I’ve broken up with books
Though I’m embarrassed to say it, especially given that my livelihood (read: writing) depends on it, I’ve seemingly broken up with nutritious reading this year. Without noticing, I’ve gone more than seven months without reading a single book (okay, maybe one). I’m not even sure why.
I still read junk literature on a daily basis (i.e. online articles), but those don’t count. I need more Hemmingway, Austen, and Potok in my diet. Unfortunately, I have no desire to open a book, due to a prolonged state of atrophy and laziness. I want to fall in love again and admire my wife and colleagues who remain passionate about the medium.
Have you ever broken up with books? If so, how did you rekindle the fire?
6 Comments
Thanks, Jeremy. I’m definitely heading to the library/Amazon for those recommendations.
I used to read ALL the time. Now, I rarely do. For me, I read as a way to get to sleep, so I had a reading light next to my bed. Now that I’m married, it’s just not as convenient … Plus, I find it hard to find books that I really like (I exhausted my genre of choice years ago). I do read whatever my wife writes though, and I have no trouble with that.
If you really want to start reading again, I’d suggest trying some popular fiction. If you have any trouble getting through it, put it down and don’t pick it up again. Instead, try another book. I’ve found that the reason most novelists are so popular is because you can’t put the book down. Clive Cussler does some good action/adventure books, but I find them a little too far fetched. If you like romance, I suggest Cynthia Eden … 😉
I wouldn’t even think about trying anything considered a classic. Most of them have me asleep before I finish the page.
I have a growing stack of stuff I’ve read the first 1/4 of and then never finished. My attention span has gotten really, um, Boom Blox?
I grew up loving to read, but also atrophied in my teenage years. I’m now a reading addict and love my library. The thing that rekindled my fire was realizing how much I loved knowing stuff. My conversations improved and became more interesting, I was able to help people w/ the stuff I was learning, my writing drastically improved, and it snowballed from there. The more I read, the more I realize how little I know. Some days I wish I could read full time. Or learn to speed read – that’d come in handy…
First it was books before I went to bed, then DS, now reading blogs on my Iphone. Sadly, I may never return.
Maybe you need the right book. Try water for elephants for a great story that is hard to put down. Also you need to read Kite runner before you die. It is a great book. If you need some easy action try anything by Lee Child. Jack reacher is the best character in crime fiction and the writing is not formulaic like so many other detective novels.