I don’t know what is wrong with me these days. I love reading, but when I pick up a book I know I’m going to enjoy, I find myself struggling to care after the first couple of pages.
It is a phase. I know it is. The problem is I find it easier to read bad books than good books. I started reading a book the other day that I kept going with, out of a perverse desire to see how the author redeemed the hero at the end of the book. Over on the Ask An Author All loop, we’re discussing alpha and beta heroes, and the course presenter said something about authors walking a fine line between an alpha and a louse. This guy was a louse all the way. Totally. I kept going because I thought there has GOT to be some real reason for this guy’s behaviour, but nope. He was just a louse.
And on the other hand, I pushed on through the above disappointment, when I have The Tenderness of Wolves waiting for me to read. In fact I’ve read the first few chapters and love it, but when the opportunity arises for me to read it, I just don’t feel like it.
Maybe its because I’m tired. Husband away on business, sick kids . . . you know how it goes. A couple of good nights sleep and I’ll be ready to read again.
I know as writers we are also voracious readers, but have you ever had the feeling that reading is the last thing you want to do?
Michelle, I was thinking of blogging about something similar. Not the sick kids and the husband away from home, but since I’ve been writing full-time, I’m not reading as much. I’ll read the first few chapters, and like you, that’s it. A book has to really pull me in to make me want to read it all the way through, and I used to do it all the time.
I wonder if part of the reason is I know the tricks, I know how the writer’s mind works. I guess what’s going to happen. A book needs to be fresh, to surprise me, to make me keep reading now.
Edie, I suppose if we feel like this sometimes, imagine what it’s like for editors and agents?
Yeah.
I used to read close to thirty books a month.
This year, it took me almost three months before I got past thirty books.
For me its a matter of time crunch. I have a TON of books that I know I’m gonna love, but I just can’t get to them. So what did I do last night? Stopped at Waldenbooks and picked up five more. (Groan) I just never learn.
I’ve picked up books and read the first couple of chapters or even nearly half of it, but then lost interest. Don’t know if it was me at the time, but often I don’t go back. There are a couple that I’m glad I did go back and finished them, because they turned out to be wonderful stories.
Don’t know if its a matter of knowing far more as a writer than I did as a reader, but I do notice the mistakes in a story. They don’t usually bug me enough to pull me out of it, but I do note them.
I hear you, May. I could happily read 5 or 6 books a week at one point. Now, I’m happy with one a week, although sometimes I manage two.
Right now, it’s more like one every two weeks (not counting research books, which I am constantly dipping into at the moment).
Liz, I also never learn, LOL. I just keep buying.
Another aspect to this is I’m setting myself goals and they really mean something to me. I want to make my self-imposed deadlines, so I’d rather write than read.
I find that since I’m published, I’m overly critical. *sigh* I have a hard time not picking out grammar flaws, or what I consider to be awkward sentence structure. When I do read, it tends to be out of my genre. But occasionally I’m still surprised and awed by a good story line and cannot put the book down.
Gia
But whoever said reading a bad book isn’t fun? Sometimes we need to de-stress over the flawed and funky.
LOL, Gia, I’m not published and I’m still critical. I used to be an editor, once upon a time, so that may have something to do with it. And you’re right, reading a bad book has its good points.
Michelle,
I know exactly how you’re feeling. I went through a long period where reading just felt like way too much trouble. I didn’t seem to have the energy to spend on it. That’s when I realized that for me, reading and writing take the same kind of creative energy. For me, reading is interactive since I’m building these pictures in my head as I read the story. But when I’m writing, I’m building those pictures as well. So I was using the same kind of energy in both pursuits.
Since the writing took precedence, it always came first– but it meant the reading slide on the backburner more and more. Eventually I realized I hadn’t read a book in over two years, not even my must buy favorite authors.
Two Years!!
I used to read a book a day.
It was a real wake up call.
Michelle, wow does this hit home! I miss delving into a book and being captivated. Hasn’t happened in a very long time. I was thinking about the poor agents and editors too, saw where you said as much. No wonder they’re constantly looking for fresh. I did pick up a Sharon Sala book the other day. She’s one of my favs, so I’m really looking forward to reading it.
Yikes, Theresa, that is a long spell of not reading. I’m assuming that isn’t the case anymore?
It is a sad feeling, isn’t it, LaDonna. You know the wonderful feeling of being totally absorbed in a book, and you can’t find it again. Hope your Sharon Sala book lives up to expectations
.
Actually, I feel like I’m in somewhat the same rut. I picked up authors I usually enjoy and now I’m struggling to get through their latest books. Already I think I’ve dropped four or five books because I couldn’t get through the first couple of chapters. I had to get it through my thick skull that I need to read something so I could flex my writing muscle.
After a week of tossing one book after the other, I I finally landed on one that I’m willing to stick with. I’ve never heard of the author before, but I picked up the book because I loved the title: Don of the Dead. So far, it’s pretty good. So I’m hoping it lasts.
Michelle, hope the illnesses are moving on – maybe you need to open the windows and let a good gust of wind come blow out all the germs.
I used to read books in two to three sittings, and still would if not for the fact that my vision sucks. I can say this, if I’m in the middle of a real brainstormer of a writing jag, I’d rather attend to it than read a book.
With the exception of Christopher Moore, I have found that lately a lot of my favorite authors have been putting out real dogs. Now I rely on reads my friends recommend, or, debut authors. And when I want reliable enjoyment, I’ll re-read an old favorite, like something by the late Sidney Sheldon. *sniff sniff*
Not exactly the last thing I want to do, but not the first thing I want to do with my two minutes (LOL) of downtime a day. I write/research all morning and afternoon, then work day job in afternoon and evening, and then I eat. Then it’s 10 o’clock at night and I’m worn out. If I read, it’s a chapter (I hate reading in little bits like that!), and if I’m too tired, I need to just zone out and watch tv.
I really, really, really miss reading big chunks every day.
Yes. But in my case I think it’s more that the last book I read was soooo good, everything I’ve picked up since then pales in comparison.
Marcia, that’s exactly how I feel. I really feel irritated about it, too
. Glad you’ve found a book to stick with.
Writing comes first for me too, Kathy. I am reading more debut authors now as well. I used to buy more established writers who I knew I would enjoy, but I’m taking a lot more chances and finding some gems by doing so.
Spy, I also prefer reading in chunks. I can’t get into it enough just reading a chapter here or there. Maybe that’s part of my problem.
Ooooh. Come on, Elisabeth, you can’t leave it at that. What was the last really good book you read?
The Tenderness of Wolves caught my eye while reading this log. My youngest daughter going on 21 has always collected wolves stuff and cares deeply about animals. I may have to get this book for her upcoming birthday.
I have hit times when I find it hard to get past the first couple of pages. I know as I just laid aside a book I started as I could not get into it. I instead picked up another book to read. I will go back to the other book but for now I need something to escape the pressure of an adult who has decided she doesn’t need me.