Boy I hate that. Does this happen to you? I recently read a new book by someone whose work I've liked for many years and it no longer had what it used to have for me. I don't know if it's the book or me, I truly don't.

I'm not comfortable naming names* since I consider the author a friend and while I understand that authors can manage criticism, I still feel odd, and dismayed to realized that I'm not all that keen on the work any longer. I don't know if I'll read the next book - I suspect I will, just in case it is me and it's an issue more of mood than of permanent taste, but given that the book itself doesn't seem all that different, I suspect I've reached an end. Dammit. A while back, I had this happen with another author. I don't like it. I don't want it. There are few enough books out that that make me swoon. I mean, that whole "so many books, so little time" line? does not apply to me. At all. I count each series as a very precious commodity. Knowing that a book is coming out every year that guarantees a good read, or comes close to that, is a god feeling. And I rely on it. So I'm really dismayed to think it's over. And of course I have to wonder what it is. And of course, I get to feel ever more grateful for the new authors who come along and make my read-y sense tingle (it's like a spidey sense, but less creepy).

*(but I will say that it is absolutely not Laura Lippman or SJ Rozan, in case you worried.)