Some I tried to read but haven't, yet, finished
Submitted by DaveNut on Tue, 02/20/2001 - 10:01
Tags:
- Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee- Dee Brown. This was highly recommended by my Lit professor and I tried so hard to read it, but I just couldn't get in the mood. I am so disappointed in myself.
- This I Remember- Eleanor Roosevelt. Author Leo Buscaglia listed this book in a "short bibliography of books which have been important in my journey to grow in personhood." I got to the sixth chapter then I had to return it to the library, I didn't even bother renewing it. For shame.
- Souls of Black Folks- W.E.B DuBois. I finished the first chapter about a month ago and only resumed reading it today. Since I purchased this book, I will try to finish it, but I'm having trouble paying attention, everything goes in one ear and out the other.
- Iron John- Robert Bly. I just couldn't do it.
- For the longest time I was a reading machine. I'd finish one book and pick up another. But presently I find myslef in a reading rut. What do the rest of you do when you are in a similiar situation?
I think I can sympathize with your "reading rut". This has happened to me at various times during the last 10 years. For me, two things seem to work: first, just wait it out. I do other things for a while, concentrate on other hobbies and soon I feel like picking up a book again. Second, I give myself more selection. Sometimes, it's not that I don't want to read, but I don't want to read anything that is currently on my shelf.
Lately, I've been trying to expand my reading of history, so I think of subjects I'm interested in and then find books about that subject that have gotten good reviews or good comments (I like Amazon.com for their reader comments... it is a good way, IMHO, to figure out if a book is a good read).
I hope this helps some.
Hey Buber, thanks for your suggestions. Until yesterday, I don't think I'd picked up a book in over three weeks, so I guess I've waited it out. I completely inderstand the not wanting to read what's on your bookshelf. My bookshelf is filled to overflowing with books I've purchased but haven't yet read, mostly because I'll go to the library and see other books I'd rather read. Do you know I have books that I bought over a year ago and I haven't even taken a look at?
I've got a few I've had for a decade and haven't read yet. *sigh* I just keep buying bookcases.
Thanks for making me feel so much better. LOL. A decade?!?! I've got a tiny room so, unfortunately, I can't buy any more bookshelves. I merely place my books in sloppy and tidy piles on my floor.
I bought a townhouse a year ago in a large part so I'd have more room for bookcases. I read a lot, but I buy books faster than I read them.
"Ooooh, a new Richard Powers. Gotta pick that up."
-- me, last night at Powells.
I, too have been in reading ruts, and have some recommendations that have worked for me...
1. Read the genre fiction you like. There were times i couldn't read a good novel to save my life, but a detective story-- that i could do, and pretty soon I'm up to reading literature again.
2. If you can't read genre fiction, try short stories. sometimes, they are all I can read. They usually can be read in one sitting, but have a lot of depth. The same is true for essays. In many ways they are more interesting that longer pieces.
3. Once, when I couldn't read, I started reading plays. they are very fast reads, and you get to use your imagination a lot. Warning, though. I then became a theatre major, thereby ruining my chances of gainful employment in my field..
Good Luck.
Nadine, thanks for taking the time to reply. I ought to try some detective stories.
I think I have slowly, but surely, climbed my way out of this valley I call a "reading rut". I went to the library and checked out a few books (mostly psych and mythology) and I went to Half-Price and bought a few books (not that I don't have enough to read right now). I'm back to my old self again.