In all my life, I never really thought that reading was all that wonderful. However, a little over half a year ago I met a great person who had an online/offline book club. She invited me to said book club, and I found out that I really do like reading.
Before this invitation, I read maybe 4 books a year. This year alone, I've already read 4 books and working on 3 more. This is weird to me. I know that I've always enjoyed the escape books can bring, but never actually relished in it. I also learned that not all books can keep me entertained.
I, now, find myself staying up late at least once with every book. Even the ones that I find hard to read, like A Tale of Two Cities. This isn't really a good idea since I need my sleep, but it can't be helped. I also know the reason why my brother and sister loved to do just that when we were growing up.
Since I started this new literary endeavor, I've found that not every book is really great....for me. I need to be clear; every book has it's fan, but every book doesn't need all fans. Although I love Charles Dickens' writing, I can't read through 5 pages without getting a bit drowsy. I know there are many Dickens addicts out there, and this must be why it makes me feel bad that I don't like all the classics. After all, aren't they classics because everyone enjoys them?! I find that I need more than just beautiful prose to keep me interested. I feel disconcerted for the need of pulp-fiction or the sensationalism of publishers to keep me reading. That isn't to say that I always need the hype, but it doesn't hurt to have a bit of an intriguing plot to keep me going.
But hey, at least I'll ALWAYS have some book or story to keep me entertained, and I'm glad I have so many choices to choose from to continue my new found infatuation.
Reading the classics is difficult, even for a self-proclaimed Dickens addict like myself. I also love his prose, but can't read more than a dozen pages at a time. It's beautiful, yes, but does not hold my interest very long. I blame TV. And keep in mind that if anybody wrote like that today, they would never get published.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: people like saying they love Dickens more than they like reading him. Even me.
I also find that what I read influences my writing. I have months long periods of productivity, and periods where I write nothing. I have found that while writing, what I produce is a much higher quality if I only allow myself to read the classics. Go figure.
So right now I am reading Sherlock Holmes and Picture of Dorian Gray.
Ooh! I want to read Dorian Gray when you're done!
ReplyDeleteI also love the classics, but I am less of a Dickens addict. I can read it, but it's more work than I usually like to put out. C Scott up there is a great source if you're ever looking for something to read also...