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The Read Path – Claudia Stephan

In this series, guest bloggers spill all about their roles as gatekeepers between authors and readers. They review books on blogs, websites, podcasts or booksellers’ webpages, influence buyers and connect with authors. My guest today is Claudia Stephan.

Let me hand over my mic. The next voice you’ll hear will be Claudia’s.

1. What type of book first captured your imagination?

I was born and grew up in Germany to German parents who loved reading, and I remember a house full of books. I remember a book by Josephine Baker about her “rainbow” family of adopted children from all nations. My dad brought it home for me to read when I was five. A few years later I fell in love with a story about the Nile. Adventure became my favorite genre until I was introduced to Jules Verne and I added Science Fiction to my favorites. By age twelve I was reading Albert Einstein’s “My Life” and my fascination with scientists began.

When I was introduced to the 19th and 20th century poets in high school, I began to appreciate poetry. We read hundreds of international playwrights, and for me “the play’s the thing”. During my college years in the United States we dissected Shakespeare’s great writings and I learned to appreciate his genius in his native language. I also took my introduction to American Playwrights and ran with it. This was also the time when I expanded my reading of German and Russian philosophers to the ancient Greek and modern American philosophers.
My taste in book genres has not changed, but has expanded to include all kinds of fictional mysteries and thrillers, hard science fiction, horror, science and technology, suspense, true crime and world affairs.

2. With so much choice, how do you find new reading material?

When a particular subject catches my interest, I look for books that address the issue and usually find one or two where the author nails it! Once I find a skilled author who writes on a subject that interest me, I tend to read anything I can find by that author. A friend handed me a paperback copy of “Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou and I have read everything this author put out there. Radio provides another source for me to find books. On a talk show once, someone recommended an excellent sci-fi novel by Tess Gerritson and after reading it, I discovered her other books. Another source was always the Bestseller List in a prominent newspaper, as well as annual Award Winners.

When I received my first e-reader, my access to books grew exponentially and something wonderful happened. I was able to sample books, read what other readers say about a book and my shelf space is now infinite. I discovered Indy authors! Indy writers not only promote their own work, but also the work of others. It is a treasure trove for an avid reader. I found spellbinding books through Facebook Author Events, hosted by authors and their friends. Bottom line: word of mouth!

3. How do you go about writing your reviews?

While I read a book, I make mental notes about what stands out to me as unique or skillful, what keeps my attention and why I keep reading the book. When an author elicits strong emotions, he/she establishes a strong bond with the reader. There are books that have compelled me to write a review on the spot, while it is still fresh in my mind, because I feel the need to shout from the roof tops how much I loved it and why. When a writer satisfies my hunger for a good original story that won’t let me go until I reach the end, I want to share that fact with other readers by reviewing their book on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as on my Facebook page.

I do not structure my reviews. Every review I write is spontaneous and passionate. I have met so many authors in person during book signings and one of my personal friends is a published author since the seventies. This does not influence my review. A little bias might creep in, but in general, I have met some really nice authors whose books neither impress nor interest me. Then there are authors without people skills, whose work I adore. I remember listening in agony to a completely drunk author talk about her work, telling stories about famous scientists she had met during her youth. Despite that disastrous talk, I found her books well written and highly interesting. Foremost, I am interested in the writing, not the wizard behind the curtain!

I refuse to read reviews that contain spoilers therefore I don’t include any in my reviews. I am not aiming at writing a book report. I am but a humble reader willing to allow the writers to write! 🙂

4. The publishing world is undergoing a radical change brought about, in no small measure, through readers like yourself. How has the new landscape affected you?

I use this radical change in the publishing world to my advantage by discovering talented self-published authors, while I wait for new books in a series by well-known authors. Once I find a great Indy author that suits my taste and interest, I remain loyal. For me it has always been about the book, not the author. Cookie cutter or formulaic books tend to get boring, even when written by famous writers! I truly enjoy the ability to read new books with original thoughts, story lines and even genres of their very own! All this being said, I will never give up my true love for the smell and feel of a hardbound book, nor my little hobby of collecting autographed books of my favorite authors.

5. Out of the many books you’ve read, which two had the greatest impact on you?

With so many favorites it is difficult to choose just two books. I randomly select “Rama” by Sir Arthur C. Clarke and “IQ84” by Haruki Murakami.

While reading Rama, I became an astronaut exploring the inside of an asteroid. I shall never forget the adventure and the discovery of a world so unlike ours. The images I retained from this book remain in my memory, as if I actually experienced them personally. The author accomplished his goal on more than one level!

IQ84 was so original and so different from anything else I ever read I will never forget this page-turner. In Japan it was originally published as three separate books and I read the American combined 946-page version. Having read War and Peace and other lengthy books, I did not shy away from the enormity of this book. This author stood out to me because he gives the reader plenty of room and time to think and figure things out. He skillfully reveals the characters’ pasts, internal dialogues and motivations in a manner that never gives away too much at once. Like a beautiful classical music composition, this trilogy has everything in the right place at the right time!

I was relieved you did not ask me how I find the time to read. I found a solution to this problem through full immersion reading, where I can switch to the professional audible version when I do not have the time to sit down and read and back to reading, as I wish. Not all e-books have this feature and it is a vast improvement over the robotic voice option.

You can contact Claudia on facebook.