The first volume of From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World is not nearly as riveting as I had hoped, and it might be holding me up. Age of Innocence is actually quite good, but I feel guilty for reading it instead of my non-fiction. My attention is occasionally scattered wondering how I'm going to read everything I'd like to read, a random selection pictured here, in poor quality iphone photography because it really does take too much effort to use my actual nice camera to take the pic, and then plug the card into the card reader, and then download the pictures and then upload to here... that's several steps too many.
So, I'm reading a bit slower than I'd like, but that's okay. I'll catch up, or I won't. After all, the number of books read in a year is just that: a number.
This is what you need to do: stop worrying about the number and start enjoying what you are reading in the moment! And if you aren't enjoying it - give it a break and move on to the next book. Life it too short to read books you feel like you have to read. Read what you want to!
ReplyDeleteThat's just my humble opinion. Also, if I feel like I'm in a slump, I pick up something slim so after I finish a 190 page book I feel like I accomplished something. It helps me to keep reading more. You're tbr pile pictured here would stress most readers out, so take it one at a time.
Oh, yes that's exactly what I'm saying! I was thinking of reading The Hunger Games after Age of Innocence since everyone says the trilogy is addictive and amazing! I'm already reading again much more than I was a year ago, which is enough in itself. Those are just the books on my shelf I need to read at some point - even more on the kindle, which still makes reading somewhat easier, especially while lying down. At any rate, at least I'm not stuck in a nothing-peaks-my-interest slump!
ReplyDeleteVery good point - numbers are just numbers. March has also been a very slow reading month for me, so I'm taking comfort in that.
ReplyDeleteYeah, just read. I mean, I have been working at it as hard as I can also and I'm at what? 10? 7 is not bad at all, it's better than 6 or 0. If you read ten books in a year, you're a better reader than average. And so far you're bound to go over 30.
ReplyDeleteYes, stop worrying. AND please read the Carver ASAP. No one around the Interwebz ever talks about him, and he is one of my absolute favorite short story writers.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an awesome stack, but don't let it overwhelm you.
Oh, Death with Interruptions is SO good!! I have Middlesex on my list, too. I won't get to it for a while, but if you want to informally kind of read it together, I'd love to coordinate something!
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ReplyDeleteErin - Yes! Let's definitely coordinate reading Middlesex! I thought Blindness was excellent, even if incredibly disturbing, so I'm also looking forward to Death With Interruptions.
ReplyDeletePickyGirl- My fiance is also a big Carver fan. I've read a few of his stories and like them, but need to finish the collection!
Great! I'm thinking summer at the earliest, just because my next few months are crazy. Would that work for you?
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing!
ReplyDeleteExcellent. I'll be in touch. If you don't hear from me in a few months, and you think of it, feel free to bug me :-)
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