I have a voracious appetite...for reading and books. OK, if I'm honest I like to eat too, but that's a whole other post; this one is about books and my almost insatiable appetite for them and the reading they provide.
I've always been what I'd call, a reader, right from a very young age and throughout my life have read countless books of all sorts from training manuals, true crime, fantasy, sci-fi, historical-fiction, folklore, military, humour, mythology, narrative non-fiction, biographical and autobiographical, travel and so on; a lot of books.
I buy them new generally, although can be found browsing (and buying) in second-hand bookstores and thrift-shops also. I don't download them though, or read on a device - I can't stand doing that.
Today I took the morning off work for some personal reasons and whilst waiting for some results headed over to the bookshop at the mall, conveniently located across the road from the facility where my appointment was. I wandered about and checked out some books deciding to take a risk on a new author by the name of Mark Lawrence. The book was on a discount table, I hope that doesn't mean it was on sale because it's shit, but I'll soon find out I guess.
I went to one of the café's in the mall, ordered some breakfast and coffee and, because I couldn't help myself, started reading.
I'm currently in the middle of a book by well-known author, Conn Iggulden called Emperor - The Gates Of Rome, although it's not unusual for me to read two books at one time. I read the first chapter of the Mark Lawrence book, called Prince of Thorns, and decided it was not too bad at all...I generally know if a book will suck ass within the first chapter. I'll keep reading, although I think I'll finish the Iggulden book first, it's rather engrossing and I don't want the stories to clash in my mind.
I have a pretty impressive collection of books; I call it my library. Some I have read once and many twice. Some, like Lord of the Rings, just about everything Raymond E. Feist has written and many military books I've read multiple times. I also sell them sometimes, but I do that reluctantly and only with books I know I won't read again...However, I've had to repurchase some a second time over the years.
I'm not one to talk myself up, but one of my best traits, in my opinion, is that I'm widely read, meaning I have read so many books that I tend to have a pretty good grasp on many things which means I'm pretty good at conversing with many different types of people about virtually anything. It's not something I decided to do, it just sort of happened the more I read. I like it though, I think it makes me a little more interesting.
It's not hard keeping myself fed with books, I guess the hard part is finding somewhere to put them all at times, but I manage well enough and there's always room for one, or one hundred and one, more.
Do you have a reading fetish? Tell me about your books, what you like to read and your favourite one in the comments below if you'd like.
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Also love books and reading, although I've gone almost totally digital. I used to have 6 6x8foot shelves filled with books and a few stacks elsewhere. Took up an entire small room. Then I got divorced and moved, and moved, and moved again, then moved out of state, then again, then across half the country. Did a pretty large cut the first time, donating numerous boxes to the local library. Many were technical computer, software, database, programming, etc. books. Then about move 3, I got remarried to a woman that also loves to read, I mean really loves to read, she had just about as many novels and such. Again after our move of 20+ boxes of books, we both decided to try digital. Got the tablets with kindle and have never gone back. Don't get me wrong, I still love the feel of a good book and even magazines, but man the tablet kindle combo is so convenient. Once I adjusted the screen to be more like a book, I like it even more. To have all my books organized, sorted, searchable, and always at my fingertips? synced across devices? Able read if I'm stuck at the repair shop, the airport, on a break in the woods? Yup, I'm down to one last 3x6ft bookshelf of my old favs. Wife is down to two. I haven't bought a paper book in at least 5 years. Love the way my digital library has grown though! Key to conversion is getting a decent size tablet. While phone is ok, the tablet size experience really makes the difference.
Copious amounts of books and moving are not a good match indeed.
I had an iPad (still have it never use it) and read on that for a couple weeks and just didn't like it. I find it's more a strain on my eyes and flicking back pages if I need to is problematic too. Sometimes my books end up with several bookmarks in them for things I want to refer back to and with a tablet that's not as easily done. I guess I'll just keep coming up with excuses for not liking it because I simply don't like it. There's nothing like the feel of a book in the hand and no tablet can match that.
Hmm, maybe a new idea for a tablet, book-shaped!
Definitely agree with the "nothing like the feel of a book in the hand". However, the bookmarking, highlighting text, search capabilities in the Kindle app are incredible. I used it extensively in my tech and educational texts, but also great for highlighting favorite quotes and other good passages in pleasure reading as well. Much better than my old yellow highlighter and sticky tabs or bent pages imho... you can even share your highlights and bookmarks with others should you so choose... I also found the eyestrain until I played with the adjustments a bit. Just saying may want to give it another shot. But yes, still love the book feel (and even smell sometimes).
Oh know, now my yellow highlighter is redundant too? What fresh hell is this? 🤪
I think the feel and smell of books can't be beaten, although you make strong arguments. I actually understand completely, it's just that I'm loath to make the change.
Yes, I do miss my library. It was nice being surrounded by the walls of books. Something comforting about that and relaxing. If my environment hadn't changed, I'm sure it would have just kept expanding. Change and adaptation, that's what we do. Enjoy them as long as you can!
I may be converted to the digital side someday.
Well two moves of 28 boxes will do it, trust me. I hope that doesn't befall you and you have many more years of enjoying the paper! You tree killer. Lol
I'm currently reading Lilith's Brood by Octavia Butler and I love it... I've read her in the past - and some things about her pissed me off. hahaha but she draws me back in still! LOL
I used to read several books at once also. there were times when I was reading 3- 4 at once and though it was SO fun - and really, like you - i'd DEVOUR them... I found that when I did that - I'd forget them a lot more quickly that way. So I try not to read more than one at a time these days.
I see your'e still trying to tempt me with your food... well!!! I'm officially off my fast and can join you for some deliciousness now! hahahahaha
I thought you wrote for WE... but didn't see your post - so I came here instead :)
hope you're weekend is spectacular! I spent way too long writing that post - but i'll forgive you for it since I enjoyed it so much. it jjust might be the longest Hive post i've written? or.. hmm maybe not. but probably up there. LOL
ok - no more hive for me!!!! i need some offline life and maybe some nighttime reading.
oh!!! before i go - yes - I always prefer the hand held books. the smell, the feel of the paper.. the weight in my hands... HOWEVER... I DO HAVE THE OCTAVIA BUTLER on digital hehehe
i do it rarely - as i really do prefer the real thing - but... yeah. sometimes i go with what I can get immediately! LOL and i wanted that one fast. LOL
ok bye :) my daugjhter just said dinner tmie. so i'm running now LOL
I guess liking physical books or not has a lot to do with age, speaking generally. The younger generations are more likely to prefer devices...they're also more likely to have no clue on how to write properly due to those same devices and the rise of AI. I shudder to think how dumb humanity will get in years to come when people have lost their ability to converse in person, create and write for themselves (art also I mean) and have little individuality of thought and deed. It's happening already, and people embrace it and call it technology and progress. I call it assfuckery.
I love to read and can lost for days inside a good book. I use all opportunities to read, even hiding in my own house to avoid contact. Okay, not literally hiding, but, not being immediately available. That sounds a tad selfish, but, I can assure you the proper houses are being worked, household chores are done and nobody is going hungry.
I never got to finish this before I lost the internet, and it is so old, but, seems like I just couldn't win this day.
I do love books, but, I honestly brought my Kindle on this trip. Going so long and would run out of books without a fresh supply. Oh, there are books, but, probably not anything really good. Ss, I am a cheater when I am away for long periods, but, when home, my books rule.
I don't mind sacred selfishness, taking time for oneself, enriching one's own life, reflection, contemplation and finding time to engage with what makes the heart sing. It's not selfish per se.
I see you've been away, not sure how long for, and can totally understand the benefit of a device for reading; it makes sense.
I hope you're having a great time.
That's nice of you to say and it does make me feel not so selfish. :)
I have been away since January 14th and will be back in the US at the end of the weekend. It's been harsh this time as the internet has been bad, I have never had it this bad. So, I stopped worrying about it and relaxed. No sense in worrying a out something that you have no control over.
Is it selfish for a mother to take care of her own health and well-being so that she can do so for her child? Is it selfish for a fireman to spend hours in the gym working out so he or she is better able to perform the job of saving lives and property? (No is the answer).
You're not selfish by taking some time to read, to retreat from society to feel more settled, centred or at peace. You're not selfish to say no to people because what they ask of you doesn't align with your ethics, morals or time frames. It's not selfish to have your own thoughts and opinions even though they may not align with the general consensus. These things and more are human. We shouldn't be made to feel guilty of selfish for them.
Total agreement with everything you write.
I used to buy tons of new books and my personal library was huge. Well, not quite huge by Umberto Eco standards, but still pretty big. Due to moving cost I had to pack up most of it when I moved to Japan. I almost immediately started building another personal library here, but moving around and kids put a dent in that and forced me to sell some. Mores the pity.
These days I do use my Kindle a lot. While I agree with your dislike of ebook devices, I also can't argue with the convenience of being able to have a library without the space constraints and the problems with moving often. So these days what I end up doing is if it's a book I absolutely adore, I buy a physical copy. Usually the best one I can afford, such as with some of the really wonderful LotR editions. There was a really nice edition of Dune a few years ago that I picked up too. A few years ago I found a leather-bound copy of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy complete with bookmark and gilded pages. Really nice.
Anyway, so books I really adore I buy physical copies, but books I am just trying out I'll buy on Kindle first.
It's not an ideal system. Ideally I'd have a huge Victorian-style library, complete with fireplace and easy chair. But it's a system that works with my inter-continental life.
I also love all books of all genres. While I do lean towards non-fiction these days, I still read plenty of fiction. You ask for favorites... everything? Hmm.. I like Blyth for his writings on Zen and haiku. I read and reread his books. I like most things Keene wrote about Japan. His history books were full of info but not well written, but his books on Japanese literature were all wonderful. I adore Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, as I think I mentioned in a comment to another post you wrote when you used a quote from that book. Oh and I could go on and on, but let's jump to fiction: besides Tolkien and the first three Dune books, which may be kind of a given for many bookworms, I like almost everything Asimov wrote. All his books were great. Bradbury, whom you quote, is another favorite. I never got as much into Clarke as many others, but I did generally all the books in his 2001 series and a few others
Last time I was in the States I had the luck of being there when a library sale was going on. I'm looking at my stack from that sale which is sitting in a pile at the foot of my desk. I was limited by travel so I couldn't buy a lot, but I couldn't resist buying a few. The stack: John Adams by David McCullough, Poland by James Michener, Burr by Gore Vidal, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse (it's a collection of 5 of the Jeeves novels), and the Fagles translation of The Odyssey.
Moving around makes it difficult I guess, books can be heavy. But you got lucky with that library sale though for sure.
I think we have a similar approach to books and what we read although, in truth, I don't care about the genre, if it captures my attention/imagination I will read it. I don't get those people who say, *I'd never read romance or history or whatever. Have you tried it is my answer.
The Trilogy of Thorns are my favorite books and I am sure you will love them! The depth of these books is insane and Jorg's journey for revenge gets more and more exciting. This is the kind of book that when you finish you just think wow.
I've heard it's good and I'll find out for myself in the coming weeks.
Thanks for commenting.
Although I'm not that old, but I have plenty of books at home. I think I started my reading habits when I was in 10th grade. All I can remember is that my aunt brought a box of pocketbooks, romance books to be precise. It was like an opener for me to read several books. From that point in my life, I became eager and hungry to read until now. Most of the time, I loved to read something related to health, mind, and self-improvement books. You know, you can really learn and apply them at the same time. !PIZZA
Reading can really capture a person and once it takes hold it's something that generally sticks for life. I know people who say they don't like reading and that's fine, for me it's something that expands my paradigm and brings a lot of enjoyment.
I’m with you on this one, mostly. I do have some downloads (mostly free, out of copyright classics) but greatly prefer paper.
I had a period of a few years where I spent way too much time online (Hive, I’m looking at you) but have gotten back into the groove of regular reading. Lately finishing five or six books a month.
Hmm, funny you say that about Hive...I've scaled back my own posting here for many reasons, and spend that time being more engaged with the real world. It's been good for me.
I would normally read a book a week, but that declined to two a month mostly. I'm rectifying that and focussing on other areas I want to give my attention to.
What sort of books do you read mostly?
I bounce around all kinds of stuff, but lately lots of crime fiction — Michael Connelly, Arnaldur Indriðason, Henning Mankell. But bucking that trend, I just started on Patrick Modiano’s Occupation Trilogy.
Ah ok, that's good stuff.
I try not to get too bogged down with one genre unless I'm reading a series. I can get lost in Raymond E. Feist's world quite easily for instance. I feel the broader I read the more I'll know or understand so I keep it fluid.
Well I might just have to read some Feist. Until looking him up just now, I had no idea of the Tékumel connection. A bazillion years ago, I played Empire of the Petal Throne in my wargaming phase. Yeah, more than a phase. I never met Barker, even though we were both local gamers at the same time.
Start with Magician which is the first in a trilogy. Go from ther. Clever, relatable and well crafted. I vouch for it.
I envy your habit and love for reading. I usually don't read that much and I just can't make it a habit. I know I will be something I will definitely enjoy doing, but it's kinda difficult for me.
What I do more often and easily most times is writing. I started with story writing when I was 9years old and around 14-15 years I became bored of writing stories because they were too lengthy. I wanted something simple, I wanted a means to express my thoughts and feelings without eating so many pages.
Then I started writing poetry, back then I didn't know it was called poetry, I just know I'm expressing myself in the shortest way possible.
I have read a couple of stories but reading has not always been my thing.
Maybe it's because I tried reading with my phone, because I can recall all the stories and books I have ever read from start to finish were all hardcopies.
Maybe 🤔🤔
Hmm, someone who likes to write but doesn't like to read? Maybe it's got something to do with having to read on your phone, something I hate doing also. For me, reading opens up the entire world, across the time and space, to me and I love that I can delve into something that I may never get to experience personally, and how books open my mind to new thoughts. It's an amazing thing really.
Thanks for your comment.
Greetings Galen.
I read a lot too, I love all the ones by Osho, Deepak Chopra, Carl Jung, George Martin, and Nicolas Machiavelli, and everything that falls into my hands including the doctoral theses in research that I have to read to evaluate at university every week...
Reading makes me impassive, it is a time when I simply talk when necessary. It makes me invisible, indefinable, and unfathomable. I love the passion I feel when I have the book in my hands, I even use to smell them and hug them lol. I rarely read "a book" on the tablet. I always try to get it in physical.
You cite some interesting authors there, I'm sure there's plenty to keep you occupied!
When you will reach the Gates of Rome, give a ping, since we will be few hours apart and we can settle for a nice "Carbonara Pasta" or "Aubergines Parmigiana" 🤣
I have as well a good (and growing) library in my home. I am mainly focused on self-development, spiritual, financial books and so on.
Since 5 years I started reading 30 minutes every morning, and in this way, I have created a strong basis to learn more things, to stay focused and in silence. At the beginning it was very difficult. Now it's easier but some days I am still struggling to get focused
I've been to Rome and would love to go back. We'll eat some pasta or pizza and tell stories! Should be good huh?
I think reading is important and a lot of the time it doesn't matter what the content is, it all adds value.
It is always a new years resolution to read books, but I just cannot be consistent about it. I envy you for that, mate!
I find new year's resolutions to be a waste of time. Best to set goals and have a plan to acheive each. There's a better chance of success that way.
That's noted, mate.
Well books can't be read on a device, flipping through the pages, smelling the paper is unmatched!
My favorite genre when I was younger was fantasy but I also read a lot of science fiction.; today my favorite genre is the one about personal growth and self-improvement, I also read a lot of manuals and biographies.
In reality I read everything and I too happen to read several books at the same time.
In my opinion, a book is always the best gift you can give!
I read some self-improvement books and then realised that each one basically says the same, or similar, things as all the others but just a little differently. I took what I needed to and moved on as I don't see the point in rehashing the same stuff over and over...best to go out and live life.
Yep, that's something I've noticed too.
Life is always the best teacher, in every situation!😉
Experiences count.
That makes the two for us then. Two of my good habits are reading and writing. Although, I ditched writing some time ago only to pick it up recently, I however didn't quit reading, and it didn't quit me too.
My type of books? I love reading books on spirituality and self-help, I read these to find out more things I can put into practice to better my life. My favorite books so far on this topics are Forty Rules of Love
by Rumi and his poetry collection and the Untethered Soul by Deepak Chopra. I am also an avid fan of Ryan Holiday and his books as well as Napeleon Hill.
I read philosophy and psychology books, as well as books on poetry and art. Recently I have started digging into world war 2 books.
My favorite fiction authors are James Hadley Chase and Sydney Sheldon. I have read almost all their books.
It seems like you've got a few authors you like to read and I think it's good to get some understanding about how to proceed, although, there's nothing like experience, living life itself, to teach valuable lessons. I hope you're making your own way forward and not just deferring to the thoughts and words of others.
Sure, what had been written is already written, but the world changes and so do we, but ancient wisdom seems timeless.
After reading all the Harry Potter series in a month in my teenage years and few other books in that genre, including the Game Of Throne series, i left it for good.
Adventurous books these days have no inkling on me, since they'll be made into movies in no time, with little alterations. it has wash down the hunger to pick any of such book.
I love fituristic books these days, the Blade Runner style.
Two books at a time? i can juggle three.
So, you don't want to read because you think the book will be made into a movie? Hmm, ok, I think you're missing the whole point of reading, but we're all different.
You must be an excellent reader and thinker then, there is no doubt.
I've also got one principle about books too and it is that I don't tear books except I've read it, no a single piece of that book is torn.
They add value to our books I must say
That is really something to boast of... It is really a great thing.
The more you read, the more knowledge you have and then the more interactive you can be
Tearing books isn't the best use of them I guess, and I've always looked after mine quite carefully. I grew up learning respect for the things I have and carried that forward in life.
That is the way it really should be
Books is one of the few things that has a digital copy but still has value, aggregate value, just the fact of sitting down, concentrate, holding the book and enjoy it there something about it that is totally different than read it on your tablet, different than playing a cd or listening to an mp3, same goes for collecting them, I guess when it comes to book it will never get old no matter how many digital versions are, or may be is just me that I was born when smartphones didnt exist
What are your favourite books to read?
Im not a bookworm, my last book was accelerating excellence by james king, it was early last year, I like to read about how we humans behave why things happen, triggers, how to improve based on science not the be positive and work hard speech
You haven't read a book for over a year? Ok, clearly you're not that much into reading. No worries though, I'm sure you do other things.
Yes, Im not that much into reading, I waist most of my free time watching F1, Futbol, Tv Series and movies sometimes, recently start watching rally, when I made my comment about books I never intend that Im in to reading, I meant that because its knowledge they are still kept in hard copy, for those are deep into reading its a passion and I understand that, it was never my intention to say Im into reading
When I was a kid I used to avoid books and reading, anything related to literature. Sports was what I wanted, sports, sports, sports, any type of activity. I was hungry for speed and agility, but when I hit my late teens and early 20s, I became more interested in reading.
Reading about other people's lives, experiences, how they've handled problems and difficulties in their paths. All the sports and activity is still there, replaced by gym iron, or free-hand home workouts, but now there's some mental exercise too, thanks to some of these books that I've collected. Also, thanks to the very few people who've suggested the right books.
Hello! I loved your comment about your love for reading and books. I like that you mention the variety of genres you've read, from training manuals to science fiction to mythology. That is proof that you have extensive knowledge and an inquisitive mind, which is highly admirable.
It's great that you've found a new author named Mark Lawrence and that you're enjoying his book, "The Prince of Thorns." It's always exciting to discover a new author or book that hooks you.
Finally, I agree with you that being an avid reader can make you more interesting and allows you to have interesting conversations with different people. Reading is a powerful tool to broaden your perspective and understanding of the world.
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