My typically discombobulated post several days ago (Organic Reading) caused some confusion.
One of the revelations I had that prompted me to put that list together is that I’m simply overwhelmed with the amount of reading material that’s available to me.
It’s certainly more than I can ever or ever will read, regardless of how short the material is or what format it is in.
How do we filter through this tsunami of stuff?
One way I found is to look at what my favorite authors are reading.
I really like reading Mike Allen’s material, and so I started looking at the authors that he seems to respect–likes well enough to include in his Clockwork Phoenix Anthologies. That plan has worked out well for me so far.
Do you know what reading tastes some of your favorite authors have?
I often read Patrick Rothfuss’s blog when i need a chuckle. He is very honest, even brusque, about who he likes in reading material. So, I have found some new authors that way: following my fave authors blogs and seeing who they rant on about.
I often feel a bit overwhelmed by all the reading material in my house. So, I keep the bookshelves in the living room and a small rotating collection by the bed.
i read Pat Rothfuss’s blog too! I love his fan interaction stuff the best. sometimes I pay attention to what he’s reading, but a lot of times his tastes are little too high fantasy for me.
on the Scott Lynch AMA (me, reference that? no way!;)) he mentioned a Kage Baker that had a big influence on him, so of course I read it. His recommendation or not, The Anvil of The World was a completely adorable and fun book, and I recommend it to anyone interested in fantasy adventure.
I read a lot of Cory Doctorow, and I enjoy his articles on boingboing, so when he talks about a book he likes, it really gets my attention. One time it really backfired, where he thought such and such title was the best thing he’d read it years, so I read it. . . and it was so not my thing by a million miles.
i should tho, be paying more attention to what my favorite authors are reading, because aren’t these the books that in some way, will be influencing their next book?