Books I plan to Read
Submitted by Bibliobabe on Mon, 08/20/2007 - 04:48
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I see many people here who have a list with "Books Planned To Read." I know that if I did a list like those I would become very bratty about reading them. They would be there reminding me that I just don't make enough time to read or the effort to catch up on my "classics" and "Must Reads." It would make me feel like I should just stick to that list. There is also the problem for me that this list would be so long that I would have to give up too much time adding to it. I know I can't the only weird one like that.
I agree. Those types of lists are fine for those who make them, but I view them in the same light as New Year's Resolutions. They're promises I make to myself that may or may not have any resemblance to the things I actually manage to accomplish. And the thought of having a list of books to read, even if they're just reminders or suggestions to myself, just feels to me like a list with unchecked items, which irks me.
Plus, I'm the type to get overwhelmed when faced with a long list of things to do. I don't handle being overwhelmed very well.
Your other points about feeling obligated to stick to the list and the list being too long are also very relevant to me.
Overwhelmed - That is a place I frequent regularly. That was part of the reason I left grad school. After so many terms of having to read between 30 and 45 books (most of which I had read previously) I had to go back to a place where I could read what I want when I wanted. I still try and complete some of the classics on my lists, but it is at my descretion.
Heh. I remember completing my last exam for my English undergrad, walking out of the building, and realizing I could read WHATEVER I WANTED. It was like someone handed me the moon and I didn't quite know what to do with it [with acknowledgment to Anne of Green Gables for that paraphrased quotation].