It's here and I can hardly wait.

The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes arrived yesterday. I want to sit and absorb this book with undivided attention. So, I'll resist the urge to dive in now and wait until I've sent off the last of three articles I promised my editor.

She leaves for vacation on Friday 19th and wants three installments for my weekly column to leave with her assistant. I sent one on Sunday, the second yesterday and expect to submit number three on Wednesday.

That will leave me some much needed time for reading over the holidays and The Courage to Write is on top of that list.

Are you planning to catch up on some reading over the holidays? What books are on your list?

Book Talk Meme

Encouraged by Melissa Donovan over at Writing Forward I'm taking part in this meme.

I'm calling it Book Talk. Here goes:

What was the last book you bought?

On Monday September 29th, I bought four books from my Amazon wishlist:

1. Page After Page by Heather Sellers
2. Chapter by Chapter: Discover the dedication nd focus you need to write the book of your dreams by Heather Sellers
3. Writer's Workshop in a Box by Manuela Dunn
4. Writing from the Heart - Tapping the power of your inner voice by Nancy Slonim Aronie

Name a book you have read MORE than once

Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

I thought I had found a treasure when I rummaged through some old book at my church, and I did. Agatha Christie - An Autobiography mirror much of my own experiences and motivated me to stop making excuses and make my way to my desk and write regardless of what is going on around me and to see everyday life as ready-made inspiration and not as a hindrance to writing.

How do you choose a book - eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews

I choose books by summary but if someone I admire recommends a book I'd consider it.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

Non-fiction books are my favorite but I'm not opposed to a suspense novel once in a while.

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

Do I really have to choose? All right a gripping plot.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

Sarah Witt in A Disappointing Truth - the tragic Story of Sarah Witt by Sarudzai Mubvakure

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

A cup of Comfort for Writers and Ernes Hemingway on Writing.

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

Just three chapters into Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

Only twice. Both times I began reading knowing that the book didn't the area of my reading preferences.

Let's have some fun and keep this meme going.