One month into my new easy going, flexible approach to reading and already I’m wondering why I hung onto all those reading plans and goals for so long.
The “reading randomly” approach I adopted after a period when it was hard to summon up enthusiasm for any of my reading projects, has proved to be liberating.
For the first time in years I’ve feel free to go where my mood has led me rather than to the book I felt I “should” be reading because it formed part of a project or a challenge. My new approach has meant I’ve abandoned fewer books in August than in the last four months and I’ve enjoyed almost everything I’ve started.
Favourite Book of the Month
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout was the clear winner. As soon as I finished it I went to the library so I could catch up on this series.
Honourable mentions go to Colony by Audrey Magee, an intense novel about language and art set on an Irish island, and Mrs March by Virginia Felto.
Parting Company
I give up on The Fountain Overflows by Rebecca West. I know it’s viewed as one of her best novels but it really dragged for me. Maybe I’ll return to it another day but for now it’s on pause.
The National Trust charity book store is now the recipient of a few other books I’ve decided to give away without reading. Farewell then to Ariadne by Jennifer Saint and Mythos by Stephen Fry.
The strangely titled Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Torckzuk was the only book I didn’t choose of my own accord — it was a book club choice for August . All the others were either from my TBR or titles that caught my eye when I went browsing in the library.
I know it’s early days but my “Random Reading” approach has reminded me of a time long ago pre blog when I seldom had any plans for what to buy or what to read next. I simply I wandered the shelves of book shops and libraries and sampled whatever caught my eye. I didn’t go equipped with any list of titles to find. I just mooched until I found something that piqued my interest.
My “finds” weren’t always a success but I loved the process of discovery. There was always this possibility that I’d land on an author hitherto unknown which would become a favourite in due course.
That’s. the kind of joy I’m hoping to find once more. I know there must be plenty of gems already on my TBR shelves; books I’ve neglected because they didn’t “fit” with a current project or challenge.
Do I miss those reading challenges and projects? I do like the camaraderie that ensues when bloggers from all over the world join together to read books from specific countries or genres or time periods. I know I’m going to have a moment of regret that I’m not joining all those parties. Who knows — maybe in a year or two from now I’ll feel like taking part in one or two but for now, the name of the game is to watch from afar.
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