Friday, March 04, 2005

No blogging

I can't blog because I'm reading all the time. I got Plan B, Anne Lamott's new book. I'm trying to read slowly, and restrict myself to two chapters a day so it will last longer. While I'm reading, I have interrupting thoughts like, "The book is ending," "There won't be a new Anne Lamott book for awhile," "This pleasure is fleeting..." It's hard to relax and enjoy the book becuase I so don't want it to end. Her comments about George Bush are bugging me, even though I agree with what she's saying. Other than that, it's classic crazy Anne Lamott.

Any recommendations about how to read a book you don't want to end?

// posted by Jenell Williams Paris @ 9:41 AM

11 Comments:

  • Yes, I don't read them. First, I determine if I'll like it from others, and from reading a chapter here or there. Then I put the book on my shelf and wait for there to be a set of 3 or 4 from the same author. Knowing I have 3 or 4, I can then read 1 not having the thoughts you have. Downside? I have to wait 3-10 years to read that author.

    By Blogger Jimmy, at 10:14 AM  

  • I suppose you could read the book backwards- then when you finished you be at the beginning...

    By Blogger Ben, at 2:43 PM  

  • the most luck i've ever had in making books last a long time is when i read them just before falling asleep. even if they're interesting, i have such a busy life that i have a hard time staying awake for more than a few pages.

    By Blogger pete, at 3:28 PM  

  • first, Jimmy, honey, you don't read anything except theology, which is not the kind of reading a person doesn't want to end. I just want to be clear that your methods are not suited for those of us who read good books.

    Second, can't pace myself, so the best books are over far too quickly. My only joy comes from knowing I will read it again. Still, there are a few books that make me envy those who get to read then for the first time: Owen Meany, Time-Traveler's Wife, Peace Like a River.

    By Anonymous Carla, at 4:22 PM  

  • Jenell,

    Will you tell us more about Anne Lamott's books? I've thought about reading one, just to see why everyone's excited, but am afraid I won't be able to relate. What does she write about and what is her writing like?

    Thanks for any info.,

    Jennifer

    By Blogger B1, at 9:08 PM  

  • here is what I do;
    skip sentences or whole paragraphs, then read it again to see what you missed.'

    You get the gist of the book, but the next time through it is even better.

    By Blogger Doug Pagitt, at 4:36 PM  

  • Didn't even know she had a new book. Will have to get it. Thanks.

    By Blogger Dan Phillips, at 3:18 AM  

  • Jennifer,
    Anne Lamott's most famous book, Traveling Mercies, and the new one, Plan B, are memoirs. She writes about herself as a kooky, flawed person trying to live as a Christian. It's very grounded in place - in California, in her life, and church and family. She also writes alot of fiction.

    I like her memoirs because she crafts beautiful sentences, and she's funny.

    By Blogger Jenell, at 9:45 AM  

  • i remember having this experience with anne lamott's last book. the whole time i couldn't enjoy it because i knew it was going to end.

    sometimes i save a favorite book for a favorite place so that the two will be deeply fused in my memory. for example, i purposely made myself stop reading cloister walk, so i'd have some left to read on my honeymoon in new york city. dave took a picture of me reading it in a coffee shop so the moment would be captured forever.

    By Blogger jen lemen, at 4:59 PM  

  • This is exactly how I feel during a massage. :)
    Shelley

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:44 PM  

  • what are her comments on george bush?

    By Blogger StorminNormin, at 12:03 AM  

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