NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS

A group blog featuring an international array of killer mystery, suspense, and romantic suspense writers. With premises and story lines different from your run-of-the-mill whodunits, we tend to write outside the box. We blog several times a week on all topics relating to romantic suspense and mystery, our writing, and our readers. We welcome all comments and often have guest bloggers. All our authors can be contacted separately, too, using their own social media links.

We find our genre delightfully, dangerously, and deliciously exciting - join us here, if you do too!

NOTE: the blog is currently dormant but please enjoy the posts we're keeping online.


Julie Moffet . Cathy Perkins . Jean Harrington . Daryl Anderson . Nico Rosso . Maureen A Miller . Sandy Parks . Lisa Q Mathews . Sharon Calvin . Lynne Connolly . Janis Patterson . Vanessa Keir . Tonya Kappes . Julie Rowe . Joni M Fisher . Leslie Langtry

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Don't tell me you haven't read my book

I’d like to let you in on a little secret: Just because you know me, doesn’t mean I expect you to read my books.  Most people who know me haven’t read my books and that’s okay. 
But please, PLEASE don’t tell me WHY you’re not reading it, because  THAT is awkward.  I shouldn’t have to tell you that “it’s okay” or “I understand”.
I do understand that you’re a) short on time b) reading books more worthy of your attention c) haven’t read anything more challenging than the back of a cereal box in the past decade. As long as you’re okay with those things, it’s okay with me.


Worse than the “I haven’t read your book” is the declaration “I’ve started your book”  that’s never followed up. It makes me wonder if you thought my book was so bad that you used it to line your hamster’s cage.
Even worse than that, is the, “I read your book” statement. What am I supposed to do with that? Go fishing for a compliment and ask, “Did you like it?” or “What did you think of it?”. My usual, “thank you” seems woefully inadequate, but quite frankly if you don’t say anything good about it, I assume you didn’t like it and wonder if I should say “I’m sorry” instead of “thank you”.
Confession time: There are tons of books I haven’t read either.  And yes, I feel guilty about the ones written by the authors I know. It’s not that I don’t think their books are worthy, it’s that there are a finite number of hours in the year and the majority of mine are spent writing, not reading.  Sadly, it seems the more I write, the less I read.
Speaking of my books, I’m very excited that the second book in my CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN series will be out in October…which is why I’m so busy writing and not so busy reading!
Now tell me: What books ARE in your To Be Read pile? What new releases are looking forward to? What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

13 comments:

Maureen A. Miller said...

I read your book..... (heavy pause)

And, of course you know I loved it. You are like two writers in one. There is the suspense writer, and then there is the mischievous JB Lynn. :)

B.E. Sanderson said...

Ack. I'm the one usually explaining to a friend-writer why I haven't read their book yet. I always feel so guilty when I'm talking to someone and their book is in my TBR pile. What am I supposed to say? But I totally get what you mean from your side, too. I guess it's not easy no matter which way you look at it.

And btw, JB... I read your book. ;o)

Marcelle Dubé said...

Oh, I *so* understand what you mean! I've gotten a few "I've read your book," followed by an awkward pause. I always end up saying something like, "Oh, yes," and then changing the subject. I mean, really. What *are* you supposed to say?

My TBR pile is too deep to list, but the last book I read that I thoroughly enjoyed was Alex Bledsoe's The Hum and the Shiver.

CathyP said...

My favorite comment so far from a friend. "I read your book." Pause. "You had a very disturbed childhood."

Alrighty.

Moving right along.

My TBR mountain just keeps getting taller. Fortunately the ebooks are not quite as obvious as the giant pile in the corner of the bedroom.

Toni Anderson said...

It's that awkward moment where you just wished you could teleport somewhere else. And I have so many books in my TBR pile too. And I feel that guilt of not reading everything my friends write, but like you say the more you write the less you end up reading. I get the raised eyebrow after "I read your book" too, because they're a little on the racy side. And also a very jokey nudge of the arm by my male friends saying they know the hero is based on them really. *sigh* I do love them, but... :) I think the worst response ever was by someone who told me it was 'OK'. It was just SO insincere.

Rita said...

Them "I've read your book'
Me really fast "Thank you." I change the subject.
I hate it when they act all surprised that I could actually write a book. One recently asked if I really wrote it. I so wanted to reach out and touch her.

Anne Marie Becker said...

Amen, JB. There's definitely not enough time in the world to read the books I want to, let alone the ones I already own. And the more I write, the less reading time I have. (Sigh.)

And really, it's okay if someone hasn't read my book. I know I'm not to every person's "taste."

I'm working on reading a couple of friends' RS books, but I feel guilty it's taking so long. It's not because they're not page-turners, but because of that finite time problem. And sleep is kind of important too. LOL

JB Lynn said...

Maureen -- Both my mischevious side and the suspense writer thank you for reading my books!

B.E. -- It's not easy on either side, but there's no reason to feel guilty. Thanks for reading!

Marcelle -- I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds it awkward. Thanks for the recommendation!

JB Lynn said...

Cathy -- OMG, what did you say to that? Besides "duh!".

Toni -- Ahh, what I wouldn't give to be able to teleport. I've gotten the "okay" response too...I'd rather have someone say, "I hated such-and-such".

You mean your heroes AREN'T based on the men in your life??? Inconceivable!

Rita -- I'd seriously kill that person off in my next book...

Anne Marie -- In a perfect (sleepless) world I'd read everything. Unfortunately, this is another of my life failures.

Elise Warner said...

The day I realized I could not read every book written was a sad day in my life. I keep a list in my tiny notebook. Expect to finish a bio. titled Jackdaw Cake in a few days and finally get around to Ahab's Wife. Love the title of your series, it shall join my ever-growing TBR list.

Jean Harrington said...

I LOVE the response, "I'm sorry," to the comment that someone has read your book and says no more. That's perfect. Once you say, "I'm sorry," then the ball, so to speak, is in the other person's court. I'm going to try it the next time this happens to me and report back to you. Thanks.

JB Lynn said...

Elise -- but how do you keep them all in a "little" notebook? I'm honored to be added to your TBR list.

Jean -- DO report back to me. I might try it too!

Unknown said...

I read your book, JB! :)

LOL, I lose sleep when someone says "I've started your book" and then - nothing. Was it so bad they couldn't get past the first chapter?

The fact is, there aren't enough hours in the day to read and write. I'm on a deadline right now and the first thing to vanish from my life at such times is always reading. :(

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