I am a reader–I always have been. I read novels, bios, histories and books about arts management. I read news magazines, decorating magazines and professional journals. When my husband was a resident, I read JAMA regularly–the Journal of the American Medical Association– just to understand what he was going through. And I love children’s books and read to my sons as long as they would allow me to.

My rhythm of reading has a pattern–I read trash during the school year and serious stuff during the summer. I know it’s backwards from what is usually done but it works for me. During the school year and in the midst of concert cycles and preparations, my mind needs a brief escape. I usually read for an hour or so before I fall asleep and reading yet another ‘sequel’ to “Pride and Prejudice” helps me relax enough to rest.

During the summers, my mind needs to be stimulated and reading bios or histories or serious literature fits the bill. I clear my palate for the coming concert cycle and am ready for what is thrown at me. I’ve read some wonderful bios of women composers–Amy Beach, Ruth Crawford Seeger–and a “novel” about the life of Hildegard Von Bingen and some fascinating histories–I’m reading Welsh history this year. I go back to my favorite literature–Shakespeare plays and sonnets and lots of Charles Dickens–or try something new–James Joyce–or again try “War and Peace”. All I can say is thank goodness for my Kindle!