Reasons to read

I don't know about you, but I read books differently depending on the reason I'm reading them at all.  

If I'm on a judging panel, I'm reading to examine, to work out which of the many, many books entered should be part of a longlist or a shortlist or be the winner.  When I'm reading to prepare to interview a fellow writer about their new book, I read to find questions and to look for a passage that might work well for a reading. If I read to review, it's with a critical, curious eye.  

When I read to relax, I let myself go and just immerse myself in the story.  And when I read my own books, it's often with my breath held, for fear of finding the typo I'd failed to pick up in the manuscript.  

By contrast, I love listening to the audiobooks of my novels and have just started listening to Anthea Greco's fantastic narration ofThe Watchful Wife. Because the voice is not mine, my mind is tricked into thinking the writing isn't mine either and it's such a treat to be able to simply sit back and to enjoy the story. (if you like, you can listen to a sample ofThe Watchful Wifehere,or read a sample here.) 

It was terrific to have screenwriter and novelist, Frank Chalmers on Thursday Book Club last week.  If you weren't able to be there, you can watch our interview here.  Earlier in the week,I loved chatting to Thursday Book Club regular, Barbie Robinson. You can listen to our interview on Living Arts Canberra.


I'm in conversation with Jane Caro at the State Library of NSW tomorrow and would love to see you there.  And on Tuesday, I'll be at Waverley Library in conversation with Marion Frith, journalist and author of Here In The After.  Both events are free and, courtesy of Allen & Unwin, there will be lucky door prizes at both events - simply register to be in the draw.