I Will Not Feel Guilty for Reading a Novel!

Susan Lyons Fox AKA Savanna Fox

I was here during Blog-O-Versary month in my Susan Fox persona, and I’d like to thank the Genre-istas for inviting me back as Susan Lyons.

Do you find that life is increasingly confusing and stressful?

I mean, why Susan Lyons and Susan Fox and, oh by the way, I’ll also be Savanna Fox in September? Don’t ask me. I’m a simple soul. I’d have stuck with just one name. It’s not like one name writes vampires and the other writes sweet historicals. All my books are sexy, emotional contemporary romances with character growth and secondary themes like friendship and family. But, anyhow, my publishers in their infinite wisdom think that different names will work better, and I, the humble author, go along and hope that they’re right. After all, what do I know? I’m just a person who gets easily confused.

My publishers are certainly following market trends, which I suppose are designed to better serve consumers but in fact drive me a little crazy.

For example, why, when I go to buy face cream or toothpaste, does the brand I prefer have five dozen choices? Is it better to reduce wrinkles, rejuvenate, lift, smooth, firm, hydrate, moisturize, nourish, refine texture, fight signs of aging? Should I whiten, brighten, fight tartar, prevent cavities, reduce sensitivity, protect gums, shield enamel, yada yada? It’s so confusing that, I swear, sometimes I’ve simply walked away from the store shelf and not made a purchase.

Is there one single thing in life today that’s simple and straightforward? Well, reading a book. Once you’ve figured out which book you want to read, from the seemingly infinite selection that’s available today, and once you’ve decided whether you’re going to read it in print or on a Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, iPad, or yada yada. If you’re still awake and not exhausted from all that decision-making, you can settle down in your chair (or bed or bathtub, but that’s a much easier and less stressful decision!) and turn (or click) to that first page and settle in.

I love books! That’s a huge reason that I’m a writer. Even back in the much simpler days of my childhood, the one thing I could always count on was a good book. It transported me away from the stress, confusion, exhaustion, etc. of day-to-day life. Of my life, and the life around me.

My guy and I were just talking about why we don’t read the newspaper or even, very often, watch/listen to the news. It’s so negative, so stressful, so depressing, so confusing. Yes, a part of me feels guilty for not being better informed, for choosing a novel rather than a newspaper, and yet . . . Darn it, I need a break. I need to relax.

And so do you. Whether it’s a break from the depressing news of the day, or the stresses of your job, or the pressures of family life.

Repeat after me: I will not feel guilty for reading a novel!

How about you? Do you find the world confusing and stressful? Do you take the time to unwind? If you’re visiting this blog, I’m pretty sure you’re a reader, so how about sharing what books mean to you.

And once you’ve done that, get off the Internet and go read a good book!! 

Susan writes for Berkley Heat as both Susan Lyons and Savanna Fox, and for Kensington Brava as Susan Fox. She has degrees in law and psychology, and has had a variety of careers, including perennial student, computer consultant, and legal editor. Fiction writer is by far her favorite! Visit her website at http://www.susanlyons.ca.