Have you ever picked up a new book and been so enthralled with the story that when you finished you ran out and found all the other books in print by that same author?  I have, several times, and my husband has threatened to ban me from all bookstores because of it.  Now I have entire collections of works by both Julia Quinn and Teresa Medeiros, and I lie in anticipation of their next novels conscious of my husbands shaking head.

When I first entered the wonderful world of romance novels, I became immediately overwhelmed by the vast number of authors in the genre.  To help me wade through the masses, I enlisted an index card for every author I read or intended to read.  At some point I had every intention of making note on those index cards all of that author’s works.  In my mind, it was a wonderful idea.  I would never be at a loss for a book recommendation.  But I never got to it.  The cards rest carefully nestled in their little box waiting.  Will I ever find the time?

My idea seemed brilliant when I started writing down every name, then alphabetizing the cards.  I still like the idea.  But to be perfectly honest I’d rather spend that time actually reading.  The conundrum is that my reason for making the cards was so I would be able to enjoy every book.  When I find an author that can make me feel like I’m watching a play in real time, I know I can always rely on them to do it again.  The story may change, but their voice remains the same.  So I gather them together in order to be able to savor every last one.

As both a reader and an aspiring writer, I can fully appreciate a well written, engaging, and moving piece of literature.  My little box of authors is my way of keeping a connection between myself and the authors of the books I love.  I may be strange, a bit compulsive, or even obsessed, but I do it because I never want to miss a single story from these amazing writers.