THE BOOK BUFFET

Trying to decide what books to put on my reading list this year makes me think of the endless buffet people talk about on a Princess cruise liner. Every choice imaginable, but only so much room on the plate. And you don’t want to fill up on just one thing, so I’m imagining my reading list as a scrumptious, carefully chosen meal that promises hours of blissful escape, a hearty dose of laughter, and a few tear-filled moments.

For example:

An appetizer or two: Perhaps a new author or a genre I haven’t tried before.

Soup and salad: Lighter fare, like a novella or cozy mystery to be tucked in for a quick read and taking me on a mini-cruise (think Gilligan’s Island).

Main course: The bulk of my reading list, comprised of books in the genre I write (women’s fiction), longer works that intrigue me, books on the craft of writing craft, and a literary work or two for variety.

Dessert: Ah . . . the delectable, rare tidbit that satisfies by providing the perfect metaphor, prose that inspires and takes my breath away. A story that lingers long after the last page and makes me wish for dessert three times a day. I know in this year's list I will find many sweet treats because I’ve either heard great things about these books or they are from authors who I've enjoyed in the past. So, hand me a plate . . . I’m ready to sample the buffet.

MY LIST TO BE READ: (More will surely be added – these just top the list for now)

Same Kind of Different as Me (Ron Hall and Denver Moore)
Demon, A Memoir (Tosca Lee)
Havah (Tosca Lee)
Ice Cream for Breakfast (Leslie Levine)
Where The River Ends (Charles Martin)
Daisy Chain (Mary DeMuth)
Odd Thomas – the series (Dean Koontz)
World Without End (Ken Follett) Note: this was on my list last year, and I didn’t get to it. I’m hopeful in 2009.
The Red Siren (M. L. Tyndall)
Tiger Lillie and Women’s Intuition (Lisa Samson)
What Sarah Saw (Margaret Daley)
The Christmas Sweater (Glenn Beck)
Par for the Course (Ray Blackston)
Revision and Self-Editing (James Scott Bell)
All the Way Home (Mary Sue Lopez)
Until We Reach Home (Lynn Austin)
Sweetwater Gap (Denise Hunter)
One Perfect Day (Lauraine Snelling)

Also, two special writing friends – Myra Johnson and Erica Vetsch – will have their debut novels published this year, and I can’t wait to read them. You’ll be hearing more about those when they release.

So, what book on your nightstand is screaming “pick me” in the early days of this new year? I’ll take a break from reading to check on your answers.