Guest Post (and a Giveaway!): Tina Radcliffe & The Secret Quirks of Readers

Posted February 3, 2020 by meezcarrie in Author Interview, Christian, contemporary, giveaway, romance, Tina Radcliffe / 125 Comments


It’s always a great day when I get to hear from Tina Radcliffe, and today’s she here to chat about those reader quirks we all know and love AND her new contemporary romance, Finding the Road Home!

FINDING THE ROAD HOME
SERIES:
Hearts of Oklahoma #1
GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
PUBLISHER: Love Inspired
RELEASE DATE: Feb 18, 2020 (print) / March 1, 2020 (ebook)
PAGES: 224

Some paths need courage to follow…

Can they find their fresh start with roadblocks around every corner?

To care for her orphaned nieces and nephews, Daisy Anderson moved to a small town for a new deputy position—but now her job could be eliminated. With potential budget cuts looming, her only hope is to work with police chief Mitch Rainbolt to save their department’s funds. But can their fight for her job lead to something neither dared wish for: a future together?

 

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With the popularity of social media I’m getting to know readers on a personal level and many of them share their interesting reader quirks in photographs and posts, without realizing that I’m taking notes.

Here’s my list of top-ten secret reader quirks. As a reader myself, (I have 1,555 books on my Kindle and too many to count on my bookshelf) I see myself in several quirks listed here.

These are in no particular order and none has more value than another. They’re just reader quirks.

  1. The Collector

The collector is the reader who collects physical books. This reader prefers them to be autographed. They are also very keen to have author book memorabilia, specifically bookmarks and pens.

  1. Series Orderly

This reader does not and will not read a series out of order. If they have book two in hand, they will not read it until book one is ordered and completed. Don’t challenge them on this. They will not budge, even if it means they go bookless for a time.

  1. Page Folders

The page folder folds corners or turns a page in half and loathes bookmarks. Not that they haven’t tried them. However, the silly things keep falling out and cannot be relied upon to save the correct place.

  1. Look-it-up Readers

This reader absolutely must pause and look up geography and definitions before they can read further. The author said kaizen? What does that mean? And where is Andorra? Is it a real country? If you are looking these words up right now, you are a look-it-up reader. Brava for you!

  1. Rereaders

The rereader has shelves of books they reread according to mood, the season or even simply because they know a book will elicit a particular emotion. Rereads can be counted on to provide the same response as comfort food. The rereader often has their favorite rereads in multiple formats-audio, ebook, paperback and hardback.

  1. Slow and Steady

This reader savors the read. They don’t miss a single word. Reading is like a six course meal and they will not be hurried. They are often book club members as they enjoy discussing theme and motif. They remember character names long after the book is closed. (Test them on this and you’ll be amazed!)

  1. Fast and Furious

This reader reads very quickly and with excellent comprehension and has no time to stop. These are the heavy lifters who have reading goals to meet and they will meet them. They do not analyze books. They read them… fast!  Do not interrupt!

  1. Last Page Previewers

It takes a very special reader to be able to read the beginning and the end of a book and then the middle. Reading the last pages does not take away from the joy of the book for this reader. In fact, it only adds to the comfort of the read by eliminating unnecessary fretting.

  1. Critiquers

This reader reads to find flaws. There really is no other way to describe it. They have an analytical mind and often critiquing gets in the way of the entertainment value of a book, because this reader really cannot get lost in the read.

That is not to say books cannot be criticized, but it should only come after we give it a fair hearing. I think Solomon’s words from Proverbs 18:13 are helpful here: “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”  -writer Brian Phillips.

  1. Deconstructors

Deconstructors are different than critiquers. They read with wonder and delight and often reread while in the middle of a book in an attempt to understand how the author was able to string together words and phrases to elicit emotion, sensations and conflict.

If you’ve ever read a book on a sweltering hot day and it was snowing in the book and you found yourself grabbing a sweater and then pausing to wonder how the author did that, you may be a deconstructor. Yes, deconstructors are often writers.

So what do you think? Which of these reader quirks apply to you? Do you get lost in a good book, unable to stop until the book is completed or do you have little rules or quirks that guide your read? Any that I have not mentioned? Please do share!

Leave a comment and I’ll be sending a print copy of Finding the Road Home to one commenter, along with a yummy candle.


A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina Radcliffe is a Romance Writers of America Honor Roll member, and an American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll member. She is also a four-time nominee of the ACFW Carol Award and a three-time ACFW Mentor of the Year Finalist. In 2014 she won the ACFW Carol Award and in 2018 she was an ACFW Mentor of the Year recipient. Besides her novel-length fiction for Love Inspired, Tina has sold over three dozen short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. A former registered nurse and library cataloger, Tina is a frequent workshop presenter. She currently resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.

Stay up to date on all her releases and fun giveaways by signing up for her newsletter here. Visit her on the web at www.tinaradcliffe.com.


Tina Radcliffe is giving away a copy of Finding the Road Home (print-US only) plus an 8 oz Reading at the Café soy candle by Frostbeard Studios (The scent is Coffee and Chocolate Pastry). This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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What about you? What interests you most about Finding the Road Home by Tina Radcliffe? Which of these reader quirks apply to you? Do you get lost in a good book, unable to stop until the book is completed or do you have little rules or quirks that guide your read? Any that Tina didn’t share?

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125 responses to “Guest Post (and a Giveaway!): Tina Radcliffe & The Secret Quirks of Readers

  1. Debra E. Marvin

    I like to read a series in order, research anything to do with the story, critique and deconstruct. And I like to pay attention to what Tina has to say when she shares her knowledge!

  2. Kay Garrett

    “FINDING THE ROAD HOME” is an amazing book!

    The fortunate winner will fall in love with the characters in the book as well as with the author.

  3. I am 7 and 8. I have to read the last page. . I just need to know what happened, or I am up all night.
    Always wonderful to hear from Tina!
    Becky

  4. Oh I haven’t had a chance to read this book! It looks fantastic! And Tina is… well, Tina is an amazing, generous, and beautiful woman who deserves the whole world and a cupcake. 🙂

    I am a slow and steady reader. I do admit to skimming over long descriptions and narrative if the book is not grabbing me, but that is rare these days. Maybe it is because I am more picky about what I read. Hhhmm…interesting thought.

    Great post !!!!!

  5. anne

    I am 2, but mostly 7. I take reading seriously and enjoy every single word and page. The novel has to captivate me and when it does i am lost to the world.

  6. Roxanne C.

    So now I know my reader quirk is “ Series Orderly” which makes sense to me. If I know a sequel is coming out soon, I will wait to read the completed series.

    • I only recently found out you cool kids exist. I was coordinating a contest and sent readers books to judge. Several said they could not read them until they read the other books in the series. So they paid their own money to do that and got everything done by the deadline.

      I was stunned, thrilled and ready to kiss their ring. READERS ARE AWESOME! I mean…WHO KNEW!!!??

  7. Oh, yes! I have a number of those quirks, but the page folder is not me. Just the thought of hurting a book makes me cringe. A new series by one of my favorite authors is worth a celebration. Congrats and thanks for the smiles, Tina!

      • Connie Porter Saunders

        Tina, as I read this I kept wondering just what you’ve gleaned from reading some of my comments. I’m looking forward to reading Finding the Way Home and I want plenty of time to savor the story. I promise you that even if I jump to the end, I will go back and read EVERY word! Thanks for the fun interview.

  8. Voni

    I’m a 2, a 3, and a 4. Some people hate page-folding. but I hate a bookmark falling out and losing my place, and more importantly, it makes a book mine.

  9. Stacy Simmons

    Loved this post, Tina is a wonderful lady who shares her wealth of knowledge with others. In short, she’s amazing : )
    I haven’t read this book yet, it sounds wonderful.
    I’m a de-constructor, I’ll flip back a few pages to see how the author’s set the scene for the dynamic action to unfold, but I’d love to savor a book slowly too.

      • Stacy Simmons

        Hi Tina, You’re welcome. Congratulations on your new novel. Now I’ll be stalking my local booksellers to find it on the 18th : )

  10. SARAH TAYLOR

    I Love reading the reading until the end I stay up late especially when it is a page turner This books sounds like another great book by Tina! Thank you for the chance to win!

  11. MS Barb

    IF there’s suspense, I usually stay up late to finish the book–unless the book clonks me in the head b/c I dozed off! LOL!)

  12. Alicia Haney

    Hi, I consider myself #6 I like to take my time reading, I actually don’t like to be rushed on anything I do. I really love page turners, but I do put the book down, I know what I must do. Your book sounds like a very good read and I love the cover, it is beautiful. Have a Great week. God Bless you.

    • Alicia, you are so sweet. Thanks. The cover people were kind this time. I try to read outside what I write so I read suspense and romantic suspense, so I hear what you said about a page-turner.

  13. Amelia

    I just enjoy reading, I don’t really have a “reading quirk” but if I had to choose one from the list it would be 7. Fast and Furious. I’m really looking forward to reading this one! Thanks for the chance to win!

  14. Connie Lee

    I like to read until my bedtime, then I will usually finish a chapter before I put the book down, even though I really hate to sometimes.

  15. Love love love Tina’s stories!! Most of the time she makes me cry! Just another reason why I love her! I can not wait to read this book!! I am already On hold at the library!!????

  16. This was a very interesting post! I am not really any of these things. Perhaps a rereader of a few select books. I am the polar opposite of a page folder – I think books should be kept in pristine condition and it makes me sad if I loan a book to someone and they write in it or bend the cover. I’m also the opposite of a collector – I love donating my books to the church library so others can read and enjoy them, too.

  17. Lynette

    I’m a Collector, Series Orderly, and Rereader, but mostly just an avid reader. I’m excited to read Finding the Road Home!

  18. Dawn Leonard

    I’m a collector. I’m a slow and steady reader though I read pretty quickly most of the time. However, I don’t believe I am a critiquer. I do have analytical mind but I don’t read “to find flaws”. I agree that mistakes (like a wrong name or a misspelling) do “get in the way of the entertainment value of a book”. Sometimes multiple mistakes or mistakes I cannot forget do affect my review.

    • it takes a LOT of mistakes for it to affect my review, simply because i so often read pre-published copies that I’ve just sorta learned to tune most of them out. But if it IS a finished copy and there’s a mistake like on every page that probably will show up in my review.

    • Joy Burke

      I love reading through books pretty fast. Will stay up late to finish a really good book. Just like this one, I stayed up until it was finished. Whoever wins this book will not be disappointed!

  19. Dana Scott

    I constantly smell the pages when I’m reading! Which is why I always have to have a physical book!

  20. Martha Hutchens

    I have a new quirk to add. I don’t use bookmarks or fold pages. Somehow I just find my place within a minute or two of picking up the book. My daughter does this, too. I don’t know how. It just feels natural to me.

  21. Natalya Lakhno

    I’m an overnighter lol ? new one!
    I start in the evening telling myself, just one chapter, and ending up reading until wee hours…especially Tina’s books ?

  22. Julie Waldron

    I usually have to end at the end of the chapter, at a break in the chapter or at the end of a page that ends in a full sentence.

  23. I’m generally a Look-it-up Reader. If I come across a Google-able tidbit that I want to know more about, I stop right then and look it up. Also, sometimes I preview the last page (or last chapter) which drives my husband batty. He thinks it’s cheating. For me, it allows me to slow down and enjoy the journey.

  24. Chanel M.

    I love this post! So fun! I’m actually a lot of these – Series Orderly, Slow and Steady, Look-Up Reader, Rereader. Yup, that’s me!

  25. Sunshine Schuppel

    I MUST read a series in order, and I tend to be a “Fast and Furious” reader–but only with fiction! I have to push myself through non-fiction!

  26. I’m a re-reader, book collector, and kind of fast and furious- more like a devourer, I like to read quickly but also slow down to savor or re-read the best parts!

  27. Heather P.

    Hands down I am Series Orderly. Once in a blue moon I read a book, then find out after the fact it was Book 2 or 3 in a series. I get so mad at myself! I just can’t handle reading them out of order. It’s like putting on sneakers before skinny jeans. Grr!

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