book shelf

[threeplusfire]

Yesterday I finished reading a collection of short fiction by Elizabeth Hand. It was my second reading. Today I finished reading a book I've never read before, Martin Dressler. I find myself empty handed, standing in the door way of the bath. I would like another book to read while I lay in the tub. But should it be something new? Something I cherish? What do I lose every time I read a book again, or read a new book that I don't care for? I bought the strange "sequel" of sort written by Stoker's descendant, but I haven't actually read Dracula in twenty years. I have hundreds of books, should I really be shopping for more? Can I bear to let them slip away? The clearance rack both fills me with excitement and melancholy.

I have begun at long last to prune things off my shelves that I did not enjoy, would not ever want to read again. I feel bad making the choice, as if I hurt this inanimate object's feelings. But I tell myself that the book will go to a better home and someone else will enjoy it. Except for that terribly written book on pineapples, that I wanted to be good and was an entirely new level of poor writing.

None of this brings me any closer to finding something to read for the afternoon

Comments

[solstice-singer.livejournal.com]

Isn't it horrid to have so many books, but not be able to pick one to read? That drives me absolutely insane.

I did the clearance sale at Barns and Noble. Do I need more books? Certainly not, but books are one of my passions, and I can never have enough. So, when they're super cheap, they just need to come live in my apartment.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Yes - I find myself pacing back and forth in an agony of indecision. I can't even decide if fiction or nonfiction wins the day.

[sykii.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth Hand does strange things to my head. Even the stories and novels of hers that aren't my favorite stay with me in odd ways. Which collection?

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Saffron & Brimstone. Possibly one of my favorites, ever.

[alainn-sorcha.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've read anything recently that you'd enjoy, aside from the Lisbeth Salandar books, which you've already read.

I'm sorry that I'm no help.

[alainn-sorcha.livejournal.com]

Also, I really need to prune my book shelves. I've still never bought a second and the one I have is well over capacity. I just hate to get rid of books. They're so pretty over there, sitting on my bookshelf.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Maybe I should read those again - they are pretty awesome.

[alainn-sorcha.livejournal.com]

Actually, did you read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao? You might like that. I loved it a lot. I also really loved Let the Great World Spin by Colm McCann. I also think you might like that one.

I don't know that either of them would be typical reading material for you, but I thought they were both beautifully written and very interesting stories. If you decide to read the McCann novel, keep going past the first chapter. That's the biggest complaint I heard from others I know who've read it. They don't like the primary character in that chapter, but like the book a lot more when he starts to figure less prominently. I, however, loved the book from word one.

Of course, if you like neither of these books, I didn't recommend them to you and I don't know what you're talking about.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I think Wao is on my list. Hmm, perhaps I should order it.

You know what I read recently and was so surprised to not like? Rick Moody. I've heard for years he is the best thing ever and his writing left me pretty cold. It was like "hipster boy grows up and decided to read some Burroughs and try being cerebral." :(

[alainn-sorcha.livejournal.com]

I've never read Rick Moody, but now I don't think I want to.

[cymry.livejournal.com]

Working in a bookstore = agony... and love. So much love.

There is never, EVER enough shelf space in my apartment, even with frequent trimming of the collection, and always hundreds (no joke) of books that I desperately want and cannot afford/restrain myself from/have absolutely no time to read.

That being said, when I go in to work tomorrow after a week of vacation, I am going to be confronted with our semi-annual "Buy 3, get the 4th free" sale, and all those previously stated reservations will disappear, at least temporarily. If I'm lucky, I'll manage to make it out with only 2 full bags.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I worked in a book store for about ten months once... I think I spent half my paycheck in there!

[coyotegoth.livejournal.com]

It's interesting: I've been buying new books by the ton, and only rarely actually, you know, reading them; almost all of my reading is rereads these days.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Are you building a fort composed of unread books in your room? ;)

[miep.livejournal.com]

I tried to read Winterlong. I tried. And then I realized that even though I read Glimmering twice, and found much of it beautiful, and even though its characters and world keep coming up in my thoughts, I didn't like it. and I had to put winterlong away, because just reading the first chapter made me feel crawly and awful in my own skin.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

It is a very unsettling book. I haven't been able to finish it yet. Have you reading Waking the Moon? I really enjoyed that one and did not expect it.