The last time I read a book was when I was asked to do a book review. I click through my Google reader instead of turning pages. When I canceled my Sunday subscription to the Boston Globe, which was a difficult decision for me, I surrendered to the fact that I get most of my news updates on Twitter. When I look at the comfy orange chair in my living room, on rainy days, I think about how comfortable it would be to curl up under a lamp with a blanket and my laptop before I picture myself with a book.
Between work, planning a wedding, blogging and trying to maintain some semblance of a normal life, it’s hard to make time for things that have shortcuts – like a call instead of a text, a letter or even a Christmas card instead of an email, and more importantly, reading a book instead of flying through my Google reader.
The one thing that does get me back to print is travel.
You may remember that I like to read newspapers in airports. Time in transit is time when I am unattached and free to put my attention to things that aren’t commitments. While sitting in the airport a couple of weeks ago I encountered a shortcut that can either propagate this behavior or actually serve as a compromise and get me back to reading content that sits on shelves at Barnes & Noble.
It was the Amazon Kindle. Though I have read about it over and over again until a couple of weeks ago it had only been a legend to me. I saw my first and then I saw another and another and another. It’s like when you learn a new word and then all of a sudden all the people around you use it. As much as I love reading an actual book, there is something about the kindle that intrigues me, I think it’s because it’s so sleek.
Whether on a handheld or on real paper, something I want to add to my list of resolutions for next year is to pick up reading again. After reading Lacey’s book review of Japan Took the J.A.P. Out of Me I really want to start there. And in an effort to start small, I have a couple more that I’d like to add to my list. As I’m starting off slow, I’m picking authors that have done me right in the past…
Dry. Augusten Burroughs
Blink. Malcolm Gladwell
We’ll see how far I get. But as I move on, what books are you reading? Got anything good on your Christmas list this year?
Glad you wrote about this! Canceling my Sunday NYTimes subscription is on my to-do list even though I like nothing more than curling up in the winter with the newspaper. I’ve decided Google Reader will suffice and it’ll save me a few bucks.
Also, Blink is an awesome book. I want to read his new book.
I feel like in this conversation it would be wrong to leave out Barnes & Nobles new Nook. Easier to read than the kindle and they allow customers to share books, like we do in paper backs. Reviews are just coming out but I’m really interested!
Reading recomendations from me are Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud, and The History of Love.
This is where we differ. I just can’t get behind the Kindle. No matter how much I love technology, the thought of holding a book in my hand and turning its pages makes me cringe at anything replacing it
As for good books, The Glass Castle is v. good (but v. depressing). Jodi Picoult is always a good, easy read. Water For Elephants is also a good one!
if it is worth knowing, someone will tweet about it
i can give you dry. i own it.