Bedtime Reading

This time of year, hibernation sounds like a good idea. The leaves are turning. The sun sits lower on the horizon. The Farmer’s Almanac is touting “more shivery and shovelry” this winter. Man.

What I want is a cozy corner and a big blanket.

What I’ll settle for is an extra pair of thermals, coffee in bed, and a list of good books to read.

The thermals are on standby; if I’m nice I may be handed hot coffee upon waking. For certain, I have the inside scoop on good reading.

Cheryl and Eric Olsen host a wonderful blog series on their website (We Wanted to Be Writers) called Books by the Bed for the sole purpose of sharing good reads. They recently published Best of Books by the Bed #2:

The second edition of the best posts from our most popular blog series features book talk from 28 guest contributors about more than 250 publications. Most of the volumes occupying this prime real estate are fiction, but there’s plenty of poetry and creative nonfiction as well.

A book lover’s dream come true….

This isn’t just a list of books that David Corbett is reading or ones that Dani Shapiro keeps close at hand. Best of Books by the Bed #2 gives you a look into the reading psyche of poets, novelists, and essayists.

For Tom Titus, the books that pile up on his nightstand are “explorations into the idea of Place, that little spot in the universe to which we have attached ourselves….”

Nichole Bernier notes that the stack at her bedside “represents a mix of research, pleasure, and sanity.”

And, my contribution to Books by the Bed–that’s right, I’m lucky enough to be included in this amazing group of authors–begins with Kim Carnes, touches on the life of a rat (you never know where a story will take you), and ends with me running to the bathroom in tears.

Good books will do that to you.

Order your copy of Best of Books by the Bed #2 here. Then tell me, what stories lie in wait by your bed?