Sep 12 2006
The Sound of One Book Closing
On lunch hours at work I’m reading The Closing of the American Mind, which is pretty good so far, but reads a lot like a thesis. I just hole up in one corner of our break room, with either my canned (and fully cooked) tuna and crackers, or my smoked turkey with provolone sandwich, my baby carrots at hand, and read until digestion starts and my eyelids get heavy. If my head doesn’t hit the table, I’m doing okay. I really get tired of having a metabolism that sucks every ounce of my energy, not caring whether I wake up in a pool of slobber, co-workers laughing uncontrollably and pointing. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’ll tell you here if it does.
I can’t stand the idea of not reading a book all the way through. A few years ago, before Ben was born, I gave up on The Sound of One Hand Clapping by Richard Flanagan.
It’s about a girl in Tasmania, whose parents moved there from WWII-ravaged Slovenia, and who at age three watched her mother abandon the family. Subsequently, her father started beating her. Real uplifting stuff. I picked it up again about a week or so ago, and after 85 pages I couldn’t make myself trudge on. Even after being a parent for a while, I couldn’t get into it. If a 400-page book can’t make me care about something (a character, the story, something) after that many pages, then it’s not worth my time.
In its place I’m reading Shoot the Moon, by Billie Letts, a novel that caught my interest within two pages and keeps getting better. My wife got it for her book club, so I’m giving it the once-over first. I don’t want her reading something subversive and going all Tawanda on me. That’s a Fried Green Tomatoes reference, for all you guys staring blankly at the words. If your wife’s friends show up one day with flashlights and handheld mirrors, you should be very worried.
If the links above don’t work, you want to help the environment and your pocketbook, or you just like the idea of buying from “the little guy,” then go find used books on Alibris.com. I was not asked to say any of that. For real.
What am I going to do now that I know where to buy used books, and I got a free car? Take out a loan to buy the world’s most expensive MP3 player. At $20,000 U.S. (with free shipping), this thing must do a lot more than other players and have a lifetime warranty, unlimited free songs for life, wiping my three-year-old’s butt — no, it’s just made of expensive stuff.
The same company offers this one, with double the capacity and voice and inline recording capability, for about $100 U.S. Hmmm… nope, I’ll pass. I gotta get my bling on.
I don’t like to start a book and not finish it, either. But sometimes you just have to realize that your time is too important to waste on something you really aren’t enjoying. Except for a text book, of course.
I hate starting a book and not finishing it either. Only done that twice.
Right now, I’m just finishing up (last 100 pages or so) of Simon of Space, which is how we met!
I have a few books in the queue to get to when it’s done…. just don’t remember the names.
Alvis - Exactly. But, if you go for a Bachelor of Arts in English, you can eschew most of the textbooks, too! Then they just make otherwise pleasurable books a chore to read, and you don’t have much of a career waiting for you when you finish.
Dave - Glad to hear you’re re-reading SoS. I might have to do that soon, myself, if we don’t hear about some progress on the forthcoming “real” dead-tree version. I was trying to hold out so I could experience it in a whole new way.
Actually, dear, that book is not for my book club - it is one that I asked for for my birthday and you got it for me. So you don’t have to worry about it being too “chickish.”
Wife - Yeah, I knew I bought it for you, but thought it was for book club. Whatever the case, it will be another one we can share (aawwww)
There are VERY few books I’ve started and not finished since I suffer from that same inability to put one down once started.
And every time I hear “the sound of one hand clapping”, all I can think of is Bart Simpson proving to Lisa that it actually makes a noise when you do it.
And, uh, I got the Fried Green Tomatoes reference even before you mentioned it. As chick flicks go, that one’s actually pretty good. If my wife’s friends DID show up with mirrors and flashlights I don’t think I’d be allowed to stay…
Interesting books…I’ll definitely check out Shoot the Moon. Robert and I have been reading Evonovich books lately. Nothing too technical, but full of crazy characters and I can’t remember when I’ve laughed so much while reading!
Mark,
I know how that goes with reading various books. I have read various computer books in the last few years when teaching my classes.
I agree if a book is unable to grasp your attention after nearly 100 pages, the author has failed.
I have always wondered why so many authors write these long 300 to 400 page books that I see at various bookstores. Could they not cut out all of that fluff? Who has time to read such long books in the first place? My schedule does not allow it.
Then again, I am spending a short amount of time reading your blog and typing this message. Oh well.
I just remembered that one of my computer textbooks has nearly 1,000 pages in it! Fortunately, we do not cover everything–actually most of it. It has lots of graphics and pictures.
Isn’t that what movies are for? :-) I have no problem with putting down a book without finishing it. In fact, I can’t count the number of times my stigmatism as given me a headache when reading something, I put it down, and never remember to pick it back up (or don’t care to). I guess since I’m more of an action person, I just never cared much for reading. I’ll read something I’m interested in learning about, but for entertainment, there are plenty of things I’d rather do than read. I figure when I’m old anc crust, if I make it that long, I’ll have plenty of time to catch up on my reading. :-)
“old and crusty” I hav o ida ho tha typo happend.
Simon - When I hear that book title, all I can think of is “The Sound of One Man Crapping,” which is sort of funny, because I usually read it while in the loo.
E - I might have to try that author next. Thanks!
John - Long books are harder for me to get into these days. Just too many other things to do.
Chuck - I know you’re picky about what you’ll spend time reading. Maybe I’ll get you some books on tape (well, CD) for the road, you old anc crust. I honestly thought that was short for “ancient crusty” or something too hip for me to understand.