“Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all” -Thoreau
I’ve been in a book club for several years and have enjoyed it very much. I love the women and the conversation, and really look forward to our monthly get-togethers. I wish I loved every book we pick, but sadly, there are some books I haven’t enjoyed. I came to the harsh realization just before Christmas that since joining the book club, I’ve been reading less overall. Looking back, it probably shouldn’t be that surprising. We all have different tastes in books, so the chances of consistently hitting a home run with our choices are slim to none. Instead of cutting my losses and moving on when I don’t like the book, I continue to schlep through, determined to finish if at all possible. The end result is that I often wade through 3-5 pages before bed each night, and then turn my light out before falling asleep from boredom.
For 2014, I’m adopting a 50-page rule for both book club books and other books. If a book doesn’t pull me in by then, I’m moving on. Like many things in my life before having kids, I could not imagine putting a book down before finishing it. In the same regard, I’ve come to leave beds unmade sometimes until noon, left dirty dishes in my sink between meals, and allowed toys strewn all over our playroom for days. As I pass through middle age, I see that time is indeed becoming of the essence, and it’s all about prioritizing.
With this in mind, I’ve polled some friends and gathered my starting list for the first part of 2014.
Last night, I started A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, a classic that I’ve always wanted to read. What is at the top of your list for 2014?
Thanks! Anything you would trade out? Americanah is another one I’ve heard people rave about. I’m keeping this list tight so I will get through it. I’m in a major rut. My daughter outreads me now on a 5:1 ratio, and she reads long books!
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Lindsey Mead (@lemead)
I LOVED the End of Your Life Book Club. So good!
The Suburban Chronicles
Thanks! Anything you would trade out? Americanah is another one I’ve heard people rave about. I’m keeping this list tight so I will get through it. I’m in a major rut. My daughter outreads me now on a 5:1 ratio, and she reads long books!