Posts Tagged ‘Reading’

Back to Reading

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Leave it up to me to make a liar out of myself. Two weeks ago I posted a story about my love of reading entitledÂ Books, Books, Books…And Books.Â In the post I shared my love of the written word and how I can knock back between 5 and 8 books a week. I’m ashamed to say that since writing that post I’ve read a total of ZERO books.

I don’t know what happened. It used to be that if I didn’t read something during the day I would get cranky. How is it possible to go from reading everyday to reading nothing? I’ve bought books during this time, in fact I’ve bought 18 books to be exact. So, I guess I still have a problem there. Phew. It’s good to know some things don’t change. 😉

Most of those books were written by fellow writers I’ve met on Twitter and I am genuinely excited to read their works. However, when I sit down to read one my mind starts wandering and I end up staring at my Kindle.

I have also noticed that in these past two weeks I’m finding it increasingly difficult to write. Connection? Most likely.

When I was reading I was inspired, I was constantly surrounded by words and ideas. Now, I feel like a zombie just going through the motions of my day waiting for night time to come so I can go to bed only to wake up the next day to repeat theÂ monotony.

Sparky has asked me countless times if there is anything on my mind. I give him the honest answer, “nothing”, because there is honestly NOTHING on my mind. It’s like a fog up there.

However, due to a back injury last week I have had plenty of time to lie around thinking about my dilemma.

This is a very busy time for me. The show I’m involved in opens at the end of the month meaning that the pressure is on to fulfill my responsibilities for the publicity committee while making sure I have mentally prepared perform on the stage.

I have recently joined my church’s choir to help out with Easter services. Why I added this to my plate, I don’t know? Oh wait, yes I do. Its because I can’t say ‘no’. To anyone…ever.

Even my gym time that is supposed to be a chance for me to get away, has been adding to the stress. I’m rushing to get everyone dressed, fed and out the door so I can make it to class on time.

I’ve concluded that by the time I get to sit down to either write or read I’m completely brain fried.

Lucky for me, I hurt my back. This injury is making me stop running from rehearsal to rehearsal to the gym to play dates and just lie around and get better. Today, after 4 days ofÂ recoupingÂ on the sofa, I decided to pick up a book..er, well, my Kindle, but you get the idea.

It was like running into an old friend and picking up right where you left off as if those years in between weren’t there. My Kindle felt right in my hands as I snuggled into the warm embrace of my soft sofa. I forgot about all my responsibilities, I forgot about my back pain, I forgot that it was raining outside and I left the windows open – none of that mattered.

What mattered was that I was becoming inspired again. I felt my brain working, taking in the words and envisioning the scene as it played out in my head. It felt good. It felt damn good.

Am I ready to go knock out 2,000 words tonight? Probably not, but I do have some ideas that I jotted down and that made me feel good. All I can say is that I’m back to reading and I’m confident that my ability to write without hesitation isn’t that far behind.

 

 

Books, Books, Books…And Books

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

If you told me three years ago that I would read between 5 and 8 books a week I would laugh uncontrollably to the point that bladder control would become a huge issue. As an English major I would read between 8 and 12 books a semester, so after four yearsâ€¦well, you do the math. I canâ€™t say I hated books when I graduated, but I was under the impression that if I never saw another book again it would be too soon.

Two years ago I was a bored housewife, even though I had a 1 year old. Sparky was working non-stop, which isnâ€™t much different than now. I needed something to occupy my time so I wasnâ€™t distracting him from his work. I used to scrapbook and do crafty things, but that can get expensive and we were on a tight budget then. (Not that that has changed much, either!)

One day I was at the neighborhood Curves with my mom and the women were talking about this one book. They were raving about it, about the characters, the relationships, the intrigue. Ladies and gentlemen, they were talking aboutâ€¦Twilight. Honestly.

I had heard about the book when it first came out and I remember being interested in it, but it was during my â€œbooks are evil and make my eyes bleedâ€ phase. Curious again I asked for the series for Christmas thinking that reading a book may help with my boredom. I didnâ€™t have much hope, but I was desperate.

Sparky got me the first one for Christmas, by the time New Yearâ€™s came around I had read all four. I donâ€™t know if I can credit the actual story with getting me to read again or if it was just my mind craving words and stories again. Or vampires. I like reading about vampires, yeah I think that was it.

Sparky was thrilled. He could work at night and not have me staring at him inflicting guilt with imaginary guilt darts shooting from my eyes.

Thanks to a good friend of mine I started reading Nora Roberts and thatâ€™s when the real problem appeared. I would read her series books in one day. I would read, and read, and read.

The best part? The books I was reading were loaned from friends and relatives; in fact, my cousin and I started a little book club with just the two of us. Weâ€™d each read a book, switch, then discuss. It didnâ€™t last long because I would read a book in a day and she would need a couple more days. While I was waiting, Iâ€™d read more. I couldnâ€™t stop.

The same friend that introduced me to Nora Roberts introduced me to a used bookstore. Money started disappearing in the amounts of $2 here, $4 there. I got a Prime membership from Amazon and started buying from their marketplace. I couldn’t stop, there were murmurs of going to RA (Readers Anonymous) from Sparky. He was starting to look for sponsors for me.

Last summer, two years after I started reading again, Sparky gave up the hopes of rehabilitating me and bought me a 5 x 8 bookcase for my birthday. The second it was assembled it was filled, and I still had books left over that needed a home. This past fall, Sparky got me bookends for our anniversary. Those, too, were put to good use, but still, I had more books.

The best birthday and anniversary presents so far - bookcases.

At his wits end he gave up and bought me a Kindle for Valentineâ€™s Day. Little does he know that I still buy regular books in addition to my Kindle purchases. But that will be our little secret.

 
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