Recently at an event I was attending someone said to me, “they keep telling us to read books, I don’t have time to read, I’m a writer.” Then she sorted and laughed. I said, “well I read, on average two (YA mostly) books a week, every week because I love to read.” She said, “well, then you must not write much.” I said, “I write every day, no exception, for at least an hour.” (sometimes it’s complete shite, but she didn’t need that detail). She said, “I don’t have time to read! I hate books, the only thing I read is my own writing.” It made me think of this famous quote, from Stephen King!!
Also I have to add this, I don’t read YA just to stay current, (that’s just an added bonus) I read YA because I love it-this is also the reason I write it. I LOVE it-I always have-even before it was trendy and called YA. (I also read MG and adult-just not as much, but I can’t wait for the new Rick Riordan book to come out this fall.
This year so far I have read 70 books so far.
Here’s how I do it. I read one a week on Nook. I read one read book-one I can hold in my hands, and then I listen to one on Audible while I work, on average I manage 6-10 a month this way. I can’t wait to get back to my books every day.
I’m a writer because I don’t have a choice in the matter-if I end up being successful that will be a bonus, but I do it because I have to. The same is true for reading, I can’t imagine a life without books.
Steph Olivieri Bourbon ~ Writing Coach 
Stephanie – this is so true! My reading inspires me and makes me a better writer. I read across all genres and while I love to read, I also treat it as part of my job as well. Last year I read 103 books. I may not hit that this year, but I do know that every one of those books made me a better writer!