What’s the best thing about being a writer?

I get to read books and call it work! I read three to five books per week, depending on their length and complexity. And for me, “reading” includes listening to audiobooks; I always have one going on my mini iPad, and often play it in the background when I’m driving, cooking, cleaning, or doing other chores.

What kind of books do you read?

Crime fiction — mysteries of all sorts, thrillers, suspense, heists, and cons — makes up the bulk of my reading. I also read a fair amount of fantasy, YA fiction, and science fiction. And I read about one tween book — often a Newbury award winner — per month. My nonfiction reading ranges even more widely, with books about natural history and ocean conservation dominating the list.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Dick Francis, Elizabeth George, Sue Grafton, Carl Hiaasen, Tony Hillerman, Faye Kellerman, Laurie R. King, Lisa Lutz, Margaret Maron, Marcia Muller, Louise Penny, Elizabeth Peters, Ruth Rendell, S.J. Rozan, Dana Stabenow, and Jacqueline Winspear are all well-represented on my crime fiction shelves. J.K. Rowling, Terry Pratchett, Tamora Pierce, Kenneth Oppel, Madeleine L’Engle, Ursula LeGuin, and Emma Bull are the recurring names in my fantasy collection. Ben Bova, Lois McMaster Bujold, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Vonda MacIntyre, John Scalzi, and Timothy Zahn populate my science fiction shelves. Natalie Babbit, Jean Craighead George, Carl Hiaasen, Scott O’Dell, James Patterson, Katherine Paterson, Gary Paulsen, and Roland Smith are among my favorite tween authors. When it comes to nonfiction, I’ll read anything by John McPhee, but most of my factual reading is driven by the subject matter.