I rarely get into that situation. I do feel for you, though; it's not a very fun place to be. I have, on occasion experienced what you've recorded here. I deal with it by picking one and finishing it, before moving on. Either that or I mentally assign places for each book; one over breakfast, one before bed, etc.
I find it almost impossible to read one book at a time. I'm usually reading 5-6 at any one time. I guess I just get bored easily! If I find one has been sitting around for way too long, I'll put it in my work bag and leave it there, so I'm not tempted to read anything else during lunch.
I always have two books going at the same time, one fiction and one non-fiction and find that I get through a lot more books this way. I also carry a book with me at all times and so have something to read in free time or when unexpected delays pop up during the day.
Thanks, all, for your comments. I really appreciate your ideas. I've moved the Kevin Brockmeier to the breakfast/lunch table. It's perfect! I wasn't reading Garcia Marquez there anyway, and the magazines can wait. Working from home means I don't have to worry about table manners when nobody else is home! Good idea, thanks.
Ann
Hi Ann-If you do want to post a forgotten book, let me know and I will post the link and you may get some new blog traffic. That was part of the idea-to get all of out of our little blogospheres. Patti
I can hardly ever read just one book at a time. It's not so much that I get bored with one as I just can't wait to get to the next. I usually keep some by the bed and some out in the living room so that I can read even if hubby is already asleep in the bedroom!
I reread "Love in the Time of Cholera" on an international flight last November after having stumbled upon Oprah's paperback edition in the airport bookstore. Even a better read than the first time. Consider what we owe to the translator, Edith Grossman. Her name should be mentioned more often.
In the category of pearls found in strange places, check out the review of the book at amazon.com by one mdbumb@gsbpop.uchicago.edu.
And if you still don't think mdbumb is brilliant after reading that one, look at his or her review of "The Sun Also Rises."
"Revolutionary Road" may be one of the more harrowing reads I've ever undertaken. "Harrowing" is not precisely the right word, but very close.
Ann, I love this post. I'm constantly carrying around two books even tho one is clearly getting more time with me, and I've always got something interesting on my work desk and something else interesting waiting at home. It is a tricky balance to guess which books will be the most rewarding, when there are so many gorgeous blurbs and covers vying for your attention. oy.
Oh, Ann, I'm so fickle! I used to buy a book, read a book. Or take six from the library, and read six. My problems began when the library started having a book sale each year; for a ridiculously low price, you got an entire BAG of books! Well, do that a time or two, and you have the makings of More-Books-Than-I-Can-Read-in-a-Lifetime. (Even if I live to be really, really old!) They're in shelves all over the house, on my nightstand, under my bed, on the coffee table, in the guest rooms...
Bobbi,
I can relate to the books all around the house. But you know what? I am always amazed when I visit someone and there's not a book in sight. I consider my books to be not only future reading, but also decor, insulation, emergency stepstools ... and how can you stabilize that wobbly table without a collection of books of various thicknesses? And if they never get read, oh well...
Thanks for the comment!!
Ann
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