Along with 95% of the population, I’m struggling to understand how it’s April already and the year has gone so fast. What happened? Did I fall through one of these? Can it stop?
The challenge of finally reading the books I’ve collected over the years is like, a quarter over and I’ve had a very slow start. I blame it squarely on the fact that the books I was reading were not setting my motivation ablaze, and thus has led me to surreptitiously put the unfinished tomes on the op-shop pile and shrug my shoulders in defeat.
Here’s how it’s gone down (and down and down) so far:
Innocent When You dream, Tom Waits: The Selected Interviews
First cab off the rank, and first fail.
It isn’t my book – I think Lunchbox borrowed it from a friend, so I’d never intended to read it anyway. Given it was just a bunch of interviews, they all kind of said the same thing, over and over again – man dresses like a trashbag, sounds like he’s spent all night drinking whiskey and blowing hookers, but creates amazing music.
And repeat.
I made it halfway through.
The Voyage of the Beagle, Charles Darwin
I actually was looking forward to this, and as interesting as it is, it really is really just for reference or poking around. If you were to read every word, that’s a lot of hours of your life reading the minutiae and specifics of sub-tropical marine invertebrates, and ain’t nobody got time for that. I’d like to read Origin of the Species, but this one I thumbed through and popped back on the shelf.
Fail two.
True Colours, Adam Gilchrist
I made it through the introduction.
The Hawke Memoirs, Bob Hawke
In the interests of keeping the challenge alive, and given my utter contempt for it so far, I chose the next unread book that was on the shelf next to True Colours. It was Hawkie’s version of events from birth until he stopped being Prime Minister, but when he stopped drinking and started talking about how much he achieved, I zoned out. Tough, but I gave it away. Made it through a quarter.
Red Dragon/The Silence of the Lambs, Thomas Harris
Oh I love these. LOVE. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book as good as Red Dragon. Dare I say I like it better than The Silence of the Lambs, of which I have 30 pages left. Harris does suspense so well, not gaudy or obvious at all. Just drops a bomb and lets it sit there while you get your head around it. SO GOOD. I may break from the Challenge to read Hannibal, the third in the series. It’s on the shelf but not technically part of the 17.
A Passionate Life, Ita Buttrose
I started reading this before I was done with the others as I was taking it to hospital and I didn’t think my current book of skin-suit stories would be soothing reading either before or after surgery. I haven’t made it too far but it seems ok. Harris is a hard act to follow though!
I totally thought I’d be able to report a much better score by April, but there you have it.
Books read: 2/17
*cries*
Kerry L says
If it makes you feel better Stacey, because of your reading challenge I found (and read!) the sequel to one of my all-time favourite books, Cheaper by the Dozen. The sequel, Belles on their Toes, made me very happy 🙂 PS – I liked Red Dragon too!
Veggie Mama says
Oh I was wondering if you found it! So glad you liked it. I’ll have to hunt it down.
Tasha Batsford says
Don’t you give up on me! I’m 2 down, 8 to go on my challenge, we can do this!!
Veggie Mama says
Haha we can do this! I’ve read other books not on the challenge so it’s not a total waste – but I need to get my a into g!
Lisa @ Twinkle Little Soul says
There is nothing wrong with letting a bad book go! Life is way too short, and there are way too many good books out there x
Veggie Mama says
Word!
Lauren @ the-thud.com says
I keep forgetting to tell you that I took up this challenge. My first book is In Cold Blood. I’ve read the first page. And by first page, I mean the title page. It is sitting next to my laptop right now, mocking me. I want to read it. I really do. I regard it as decor now. It makes my desk look smart.
Wanderlust says
Oh, that is such a gripping story, and so well written!
Veggie Mama says
haha I’ve read the literal first page of that too. Now I can’t find it. I swear I had it somewhere?
26 Years & Counting says
I tried to start reading a book recently, but it was just too pink. Literally. I returned it to the library.
Veggie Mama says
I just bought a book that’s too pink! It’s a book about Diana though so I might forge ahead
Reannon @shewhorambles says
For the first time this year I gave up reading two books with no intention of ever going back to finish them. Sometimes I start a book & think “not the right head space “so I put it aside for another day but these two – The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka & The Service of Clouds- I took back to the library, never to be seen again.
Veggie Mama says
haha *waves goodbye*
Pinky Poinker says
I’m very fussy but not fussy. As long as it interests me in the first chapter I’ll read it. I tend to stick to my faves. I figure the ones left dormant on my bookshelf are unread for a reason. They’re boring. I’ve really become interested in book review blogs lately. It cuts down on my fossicking time.
Veggie Mama says
I am always skeptical of reviews. I wish I wasn’t so fussy.
Vicki @ BoiledEggsandSoldiers says
I always used to think that I had to endure and read a book I wasn’t into to the end but thankfully have given that notion away because as you said ain’t nobody got time for that!
Veggie Mama says
Damn straight!
Hugzilla says
I have a new copy of Bad Feminist burning a hole on my side table at the moment, so I completely get this whole deal. I loved Red Dragon as well. Totally boss.
Veggie Mama says
Nails it doesn’t he? I forget how good fiction can be.
Erin aussiebookthreads says
I have lots of dusty books too. I keep thinking I should read them, they have value cause well they are good authors. Anyhow what’s your plan now with the 15 discards? are you going to move them along? or hope you might read them yet?
Veggie Mama says
Well the ones I started to read and didn’t like I’ve already passed on to the op shop. The rest of the books on my list I haven’t gotten to yet – but if I don’t like them, they’re going too!
Malinda says
There is no time for bad books when there are so many good books to be read, so don’t feel too poorly about it. They were obviously left unread on your shelf for a reason.
Veggie Mama says
Yeah I tend to think if I were excited about them I would have read them straight away? Who knows!
The Plumbette says
I’m half way through Gone Girl. I reckon it’s been a couple of months since I read a book thoroughly. That’s what a third baby does to you. Lol. X
Veggie Mama says
oh I bet! I read Gone Girl very quickly, but I think that’s because I didn’t like it, haha
Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad says
I am a shocking reader. Slow as a turtle. I just need to make more time for it and not fall asleep when I finally do give it a shot. For this reason, I too have a bookshelf full of unread books breeding dust. Keep at it!
Veggie Mama says
haha I fall asleep too! This parenting thing is totally getting in the way of my reading.