- to extend that food metaphor -- I feel under nourished. It's only in variety I meet all my literary needs. :)Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-7342017496397771792013-01-21T06:58:42.809-05:002013-01-21T06:58:42.809-05:00Violet, I love hearing that you fictionalized an i...Violet, I love hearing that you fictionalized an incident in Elizabeth Bunyan's life! After I study real life heroes, my imagination usually goes wild and starts asking "what was the real story?" It's always fun to imagine how it could have happened! Thank you for sharing! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-73917189062938020112013-01-21T00:59:00.898-05:002013-01-21T00:59:00.898-05:00When my children were young our trips to the libra...When my children were young our trips to the library resulted in a mishmash of books they picked, based mostly on the covers. It meant they tried a lot of different authors without realizing it. As they got older and found particular authors and genres they preferred, I didn't push them towards others mainly because I had my favourites so it seemed reasonable that they would, too. I was just happy if they kept reading.<br /><br />Now I'm a gramma and I regularly buy books for my grandchildren who read voraciously. It's one way to expose them to a variety... although I know what series they like and always include one or two of them, too. I'm so glad to see how their parents encourage their reading, and how much they enjoy it. Carol Garvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02182655399708415140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37976939957652227762013-01-20T11:02:37.579-05:002013-01-20T11:02:37.579-05:00I'm late to the party here (I always forget to...I'm late to the party here (I always forget to check my Blogger Dashboard reader), but wanted to say I have seen the same tendencies toward pickiness in myself. For me it's partly because of the ease of getting my hands on books with the Kindle. I download free books by authors I've heard of, but then find I don't relate to their style or genre, and end up not finishing. In a way I'm broadening my reading, and in that discovering what I like and what I don't. And, like you say, life is too short to spend reading what you just don't care for. (That's how I first read you--but I finished the book)<br /><br />(By the way, I enjoyed your Preacher's Wife book, all the more because years ago, I made a stab at fictionalizing an incident in Elizabeth Bunyan's life. I did it after writing an assigned piece on John Bunyan and in my research discovering his plucky wife. Of course your book was way beyond what I ever attempted. But as soon as I began reading it, I recognized the characters, even though the names were different. I've linked Part 1 of my story in my signature.)Violet N.http://vnesdoly.blogspot.ca/2005/02/powerful-defender-elizabeth-bunyan.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-24636668592583082732013-01-19T21:45:15.064-05:002013-01-19T21:45:15.064-05:00I'm judging this year for the RITA too and am ...I'm judging this year for the RITA too and am having to read subgenres I don't normally read. And you're right, we can always learn so much!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-72200059587622258592013-01-19T16:14:29.949-05:002013-01-19T16:14:29.949-05:00I'm a much pickier reader now that I'm a w...I'm a much pickier reader now that I'm a writer, but I think all of us tend to get in a comfort zone with certain genres. I've been trying, like you, to expand my choices a bit. Right now I'm going back and reading old school romances (from the 80s and 90s that are considered classics by most romance readers.) And they have head hopping and some out of date stylistic things (and most of what I'm reading is historical, which is not my typical choice) but I'm really enjoying them. I also just got my stack of books to judge for the RITA contest and a number of them are in subgenres I normally don't read, but I'm looking forward to giving them a try. We can always learn something from outside of our sandbox. :)Roni Lorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02719679344024635326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-46637101221914790452013-01-19T14:18:13.895-05:002013-01-19T14:18:13.895-05:00It's hard to find a good book these days, I me...It's hard to find a good book these days, I mean a book that you personally like. Sometimes it's about the preferred genre, sometimes about a writer. Mostly, people go back to the classics or books that they friends or reliable readers adviced to read. I start reading and if I don't like it, then I don't read it further. <br />I think the most interesting point by reading the books compared to watching TV or looking movies at cinema is the fact that we have to use our own imagination. The better we can follow and imagine what the writer tries to convey or communicate us, the better we find the book. MAybe that's the reason why we find some books better than others: we simply can better understand them or something caught our memories, attention, darkest or hidden thoughts. It's all about the reader, and if the story (s)he finds suits it's like feeling comfortable or addictive.<br />Being picking is not a bad habit. We simply understand how precious our time is and therefore, we try not to lose it in a way that we don't like. <br />What I can advise is a story by Amalia Angellinni, and it's cool to see that I'm not the only one, who admires her storytelling catching and her killer concept. When you look at the feedback to the last campaign around Angellinni's books, you'll see how different the perception of her books is. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12382268744047276484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81375638086104556992013-01-19T07:09:07.688-05:002013-01-19T07:09:07.688-05:00Robin, I could see my younger son doing the same t...Robin, I could see my younger son doing the same thing. He's very conscious of what he reads. I've tried to teach my children how to be thoughtful readers, thinking through world view differences, discussing issues that come up in books that we may not agree with or values that differ from ours. I think you're right in that as we get older and wiser we learn how to digest and process those differences a little better.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-66841683582026449352013-01-18T15:14:27.920-05:002013-01-18T15:14:27.920-05:00I have to laugh because my son rejected a book bec...I have to laugh because my son rejected a book because it had one 'd*#n' in it so because it had swearing, it became unacceptable. As gotten older, my interests have become more eclectic and I've become more open to different genres and styles. During last teenager and early 20 years, all I would read was science fiction and fantasy. I was quite the picky reader. No longer. In my 50's I'm willing to give most anything a chance as long as it is well written. Picky when it comes to how a story is written. Maybe branching out comes with age and wisdom. Robin Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07765229264945106765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-10151377775174067932013-01-18T14:23:29.993-05:002013-01-18T14:23:29.993-05:00Non-fiction is an entirely different subject! LOL ...Non-fiction is an entirely different subject! LOL :-) My husband and I have shelves and shelves of non-fiction books that we've read over the years. But you're right. Usually the subjects are matters that are important to us. And I've noticed that over the past five years, our non-fiction book buying has gone way down. Life has gotten really busy and I think we read more stuff online.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12076537548998653102013-01-18T14:18:45.980-05:002013-01-18T14:18:45.980-05:00Great thoughts, Taureen! I like your point about o...Great thoughts, Taureen! I like your point about our reading tastes broadening as we get older, the same way that perhaps our food tastes broaden as we mature. It certainly makes it easier if we've learned not to be picky as children. But it's never too late to expand our tastes for both books and food!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-61926775174999323162013-01-18T10:44:39.428-05:002013-01-18T10:44:39.428-05:00I remember reading anything and everything I could...I remember reading anything and everything I could get my hands on when my parents were going through their divorce. I was 12. I still am willing to try anything -except horror and erotica - but without promising to finish it if it doesn't hold my interest. I like mystery, suspense, inspirational romance and fantasy the best. I've been readin more young adult the last few years to have informed discussions with my middle school students. I read every book that either of my sons picked up for pleasure and most of those they read for school so I could prepare myself for questions. I love to read more than I love to do anything else (except maybe write).<br /><br />That said, I do think that the entertainment industry has pumped kids up to expect a wild ride from every game, movie and book. If they aren't sucked in right away, they aren't interested in reading it. This puts a burden on writers to start in the middle. The classic writers didn't have to do that. Their appeal comes from the style and structure of their writing. Many kids today aren't interested in those literary aspects. I think as parents and teachers, we are obligated to help them expand their reading palate. I might suggest ear plugs at the outset.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12359583558644696689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-65395866301771269522013-01-18T10:39:41.479-05:002013-01-18T10:39:41.479-05:00I'm very much an avid reader. My school years ...I'm very much an avid reader. My school years consisted of me reading things like Little House on the Prarie, Trixie Beldon, Nancy Drew, Newberry books, etc. I remember reading Witch in Blackbird Pond in 6th grade.<br /><br />My reading tastes today are primarily Christian fiction. I adore historical fiction (both secular and Christian). I will also read mysteries, fantasy, science fiction, and most things in the Fiction category. I struggle with the Classics though I have read several.<br /><br />I'm not afraid to try new genres or new authors. I started blogging/reviewing because my favorite authors weren't publishing any new books. I will admit that Amish fiction isn't my favorite. I think that's because I read one author and she soured me on the genre. I have read other authors and have enjoyed them. So while it's not my favorite, I will on occassion read it. Nonfiction, though is another story entirely. I have spent so much time in college and graduate school, that I don't like reading books that make me think. And a lot of the nonfiction books have an almost textbook feel to them. I will on the very RARE occassion read a nonficiton book. But it needs to either be by an author whom I've read before or be a subject matter that interests me. My really only exception to that rule is books on Ireland/Scotland. I will read pretty much anything about those two countries. <br /><br />Of course the time I planned a trip to Seattle to visit my sister, I remember sitting in the Travel section at Barnes and Noble for hours pouring over the Seattle travel books. Had a few friends working there too and they got a kick out of seeing the "fiction" reader engrossed in travel books. :)Dawn Janishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08564326324567557173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-9824106080462306242013-01-18T02:15:43.449-05:002013-01-18T02:15:43.449-05:00I'm not a parent, but I'll this, Jody, sin...I'm not a parent, but I'll this, Jody, since you don't negotiate on food, pick your battles with books carefully. That said, in general, parents, accept that not all kids can or will like EVERY vegetable known to man, and that's OKAY. <br /><br />I'm all for healthy eating, but just like with books, forcing one specific thing above all else is setting up meal time, and reading books, to be a punishment, rather than a pleasurable experience, and between books and beets, you should try to have an easier time with books, I'm just saying...<br /><br />Speaking solely for myself now, I am still a picky reader in some respects, but I don't loathe vegetables I once did, and I do have my preferences regarding books, but I'm admittedly more open about food these days(Loving to cook admittedly helps) than books.<br /><br />I do break out of my usual diet of animal fantasy, and children's books in general, to historical novels, and while I'm not ready to write nonfiction right now, I enjoy it more than I did in school.<br /><br />The most "Fish out of Water" book I read (But didn't finish) was the first Dark Hunter book by Sherilyn Kenyon, and let me just say, as a MAN who's still a virgin, no longer in high school and NEVER been on a real date in my life (Yet...that word is starting to become painful to type as much as speak)this kind of book is not my normal<br />thing, but at a time I kept being surrounding by Kenyon's books, I caved a bought a few over a period of years.<br /><br />I started with the first Dark Hunter, but I didn't finish it, not because I didn't want to, but I was too flushed to be as G-PG as I can about the experience and be honest.<br /><br />Never before had a book given my heart palpitations, or make me blush so much. Just to clarify, I loved the thrill, but perhaps too much...<br /><br />It's like going from 0 to 720 in the sex department, and that's all I can say without getting more graphic, or embarrassing myself.<br /><br />(Took a cold shower...)<br /><br />I also read comics, but I was not interested in them as a kid, when it was all about DC/Marvel superheroes, I was more into Peanuts strips and comics from japan that were adventure stories that weren't in the confines of superheroes of the DC or Marvel tradition. They had depth and range in their art and storytelling, good guys made bad choices sometimes, but not always BEYOND redemption later, bad guys could turn good if they wanted to, and all the fallout drama from former enemies and allies that choice comes with.<br /><br />I think the best thing we can do for readers today is <br /><br />Even if you or you kids (Like Jody's) prefer a certain type of book, at least let them know of the variety, even if they don't seem interested now, later they might, but for me, this variety was all it took to get me to try new things.<br /><br />That said, I think this issue is harder for writers in some ways, because we have to read in our genre, yet we sometimes neglect other books because of that need, especially when we're fitting writing in tight confines of other stuff, and I think a post about this reading challenge that's more writer-specific is something to consider, Jody.<br /><br />Good post today,<br />TaureanTaurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-13831409721688373792013-01-18T00:03:00.069-05:002013-01-18T00:03:00.069-05:00I never really thought about this! I will say that...I never really thought about this! I will say that my sons are picky readers, because they like shorter books with lots of action. And they definitely don't like assigned books from school. I love all sorts of genres, and I'm open to trying new things. Just today I borrowed a book from a friend...a book I normally wouldn't have picked out on my own. Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-349379948204408702013-01-17T20:41:03.632-05:002013-01-17T20:41:03.632-05:00Hi everyone!! I'm really loving all of the dis...Hi everyone!! I'm really loving all of the discussion on this topic today! Thanks for sharing and for getting me thinking! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-16355191780678129802013-01-17T20:38:16.128-05:002013-01-17T20:38:16.128-05:00Good point, Lisa! When we hear others talking abou...Good point, Lisa! When we hear others talking about a book that isn't in our normal book-reading palate, we're perhaps more willing to give the book a try. Word of mouth can definitely influence me to try new books that I wouldn't usually think about reading.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-70281483470114333292013-01-17T20:34:02.084-05:002013-01-17T20:34:02.084-05:00My childhood public library was quite small, I now...My childhood public library was quite small, I now realize. Now, with on-line sites, the choice is overwhelming. I've read that when the latter is the situation, some people end up choosing nothing.<br /><br />I wonder if preference for certain genres arises early, based upon an encounter with a meaningful book.<br /><br />As I recently blogged, I will stop reading a book with excessive swearing or graphic violence. Not for me.Cynthia Washburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03872674307948362400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-28683458800262240342013-01-17T17:23:52.313-05:002013-01-17T17:23:52.313-05:00"Cellular" instead of "cell"--..."Cellular" instead of "cell"---that cracked me up! :-)<br />My favorite genre is Christian historical romance like the kind you write, Jody. In non-CBA books, I would say I prefer contemporary fiction over historical. But for me that has to be CLEAN and that's almost impossible to find. It takes a lot of research and digging to come up with good titles to try. When I've had enough of fiction, I immerse Bible studies, Christian living, biographies, classics, and women's history. But I don't have enough time or money to give many unknown titles and authors a chance. Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11116834432459230941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42803491762951342582013-01-17T17:10:29.429-05:002013-01-17T17:10:29.429-05:00I'm willing to try a new genre, if I'm rel...I'm willing to try a new genre, if I'm relatively certain it will be worth my time. So, I need a recommendation from a trusted source. I once read a lot of Amish fiction, then gave that up when I felt like I was reading the same story over and over again, but I've been pleasantly surprised by a few new releases and have gone back to that area, selectively. I also told myself I wasn't interested in suspense, romantic or otherwise, but over the summer, I read one for Tyndale's Summer Reading Program and loved it! And I've recently enjoyed Dani Pettrey's books set in Alaska. Maybe the deal with the classics (not necessarily for your kids) is they're harder to digest and understand and pick apart. I know I have to take more slowly books that were written in a different age because my mind isn't trained to read that style (unfortunately). I think patient persistance is one answer. All I read when I was a teenager was Stephen King and my tastes have definitely broadened si nce then! Good topic!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91672852518291653642013-01-17T17:03:24.104-05:002013-01-17T17:03:24.104-05:00By nature I like Christian romance - but I'm ...By nature I like Christian romance - but I'm a bit picky at even that. I prefer something either historical or based on a horse ranch... But I don't really care for suspense or Amish settings. I had to step out of my comfort zone for a while because I had read everything in my old library that I would normally read (and my budget didn't allow me to read my fill with fresh new books from Amazon). But I have a new library now so I'm back where I want to be... for the time being. Heather Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815204762105256632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-57834440484219529212013-01-17T16:46:06.237-05:002013-01-17T16:46:06.237-05:00Thank you for this thought provoking post because ...Thank you for this thought provoking post because I think I needed a jolt. I have health books, books for Christian growth, cookbooks, Christian novels, and some self help books downloaded on my e-reader. However, I naturally gravitate to the Christian novels. One thing I have noticed recently is that after having read your historical novels I'm preferring the historical novel now over just the regular boy meets girl type Christian novel. Interesting how that worked...I feel as if I gain more knowledge and gain some depth now. Thanks...I needed this post! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84633216312590826922013-01-17T16:39:39.893-05:002013-01-17T16:39:39.893-05:00LOVE this, Emily! "You have to try everything...LOVE this, Emily! "You have to try everything once at least...just in case it's a hidden gold mine." That about sums it up! :-) Thanks for sharing. And it's great to hear that you've branched out from what you read when you were younger. That gives me hope that maybe someday my daughter might actually read my books! ;-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.com