My reading habits are odd. For one thing, I spend more time writing than reading.

I won't read a book by someone I know. I can't bear the thought that I might not like it.

I don't read books anything like books I'm writing or thinking about writing. I'm a sponge. A mimic. A regular mockingbird. I tend to sound just like what I'm reading. If I'm unconsciously imitating someone else's style, (which I am)I'm going to make sure it's someone working in a different genre.

In fact, I avoid authors writing in similar genres...period. I don't want to know who I'm "competing" with. I don't want to be influenced, or intimidated, or have my own ideas in any way affected. If it's been done, don't tell me. I'll be doing it my own way anyhow. Is that nonprofessional? Probably.

I will read literature from a pertinent historical period to get the flavor.

So what have I read recently:

Pick-Up -- Charles Willeford

The Crazy Kill -- Chester Himes

I Married a Dead man -- Cornell Woolrich

The Deep Blue Goodbye -- John D MacDonald

Dark Corners of the Night -- Paul Cain

Framed in Guilt -- Day Keene

Eve's Ransom -- George Gissing

The Haunted Hotel -- Wilkie Collins

The British Barbarians -- Grant Allen

I'm also working on:

The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini

Varieties of the Religious Experience - William James

Make of it what you will.