How Long to Wait Between Reading the Same Author's Books?

As a reader, I like to try and space out my reading the different books written by the same author. I have read in occasional streaks like I did with the classis crime fiction writers David Goodis, Charles Willeford, and Charles Williams in the past. Even so, I still didn't get to everything they produced which is good. That way I can still enjoy reading more of their work for the first time. If I give myself a break, I feel as if I don't "overdose" on a favorite author. Or maybe keeping the variety is important in my leisure, for-the-fun-of-it reading time. I have read the fiction output of such crime writers as Stephen Greenleaf, Ed Lacy, and Dennis Lynds (Michael Collins, creator of the P.I. Dan Fortune series) for author profiles I once did. It was interesting to see how their excellent writing evolved over time in their professional careers. At one time, prolific authors seemed to bring out a new book every year, and that was the accepted norm. Now in the age of instant publication of a few mouse clicks, the books are released at a faster clip. Maybe the readers still like to adhere to the yearly cycle of reading their favorite authors. That probably works out the best for my reading schedule. Happy reading during your holidays.
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Published on December 15, 2013 05:55 Tags: ed-lynskey, reading
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message 1: by Randy (new)

Randy I've learned after many years as a reader to space them out. Rarely do I read more than two in a row by the same author. Writers have different voices and, while they are not bad, too many in a row by one gets tiresome after a bit.

Some writers can turn them out on a regular basis and always be readable. James Reasoner does that and is never boring. I've not read even a small part of his more than three hundred novels, but I have dipped into his books from his earliest days. Never fail to be entertained.


message 2: by Ed (new)

Ed Randy wrote: "I've learned after many years as a reader to space them out. Rarely do I read more than two in a row by the same author. Writers have different voices and, while they are not bad, too many in a row..."

Thanks, Randy. I agree with your description "tiresome." I've enjoyed James' Westerns and his blog. Thanks for the FB comment, too.


message 3: by Diane (new)

Diane Randy wrote: "I've learned after many years as a reader to space them out. Rarely do I read more than two in a row by the same author. Writers have different voices and, while they are not bad, too many in a row..."
I definitely agree with you. I try to space out
writers, even my favourites, like George Gissing,
I would read maybe two a year. The times I have
been "forced" into multiple reads (2 in a row)
have been when I have books to read from a library.
I remember reading a couple of Gillian White's
books in a row and I didn't enjoy
them as much as if I spaced them out.


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