I live with a Reading Addiction
By Cindy Ervin Huff

I am addicted to reading. I’m one of those gals who if there is a sneak peek of chapters to the next book in the series, I will probably buy it.  Romance and mysteries are my favorite fixes, but I’ve been known to spend hours with military dog stories, crime dramas, and a fantasy or two. 

Even with my addiction, and it can get very severe, I refuse to finish a book that doesn’t grab me in the first fifty pages. If I’m not attached to the characters quickly, I’ll put the book aside. Before I was determined to finish a book no matter how bad it was written, but I’ve honed my addiction.

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I have favorite authors, both best-selling and just my faves that I try to read everything they’ve written. I’ve read C. Hope Clarks mysteries since the first book. She now has three series. Her setting descriptions are so awesome, I want to go to South Carolina, especially Edisto Beach.  And her crime solving is so cleverly done I don’t find out who did it until her heroine does.

There are Christian Romance authors I want to write like when I grow up. Mary Connealy, Pegg Thomas, Jennifer Ulrich, Naomi Musch, Tamera Alexander to name a few historical romance writers I love. Then there is Liz Issacson, Jessie Newton, and Alana Johnson (the same author in different contemporary romance genres). I am hooked on her Five Islands Cove series and her cowboy series, of which there are many. 

I adore Cindy Sproles, who writes Appalachian Fiction that takes us back to the late 1800s and early 20th century with stories that capture a time and place I’d never heard of before. Cindy is beyond a gifted writer. Can’t wait for her next book.

I love stories that capture my heart and imagination, that have been well-researched with characters so real you want to knock on their door and ask them how they’re doing. Those are the kinds of books I read. I hope they are the kind I write as well. 

The more excellent books I read, the more I understand what good writing does to the reader. For there are times I pause and repeat the words I read and ponder the characters. I close the book and think of those characters as I sleep, and I can’t wait to see if the author took them in the same direction I would have.

My reading addiction keeps me from housework and exercise, unless of course, I’m listening to an audio book. Then well, lots get done because I have to hear what happens next.

Are you addicted to reading? I’d love to hear what your favorite fix is.

Cindy Ervin Huff, is a multi-published award winning author. A 2018 Selah Finalist. She has a passion to encourage other writers on their journey. When she isn’t writing she feeds her addiction to reading and enjoys her retirement with her husband of 50 plus years, Charles. Visit her at www.cindyervinhuff.com.