Reading Patterns
31 January, 2010
This sums up exactly how I feel.
Sometimes I make a silent list of what I’m going to read in the next few months but I’m so easily sidetracked, especially when I read a good book on an interesting subject. I want to know more about it so I start hunting down the books in the bibiliography or look up associated titles on the web and before you know it, I have built up another tbr pile from scratch. My thirst for knowledge seems insatiable, but I need to reprimand myself occasionally and tell myself that if I don’t actually read those books, it will remain just that: a thirst, unsatiated.
There’s something satisfying about having a reading plan, but I’ve only realised since joining all the challenges that I am beginning to feel a tad stifled (even though I chose the books myself and it’s from a list of books that I actually want to read and hence is in my tbr pile). I wonder what it is about being hemmed in on the straight and narrow that makes you want to kick aside the rails. I always envy the people who can stick to it until the end.
Maybe it’s just that up until now, I’ve always chosen what to read on a whim, on a feeling. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited about the books I’ll be reading and even within my lists, I’ve enough freedom to pick and choose what I like. Maybe I’m just a little ovewhelmed at all the books I feel I ought to read. We’ll see how it goes. What about you?
chasing bawa 
31 January, 2010 at 10:13 pm
It’s so true…this is why I have shelves of unread books. And unfortunately, I buy faster than I read.
31 January, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Most challenges are constraining – making your own plans is a much better idea 🙂
At present I am reading:
– One Barchester Chronicles book (by Anthony Trollope) per month for the first half of 2010
– David Mitchell’s books again in order (in preparation for the release of his next one in June)
– One German book per month (in German)
– One Japanese book per month (in English!)
Other than that, anything goes!
1 February, 2010 at 4:20 am
I have so many lists from the book blogs I love the most that its overwhelming. Then on top of that you just out of the blue see a book that you feel you’d love to read, then you think of the tbr piles as well and then I understand how you feel!!! If I see a book I like the look of, never mind the lists, I try to get the book. I may regret it later on but at that moment I dont have the will power to pass it on and think of my lists!
1 February, 2010 at 6:51 pm
This is the reason so far I have whimped out of doing any challenges. My fear is I will feel trapped once in them and not enjoying reading so much. Even though as you said I will pick what type of book challenges to be in. I have a far to haphazard way of choosing what to read next, like to go with the flow.
4 February, 2010 at 7:09 am
guess it depends on what reading means to you. now i only read what i want – i leave a book i started when i dont feel like it cos i hav no obligations. there sometimes is a meaning in the choice of a new book, when it is along my search of a theme or a voice of story telling. other times, its pure try.
i have read “食堂かたつむり Canteen Snail” by I.Ogawa on sunday evening which was bittersweet tale about family and food and dreams. Now i am reading “Zero” by Denis Guedj, a math history fantazy which i picked at a bookshop with set up a corner for math as entertainment. great so far.
althoug, in your case, you have a bigger commitment since u hav readers of ur blog like me who look forward to updates:-) i am on my mobile over my late lunch pasta!
10 February, 2010 at 1:37 am
I find that the minute I sign up to do something, even if it’s mentally, is the minute I no longer want to do it. Isn’t that the strangest thing? It must be the rebellious side of my, the latent teenager who never fully expressed herself. But, I’ve tried to refrain from signing on for too many challenges, and I certainly don’t make a list: that’s the kiss of death.
13 February, 2010 at 2:12 am
Your thoughts here are very well expressed. I feel the same way. Sometimes, all the reading challenges start to feel a bit like homework, and I feel like a rebellious student, or at least like one not very good at managing her time.
It is extremely easy to get sidetracked, especially in a cyberland filled with books, glorious books–and links to more books!
13 February, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Softdrink: I have the same problem! It’s a perpetual battle.
Tony: I like your plan. I’m going to stick with my challenges but also read whatever catches my fancy. That’s part of the fun, isn’t it? I’m going to try and read Black Swan Green before Mitchell’s next book is out.
Mystica: Reading book blogs is a hazzard isn’t it? My wish list has expanded way out of proportion since I started.
jessicabookworm: I still find it hard to resist challenges though.
itoeri: Zero sounds interesting. I’m going to have a look around for it. Your eclectic taste in reading material is very thought-provoking!
Bellezza: Ditto. I don’t normally make lists, but with all the challenges, I found I had to make separate piles of books just so I can remember what I need to read.
Susan: It’s nice to know I’m not the only one feeling overwhelmed. But in a strange way, this has spurred me on to get on with my reading!
13 February, 2010 at 1:25 pm
itoeri: Zero is only available in French! And my French is crap!
13 February, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Really? How strange.
I have it in Japanese – ゼロの迷宮 – its written in simple words, more like a myth. I can give you my copy if you get here : ) hint hint. But, hope it comes out in English for you sometime.
13 February, 2010 at 2:33 pm
And, check this out. 食堂かたつむり, the movie!
http://katatsumuri-movie.jp/
i like the actress, Ko Shibasaki. she was also in “Maison de Himiko”.
http://himiko-movie.com/main.html
And the actor, Min Tanaka, actually a dancer, who plays her father, Himiko, is absolutely GREAT.
13 February, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Oooh, looks good. I haven’t watched Maison de Himiko yet, but I’ve seen Ko Shibasaki in Galileo.