Chatting with the fabulously witty Allison Pittman about her reading habits! Enjoy getting to know Allison and discovering her latest novel on the life of Katharina von Bora, Loving Luther. Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a copy!

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Are you a re-reader? Why, or why not? And if you are, what are some of the books you have read over and over?

Not really. Actually I only read about half of the books I start clear to the end. I do have a few favorites that I go back to again and again. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Maggie Smith, Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger, The Book Thief—those are books I revisit, but I don’t re-read beginning to end. I flip through and look at passages.

When is your optimal time to read – do you prefer to read in one long block, or do you also read for five minutes here or there when you can?

I don’t usually read in long blocks of time, unless the book is beyond amazing. But, really, my reading style is more about my own lack of attention than it is about any particular book. I get distracted from the actual act of reading rather than the story. It’s why I have such a hard time finishing books! I look away, and unless I’m absolutely haunted by the characters, it’s way too easy for me not to look back.

I’ve always been a bed-time reader. At least thirty minutes or so before going to sleep. Or, a chunk on a Saturday afternoon. Read, snooze, read. I’m a huge fan of audio books, though. I listen when I walk, and even on short (like, 10 minute) car rides running errands.

I’d love your thoughts on novellas. Are you thumbs up or down? Or does it depend?!

My thumbs are kind of tucked away here. I’ve only written 2 novellas, and found the process a little frustrating, because I can spend a thousand words just getting my characters to make a sandwich. That’s why the novella I released this summer, An Offering, is a small, small story. It serves the purpose of fleshing out the backstory of a character in Loving Luther—she had a fascinating story to tell, but not enough to merit an entire novel. It’s really meant to capture a moment in time.

So far, in my novella reading, I find them overall less satisfying than a good novel. True, I get to “the end” which is fun! But, often they just don’t get deep enough for me to feel really satisfied with the ending. I’ve always been a fan of the Christmas novella, though. That’s a tradition for me—to buy a Christmas novella collection every November. So now I’m taking on the tradition of writing one every year. (OK, last year and this year and we’ll see how it goes!)

Are you faithful to a genre, an author, or simply quality writing?

Quality writing! Any genre, a host of authors. I take recommendations from friends and Buzz Feed. The last favorite book I read was a random grab from the new books shelf at the library. Literally, just reached out and picked it up—unknown author, unclear genre. It was fabulous.

Which factors most influence your selection of a book?

All the usual, of course. Word of mouth, reviews, etc. BUT—when I’m browsing in the bookstore or library, I literally do this: I open to page 72 and start reading. If I can get interested and engage with dialogue and characters at this point, I’ll give it a shot. Why page 72? Because years ago I just decided to. It has never, ever failed me.

Your fiction pet peeve?

Oh, man…I worry I might hurt feelings here. But I’ll name a few that I know I’m guilty of committing. First, I don’t see any place for children in a novel. Really. They’re a pain to write, because you always have to keep track of them. Even worse? An ironically wise or insightful child. Second? I hate a heroine who spends any amount of time nibbling her lips.

Notes about the photo:

1. I really have no intentions of ever reading Go Set a Watchman, but as long as I have it in my TBR pile I can keep my literary street cred.
2. Notice the Demelza book (Poldark series) has an actual book mark. I started reading it 2 years ago.
3. When I want to read, but not really read-read, I read pages from my LIW Pioneer Girl or I will never finish either of those books.
4. My Kindle…that’s a whole ‘nother TBR story!
5. Please, y’all, don’t zoom in. I totally didn’t take the time to dust.

What book have you read this year that you could not put down, and why?

The Butcher’s Hook by Janet Ellis. (This was the random library grab.) I just kept reading thinking, certainly this chick isn’t this evil. She wouldn’t…she couldn’t…WHAT? It’s the voice of a truly charming sociopath, completely disarming. Precious, polite and evil. It was a narrative that absolutely shocked me because of its utter unpredictability.

How do you mark your spot – folded page corner, bookmark, dollar bill, whatever is at hand?

Um…whatever is at hand. I really try not to fold corners to mark a place, but I will fold corners to mark passages I want to return to. (sorry, I know that’s painful for some people, but they’re my books) Back pre-Kindle, I had dozens of books with baggage claim tickets as book marks. Also, once I finish a book, THE BOOKMARK STAYS IN THE BOOK. Forever. New book, new book mark. I have a stack of really bad photographs from back in the day when we used to print pictures. Out of focus, whatever. I use those a lot.

Whose debut novel impressed you more than you anticipated?

The Butcher’s Hook was a debut, but I had no anticipation for that one. This is a hard question for me, because I’m not one to be in the know for up-and-coming novels. I guess I would have to say The Bachelor Girls’ Guide to Murder by Rachel McMillan, because she and I were friends for a few years before she wrote it, and while I actively dislike mysteries and have never been a Sherlock Holmes fan, her novel was fresh and funny, and all the little “extras” brought it over the edge to delightful.

When reading, what makes or breaks a story for you?

Hmm…If I’m reading historical, it’s any time a woman act out of character for a woman of the time period. In suspense, it’s whenever I’m forced into the POV of an anonymous bad guy—I feel like that’s just a short cut to build tension.

What are some of your favourite CF reads from around 10 years ago, or further back?

Like all good Christian girls, I’d have to say Christy. But honestly, after reading Christy in middle school, the next CF novel I ever read was Eve’s Daughters by Lynn Austin. I’d never heard of Christian Fiction as a grown-up reader. I won Eve’s Daughters as a door prize at a writers conference where I was peddling some magazine articles and fell in love with not only the story (it is an amazing novel), but with the idea of writing fiction. It had never occurred to me to do so. I went home and started writing.

Snack/drink of choice while reading?

My ice-cold water that I drink before bed! Other than that…maybe coffee? Or Graham Crackers.

What book cover has really caught your eye?

Oh, my goodness…I don’t even know where to start. So, I’m just going to scroll through the screen shots on my phone (which constitutes my wish list) and name my favorite there:  Rebecca’s Tale by Sally Beauman. I’m glad I did this, because now I’m reminded of a bunch of books I want to read!

Which author makes it easy to turn off your internal editor?

Anne Patchett. She is perfection. Always. Alice Hoffman close second.

What book do you wish you had written? Why?

Three answers here: Redeeming Love, for obvious CBA reasons. For personal, professional, envy-of-the-art reasons? Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Finally, The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof, because I would have loved to have spent a year crafting a sexy tatoo’d beast.

Love it! Thanks Allison 🙂

Be sure to look out for Allison’s latest novel…

Germany, 1505

In the dark of night, Katharina von Bora says the bravest good-bye a six-year-old can muster and walks away as the heavy convent gate closes behind her.

Though the cold walls offer no comfort, Katharina soon finds herself calling the convent her home. God, her father. This, her life. She takes her vows—a choice more practical than pious—but in time, a seed of discontent is planted by the smuggled writings of a rebellious excommunicated priest named Martin Luther. Their message? That Katharina is subject to God, and no one else. Could the Lord truly desire more for her than this life of servitude?

In her first true step of faith, Katharina leaves the only life she has ever known. But the freedom she has craved comes with a price, and she finds she has traded one life of isolation for another. Without the security of the convent walls or a family of her own, Katharina must trust in both the God who saved her and the man who paved a way for rescue. Luther’s friends are quick to offer shelter, but Katharina longs for all Luther has promised: a home, a husband, perhaps even the chance to fall in love.

Allison Pittman is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed novels and a three-time Christy finalist—twice for her Sister Wife series and once for All for a Story from her take on the Roaring Twenties. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, blissfully sharing an empty nest with her husband, Mike. Connect with her on Facebook (Allison Pittman Author), Twitter (@allisonkpittman) or her website, allisonkpittman.com.

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