My bookish questions for today is what is your favorite time of year to read or write about? This is an important question for me because I’m a calendar reader.

What is a calendar reader? I knew you would ask because I’ve made up the term. A calendar reader is someone who likes to read a story during the time of year in which it is set. Many people read Christmas stories during December. I like to reread my favorite stories in the season or month in which they take place if the author has given that setting a particular importance or especially vivid descriptions. For example, I always reread, “The Long Way Down” by Edward D. Hoch, one of the best mystery short stories ever written, in March because that’s when the story is set and the fact that the story unfolds in March is critical to the plot.

Because time of year is so important for me to enjoy a story, it’s also important when I write my short stories and novels. I work the time of year extremely hard in my Rae Riley Mysteries to give the mysteries a distinct atmosphere, foreshadowing, and metaphors for the plot.

When I was younger, I would have said fall was my favorite time to read or write about. I think it’s still my favorite but other season have become more and more attractive over the years.

What’s your favorite time of year to read or write about?

Here are more writing prompts and questions about settings.