As I am temporarily between projects, I am devouring new books. Some, of course, are only new to me–you may well have read them. Every Tuesday, I head for Audible.com
Today’s listen is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, though I am nearly through. On the playlist are: “Drowning Ruth”, by Christina Schwarz, “The Book of Polly” by Kathy Hepinstall, “The House Hunter”, one of James Patterson’s BookShot titles, “The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients”, Theresa Brown, RN, “Writer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy”, by Nicholas Reynolds, a book about Ernest Hemingway and his adventures during World War II, “Gone” and “Wait for Me”, by Elizabeth Naughten, both of which are romantic suspense titles. I love suspense, provided it isn’t too violent. 🙂 I listen to/read a lot of nonfiction, especially histories, biographies and memoirs, but this week, I’m mostly in the mood for fiction, it would seem. Since I haven’t read/listened to any of these books, I cannot recommend them–YET. What I can recommend is “Lincoln in the Bardo”, by George Saunders–spooky, brilliant, and totally addictive, but also dark. Once again, “The Five-Second Rule”, by Mel Robbins–I’m so impressed with this book that I’ve watched Ms. Robbins’ TED talk (she looks nothing like I thought she would, listening to her voice) and will be subscribing to her videos on YouTube.
On the musical playlist: Josh Turner’s “Deep South”, Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits, Michael Martin Murphy–I LOVE this guy’s music and the stories told in his songs, Red Steagall, “Dear Mama, I’m a Cowboy” (again, wonderful cowboy stories told in music), Christian artists Chris Rice, Bebo Norman, and the band, Passion. I also like Bach, Beethoven and Mozart–brain music; call me crazy, but I can feel those synapses firing when I listen! It’s a little like having a head full of fireflies–but in a good way. 🙂 I often listen to music when I write, but I generally avoid anything with lyrics, as I find them distracting. Music is also inspiring, however, and I often say I can sit down and write a Western if I listen to Marty Robbins, or Waylon and Willie singing “Pancho and Lefty”. The movie “Legends of the Fall” has a similar effect–I’m not a huge Brad Pitt fan, but I adore the character he plays in this movie–Tristan. The John Wayne/Maureen O’Hara film, “McClintock” inspired by historical romance, “The Vow”, and that story is still one of my favorite book-children.
Travel certainly inspires me, as does art–doing my own, or looking at that of others. Animals, prayer, gardens and bold colors do, as well.
What inspires you?
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
