A Writer's Confession

I've got a confession to make. I am a huge fan of libraries and while I could spend hour upon hour perusing a book store, I'm not a big book buyer.

I know this sounds a bit hypocritical as a person trying to eek out a career as a writer and seller of books, but hear me out. First of all, I never read a book jacket before starting a book. I read books I pick out based solely on feel and vague recommendations or whatever my husband brings home for me. With that said, I have no issues with abandoning a book 20 pages in and moving on to the next. On a recent visit to the library I brought home 6 books and didn't finish one. Even at a second hand book store this odd way of doing things could get very expensive.

Secondly, I am not a re-reader. As my earlier point proves, I like to be surprised by a book and even though my memory isn't what it used to be, I get frustrated knowing what is coming next. There have been several books I've read where being surprised by the major plot twist that is highlighted on the book jacket was my favorite part. Plus I believe there are so many great books out there and so little time.

(On a slightly defensive side note: when I do buy books I like to pass them on with no strings attached. I love the idea of a good book making its way around to multiple readers.)

In an effort to balance my karma as a writer I buy books for my children. My daughter especially is a book lover and received no less than 6 books this Christmas.  As a kid typical of her generation she is into technology and in a post-holiday spending spree exhausted her savings on a Kindle Fire. I haven't been able to get my hands on it much yet because as you can see from the picture, she sleeps with it next to her bed. Brings me back to the days when I slept with my prized Judy Blume box set nearby – only that didn't need charging each night.