How much do you read? What do you read?

[wickedwritah]

Lately, I really have fallen off the reading train -- besides editing our reporters' copy (and pulling my hair out), that is.

I remember what a professor of mine said a few years back. "The best writers always read."

I have to admit, I haven't been a big book-reading type since I was a kid, when I devoured them. Nowadays, it's devouring CNN.com and the other Web sites out there, and occasionally downing a copy of Time, but a book can't keep my ADD-esque attention.

A couple things I'd love to see addressed in this thread.
1. Do you agree that to be the best writer you need to be reading 24-7?
2. How much reading do you do? Mostly work-related research? Leisure book reading? Leisure magazine reading?
3. As the Internet has come into our lives, have your reading habits changed greatly?

Just some things kicking around in my brain while I procrastinate (ADD again) on a story or three.

 

[audreyld]

I do believe good writers have to read. Actually, I think good writers should have a sort of love affair with the written word.

I read whenever possible, and try to read a little before bed each night. When I moved here and didn't know anyone, I put away nearly a book a night the first two weeks.

I read mags, I do research and I read fiction.

 

[Clever username]

I've been feeling the same way, Wicked. I don't read nearly enough, and what I do read is usually just magazines (SI and Esquire, mostly) and articles on the internet.

I think the best writers need to read because that's the only way to see the language in use, at least proper use. Every so often I feel like my writing is stagnating. Reading someone new, even if it's just a new columnist, might lead you to a different turn of phrase. Some might call it stealing, which I guess it is, but you have to cultivate your own style by learning from the styles of others.

 

[SoSueMe]

When I was at my first job, thousands of miles from home, I was reading book after book - on the balcony, in the bathroom, on the couch.

It was just me and the better half. She was working two jobs, I had lots of time and thought - and still believe - reading was/is what good reporters do.

I bookmarked several newspapers' sports sections and read them in the morning while I had coffee.

Then, we started making friends, moving, I got a daily gig (two more since) and I had less and less time.

I'll admit, outside work, I've got a bit lazy. Maybe because I'm older, I don't know, but I just want to lay on the couch and get lost in TV and sports.

Did the internet change my habits? I don't know. I think because of my age, it is a habit. The newspapers I read online are ones I can't subscribe to or buy at the local store. But I've always been that way. Then again, the internet was "invented" when I was a senior in high school.

I'd love to subscirbe (again) to GQ, SI and The Sporting News, but the fiancee says we can't afford it.

 

[wickedwritah]

I had SI, then I switched to Time. I just found that I was more interested in what I would see on the cover of Time at the gym or the oil-change place than I was in what was on SI's cover.

 

[spup1122]

I'd say the internet has definitely changed my habits of reading. I still read a couple of magazines every month (US Weekly and Cosmo -- I know that says A LOT) but I rarely read books. I asked for a couple of books for Christmas from my parents because they were easy to ship and went through them quickly. I've started reading more again, but once I start the new job, I can see myself falling off the train again.

I do agree that to be better writers, we all need to read more, but I won't go so far as to say that reading articles on the internet isn't the type of reading we should do. I believe reading an article on the internet is pretty much the same as reading it in a hard copy of a magazine.

 

[wickedwritah]

I believe reading an article on the internet is pretty much the same as reading it in a hard copy of a magazine.

Agree on that, of course. But when you're on the Internet, you can get distracted reading MySpace blogs for 30 minutes instead of going over to time.com like you'd planned on doing to read that takeout piece.

 

[BYH]

BLOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SCEditor]

I go through phases. I read my four regular magazines (Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, US News & World Report and the New Yorker) each week, but I rarely read any books. When I do, I go through a month-long phase where I blow through two or three books a week. Of course, that reading phase usually coincides with a John Grisham release.

The internet has definitely changed how I view newspapers. I rarely, if ever, purchase a newspaper, unless I'm going to lunch at the little Mexican restaurant across the street. Then I'll buy the paper so I have something to read while I eat.

I think reading does help one become a better writer. It helps you see other people's style and prose, and give you a fresh look at how to take different angles on stories and subjects. If anything else, you can read to pick up a word that maybe you haven't used in a while or never thought to use. I kid you not, the other day I saw the word pregnant in Sports Illustrated, but in the phrasing of "pregnant with possibility" or something like that. While I'm not going to use the word pregnant in my prep gamer anytime soon, it was one of those things that made me stop, read the sentence again and go, "Hmm, nice." Or maybe that's me.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Writers must read. Period.
I live in constant terror of waking up in a hotel room with nothing to read except the Bible or "The Conrad Hilton Story," both of which I've already read.
I try to keep one nonfiction -- usually history -- and one fiction going at once. Right now is "Democracy Reborn" by Garrett Epps about the fight for the 14th Amendment during Reconstruction, and Huck Finn (again). Once a year, I read At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien, because it's my favorite book in all the world.

 

[John]

I read about two books a week, in addition to several papers (mostly online) and my monthly Esquire.

I read everything from King to Faulkner to Hiaasen to most of the Best American collections. As long as I'm entertained or learning (hopefully both), then it doesn't matter the genre.

I've been an avid reader since I was a kid and I simply love reading for 30 minutes (sometimes more) before I go to sleep. On my days off, I might spend three hours reading, depending on how into the book I am.

I bought 1776 today, which I look forward to starting in about 20 minuntes.

 

[Jones]

I believe writers need to read, not only for the brainwork and the inspiration, but to find the nuggets of story ideas and to flat-out steal good lines. Song lyrics are good to steal, too; feels more like a tribute than theft, then.

Okay, that's a joke. Sort of.

I read mostly non-fiction, because I prefer true stories. Plus, that's what I write, so I feel like I can mine it better for structure, say. (I owe Hampton Sides big for Ghost Soldiers.)

When I read a novel, it's usually a modern classic, something I feel like I should read, if only to say that I have. Right now, I'm reading For Whom The Bell Tolls by Hemingway. That'll probably **** up my writing bad for a couple of months, but it was one of those books I was ashamed not to have read.

I'm a slow reader, because I tend to edit stuff as I go along, but I try to get through a book or two each week.

I really think it's like a hitter taking BP. Helps sharpen your swing, if nothing else.

 

[Piotr Rasputin]

You guys want to read?

Go back to grad school. You'll have plenty of stuff to peruse, constantly and relentlessly.

No, seriously, of course we need to read. Other writers, competing writers, books for leisure, books for education, books for inspiration.

Unfortunately, I find my time to read as much as I would like to dwindling more and more.

 

[Trey Beamon]

I go through phases. I read my four regular magazines (Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, US News & World Report and the New Yorker) each week, but I rarely read any books. When I do, I go through a month-long phase where I blow through two or three books a week.

Same here, SC.

I can go months without reading a book, then fly through several in a week or so. It's not necessarily a time thing -- sometimes, I just don't feel like reading.

As for newspapers, I try to grab the local rag while on the road, whether it's the Big City Times or the Podunk Press. Always like to steal ideas see what others are doing.

 

[John]

I believe writers need to read, not only for the brainwork and the inspiration, but to find the nuggets of story ideas and to flat-out steal good lines. Song lyrics are good to steal, too; feels more like a tribute than theft, then.

Okay, that's a joke. Sort of.

I read mostly non-fiction, because I prefer true stories. Plus, that's what I write, so I feel like I can mine it better for structure, say. (I owe Hampton Sides big for Ghost Soldiers.)

When I read a novel, it's usually a modern classic, something I feel like I should read, if only to say that I have. Right now, I'm reading For Whom The Bell Tolls by Hemingway. That'll probably **** up my writing bad for a couple of months, but it was one of those books I was ashamed not to have read.

I'm a slow reader, because I tend to edit stuff as I go along, but I try to get through a book or two each week.

I really think it's like a hitter taking BP. Helps sharpen your swing, if nothing else.

Speaking of reading, I read the Snow piece today and another job well do to you, sir.

 

[Alma]

Read a ton. Some magazines. Some online - especially film-related material. Same with newspapers.

With books, I try to read a few at a time. One of them is usually a sports book. Preferably a short one. One of them is usually The Great Gatsby. One of them is a book of short stories by Tobias Wolff. Another is a book of short stories by Joyce Carol Oates. A fourth is a book of short stories by Flannery O'Connor. A fifth is a book of short stories by Raymond Carver. I just keep them around, and read them occasionally. I'll pick a story, or, if it's Gatsby, I'll read the first 30 pages.

Beyond that I like one popular, rip-through-it fiction book. By popular I mean, oh, Crichton, random chick lit, Turow, Leonard. Then I like one tough fiction read. And finally I read the Bible.

My honest suggestion? If you don't really have a heart for it, stay away from non-fiction. Most of those books are too long and boring; they drone on and on, deliberately failing to capture the essence of a subject to give every, single, awful detail.

 

[JayFarrar]

With the web, I read many, many papers. I usually hit at least 10 different sites, plus the metro on my porch every morning. Along with the AP and when I'm feeling froggy, the LATWP wire.
Magazines, I read the New Yorker from cover to the fiction piece and then pick it back up after the fiction piece is done. I hit Esquire every month, and I usually read the pieces that people post on here, no matter where they appeared
When I need some inspiration, I go to Eggers.
I'm also a big fan of what McSweeney's does. I've been on and off on The Children's Hospital for it seems like months now.

 

[wickedwritah]

Jones and F_B, I'm glad you chimed in. The BP line is an awesome on

As I said, I read. But I read the wire. I read CNN.com. I read Time.

I guess I don't read in the classic, quality literature sense -- it has been forever since I've picked up Shakespeare, Hemingway. Maybe reading some would inspire me and rejuvenate my work.

 

[Lamar Mundane]

Rolling Stones Matt Tiabbi is brilliant.

I believe he did a lot of post-Katrina reporting which should be mandatoring reading for journalists. Not only did he get the story, he took you there. Great example of show don't tell reporting.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7661196/apocalypse_there/

 

[Del_B_Vista]

I try, *try*, to read a book a week, but I don't always succeed at that. I started our paper's What We're Reading/What You're Reading and there's a bit of pressure (the good kind) to contribute each week. I generally prefer non-fiction, but I find that I'll plow through good fiction much faster. I try to post what I've finished on the books thread, although it's sometimes a bit obscure (like the civil rights era stuff I tend to gravitate to at times).