I am currently lying in bed having acheived something that I haven't quite managed for some time...
I've finished a book.
Now this may not seem as intensely remarkable to many of you as it feels for me. I am sure that the vast majority of those reading this will be well read and bookishly advanced. Why, the very fact that you frequent this blog would suggest that your literary palette draws you to the finer and more exceptional examples of writing. And as such you are no doubt wandering why finishing a book is such a big deal. So let me explain.
I used to read a lot. I used to love reading. In fact I think it was my love for reading that encouraged me to read so much. But for the past few months (in fact probably since starting my current job) I've had a real issue with reading. I just haven't seemed able to really get stuck into a book and even if I have, I get distracted by another literary masterpiece before I get to finish the previous one. I just cannot seem to finish books anymore. It is most annoying. Here is a list of books I haven't finished recently:
Beyond Belief to Conviction (Josh McDowell), I.O.U. (Noreena Hertz), The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (Roald Dahl), The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins), The Highway Code, Impro for Storytellers (Keith Johnstone), Desiring God (John Piper), The Struggle (Steve Gerali), Cafe Theology (Michael Lloyd), Show Them No Mercy (Stanley Gundry), The Other Side of the Good News (Larry Dixon), Darwin on Trial (Philip E. Johnson), Games for Actors and Non-Actors (Augusto Boal), Down Under (Bill Bryson) and Lift the Label (Westlake & Stansfield).
Needless to say, all this failure in book reading has been quite frustrating. Which is why I am so elated to be lying in bed next to a completely read copy of John Irving's The Fourth Hand. It's a good book. Not quite as good as some of his other works (A Prayer for Owen Meany is my favourite) but a good read nonetheless. I would recommend it.
I've finished a book.
Now this may not seem as intensely remarkable to many of you as it feels for me. I am sure that the vast majority of those reading this will be well read and bookishly advanced. Why, the very fact that you frequent this blog would suggest that your literary palette draws you to the finer and more exceptional examples of writing. And as such you are no doubt wandering why finishing a book is such a big deal. So let me explain.
I used to read a lot. I used to love reading. In fact I think it was my love for reading that encouraged me to read so much. But for the past few months (in fact probably since starting my current job) I've had a real issue with reading. I just haven't seemed able to really get stuck into a book and even if I have, I get distracted by another literary masterpiece before I get to finish the previous one. I just cannot seem to finish books anymore. It is most annoying. Here is a list of books I haven't finished recently:
Beyond Belief to Conviction (Josh McDowell), I.O.U. (Noreena Hertz), The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (Roald Dahl), The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins), The Highway Code, Impro for Storytellers (Keith Johnstone), Desiring God (John Piper), The Struggle (Steve Gerali), Cafe Theology (Michael Lloyd), Show Them No Mercy (Stanley Gundry), The Other Side of the Good News (Larry Dixon), Darwin on Trial (Philip E. Johnson), Games for Actors and Non-Actors (Augusto Boal), Down Under (Bill Bryson) and Lift the Label (Westlake & Stansfield).
Needless to say, all this failure in book reading has been quite frustrating. Which is why I am so elated to be lying in bed next to a completely read copy of John Irving's The Fourth Hand. It's a good book. Not quite as good as some of his other works (A Prayer for Owen Meany is my favourite) but a good read nonetheless. I would recommend it.
7 comments:
I've been trying to read more, too, if for no other reason than the wife does, lots of my friends do, etc... but I just can't be bothered.
However, I decided I'd try and read a book a month (think I nicked that off Matt who nicked it off someone else). Did OK in January but then in February didn't get to the end of the QI book (yes it does count) as V kept nicking it off me. She's a bit like that with books, never happy with just the one she's reading...
Aaaarrrgghh! Glyn, do you know how much sadness entered my heart at your endless list of unfinished books! I feel very sorry for them, they must feel very unloved. Can I borrow some of them? Maybe I could give them a good home!?!
(Seriously, congratulations on your success!)
Certainly. Feel free to borrow whatever you'd like. May I recommend the first three short stories in "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar", the introduction of "Darwin on Trial" and "Lift the Label" has a very attractive front cover.
I can never finish books...in fact I rarely finish anyth
Cheers Glyn! I would be very interested in "Lift the Label". Having said that, I have just ordered 3 books from Amazon, (2 of which are John Piper ones - not incredibly easy reading usually!), plus I am currently in the middle of three books, (one of which is a John Piper one), and I still have about 4 on my shelf that are in the queue for being read! Good job I have a long tube journey every day! Seriously, if you aren't reading that book, I would love to borrow it.
xxx
The rabbit is blogged about
Hi Glyn. Today I was just wandering around thinking... thinking about all kinds of things and then this thought came to me:
WRITE A POST!
(and reply to text messages more)
:-D
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