Reader’s Spot – Meet Kristy, a fan of #Crime #Thriller and #HarryPotter

Here on the ‘Reader’s Spot’ I share the bookish love of our readers, from young adult to romance, chick-lit to murder mystery.  Whether you are a reader looking for new books, or a writer wondering what your readers want, I hope you find this series enjoyable.

Next up to the Reader’s Spot is Kristy, a fan of Crime, Thriller and Harry Potter.

1. What genre do you enjoy reading?

I used only to read crime/thriller novels; but I like to branch out into anything now. I joined a book club called ’Poppy Loves Book Club’ and I run that through a social network here in London every month. I joined this to make me read novels I normally wouldn’t pick up and it has done just that and as a bonus I get to meet new people and have a girly chat about a book with a glass of wine. I haven’t always enjoyed the books but I have enjoyed being pushed out of my comfort zone as they have been very varied and stirred up some good discussions. I also LOVE my Harry Potter books, if I have nothing to read I pick them up again, I must have read them a million times but never fail to enjoy them.

2. Do you have a favourite author in this genre?

Jeffery Deaver and Chris Carter for crime/thriller. They are always so well researched; but I do think some crime authors should have a psycho-evaluation as some of the crimes/murders are truly horrific, their imagination must be a scary place! I really enjoyed Elizabeth Fremantle’s books as historical novels.

3. How do you prefer to read your books?

I have a kindle, and the kindle unlimited subscription which I definitely get my money’s worth out of. If I want a specific book though and the price is similar to the kindle price I generally buy the book – nothing beats the feel of a good book – and then they get to be passed on and re-read. I love a good worn book. When I was travelling in Asia I picked up many books through book swaps in hostels and found one that I couldn’t put down (Princess by Jean Sasson), I loved the book and wanted to keep it but everyone who had read it had signed the date and location, this book had travelled all around Asia for over 6 years with over 30 people reading it and I couldn’t be the one to end that! A sign of a good book is if it has been well read, and you just don’t get that on kindle!

4. Where do you purchase your books?

I am an Amazon lover which is pretty bad as I should shop in independent book shops but it is there at my fingertips! Before my Kindle I used to love charity shop books – all my Harry Potter hard copies are from charity shops.

5. Where do you find out about the books you read?

Poppy Loves gives me a book a month and then I just search Kindle Unlimited or search for specific authors and their new titles. If I enjoy a book I tend to read all of them by the same author. I have just got my hands on the full set of Bernard Cornwell books.

6. Do you have a budget when buying books?  Do you stick to it if you do?

I pay for kindle unlimited and have been trying to stick to that but I don’t really have a budget. As I am a fast reader when buying them I probably do go for the cheaper option (kindle or hard copy) but if there is a book I really want to read I would probably just buy it – it is just too easy on the kindle sometimes.

7. Do you write a review when you’ve finished reading?  If so, where do you post this?

I am bad at this! If I read a kindle book I generally star it at the end but that’s as far as I go – I should start doing this as it is helpful for independent authors but to be honest I don’t read reviews either

8. What do you look for in a book?

A good story line/plot. I love a good twisty-turny bit but you can’t always get that (and don’t know about it when buying the book). I just want things to read well, not be confused by switching timelines and similar/too many character names. I love a book that takes me by surprise and gives me something to think about. I also love something being very descriptive, one of my favourites is Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden) and his writing is so beautiful to read.

9. Where do you like to read?

Where don’t I read? I read on my commute to and from work – if I am not too squished on the tube, at home, before bed. I found when I was studying, reading a novel before bed made me switch off my mind and helped me sleep. If I am engrossed in a book I won’t put it down and will read it anywhere I can, which is how I can finish a novel in two days

10. What social media platforms are you active on?

I am on Facebook which is the main one I used but I am also on Instagram and LinkedIn but don’t really use them

If you are an avid reader and would like to be included in this feature, then please use the ‘say hello’ page to send me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.