Did you know that March 26, 2022, is the unofficial national Make Up Your Own Holiday Day? Hmm. What holiday would you create? Will it have something to do with food and books? How about a location holiday?
As both a reader and author, I would say that I could make today my own personal Read a Christian Romance Novel on the Beach Day. Why not? It could be any sort of day, right? Oh, you don’t have to be on the beach to read. I just thought the name of the holiday matches the poster above LOL.
On my Read a Christian Romance Novel on the Beach Day, let me ask you these:
Do you like short or long novels?
As an author, I write both. I can write 49,000 words, and I can also write 149,000 words. As a reader, I prefer to read longer books. We have heard of Jane Austen’s quote on books being too short, right? I wonder if a book can be too long too, but then again, what is “long” to one reader might be “just right” to someone else. If the stories are satisfying, my readers can tell you that they don’t worry about book lengths. What about you? Do you care about book lengths? Which is you preference: short or long or both?
Do you like light humor or serious family drama?
I like both, depending on my reading mood at that moment. My romantic women’s fiction have happy endings, just as all my other romance novels (and also my romantic suspense, but that’s outside the scope of this blog). Let me add the caveat that whether the novel is light or heavy, I prefer a happy ending either way. What about you?
How fast can you read an 80,000-word novel?
Have you timed yourself? Usually, it takes me 4-6 hours to read a novel that long (or longer). When I became a published author, it dawned on me that the novel that took me 4-6 months (or sometimes 4-6 years to write) can be devoured in merely 4-6 hours. Some of my readers are so voracious that they finished reading my books before I barely promoted them. I’m happy that my readers like my books, so I try to write more books for them to enjoy.
Would you re-read a novel you like?
Or are they all a one-pass for you? Truth be told, I rarely read a novel twice, unless it’s my own books (because of editing and proofreading, and later on, because I wanted to reread my own books). However, I have read Jane Austen’s historical romance books several times, and watched the movie adaptations more than once. I have read some Christian historical romance novels more than once because I forgot that I’ve read it. Has that happened to you? Have you reread a book because you forgot that you’ve read it before? Do you find yourself going, “This scene sounds familiar?” On the other hand, how many times have you read your favorite books, knowing that an exciting scene is coming up just around the corner and you can’t wait to read it again?
What’s your favorite place to read?
I hinted this in my personal holiday today, but I want to add that reading on the beach is not always fun. Firstly, depending on the season, it could be hot. Secondly, the glare of the sun on the paper sometimes makes it hard for me to read. I’ve heard that Kindle Paperwhite reads well in the sunlight. Not so my iPhone. There is a glare, unless I’m under a shade of some sort. Also, when I’m on the beach, I prefer to look out at sea and not keep my nose in a book. I can read the book anywhere, right, but I can’t always be on the beach at any time. So my favorite place to read is in a cozy chair by the window somewhere. Preferably indoors with air conditioning! What about you?
Do you like to read in the day time or night?
When I was in the corporate world and when I was a homeschool mom, I was too busy to read in the day time. In my second career as a novelist, I spend my day time writing books. On occasion, I get a vacation and don’t write. During those times, I can read all day long. If the novel is intriguing, I may even stay up late at night to finish the book. One more chapter to read. Just one more chapter… And then the night is over. Have you been there?
There you have it, some questions related to my Read a Christian Romance Novel on the Beach Day.
How about you? What holiday would you make up for yourself today? There is no right/wrong or better/worse holidays since this is all subjective and it’s YOUR holiday. On that note, here’s wishing you a happy holiday!
USA Today bestselling novelist Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian romance with elements of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with an air of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. Join Jan's mailing list for her latest book news: JanThompson.com/newsletter
I think I would like a Cats love their Mama day. (no surprises like mice, no hogging the bed, just loving me and cuddling on my terms not theirs).
On too short or long. I like novellas but also novels I think 200 – 250ish works good for me. Longer are ok if they don’t drag or have lots of slow patches and draw out the book when it could end a lot sooner. If I read one like this I then need the novellas to get back into reading where I don’t have to think so much.
fun is good but serious works too.
not sure how much 80,000 words is. I go by pages for a 250 I am not sure how many hours but most take a few days. a novella is around 3 – 4 hours.
dont really have a favourite place and I don’t often re-read a book to many to read. I tend to read more late afternoon and night.
So many questions!! I need a google form to reply. My favourite place to read is curled up in front of the fire and I do enjoy longer books . I often re -read novels, especially if there is a new novel in the series. Then I will re-read all of the previous series. I have just re-read your‘Danger’ books and enjoyed them all over again.
Yes, cats! Mine will ask for a little hug and then he goes off to do his own thing (sleep, mostly). :-)
I’m glad we have choices on short/long books to read. I write in multiple genres, so I have to switch thinking mode all the time.
I hear you. It’s hard to quantify how many words are actually on the listed pages. Formatting can change the number of pages because of trim sizes, fonts, margins, layout.
Thank you for your comment. Have a wonderful weekend!
LOL re: “google form” :-) I got carried away with the questions on Make Up Your Own Holiday Day :-)
Which “Danger books” were you referring to? Was it the Dangerous Deceptions boxed set?
Thank you for your comment. Have a wonderful weekend!
Delightful blog, Jan. Snow in Michigan this morning. Yuck – not reading at our beautiful sandy Lake Michigan beaches today. Tuesday it was 70, today 30. Have to love Michigan spring time. NOT! March came in as a lamb, and going out like a lion. I enjoy fun holidays. Keeps the doldrums away. My favorite in April is Poem in your Pocket Day (April 29). Today is my favorite poet’s birthday – Robert Frost.
Q 1 – This retiree has always preferred reading books in one sitting, therefore with aging eyes I prefer reading novellas.
Q 2 – As I age and with all the drama in the world due to conflicts, disasters, and covid, I prefer light humor and less drama. Often change genre depending on my mood. Historical fiction over contemporary or cozy mysteries.
Q 3 – As stated, I prefer to read a book in 4 – 6 hours, especially on my tablet. My eyes get tired quickly and things get blurry. Before ebooks, when my boys were young every summer often when Danielle Steele had a new release, I had a Mom’s Reading Day. (My Holiday) My oldest son often tells his kids the rules: Breakfast on the table, lunch in the frig, unless you are dying or bleeding profusely DO NOT DISTURB MOM!
Q 4 – This retired high school English teacher, yearly reread the classics I was teaching in my American Lit classes; but now in retirement – too much to read and too little time. Like to explore new authors, new genres, and stories with a unique premise – the new series You are on the Air.
Q 5 – Depending on the weather, I prefer to read stretched out on my bed or weather permitting on my back deck or front patio, which ever has more shade. Often have to read on my Paper White. Visiting our local Lake Michigan beaches, I prefer people watching, especially kids or sea gulls.
Q 6 – Now with my tablet, I often begin a new book in the middle of the night when it appears on my Kindle app. In retirement I usually read afternoons, evenings, into the night. Mornings I take my granddaughter to school, run errands, do chores.
Enjoy your weekend. Stay warm.
I love long books! I like that the relationship of the hero and heroine has enough time to grow calmly. I like a light novel or a heavy drama with moments of humor, I don’t want it to be all depression but there should always be a happy ending.
I’ve never timed myself, but I can finish a book in a day or two if I love it and I’m definitely a reader! if you loved a novel anyway over time you forget details so it’s nice to read it again and remember why you liked it so much.
I prefer to read at night and in my bedroom I have been that way since I was a teenager.
I’d have a Read on the Beach day with full service so I didn’t have to move. 🤣
I read anywhere, any time of day!! I like any and all CF, time frame doesn’t matter, as long as it has a happy ending. My favorite place to read is inside in the A/C, and usually I’m at home in my rocker. However, if I’m not home, I can still read anywhere and everywhere!! I like books to be at least 50K, though I read shorter ones, and I LOVE longer ones!!! I can usually read a 50K book in less than a day, depending on what else I’m doing, so I’d say an 80 would be the same, less than 12 hours, probably about 8. I do read books more than once, especially some of the ones that I proofread. Some of them I read two times. Of ones I’m not proofreading, I have quite a few I’ve read more than twice!
I’d have a holiday overseas somewhere, maybe Scotland, and I’d stay in a historic place with room service and enjoy a good book when I’m not out seeing the sights.
I definitely prefer longer books but I have never timed how long it takes me to read any book. As for re-reading, I am almost always a “no” and yes, I have started a book that I forgot I read and thought, “This scene seems familiar”. I prefer to read during the day in a cozy chair with a blanket.
Happy National Reading in a Hammock Day!
I like a great story no matter the length.
this was a fun post. I think I would make my holiday: Unlimited Time In The Sewing Room
Oh that is a lovely holiday/event re: “Poem in your Pocket Day.” Two Frost poems that I like are “Mending Walls” and “Road Not Taken.”
Brrrrr… Looks like your weather fluctuates wildly. For me it’s cool in the morning, hot in the afternoon. Like two seasons in one day. A couple of months back, it was three seasons in one day. That’s Florida life!
Novellas are fun to read too. I have written some of them, but they are primarily long novellas. A few more thousand words and they’d be short novels. Most of my books are novels.
I love reading historical fiction, especially historical romance. I remember binge-reading all the pioneer novels back in the days when I hauled books out of the library by the dozens. I was a voracious reader of historicals. Today I am a bit choosier about what I read bc of the economy of time. I have to write my books first bc they are due LOL.
LOL re: reading mom! I like the tablets more and more as I get older because I can resize the font. Do you like that feature?
Wow, I had no idea you taught Am Lit. That’s fun! I spent a lot more time studying British Lit than Am Lit, but my son had to take Am Lit classes back in high school, so I kept all his textbooks and reading lists. Somewhere in the boxes…
Do you prefer Paper White to Kindle Fire? I often wonder if Paper White really mimics paperbacks well enough. I love to read paperbacks.
IKR re: beaches. During my morning beach walk today, I spent more time watching birds running on the shore than I did thinking about my books.
Sounds like a plan re: reading time. I sometimes like to read after dinner, but I try not to bc I tell you what. If the book is intriguing, I will keep reading and reading, and next thing you know, it’s the middle of the night, and now my timezone is all upside down LOL!
Thank you for your wonderful comments. Have a marvelous weekend in the Lord!
Henry is a cuddle bunny on his terms not sit in my lap often about 6 times now. but he gives great cuddles at times. Libby sits in the lap but doesn’t like being picked up and cuddled she will for a moment or two then is likely to nip or bite. But she is the bed hog I often try move her over with my feet only to get attacked. But I wouldn’t be without them so a day they do what I want when I want would be a wonderful holiday for me.
LOL! That’s ingenious!
How about a holiday to celebrate books and reading.
For me the longer the book the better.
Me too re: happy ending. More so in today’s world, many of my readers prefer happy endings as well.
Good idea re: AC for reading. Here in the south, it can get hot and humid.
You do read fast! I myself also prefer longer books. Some of my books are very long (over 100K). My novels range from 50K – 150K :-)
For sure re: proofreading. I’ve read my own books multiple times before they get to my editors, and then I reread them again after they return.
You’re one of the few I know of who read the same book multiple times outside of proofreading. Most of the people I know of only read through each book once.
Thank you for your comments! Have a great weekend!
Oooh Scotland! That sounds fun. I hope you get to have your own holiday soon. A good book makes it all the more memorable!
Thank you for your comments. Have a wonderful weekend!
IKR! I’ve done that too re: repeated reading. I remember checking out the same book from the library, perhaps a few years apart, and when I was reading it the second time around, I realized that I had read the book before. What surprised me was that I didn’t remember that I had read it when I checked out the book the second time!
Cozy chair and blanket sound warm and delightful. Happy reading!
That’s a cool holiday! As soon as our hammock is up, I’ll celebrate it with you!
I agree re: story length vs good story!
Thank you! I like that holiday! We moved house, so IDK where my sewing machine and serger are. I hope that no other boxes were stacked on top of them, but we’re still digging through what looks like an avalanche of moving boxes LOL.
I used to sew way more than I do now, and I had a lot of enjoyment from sewing. So yes, I’d like “Unlimited Time in the Sewing Room,” please!
Fun! I agree re: longer books. I do love to read longer books and I also love to write longer books. :-)
I once had a Black Lab named Henry. I still miss him.
Today we just have one cat. He is rather independent BUT he doesn’t want to be left out, so whenever I write, he wants to be front and center, and I mean front and center. I had to write on a relatively small folding table for 3 months, so he’d try to find a spot on the table to nap — right on my keyboard or mouse or my handwritten drafts. LOL.
I have to vacuum a lot due to cat hair LOL!
candy holiday
I enjoy both long and short books. I usually read in the kitchen at the table, waiting in my car or doctor’s offices. I am not sure what to call my day. My brain is not working too good since I am recovering from a procedure this week. How about Love your family and pet day. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I don’t need to make up a holiday as my birthday is Halloween which is good enough for me. I prefer novels over novelette for the most part and I enjoy reading a story rather than a chapter at a time.
I’ll sign up for yours. It sounds fabulous. ;) Also, here are my answers to the questions you asked throughout your post:
– I used to not like short stories but now I’m all about the “as long as it’s satisfying, they’re the perfect length.”
– I think if I’m reading a romance, I’m expecting a HEA, whether it’s a light or heavy read.
– I haven’t timed myself, but maybe a couple of days?
– I rarely re-read these days, but yes, there are some that I’ve enjoyed again and again. My top is near 20x for Chronicles of Narnia #1 and 5x for a Historical Romance favorite. I think I also re-read these days via listening to the audio version of an ebook I’ve already read.
– I’m not sure I’ve ever read on the beach, but I’m with you. I’d prefer to read in a comfy chair or sofa indoors and enjoy the sea sans other distractions.
– I’ll read at any available time, be it during the day or night.
I would make it National Pekingese Day!!
I would be reading long novels with lots of laughs but romance. I love camping & reading outside at anytime of day!!
Me too re: long books! I agree about the story arc. That’s also why I prefer to write long books myself.
That’s a good point about details and rereading a novel you enjoyed at previous readings.
Thank you so much for your comment!
Fun and yummy!
That’s a nice day re: “Love Your Family and Pet Day.” Sometimes we all need reminders about our families.
I have also read at the kitchen table. What I like about that is the space. I can let the book sit on the table (hardcovers, for example, can be heavy). While I read, I can snack! :-)
Thank you for commenting. Have a wonderful weekend in the Lord!
I know at least one other person whose birthday falls on October 31. That’s also Reformation Day (when Martin Luther nailed his theses on the wall).
I’m with you on reading a complete story. It’s more fun that way IMHO to read a full book.
Thank you for commenting!
Thank you! I hear you and agree re: any length as long as the story is a good one.
Totally re: HEA. Somehow HFN is not quite enough for me.
Another person also said that she can read one book in a couple of days. I have spread my reading over time, but not too long bc then I’d have forgotten the story and have to start over and reread from page one. :-)
Enjoy your next novel!
Thank you for commenting!
What a cute day! Do you own a Pekingese then? I have a cat, so every day is Cat Nap Day LOL!
That’s wonderful to combine the fun activity of camping with reading outdoors. When the sun is not too bright, I also like to read outdoors. When it’s too hot/bright, I prefer to read indoors in AC.
Thank you for commenting!
Getaway Holiday 😂
Fun!