There's reading and there's reading. Reading, when everything is fine and good and you can appreciate the author's skill and have no real complaints, and then reading, when you fall head-first into a story and are swept away by the magic of it, and it nestles in your readerly heart forever.
It seems that the more I learn about writing, the more critical I am when reading. It's getting harder and harder for me to be pulled deeply into a story and experience that pure pleasure of reading that I experienced when I was younger. But that's what I experienced this weekend when reading The Graveyard Book, and it was fantastically fun.
I've only read three Neil Gaiman books (The above as well as Neverwhere and American Gods, all highly recommended). And I only read the first like four months ago. So, I feel like a very unworthy fan, jumping on the bandwagon extremely late. I did ever so slightly make up for it by attending pretty much everything Neil did at WFC. And, I'm psyched to learn he was recently nominated for an Edgar for the short story he read at WFC about Sherlock Holmes and honeybees and immortality. Everything he writes is so unique and imaginative and has that element of magic that I just love.
And one of the things I love about Neil's work is that he writes for all different ages. I had been dabbling in writing middle grade for my son about a year ago, but it was at WFC that my desire to write for a younger audience really gelled. I also have Tamora Pierce to thank for that, because at WFC she spoke of how amazingly rewarding it's been writing for kids, and I remember falling in love with her books when I was a tween. It's kind of a fun challenge to be a versatile enough writer to write for all ages.
So, who do you have a literary crush on? Who inspires you? What books live in your heart forever?
Neil Gaiman is pretty awesome... you're so right there. For me, I'm a huge horror buff, and really admire how Richard Laymon can make the most ordinary thing terrifying.
ReplyDeleteYeah, he's a great writer and I really need to read more of his books. I love those books I can just lose myself in. But you're right, I have found myself to be more critical of books I"m reading since getting serious about writing.
ReplyDeleteNeil Gaiman is fantastic! I'd like to be able to write for all ages too. I adore Karen Marie Moning. Her Fever series is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI've only read Stardust but I enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteNeil Gaiman. <3 Neil Gaiman Neil Gaiman Neil Gaiman.
ReplyDeleteI can't even put into words how fantastic he is.
The only other writer that I adore to the ends of the earth is Terry Pratchett, but John Green is becoming a bigger and bigger influence and inspiration.
I haven't read him yet, but another blogger has been telling me that he is fantastic. I'll have to look for some of his books!
ReplyDeleteThe Graveyard Book may be my favorite by him. Anansi Boys is great, too, but I think, in concept, The Graveyard Book pulls to the front. However, I may actually like Books of Magic even more.
ReplyDeleteheh
I talk about Gaiman frenquently on my blog and have been a fan since before 1990 (before he wrote novels).
I'm embarrassed to admit I've never read Neil Gaiman, even though I really want to (I even follow him on Twitter). I think I'm almost afraid to find out he won't live up to the hype, or worse, that I won't "get it". But I think I really need to dive in.
ReplyDeleteMy literary crush has always been Stephen King. I think because I've been reading him for so long. I can't deny that he's shaped my own style.
My husband is a HUGE Neil Gaiman fan. Though I have yet to read anything of his, I LOVE the movie "Stardust"! One of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteHands down, my all-time favorite books are Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series. Big, Beautifully researched and written, and By Far the most honest and strong female lead ever!
Close second, anything written by Barbara Kingsolver.
Hard question! I love a lot of Scott Westerfeld's stuff, because it's always interesting and quirky and he writes great characters. But I also love Poe and Wilde, and I think some of their ideas have influenced me quite a bit, too. And then there's the rest of the list, which I'll spare you from, because I think I've rambled enough already.
ReplyDeleteMy literary crush is John Green for sure! Loved his new book The Fault In Our Stars:)
ReplyDeleteOooh, read Coraline next! American Gods is in my TBR pile--can't wait to read it! And I totally know what you mean by reading vs. reading in the first paragraph. Wonderful distinction.
ReplyDeleteI crush on Geraldine Brooks lately. Stephen King. Some of Dan Simmons, especially The Terror and Drood. (His latest was a savage disappointment.) Umberto Eco. Iain Pears. Depends on my mood. All-time fave has to be Shakespeare, especially Hamlet. Never disappoints. (Nerdy, I know.)
ReplyDeleteI get this with Neil Gaiman too. I mean, how could you not?
ReplyDeleteIn middle grade, I recently fell in desperate love with Erin Bow after reading Plain Kate. Effing gorgeous. Also Brandon Sanderson. And Ursula K Le Guin (some of her stuff anyway)...
I have to agree. I fell head over heels when I read Neverwhere and I have The Graveyard Book ready to read on my book shelf. You've just made me look forward to it even more!
ReplyDeleteAlso, stopping by to say hello from the campaign! :)