I fell back in love with reading during the pandemic, and initially I was guilty of just reading the same authors over and over again – sticking to what I knew I suppose. Over the last couple of years I had a goal of stretching my horizons and reading as many new authors as I could. For January (with the aim of stretching it for the whole year if successful), I’m going to swap it around. So I’ll read one book from a new author, then read from an existing author. On a quick scour of my Goodreads account, I haven’t completed an authors bibliography – but there are some I’ve read the majority of.
What’s your preference? Do you like to spend a lot of time with one author, or do you like to keep things fresh?
by XStaticImmaculate
8 Comments
It largely depends on my mood at the time. If I’m looking for a particular feel and I know the author has that feel I might delve into more of their works.
Currently, the number of authors that I really like *and* have a backlog I want to read from is pretty low, which is why I go to new authors often.
I’m more concerned with being able to finish a series, than an author’s entire catalog.
I read a huge range of authors – each author is the product of a unique life, so reading widely exposes me to so many more experiences, ideas, and perspectives than would reading from only a handful of authors.
I read from 50+ new authors each year, and it’s like having in-depth, multi-hour conversations with someone new each week.
There are several authors whom (who?) I have read everything I can find. Lawrence Block, Elmore Leonard and a few others.
I have no interest whatsoever in completing an author’s catalog, even among my favorite authors. I enjoy casting a wide net and reading what strikes my interest or is recommended instead.
For me, it depends on the authors. For example, I love Albert Camus’s work and collect different editions of his books for the different translations, and have read 4 of his books because I loved The Stranger so much when I read it. On the other hand, Mikhail Bulgakov wrote my favorite book of all time (The Master and Margarita) and I don’t think I’ll read any of his other books because that one is just so unbelievably perfect and that’s good enough for me.
I vary wildly, depending entirely on my whims. For example, I worked through all of Jane Austen and John Steinbeck during my last Summer in high school.
A lot of the time, I go for specific genres, more than anything – if I like an author’s book, I’ll probably try them again. If not, I won’t.
I do both. If I find an author I like, I’ll read everything I can get my grubby paws on.
But I also read a lot of authors.
For example, up until 2005 or 2010, I’d read every single Danielle Steel novel ever published and owned most of them. James Rollins is another, as is Jeff Wheeler.