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

[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.