And all I can do is read a book to stay awake
And it rips my life away, but it's a great escape
No Rain, Blind Melon.
Friday, October 30, 2009
A Great Escape
As I've gotten older my attention span has gotten shorter. Does that sound backwards to you too? When I was younger if I started a book I made myself finish it no matter how much I hated it. These days, not so much. I just don't have the patience anymore to slog through page after page of boring or poorly written crap. I forget now which book it was that was a break through for me. I think it was Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, but it might have been On the Road by Jack Kerouac or Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. All books that came highly recommended from my sister. Fortunately over the years, she and my mother have gotten better at recognizing what I might like and what it might be best to not try to foist upon me. Sometimes I myself err when picking up a book. Just the other day I had to abandon a mystery in the Anna Pigeon series, of which I'd already read many, in favor of Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner. Judge all you'd like, but I read to escape from my life, so I'd prefer something more interesting and possibly more exciting than I'd be able to offer. I have no interest in reading about the horrors of our world. I know they're out there, and it's just not the escapism I have in mind.
No Rain, Blind Melon.
No Rain, Blind Melon.
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5 comments:
Oh what is that from? The song is on the tip of my brain. Ugh, I do not have the patience for most fictitious stuff. Like I know it's not real and therefore, what's the point. Anyway, I do like to read some of the old Agatha Christie's, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmes Stories, and various classics like Mark Twain and such. Also enjoy Letters From A Nut, and interesting non-fiction books about places and food and that kind of thing. I too feel like you do about horrors but do enjoy a good forensics show once in awhile, go figure?
Life is too short to waste time on stuff you don't like,e specially if it's your PERSONAL TIME--do what you LOVE!
Kerouac is Rob's absolute favorite, and when we first got together, I tried to read "On the Road." Um... booooring!!! I couldn't read it. I'm just not a beatnik, I guess!
I must say I am shocked, shocked I tell you, that no one has come and defended you sister's book recommendations ;) Those are all fabulous books!
However, having said that, I agree with the others. You should read what YOU like.
When I was younger, I too slogged through every book I started, even if it was clear that I wasn't going to enjoy it.
Isn't it liberating getting older and realizing that you don't have to waste time on certain things?
P.S. I don't judge reading choices, and not just because I love rock star biographies -- talk about escapism!
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