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To read or not to read, etc
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 04:12 pmThree days into my vacation, and I have helped clean the downstairs guestroom, cut the dog's hair, figured out that 10am in the summer is not a good time to go running, and finished reading seven books. My to-read pile is steadily shrinking, which is a pleasant thing, though I still have two more shelves worth of books to read (which is an even more pleasant thing).
These are what I've finished reading lately: The Dreaming Place, Gold Unicorn (I'm beginning to feel like I just don't get Tanith Lee. Hmm), first two books of Redwall, Tower of Glass (which I was happy to read until the casual fridging at the end), The Dark Elf trilogy (Forgotten Realms *G* Would you believe this is the first time I've read of Drizzt? Though I get the impression that a bunch of my friends like him), and Nightflyers (mmmm GRRM).
I'm also steadily making headway on the History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (thank Gutenberg), but I only read it on my phone during stolen moments, so it's going to take a while to finish.
Anyway, so I've been staring at my to-read pile, and I'm beginning to think that some of these are skippable:
1.) Atlas Shrugged
My impression of this book is that it's meant to be deep and meaningful, with people talking about philosophy, but not necessarily living it in a consistent fashion. It's one of those generic giftbooks -- you know, one of those that you get because the giver knows you like reading, and the book is on the best sellers list or Oprah or something, and it's supposed to be poignant and if you read it you'll grow as a person or something. I feel like I could at least try, but I feel also that I don't want to read a book out of a feeling of obligation, so maybe one of you might be able to give me a hint, as to whether to give this book a chance?
2.) Chronicles of the Cheysuli
Shapechangers! Which is classic enough that maybe I should give it a try. And I've read some of the short stories from random old fantasy anthologies and it seemed okay enough, but I've been feeling really anxious while reading the first book. ( cut for potential triggering material ) So maybe I need to skip this series for now/completely. Does it get better along the way? Is it worth struggling through the first book or two?
3.) Random novels in contemporary settings. Most of these are good for an afternoon, but they're like candy when I want steak. I sometimes feel like I'm wasting time reading things that don't captivate me completely (but I have to read them once I get started, no matter how bored I am, because I've started), so I may drop these instead of even starting.
These are what I've finished reading lately: The Dreaming Place, Gold Unicorn (I'm beginning to feel like I just don't get Tanith Lee. Hmm), first two books of Redwall, Tower of Glass (which I was happy to read until the casual fridging at the end), The Dark Elf trilogy (Forgotten Realms *G* Would you believe this is the first time I've read of Drizzt? Though I get the impression that a bunch of my friends like him), and Nightflyers (mmmm GRRM).
I'm also steadily making headway on the History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (thank Gutenberg), but I only read it on my phone during stolen moments, so it's going to take a while to finish.
Anyway, so I've been staring at my to-read pile, and I'm beginning to think that some of these are skippable:
1.) Atlas Shrugged
My impression of this book is that it's meant to be deep and meaningful, with people talking about philosophy, but not necessarily living it in a consistent fashion. It's one of those generic giftbooks -- you know, one of those that you get because the giver knows you like reading, and the book is on the best sellers list or Oprah or something, and it's supposed to be poignant and if you read it you'll grow as a person or something. I feel like I could at least try, but I feel also that I don't want to read a book out of a feeling of obligation, so maybe one of you might be able to give me a hint, as to whether to give this book a chance?
2.) Chronicles of the Cheysuli
Shapechangers! Which is classic enough that maybe I should give it a try. And I've read some of the short stories from random old fantasy anthologies and it seemed okay enough, but I've been feeling really anxious while reading the first book. ( cut for potential triggering material ) So maybe I need to skip this series for now/completely. Does it get better along the way? Is it worth struggling through the first book or two?
3.) Random novels in contemporary settings. Most of these are good for an afternoon, but they're like candy when I want steak. I sometimes feel like I'm wasting time reading things that don't captivate me completely (but I have to read them once I get started, no matter how bored I am, because I've started), so I may drop these instead of even starting.
