By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Reading makes us heroes,. The habit encourages us to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. The more we know, the more we grow, and the more we can show others information or a slice of life that will add value to their lives. Tall expectations, but it’s motivated me to read for—never mind the years. Let’s say ever since I asked my dad, “Daddy, what does S T O P spell?”
Like many of us, I started my reading with Dick and Jane and graduated to cereal boxes. Then Little Women captured my attention. I cried my way through Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Once I dried my eyes, I discovered Nancy Drew and read every Nancy Drew Mystery Story I could find. Mystery and suspense thrilled me. And the hours of adventures with The Hardy Boys, Trixie Beldon, and Cherry Ames.
One thing hasn’t changed, and that’s my longing to embrace beautifully crafted words. Sentences. Paragraphs. Books. Wow.
Every morning begins with Bible study, allowing God’s Word to give me my marching orders. In my spare time, I grab a book from my to-be-read stack, which is taller than my 5’2” height.
Nonfiction inspires me to learn more about my faith, writing, other people, sciences, language, and the world around me.
Did I mention signs, billboards, advertisements, package ingredient lists, nutritional values, sales’ circulars, and recipes?
Opinion pieces broaden my perspective on how others view the world and its people. If I disagree, then why? Do I need to rethink my beliefs, stand firm, and/or explore more deeply into the topic?
Devotions encourage me to live and show my faith in honoring God. These little nuggets of gold enrich my life.
I devour various blog posts about writing, marketing, promotion, social media, and the publishing industry to keep me up to date on my chosen career. I also explore blog posts and articles about good health, baking, cooking, beauty, fashion, travel, gardening, and decorating. Yeah, I’m a bit eclectic. Aren’t we all?
Then there is fiction. The amazing and incredible world of a story. History and culture live forever within the realms of tales. My favorite genres are suspense, thrillers, and romantic suspense. Man’s behavior and psychology intrigue me. Yet I can easily get lost in a contemporary, historical, mystery, dystopian, apocalyptic dystopian, or fantasy. Just like my writing, a story is about character, and the more complex the better.
I have my favorite novelists. They are listed below in alphabetical order, so I don’t show partiality.
- David Baldacci
- Robert Dugoni
- Lynette Eason
- James Hannibal
- Steven James
- Jerry B. Jenkins
- Tosca Lee
- Joel C. Rosenberg
- Hank Phillippi Ryan
- Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson
I just remembered a dozen more, so I’ll stop with the above list.
Yes, reading helps us know and grow. What are you reading?
Comments 30
Oh my Goodness, We could have been twins when we were children! I read the whole Dick and Jane reader in one day in first grade. My mother taught me to read when I was four and we checked out books from the library at least once a month. My great aunt bought me a classic every birthday and Little Women was my favourite. Another aunt showed me her library at her mother’s house and I borrowed all her Cherry Ames, Bobbsey Twins, and Trixie Belden books. She also introduced me to the word of God. I miss both my aunt and my mom very much and i am so grateful for my family’s love of reading.
I, too, have been an avid reader since childhood. I remember getting my adult card early because I’d finished reading all the books in the children’s section! I love clean suspense novels, action/adventure, and historical romance. I’ve also read lots of books on writing craft, to improve my writing skills. Favorite authors (in no particular order): DiAnn Mills, Lynette Eason, Ginny Dye, Linda Castillo, Ernest Dempsey, Clive Cussler, to name just a few.
Thanks, Betty. You gave me a new author to read! Thanks so much.
I think DiAnn Mills tops the list! Among other greats like C.S Lewis, A.W. Tozer and John Grisham just to show my eclectic side also. Thanks DiAnn. I enjoyed your post.
Thanks for the much needed, and appreciated reminder, DiAnn.
Thank you, Frances!
Reading was the escape this young boy of long ago used to survive. Reading, to this day, is my favorite form of escapism. A great book transports me to places and into events that enrich my life and spirit. Thank you for being one of those authors who give us these precious words to read.
J. D., so good to see you at the Blue Ridge Conference. You are such an encourager. Reading keeps us sane and in special places. Thank you!
My mom was an elementary school teacher and thought the theory about teaching children to read phonetically was crazy. She tried it on me to disprove the experts. No one was more surprised than her when it worked! I was reading anything and everything I saw before I went to preschool. We won’t talk about how atrocious my spelling was. 😉
I read fiction across multiple genres. I just finished a pre-release copy of This Is Where It Ends by Cindy Sproles (loved it!). I haven’t read a WWII story in a while, so Code Name Sapphire by Pam Jenoff will be next.
Thanks, Leigh. I learned how to read phonetically, and yes, it worked. Spelling is another matter. I love Cindy Sproles’ books too!
I can’t remember a time I didn’t like to read. I also devoured the Nancy Drew books and still have some on my shelf. Thanks for sharing this wonderful list of authors. My list includes DiAnn Mills and many of those you mentioned.
Thanks, Barbara. So glad to catch up this week.
I don’t remember much before third grade except that my parents signed me up for the I Can Read book club. I devoured the books reading them over and over. I “taught” my dolls and stuffed animals and played library checking my books out to my “students.”
I loved the Dick and Jane stories and reading everything from the cereal boxes to whatever label was nearby. I love Christian suspense, mysteries, horror, some romance and historical fiction. You are one of my favorite authors. From what I have seen you are a lovable “character” yourself.
Other authors I love are C.C. Warrens, Patricia Bradley, Lynette Eason, Lynn Blackburn, Anne Perreault, Candace West Posey, Jerry Jenkins, Charles Martin, Amanda Cox and Amanda Dykes. That only scratches the surface. If you haven’t read the Holly novels by C.C. Warrens I strongly recommend them. Word of warning they are hard to put down and addictive. Once you start the first one you will want to read them all starting with Criss Cross.
I’m an avid reader and love promoting books as they are released.
Reading has been an escape mechanism over the years. My life has been hard but CF reminds me there is hope.
Thanks, Laura, I believe reading keeps us in tune with the world: past, present, and future. When we instill reading in children with the adventure of fiction and nonfiction, we have adults who make positive contributions to society.
I love reading too. I have also loved reading since I was a child.
I am currently reading quite a few different things too.
•First and foremost, the Bible
•”Sweet Tea for the Soul: Down-Home Devotions to Comfort the Heart”
•”Experiencing God Day by Day” by Henry & Richard Blackaby
•”Created to Thrive” by Matt Tommey
•” The New Strong-Willed Child” by Dr. James Dobson
• “For the Children’s Sake” by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
•”Ill at Ease” by Janice Thompson
•”Spring Gardening” (magazine)
• “Bob Ross: The Calm and Wisdom of the Beloved Painter” (magazine)
Yes, reading is one of my favorite things to do!
Thanks, Michelle, I love your current reading list. Thanks for sharing. I added one of yours to my list.
When you were recounting your reading journey I felt as if you were writing about me. I LOVE reading and also have some eclectic tastes. I am into suspense and psychological thrillers currently. I will have to check out the authors on your list!
Susan, thank you so much. The rest of my list – here are two: Charles Martin, Lynette Eason, Lisa Scottoline, and so much more.
I love your books. I am also a Christian.
Thank you, Phyllis. I appreciate readers!
DiAnn, I started to write historical fiction. I have come to a part in my book where I am not sure what to write about the citizens or how to make him be reunited with her.
Christina, venture back to what motivates the characters. Create a list of what-ifs until you discover what works for your characters. Also look at what is going on in history around them.
My initial reading list was similar to yours, DiAnn. I also enjoyed missionary biographies, and eventually enjoyed writing one, MISSON POSSIBLE, about Wycliffe translator, Marilyn Laszlo. I’m now mostly reading lots of Middle Grade novels, WOW, what an amazing variety out there since the Hardy Boys! My first MG novel, JUNGLE HUNT, was just published in January. One of my favorite recent adult read was your TRACE OF DOUBT, plus Jenkins and Rosenberg too.
Lucy, thank you so much and for the other author recommendations. Reading is such an amazing adventure.
Oh my gosh — reading cereal boxes was a THING for me! This is a great post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Kristine. I bet we have the ingredients lists on those cereal boxes memorized!
I too started with Dick and Jane. And I loved reading. Then I read the classics, Little Women, Wizard of Oz. Loved the Boxcar Children, the originals. Moved to Gone With The Wind. Now I live romantic Christian suspense.
At the moment I’m re-reading The Hawk and the Jewel by Lori Wick.
Thanks, Ethelann, I loved those books too. Lori Wick is an incredible author. I also enjoy discovering new authors.
DiAnn, I had a similar start with Dick & Jane, and cereal boxes. The Hardy Boys were next, then Ken Holt mysteries. In middle school, a friend gave me The Forgotten Star, and I was hooked on SiFi for the next few decades. Now I’m reading Christian suspense. Those are just the recreational fiction. I also enjoy science, history, and Bible related non-fiction.
Tim, I believe reading all genres keeps us informed of the world around us and its people. Reading is history.