I love to read, I’m an unashamed addict and I get the jitters and can’t settle when I’m close to finishing a book and haven’t another one at hand. That usually necessitates a trip to the library or bookshop or some online browsing. Mainly thanks to Twitter, I am now getting way more word of mouth recommendations for books than I ever did in the past and so I keep a list of those I fancy the sound of, and gradually they migrate to my TBR pile. The ones I like, go on my regular blog list of recommended reads. The ones I don’t, I ditch as soon as I realise they are not for me. I read quite fast, usually in the gap between the end of the working day and the start of my TV viewing – and often in the bath. Always when I travel. But lately I’ve noticed I’m sometimes going too fast, scrambling down the page, scooping up the gist of a story, racing to get to the end. I don’t think this is simply because I read a lot of ‘page turners’ and thrillers, I think it’s probably the result of that teetering pile of books I know I’ve still got to read. An insidious pressure (all of my own making I’m sure) to ‘get through’ another title and tick it off. I always bolted my food as a kid and do even now if I’m not concentrating: hungry and eager to fill the empty space but not really savouring the food. This style of reading feels a little like that though I still relish the books and enjoy being wrapped up in the story. But reading is such a joy I don’t want there to be even the slightest stress connected to it. I’m not sure what I can do about it; certain books, with more lyrical or poetic prose, make it harder to gobble them down, the writing demands a slower read but I don’t want to limit my diet, I like to read widely. And I like to spread the word. As do so many of you!
8 thoughts on “Binge Reading”
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Funny, I too get panicked when I only have 1 book left to read. I need to have at least a pile of 12 before I feel safe. And this despite having shelves full of books in y house.
Hello Anne, Of course this is good for us writers and booksellers. 2 or 3 is enough for me but 12! I am wondering whether I need to stop adding to my TBR list and let it become more manageable. But then maybe I will feel I am missing out…
Wondered if you might be able to help with potential binge listening.
Possible you could pursue having more of your titles available on Audible? They seem to have only a couple of the Sal Kilkenny series, and only books 1 and 3 of Scott and Bailey. Absent a more complete lineup, it’s like binging on Oreos, without the filling.
Sorry to hear that. I don’t have any control over getting books onto Audible. But it looks to me like the middle Scott & Bailey is there (Bleed Like Me) and all my recent stand alone titles. Sorry I can’t be of more help but happy listening.
Apparently you do control in this regard. I’m sure “Bleed Like Me” wasn’t available just 3 days ago.
Given such special powers don’t always last, you may want to buy a few extra lottery tickets this week.
Hah hah!
Unfortunately, confirmed that Scott & Bailey (Bleed Like Me) and a number of your other titles are available from Audible, but not to the US.
Was it something we said ? Still peeved about that Revolution thing ?
The world (of publishing) works in mysterious ways. There is probably some contractual reason why but I couldn’t tell you what it is. Sorry again. Frustrating to know there are readers wanting books and not able to access them.