Should I go on a Reading Diet?
At New Year I frantically scribbled lists of possible books I might read over the course of the year. I tried to include a variety and left plenty of room for random choices, and ended up with a couple of new challenges – not buying any books for the year being the toughest, and also reading my way through Anthony Powell’s A Dance to the Music of Time to add to the ones already in progress – the Guardian’s top 100 novels of all time, and reading my way Around the World in 80 Books. I also planned to get through at least one more volume of Proust (The Guermantes Way) a Dickens or two, and to contribute to as many book group choices as my own and the local library’s book collections would allow for.
Finding myself halfway through February, I’m surprised to discover that not buying books has not been the big deal I thought it would be, but that’s maybe because all I want to read is Nordic crime, of which, luckily, I have a stash. I’m really craving the escapism (and snow), and my binge-reading has already clocked up quite a body count. Part of me thinks I should be a bit strict with myself and ration out the murders between more thought-provoking fayre, while the other half thinks, ‘What the hell!’.
I’ll need to mix it up a little if I’m to stick to my Anthony Powell schedule, read this month’s book group book – Graham Greene’s The Quiet American and get back on the Proust mobile, but I also wonder if picking up something lovely, inspiring, horrifying, quirky or funny might get me out of my rut.
After all, my crime stash won’t hold out forever at the rate I’m hurting through it, and once it’s gone, it’s gone! So, should I put myself on a reading diet? What would you do?
Lucy
Sarah
I’ve been thinking of not adding anything to my ‘to-read’ (384 items) and my to-buy (260 items), but I can’t help it. I am going to go mad but I know others with longer lists lol. I think my next reading challenge should be shortening my to-read list (eeeeehhhhh)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reducing a towering TBR mountain is a never-ending challenge, isn’t it? Still, even though it never seems to get any smaller, it’s fun trying!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think read whatever you want to, whenever you want to. Life’s too short & the world’s too mad right now to be tough on yourself. But then I have zero willpower over anything!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so right! The time for Proust and books that require every ounce of my focused attention will come again, but as these crazy times have turned my brain to mush, I may as well kick back and enjoy myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like Madame B, I would strongly say read what you want – you can’t force yourself to read something you’re not in the mood for, so why worry? Just go with the flow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s really unlike me to get so fixated on a particular type of book, but I think it’s necessary escapism for troubled times. You’re right, I should just go with it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just read whatever takes your fancy next when you finish one. I always think having a tbr pile, oh, I mean bookcase, is great so I have a lot to choose from depending on my mood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, I’ll go with what takes me eye after each book and see where that leads me. I’m clearly craving crime right now, so I may as well enjoy my obsession while it lasts!
LikeLike
if you are enjoying the Nordic crime options then why force yourself to read something else. You’ll know when you’ve had enough of crime in the snow and ice and are ready for a change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s very unlike me to stick to a genre for so long, but I suppose if ever there was a time for craving escapist fiction, now would pretty much tick all the boxes. I shall indulge my crime spree for as long as it takes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t see much benefit to a reading diet, so I’d say just carry on following your fancy. One advantage that I currently have while studying is that it is Compulsory for me to buy more books, though I’d probably make any excuse 🙂
I’d not heard of the Anthony Powell series before, and after looking it up, it sounds like a must read so I’ve put it on my wish list. Thanks !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well I’m glad I’ve led you to ‘A Dance to the Music of Time’ – at least some good has come from my navel-gazing! I think I shall still make time to read a volume of that each month, and the odd book group book and then throw all expectations out of the window and enjoy as much crime as I please. I suppose I should be grateful my current obsession is what it is. At least I know that when I’ve finished my own stash, no library is ever short on crime! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you should read what you want – I’m doing that this year and it’s great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like I’m dipping my toe in the waters of reading liberation and I may have to giddily plunge right in – woohoo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apologies but I chuckled at your not finding it too hard so far, it’s only mid Feb, missus! 😉 But yeah, I have a cautionary tale, of when I held off reading the final Sarah Waters I owned, concerned about how I’ve be Waters-less for a log time after. I denied myself even though I was in the mood, and when I did come to read it, I wasn’t in the right place to enjoy it as much.
You and I have both spent a lot of our lives denying ourselves, but this is something non-fattening that while spending is one thing, splurging and binge-reading is a pure and innocent activity. Plus, when you’re working more, you might find you get less reading done anyway, and cope better with the challenge later on in the year. Just think of the mountain of social work, housing and substance mis-use handbooks, polices and procedures that are waiting for you 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh ma lawd you have just created a new fiercesome ‘When is the right time to read my last Sarah Waters’ anxiety syndrome (WITRTTRMLSWAS for short). Is today that day? will forever be my first waking thought.
You’re so right. I’m already a killjoy vegan fighting the call of processed snacks and sweets, resisting the temptations of books old and new, if I can’t binge on Nordic Noir while wearing an Icelandic teacosy with earflaps on my head, I’m likely to perish of extreme beigeness. (And funnily enough I have been reading a stack of substance mis-use handbooks this very day – spooky!) 🙂
LikeLike
I find that whenever I try and put any kind of framework around my reading, it fails miserably because I like the meandering nature of choosing this or that on a whim. I recommend that you just go with the flow and enjoy every reading moment, whichever book you have in your hands. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so true Liz. I do like a list (or five) but ultimately they’re guidelines rather than set in stone. I think I will just go with this strange penchant for crime, and see where it takes me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Look forward to learning about where you end up in due course! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I say, “What the Hell!”. And if you do speed through them all before getting tired of them, maybe save just one for a rainy day. Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, yes – I could put one in a sealed box with ‘In case of emergencies, break glass’ on it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m reading Narcissism for Beginners at the moment and it’s great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous! Martine is a friend of mine – in fact, I think of her as my writing Yoda! I’ve been really looking forward to reading NfB for a while now, but keep passing up the opportunity to read it for the security of knowing I still have it to look forward to – if that makes sense! 🙂
LikeLike
Just read what you want to – when you binge, do you eventually feel sated? Murder might just be what you need right now (if you know what I mean)…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha – ain’t that the truth! 🙂
LikeLike
I had just read your post about running from October, and was going to suggest “Born to Run”, but I see you have it here. Fabulous book. And great for inspiring us to get off the couch. Glad I’ve found your page, enjoying your stuff so far!
😀
LikeLike
So many people recommended it, I decided it was a motivation must have. I don’t know what the weather’s been like with you, but while it’s not been that cold, there’s been a lot of fog and rain, which has made it difficult to get out, so I’m definitely in need of a running ‘pick-me-up’ and I figure this is it! And thank you, you’re very kind. *blushes*
LikeLike
I find a good playlist is what kicks me in the butt. Runner’s world release a really eclectic monthly mix, you can check it out here. Maybe it’ll get you throw the fog and the rain! I’m dealing with smog here, which can often make me make excuses like “it’s not healthy to run today”. That book is such motivation though, reminds us why we love to run. Check out the music here: http://www.runnersworld.com/running-music/the-best-running-songs-monthly-mix-archive. And keep an eye out for my article about running in China coming next week 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for the link – I’ve been thinking it’s time I got round to sorting out some decent running mixes, so this is perfect timing, and I look forward to reading your article – how exciting! 🙂
LikeLike
Your To Read list will never be done! As long as you’re drawing breath, you’ll want to add to the pile 🙂 So I say just enjoy all the literary goodness out there and leave the dieting for stuff you hate (like eating Brussel spouts or waking up early on a Sunday – oh wait, that’s my list!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true! And that’s the way it should be – what a terrible day it would be to reach that tumbleweed moment at the end of your TBR – total literary apocalypse! I love the idea of leaving the dieting to stuff I hate – I’m totally prepared to spend the rest of my life denying myself broad beans (win!) 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Read hoe you feel my friend, although keeping an eye on how small your crime stash is may encourage you to space it out some. Not buying books is surprisingly easy when you have loads and not enough shelf space…it also means next year, you will buy stupid amounts of books in January and that is something to look forward to. I hope to start and finish the third Powell omnibus next month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right. It’s silly what we get caught up on, isn’t it? I shall continue with crime and dress like Columbo for the duration, (obviously), until then Powell and co will just have to wait! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Read what you fancy but at least one Powell a month to keep going. I haven’t started the Jonassons yet as I haven’t finished the Indridasons and don’t want to confuse myself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must confess I’m a little behind already as I’ve just started Graham Greene’s ‘The Quiet American’ for my book group, and will definitely need a little Scandi fix afterwards, so it looks like I’ll have to double up on Powells in March – oops!
LikeLiked by 1 person