Vigilant readers may have noticed that it has been quite a while since I last posted a book review here. There is a reason for this. I have three books that I’m reading at once: one actual book, one on my Kindle and one on my 3DS. Having three on the go at once is quite useful, because it means that if one of them isn’t that great, I don’t grow tired of reading entirely, because I can focus more on one of the other two, while slowly making my way through the more boring one so that it still gets read.
However, as foolproof as this system may sound, I very recently discovered that there was a possibility I had never considered: what if I end up reading a boring book on all three platforms? Well, I know the answer to that question and it’s this: I end up reading much less and then am unable to keep up with my bi-weekly book reviews. Once I start a book, I always make sure to see it through to the end – which is good and bad. Sometimes my opinion of what had initially seemed boring turns around as I come to the end, but other times I find myself slogging through an unenjoyable book with no payoff. Ulysses by James Joyce is a good example of this.
Anyway, the good news is, I finished a book today! I started something shortly after and right away, I loved it. I want to read beyond the designated reading hour I had in the day and it felt so good to feel that way again, because after spending so long with unengaging books, it was something I hadn’t felt in quite a long time. It’s a shame because that’s actually a pretty great feeling and I missed it… but I guess now I appreciate it all the more! Plus, it helps because my renewed enthusiasm for reading in general means that I can more easily make my way through the more boring books – which probably doesn’t make sense to non-readers, but think of it like this: bad books are not good exercise for the brain’s reading muscle, but good ones are, so now my reading muscle is being exercised properly again and I can make more progress with everything.
Starting a new, good book after finishing a chore of read feels amazing – even better than starting a good book after a good book would do. That’s one nice role that boring books play. Sadly, the bad news is that the boring book I finished was just one of the books of The Bible and I’m not going to review them individually, just one of the whole thing, so I’ll still be book reviewless for a short while!
Still, it’s great to be enjoying reading again! Its like reuniting with an old friend…