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I stand and look at my sad excuse for a library (actually just a single wooden bookshelf) and let out a sigh as I see a nice collection, but very few names. Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Clive Cussler, J.R.R. Tolkien, John Saul and a smattering of other authors.

I find it it a bit depressing. First, that I don’t have a monster library that stretches the walls of my enormous library with ladders that roll back and forth so that I can ride along the walls as I read my rare Stephen King signed first edition of Carrie… Well, okay, my ten foot by ten foot office that is tucked into the corner of my basement, and the closest thing I have to a signed copy of Carrie is the library stamp in the cover that says “Used”.

Secondly, that there are so few names. Granted, I do have a few more names on my Kindle app on my iPad. However, expanding one’s reader palette requires three things:

1. Money. Something I do not have much of, being a fledgling author.
2. Time to read more, something I do not have much of working full time… being a fledgling author.
3. Most importantly, the ability (or desire) to step outside one’s comfort levels when it comes to reading. This I have.

Don’t get me wrong, I too see a stack of books at the bookstore or online and can’t help but gravitate towards the authors I already love. However, as of late I have been trying more to concentrate on diversifying my literary palette.

With each new author you will find that their style is different. It takes a while to get comfortable with how they create characters and how they paint a scene. However, in time you (and I) will find it also broadens your vocabulary, understanding and quite possibly your intellect as well.

So, step out today and buy a new author you’ve never read. And I, shall do the same.