This is crazy. I know a writer ought to read widely so as to improve one’s own craft but when you find yourself part-way through four books – never mind the others lurking – then something isn’t quite right. Here’s a list of my present reading:
Unfinished
- The Irish RM (Somerville & Ross) – A truly excellent collection of stories written at the start of the 20c, but losing its sparkle at 2/3 of the way through.
- Is It Really Too Much To Ask? (Jeremy Clarkson) – A collection of his bumptious Sunday Times articles, best read in the bathroom. Just started.
- Keep Away From Those Ferraris (Pat Fitzpatrick) – A contemporary action novel set in Dublin. Just started.
- A N Other – One I promised to review but I am trying to gather the strength to pick it up again.
Next on the list
- The Light Never Lies (Francis Guenette) – Fellow blogger/writer’s second book which is sure to be excellent and which I’ll definitely review; I’m trying not to read other reviews in the meantime.
- The Wily O’Reilly (Patrick Taylor) – Excitingly I’ve been sent a copy for review by the author’s New York publishers!
- Flood (Richard Doyle) – Recommended by my brother who is rarely wrong, an apocalyptic story which questions why so much of the UK’s resources are concentrated in a small and vulnerable area.
What happened to those far off days when we used to slouch around complaining we had nothing to do? Now don’t we all wish we had a gadget that would produce more time on demand?
Back On The Rock 
Oh I couldn’t read more than one at a time. I’ve tried it with disastrous results. I’m reading The Hare With The Amber Eyes at the moment which I have to finish pretty quickly for a book group discussion and have another three on the pile.
I can remember those far off days too. Was that really me?
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That book has mixed reviews hasn’t it? But a lot of books do. It’s good for a writer to know that, no matter how good you are, your writing won’t appeal to everyone.
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Did you really slouch around complaining you had nothing to do? That sounds like the mists of memory. There mightn’t have been a pile of books to be read but there were lots of other things to be done!!!
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Jean I remember Sundays in particular, in my teens, stretching out ahead unbearably. Now I shake my head at youngsters that complain there’s ‘nothing to do in Jersey’ but I know the feeling.
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It sure makes for a crowded mind … trying to keep track of which plot belongs to which book. That’s part of the fun of it – one could end up with some very fun mash-ups!
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It’s not so bad – it’s not as if I read bits of all four every day 🙂 I do wonder how I get through so many as it’s only late at night I get a chance to read. Hope you’re well Debbie.
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My to read list seems to have expanded since I started blogging – too many new writers and recommended reads out there, but it’ll keep me going for a while!
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Oh you’re right there Andrea. And I always give priority to a fellow blogger’s work where I can, and indie authors in general. I feel guilty that I need to leave most of the great work in the world unread.
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So many books, so little time.
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Good title that Megan. Nice to meet you!
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I’m hearing you, Roy. I don’t have time for much at all these days and I haven’t written any of my WiPs for about three weeks now. People say i should read in bed at night, but I’m only awake for about 2 seconds! I try to read but wake up in the morning with the book on my face having read one paragraph 😉
I want one of those gadgets that produces time on demand 😀
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Haha! Yes I have friend just like that so I accounted it a great victory when she finished ‘Tess’ and said she ‘couldn’t put it down.’ Time you let the blokes get on with the renovations while you write Dianne.
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So happy to hear that I will soon flip into the being read pile:) It is something – all the stuff out there to read. So many books, so little time – indeed. Go, Roy, Go.
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Thank you Francis. I need a clear run at my ‘to review’ books to do them justice, and make notes etc. Also I try not to be swayed by prior reviews rather than forming my own opinion. It’s nice to know in advance that your book will be quality.
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I think the last time I said “I have nothing to do,” I was 10-years old. There will never enough time to read all of the book on my list. My dream vacation would be 2 weeks on an island and a stack of books.
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…and a sun terrace with a waiter delivering iced drinks and snacks. I still occasionally ‘do nothing’ for an hour or so but that’s out of choice and, I think, a necessary thing.
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I need to make myself do ‘nothing’ more often. Oh yes, a waiter is a must! 🙂
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At least you’re getting through the books on your list, and multiples at a time, at that. I’ve been stuck on one book for almost 3 months now, and it’s not even that long. Problem is I’m not enjoying it. I should have followed my own advice and quit it months ago, but I felt obligated since it’s by a popular author in my genre (gotta study the market, you know.)
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There are some I do give up on – except where I’ve committed to reviewing them. Life is too short.
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I’d love to have a gadget that gave us more time. But I’d spend most of that time reading. Don’t let your reading obligations get in the way of your own writing! You were on a roll.
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Hi Julie – it is mighty strange that, even though I’ve made an effort to cut down on other commitments, the days/nights seem to fly by even quicker. Maybe it’s a phenomena of getting older that time contracts 😦
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Oh, my gosh. Tell me about it! I’ve been reading the second book of Follet’s Century Trilogy for over a month now. Yes it’s a hefty thing, but with finishing up my draft and other life events, it is slow going. Such a great read though!
Looking forward to reconnecting with reading after The Bra Game releases. Need to take a novel writing break to gather up some fresh inspiration. : )
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That seems a bit of an epic all right – not sure I’d have the appetite for it. Maybe you could try a short story or two, or a bit of poetry?
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The Jeremy Clarkson book looks interesting. Whenever I read too many books at once they overlap in my mind unless they are distinct enough in genres. If not I mix the characters from one novel in another which can be quite confusing, haha!
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Hi Letizia. I seem to cope OK and can usually pick up where I left off! Clarkson is better known as a TV presenter (I don’t watch TV) but he writes concise, amusing and opinionated stuff, a writing skill not given to everyone.
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Reading two, three, or four books at a time is a sign of genius! Or, as in my case, of a cluttered too busy female who has to read back chapters with each book she (re)picks up!
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I think it’s more a sign of impatience Pam. There’s always something new flirting away demanding attention 🙂
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These days I only ever seem to have unfinished books in my book pile. That’s way worse than books never started. And that’s not even counting the backlog of half read stuff on my Kindle app.
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Haha! Did I read they’ve just invented a device to speed-read books? That would be wrong as well as you’d be sure to miss the nuances and the craft that the author has used.
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Funny. I just read a piece about that app last night. Didn’t read it properly of course, as I was speed reading of course 😉 Too bad, because now I don’t know what it’s called or where to get it.
And no, please don’t tell me! I’d much rather live on in the belief that Some Day I’ll have time to read at my leisure!
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