I must shamefully admit to reading less and less lately.
I used to be such a voracious reader, and now, I have to force myself to even read an article in the newspaper.
I don’t read blogs very much either. I guess I have just become reading-lazy!
For Christmas, I was offered a bunch of books that were on my Amazon WishList. Therefore books that I had noticed and marked and was interested in. I haven’t even read the first of the murder mysteries I was interested in. Pure sloth on my part.
On my list was also World Without End.
Now if you’ve read The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, a huge and heavy but fascinating book, this is a sequel.
World Without End
Mind you, I haven’t read it yet and am wondering if I ever will!
As Nonie Vogue, one of my flickr contacts put it
A book that size has no beginning as far as I’m concerned. I would never start to read one that size
The book has and weighs 632g! That’s over a pound!
Another book I had added to my list was Elizabeth George’s Careless in Red, has humongous typesetting and weighs over a kilo. I have been an Elizabeth George fan for years, but honestly, I can’t even lift the thing.
I haven’t opened either of the books and wonder if I ever will.
Maybe I would if I had some sort of a lectern like the ones they have in churches to support the Holy Bible, or prayer books
Lectern in Saint Hymer church
Well, meanwhile, I just can’t see myself schlepping those books to read during a train or plane trip. So I guess they’ll have to remain on my bookshelf until I get either stronger, or more motivated!
I am like you, but I think I will pick it up again. For me its simply being so busy, that I rarely get to read anymore. I wish I could and I would gladly start a book that size, but I always have something else to do.
Comment by myphotoscout — February 16, 2009 @ 6:04 pm |
I feel busy all the time, but I could find time for reading. It’s just that these days I prefer other things
Comment by Claude — March 7, 2009 @ 9:48 pm |
I bought World Without End also, since I’ve read Pillars of the Earth twice…but I haven’t read it yet! I do read books but they are shorter mysteries mostly which are sometimes more entertaining than TV…
Comment by Sara — February 16, 2009 @ 6:24 pm |
I must admit I don’t even read murder mysteries any more
Comment by Claude — March 7, 2009 @ 9:49 pm |
Nothing’s compulsory. Life, as they say, is too short and far too many novels too long nowadays (I blame American “creative writing” courses). But it’s hard when you’re brought up to read the whole thing if you’ve bought it (whatever it is, newspaper, magazine, book): we need to practise losing the guilt!
Comment by Autolycus — February 16, 2009 @ 8:08 pm |
You’re right, Autolycus! Why would I need excuses or apologies?
Comment by Claude — March 7, 2009 @ 9:50 pm |
Have you ever thought of getting an e-book?
Comment by Hattie — February 16, 2009 @ 8:27 pm |
Actually I just started World Without End. The trade paperback is even heavier! In the first 100 pages not much has happened, but I think it will be as interesting as Pillars of the Earth eventually. This one is about building a bridge in 13th century England. Since I’ve always wondered how they managed to build bridges centuries ago, I think I’ll learn something from it. I did like Pillars very much.
Comment by Gigi — February 16, 2009 @ 9:58 pm |
@myphotoscout I am busy elsewhere but I could easily take the time if I felt like it!
@Autolycus, yes, I have been brought up to finish what I started. So now I just don’t start
@Hattie, never thought of it. Somehow I like the idea of real books and turning the pages…
@Gigi, I just loved Pillars of the Earth. I am sure World without End is good, as I said in the title, it’s just excuses, because I have not been feeling like reading anything recently!
Comment by Claude — February 16, 2009 @ 10:31 pm |
Buy a Kindle -or something similar and you don’t have to carry much weight around. Or do what I do; read the heavy books lying down in bed, while the book is supported by your belly.
Comment by kenju — February 16, 2009 @ 10:37 pm |
So what are you doing? I couldn’t imagine not reading anything. Even just the newspaper every morning or an email every now and then…
Comment by Monica — February 16, 2009 @ 10:39 pm |
I don’t read like I used to but I still buy books. My “gotta read” pile is getting ridiculously high. Hopefully, we’ll recover from this malaise soon.
Comment by Kay Dennison — February 17, 2009 @ 12:58 am |
Maybe you should consider “talking books”, books recorded on tape or disc. There is now a huge selection available, not just fiction but non-fiction as well. Then you can “read” while doing the housework, having lunch or simply relaxing with your eyes closed.
I had many conversations with Tigger’s father about the books he had “read” in this way. His sight was too bad for him to read but he had a broad range of interests and we discussed everything from Saint-Exupéry to Stephen Hawking.
A good reader can bring the text alive and perhaps bring out things you might miss yourself.
Comment by SilverTiger — February 17, 2009 @ 8:17 am |
I LOVED “Pillars of the Earth” but I read it a very long time ago. I wonder if I’d have to re-read it in order to appreciate “World Without End.”
I’ll tell you, though, I was VERY glad I read “Pillars” before we went to Salisbury Cathedral.
Comment by Bev — February 20, 2009 @ 12:52 am |
Have you had your eyes checked? I was off reading but now that I have had cataract surgery, I enjoy it once again.
On the other hand, just because we have always enjoyed something – reading, cooking, photography, sewing – doesn’t mean that we had to JUST LOVE IT FOREVER!! There are so many wonderful things to do in life…
Comment by Mary from California — February 20, 2009 @ 5:59 pm |
Yes, I think the reason I read omniverously is that I am nearsighted, or short-sighted as you probably say. So looking at things close up is no problem. I just take off my glasses. Also, my computer monitor is a large LCD and I have a pair of glasses that focus in the mid-range to give me comfortable viewing.
I do think comfortable strain-free viewing is important for reading enjoyment.
Comment by Hattie — February 20, 2009 @ 6:56 pm |
I read both these books on my Kindle. I love mine and my 90 year old Dad loves his.
Comment by Jeanne — February 23, 2009 @ 8:25 pm |
The Inspector Lynley book looks worth the trouble – miam, miam
Though I havent read anything in ages…I long to. Fun to fantasize though.
Comment by parisbreakfast — February 23, 2009 @ 11:06 pm |
You have put so well some of the reasons I am not reading as much these days
thanks for putting together the right words
Comment by endment — February 24, 2009 @ 2:41 pm |
Oh, read it. I’m about halfway through it and love every word. And it’s a fast read, too. It’s every bit as good as Pillars.
Ocean
Comment by Ocean — February 28, 2009 @ 12:33 am |
reluctant to add another comment because you might feel “i should respond,” but NO, not necessary.
just wanted to add that i was doing very little reading for some time. then began again always trying to find paperbacks (lighter to carry) of ones that interested me. for me, it’s about (ready?) aging. yes, already have so much info coming in plus all the memories plus the day-to-day.
you’ve given us quite a present with your presence online. perhaps blog readers need to start a new thing of reading archives at our favorite blogs. hmm…i often get new ideas by writing you, claud.
Comment by naomi dagen bloom — February 28, 2009 @ 7:49 pm |
Claude, Maybe you just need a different sort of book to read. Something not so long and serious and heavy. Have you read “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society” I enjoyed this book. It is a change of pace from Elizabeth George mysteries and “World Without End” type books.
” A poignant, funny novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit…. This one is a treat.”—Boston Globe”
Comment by chancy — March 4, 2009 @ 6:25 am |
[...] @ 11:13 pm Tags: Bernhardt Schlink, books, fascinating, The Reader Remember that not long ago, I told you that I hadn’t been much of a reader lately? Well, I still spend a lot more time walking or [...]
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