Monday, March 2, 2009
Bookish post
The oddest thing keeps happening to me in this year of reading my own books. Usually, I read one book at a time, but occasionally when I begin a nonfiction book and it is quite large and mentally stimulating, I read it downstairs and begin a second (usually lighter in weight and subject matter) book for bedtime reading. But I have found myself so enthralled with my upstairs fiction book that I quit the downstairs book, and continue with just the one. I've read a lot of nonfiction over the years, but now it seems I'm just a fiction girl all the way. Well, there was Laurie Colwin's book, and Virginia Woolf's little one, but other than them, out of thirteen books, eleven have been fiction. I think I'm going to listen to this inner reading voice, and not even pick up any nonfiction for a while.
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Nan
ReplyDeleteHappy March...
I love your idea...
downstairs book and upstairs book.
I think I will adapt that.
Thanks so much
Well, Mim, you are welcome. I wonder if the same thing will happen to you. :<) I just find it the oddest thing, but I'm going with it. One book, one fiction book and that's it.
ReplyDeleteFiction is so engaging and can often say more about truth and reality than non-fiction. I can't believe how much snow you have! (And ... reading through old posts ... you are the youngest looking 61 year old I have ever seen. It must be the wonderful country air).
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing with magazines and books. I'm reading The Lost World right now and getting quite caught with it. Unfortunately it's on my bedside table so I'm sleeping too late.
ReplyDeleteI'm a one book woman. I've tried to have a couple going at once and it just doesn't work for me. I've also learned that I'm not one to read one book throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I tended to run with one non-fiction at the same time as one (or a few) fiction. Recently my non-fic has definitely declined - perhaps it's a seasonal thing!
ReplyDeleteI just knew that my reading friends would have interesting comments about this little situation. I love it.
ReplyDeleteBecca, I agree with what you said. I especially like the word, 'engaging.' I do love biographies, etc. and have some great ones on the shelf, but for some reason am just not drawn to them this year. We'll see what happens. And what a compliment!! Really, what a very, very nice thing to say. Closeup you might not feel the same. :<)
Kay, is that the book by Arthur Conan Doyle? I've never read it, but I'll bet it is giving you interesting dreams!
Les, I feel just the same way. I would feel pulled by the 'upstairs' book when I was reading the 'downstairs' book. And you know what - I came to the same realization last year about yearlong books! I tried several and gave them up.
That's very interesting, Scriptor Senex. You may be right about the winter - we'll see. I keep looking at Kipling Sahib, and The Lion and the Unicorn, and indeed, the Longfellow I just quit, and wonder. :<)
I find I am almost entirely a fiction girl, not counting the occasional biography. Really wise fiction is such an illuminating force. It just gives my life more colour.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very nice way to put it, Pamela. I love that.
ReplyDeleteFiction is way funner! So, what is this book that has grabbed your complete attention?
ReplyDeleteChartroose, it isn't just the one - it has happened a few times this winter. But the current one is The Mysterious Benedict Society. Oh, boy is it ever great!
ReplyDeleteHi Nan,
ReplyDeleteno I haven't heard from the family but I do have an email address that I got from her last year. I'll email them and hopefully her Honey will respond...I'm worried as well but I'm praying that no news is good news...I sure do miss her.
Deanna :D
BTW, I'll let you know if they respond to the email I will send. I'll send it tonight.
Deanna, thank you for writing to me here. I have an email address too because I won her cards once! But I haven't dared to write. I don't know her all that well. Thank you for doing this.
ReplyDeletei do this too, read more than one book at a time, though i tend to carry them all over the house.
ReplyDeletei love nonfiction as well as fiction--sounds like you've picked up nonfiction that's too weighty. there's lots out there that's very well written and fascinating.
try "praying for sheetrock."
Laurie, I have read a lot of nonfiction, and really have loved it, but for some reason right now all I want is fiction- so I'm just going with it. Actually the ones I did begin this year weren't 'weighty' but very entertaining. I'm so sure I'll go back to them that I left in the bookmarks. :<) Just not now.
ReplyDeleteHi Nan! Thanks for visiting my blog. I can totally relate to this post. Just last year I read a lot of non-fiction, but this year I have hardly picked one up! So, I have decided not to bother for a while. :)
ReplyDeleteI ditto, Mim. Hmmmm. First things first - buy a house with an upstairs. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have an upstairs, but I usually do my non-fiction reading in the living room. I rarely ever have a non-fiction book as bedtime reading.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned two of my favourite writers ~ both fiction and non-fiction. Have you read Laurie Colwin's novels and short stories? They are all wonderful reads.
Kate, Thanks for stopping by. I would really like a "cottage" with just one floor. I did read one of her fiction books:
ReplyDeletehttp://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-all-time-by-laurie-colwin.html