Is space limited? You bet. Does that cross my mind when I make book-buying decisions? Nope.
However, because paperbacks are more expensive, I tend to do most of my reading in ebook or audiobook.
(I buy most of the ebooks I read, but I listen to audiobooks via Hoopla free through my library!)
No matter what format I first experience a book in, if I love the story, I like to get a physical copy of it for my bookshelf.
Another reading quirk of mine is that I like to read new-to-me authors. As a writer, I find it interesting and helpful to see what writers are writing and readers are loving. There are so very many authors I have yet to discover that I don’t often camp out and read multiple books by one author.
That said, there are a few authors who have hooked me so I keep coming back to their books—and investing in paperbacks.
Given my reading and book buying habits, I tend to only collect 3 or more paperbacks by one author if they’re among my favorites. Who’s hit that status on my bookshelf?
3 Books
Toni Shiloh – I love her blend of faith and romance! I haven’t started The Love Script yet, but I enjoyed (and own copies of) In Search of a Prince and To Win a Prince.
4 Books
TI Lowe – If you’re looking for moving romances that tackle some tough subjects, TI Lowe is a great option. Lulu’s Cafe is one I just had to have in paperback. I still would like to get a paperback of Under the Magnolias because I also loved that one, but I do own Beach Haven, Sea Glass Castle, and (still on my TBR) Indigo Isle.
8 Books
Me – Maybe you saw this coming, but a writer has to invest in herself too, right? I keep copies of each of my books, mostly for pictures and pulling quotes, since I already know what they say. :)
10 Books
Becky Wade – I loved True to You and Falling for You so much that I’ve been buying paperbacks of her full-length novels (and one novella collection she’s in) ever since.
I made a reel on Instagram about this and included even more books/authors, but focused only on the Christian romance authors for this post. If you’d like to see the rest of my 3+ authors, you can see the reel here.
Do you own three or more paperbacks by any particular authors? Do we have any favorites in common?
Emily Conrad writes contemporary Christian romance that explores life’s relevant questions. Though she likes to think some of her characters are pretty great, the ultimate hero of her stories (including the one she’s living) is Jesus. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their energetic coonhound rescue. Learn more about her and her books at emilyconradauthor.com.
No, I haven’t purchased paperbacks since my sight started deteriorating. When I discovered I could increase the font size on my phone to read ebooks, that became the way to read for me. I was surprised that you didn’t have the most of your own books, but I imagine as you write more books that will change. There is nothing better than curling up with a great book in physical form. Totally agree about Toni, but the others are new to me, so something to discover in the new year. Christmas blessings!
Hi, Emily! I am a collector in general and of books in particular. I grew up in a house full of loaded bookshelves :). Before ebooks came along, I loaded up two rooms worth of shelves and many boxes to boot. My wife and I have a friendly battle going on about what the shelves in the living room are for: me – books, her – pictures and knick-knacks. So, I have reverted almost entirely to ebooks. My kindle library has literally thousands of titles. I’ve never been much of a borrower either so no Kindle Unlimited.
I do have some special paperbacks on my shelves, though. Both are ones for which I have played a role in supporting as an early/proof reader and consultant. One is Kenny Sargent’s Generations 2 – DC Gambit which is a Christian mystery/thriller. The other is a set of 4 books in K. E. Ganshert’s dystopian sci-fi Eden Pruitt series. My wife and I both consulted on books 3 and 4 in the series.
My romance collection is all Kindle, though. That doesn’t mean that I don’t go collecting favorite authors, many of whom were introduced to me by InspyRomance. I have enjoyed being an early reader here as well.
It’s probably good that ebooks are a thing now. Otherwise I would need to live in a 12,000 square foot mansion with 95% of it dedicated to my books. Oh well, maybe in heaven :).
I hardly ever buy paperbacks since I read so quickly and usually don’t like to reread. I have bought three books in the last 18 months: We Were the Lucky Ones (Georgia Hunter), Before I Called You Mine (Nicole Deese), and Star of Wonder (Angela Hunt). I will probably buy In the Field of Grace (Tessa Afshar), so my mom can read it when she visits.
That said, I’ve read and listened to two of yours in the last two weeks! I like your writing style – authentic faith against the reality of life, a fantastic balance that I strive for in my own writing.
Keep up the fantastic work. Your reel that went with this post is excellent. (You should link it somewhere on this blog post.)
Merry Christmas,
Jennifer
I love how different formats are there to help when another format doesn’t work for us! The flexibility of ebooks makes them a wonderful option. I hope you enjoy any of these authors that you try out! Merry Christmas!
You have a good point about being a collector in general and books being a part of that–I collect a couple of other items as well. I definitely understand collecting books that you had a part in – I like to do that too. The idea of a 12000 sq ft mansion sounds fantastic! Of course, I was just a couple of days ago fondly remembering our 450 sq ft starter home, so I guess I’ll just be content in my current home ;) I am interested in what what book situation will be in heaven though!
Hey Jennifer! I’m glad you enjoyed my books! Thanks for checking them out. Good point about the reel – that’s what inspired this post, actually. I will go back and add a link. I have 2 Nicole Deese books, so I suspect she’ll be joining my 3-or-more club very soon. She’s so talented! Thanks for stopping by, and merry Christmas!
I own ALL of the Hope Harbor Series by Irene Hannon in paperback (the newest one I’ve already pre-ordered), I have copies of Mandi Blake’s Blackwater series in paperback, Jo Grafford’s books in paperback, 43 of the 46 Tales of the Grace Chapel Inn books (most are hardbacks that I bought at 50 cents a piece from my church library), and quite a few more!!
I have not purchased paperbacks since I retired. Gotta watch my pennies. But I love when authors put up free books. And every once in a while when I find an author I love I will purchase it (because I have saved the money)
Understandable! I love that there are affordable options for reading like ebooks and libraries! I’ve started using Hoopla for ebooks and audiobooks, which is great because it’s free to me through my library, and the authors get paid for reads and listens!
I love that you’ve found so many great series/authors to collect. Mandi Blake’s covers are so pretty!
I do have a full bookshelf, but they are books I have had for years – like others on here I pretty much always read ebooks now, either from my library or purchasing the book.
I haven’t read any books by Becky Wade, but I will look out for her books, it’s always good to find a new author!
I don’t read e-books at all, so my shelves are overflowing to the point where I have boxes of books beside them.
These days, I do not keep a book if I know I don’t want to read it again. I’ve also been evaluating what I have and deciding if they are still worthy of shelf space.
I do have several authors for whom I have more than three books on the shelf.
The ones with the most are Robin Jones Gunn, Irene Hannon, Melody Carlson, and Rachel Hauck (more than 10 each). Robin’s and Irene’s each take up more than a full shelf!
You’ve collected some great authors! I started out writing YA, and Melody Carlson was one of my favorites in that genre.
My favorite series by Becky Wade is the Bradford Sisters series, so I especially recommend that one! The first in the series, True to You, won the Christy award book of the year a few years ago :)
Yes, I do. I have mysteries by James Patterson. I have romantic suspense by Darlene L. Turner, Sami A. Abrams, Elizabeth Goddard, Natalie Walters to name a few. Thank you for sharing. God bless you. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas. Yes, I do. I have mysteries by James Patterson. I have romantic suspense by Darlene L. Turner, Sami A. Abrams, Elizabeth Goddard, Natalie Walters to name a few. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I don’t have three or more paperback copies by one author. I can’t really afford to buy them, being on a fixed income.
I do have lots of paperbacks that I have to keep. I admit I have more Historical. I have the most of Gilbert Morris. other historical writers I have are Janette oke, Mary Connealy and quite a few more.
In Contemporary I have all the Sisterchick books by Robin Jones Gunn along with others. I do have about 6 of Narelle Atkins paperbacks. Others would be Janet Tronstad, Jillian Hart and Cheryl Wyatt.
I know rarely buy a paperback as I find them harder to read this started when I hurt the wrist and then when the headpain started the eyes hurt and the kindle and computer are much easier to use. (and paperbacks in Australia are around $20+ currently I can buy so many more ebooks for that.
Ebooks really can be a lot more affordable. Sounds like you have a nice paperback collection too though!
Budget does have to take priority. I’m grateful that through libraries, so many great books are available!
I used to read a lot of James Patterson! Sounds like you have a good collection going!
Mary Connelly and Jessie Gussman are both collectable authors. Jessie Gussman books are featured on U Tube on ‘ Say with Jay” . He reads them in HIS many voices. To listen once is to be hooked on both the author and reader.
Narrators can bring so much to a story, can’t they? And I’ve heard good things about both Mary Connelly and Jessie Gussman!
Oh yes I only read paperbacks.
There is something special about holding a paperback!