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It's rare that I read more than two or three books by any one author; usually only one.

I have to have three or four books going simultaneously. If I'm not impressed in the first 20 pages, I don't bother reading the rest, especially with novels. I'm not a book-club style reader. I'm not looking for life lessons or wanting people to think I'm smart because I'm reading a certain book.

I read several books at one time.

There are books all around me... I don't read as much as I used to, but I always have a book or two going.

I usually have two or three books on the go at the same time. If I'm in different moods, I want to read different things.

I have several books I can read over and over. With fiction, it's 'The Stand' by Stephen King, which is my favorite all time. I read that at least once a year, the version which has 100,000 extra words, which is like the director's cut and unabridged. I love the story. I love the social connotation to it.

The funny thing is, I'm not really a big reader, not a big fan of books in the first place.

I don't write huge books any more. I used to write 1,000 printed pages, but now I write short books. I did one on Napoleon, 50,000 words - enjoyed doing that. He was a baddie. I did one on Churchill, which was a bestseller in New York, I'm glad to say. 50,000 words. He was a goodie.

I try not to recommend too many books, frankly, because I think there's a certain synchronicity that happens when people discover books.