Isn't it a relief when you finally turn the last page on a book you have struggled all the way through? I stayed up late last night just to knock over a book I had laboured over for about a month.
I feel like I've accomplished something (albeit a small something) by sticking at it, although I can't say the book has particularly enriched my life (apart from introducing me to the word "spaving"), so in a way I've just been wasting time. But I do feel lighter and happier for getting it off my bedside table and off my mind and making room for a new, hopefully more enjoyable book from the pile on my coffee table. Hmmm...which will it be...
Many wouldn't bother slogging on through a book they're not enjoying, but I'm a book finisher by nature. There's only one book I've started but failed to finish and it sits on my bedside table taunting me with its unfinishedness. One taunty book in my life is enough. Perhaps it wouldn't bother me as much if the book hadn't been highly recommended by a friend? Or if I'd borrowed it from the library instead of buying it? Maybe not finishing it needles me because I'm the type who gets a buzz from crossing jobs off my 'to do' list - and that damn book is a job that will never be finished.
I feel like I've accomplished something (albeit a small something) by sticking at it, although I can't say the book has particularly enriched my life (apart from introducing me to the word "spaving"), so in a way I've just been wasting time. But I do feel lighter and happier for getting it off my bedside table and off my mind and making room for a new, hopefully more enjoyable book from the pile on my coffee table. Hmmm...which will it be...
Many wouldn't bother slogging on through a book they're not enjoying, but I'm a book finisher by nature. There's only one book I've started but failed to finish and it sits on my bedside table taunting me with its unfinishedness. One taunty book in my life is enough. Perhaps it wouldn't bother me as much if the book hadn't been highly recommended by a friend? Or if I'd borrowed it from the library instead of buying it? Maybe not finishing it needles me because I'm the type who gets a buzz from crossing jobs off my 'to do' list - and that damn book is a job that will never be finished.
Bubble girl
I was gripped by glee today because the two T-shirts I ordered online about a month ago finally arrived in the mail. Yay! I don't get much in the mail these days besides bills so the arrival of something eagerly anticipated is a delight.
There are many levels of glee here, however. I ordered the T-shirts from a site called RedBubble, a virtual artist community/art gallery I stumbled across one day by chance. It's an absolutely fantabulously awesome site packed to the gills with cartoons, drawings, paintings, photography and digital art created by thousands of artists. You can buy the designs on T-shirts and as greeting cards and wall art. You can comment on the works and buy stuff (at pretty reasonable prices) and you can join up and sell your own art too. I've spent hours just browsing through it all.
I love the idea that I am helping unknown or emerging artists and designers to make money from their passion. I also get a kick out of knowing I am one of only a handful of people - possibly the only person - in a city of 4 million people who owns that T-shirt.
Here's what I got -
Dgz gorgeous by DellaGunz
(on a black T-shirt)
(on a dark pink T-shirt)
Check out www.redbubble.com. You won't be disappointed! And you'll have a parcel in the mail to look forward to.
And finally...here's one of my new pairs of specs, as modelled by my rubber band ball.
Are you a book finisher? Have you got anything cool in the mail recently? Anyone else have a rubber band ball? Did you have a look at RedBubble? Whaddya reckon?
9 comments:
Gosh, I'm really not a book finisher. Life is too short to slog through something that is giving me nothing.
I do go back and try books again, though -- I had to start Frank Herbert's Dune three times before I finished it at the age of 15. Jane Eyre took three goes (one at eight, one at 21 and one at 25).
i have yet to finish Watership Down (started at around age 8 i think) and Wuthering Heights (numerous attempts through the years)
generally though i do push through, sometimes with surprisingly pleasant results...
current bedside table reading matter alternates between 'The Age of Madness: The History of Involuntary Mental Hospitalisation' and 'Ethical Issues Relating to Life and Death'...sounds awful, but actually very interesting...mainly in preparation for an upcoming unit on Practical Ethics.
Last *normal* book i read was 'Eat Pray Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert, purchased at LAX to stave off the boredom of a 12 hr lay-over. it worked too :) have you read it? sounds like it might be your cup of tea...
I am also a book devourer (is there such a word!). There is only one book I didn't finish and that was Moby Dick because, if I'm honest, I was bored with it!
I am rather picky with what I read though - I'm with Clare, life's too short to spend hours on something that bores me.
PS here from Remarkablogger
Hi Clare. Yes, I suppose life is too short to read dud books, especially when there are so many wonderful books you could be reading instead. But then, as Victoria points out below, sometimes you can be unexpectedly rewarded for your perseverance.
I won't be going back to try to finish my unfinished book. It's a non-fiction book and quite tough going for my brain. I've forgotten most of what I have already read, so I'd have to go aaaaaallll the way back to the beginning. Can't do it.
I saw a book at the library called So Many Books, So Little Time which deals with issues like this. Another book to add to my Must Read List!
Hi Victoria. Something tells you probably aren't going to get through Watership Down. Maybe get the DVD instead.
Your bedside reading doesn't sound that awful to me. Maybe that's because I've transformed my reading diet from fiction to non-fiction stuff. I suppose reading for study purposes doesn't allow you the option of abandoning a book that doesn't grab you (if you want to do well, anyway!).
I haven't read Eat Pray Love (I think the word 'pray' in the title put me off) but if you recommend it, I'll have a look.
Hi Tara. Good to see you!
I'm impressed you find time to devour books with two kids, part-time work and blogging. I guess when your spare time is scarce and extra precious, you really don't want to fritter it away on boring books.
The more I think about it, the more I realise I need to learn to deal with unread books, because I usually have low grade stress as a result of information overload. Jettisoning books that aren't adding any value to my life is surely a good place to start with overcoming it.
But then...I do enjoy most of the books I read!
Will shut up now and pop over to have a look at your blog now.
Hey, I am not a book finisher - if it is not fabulous by page 100 then it's dunzo for me and goes straight to the charity shop. Followed by a 4 letter word... NEXT.
I just checked out the redbubble site, I was a graphic designer for 11 years, but now I work in real estate, I may put some of my graphic work up there, keep the old creative thoughts flowing. Thanks for sharing.
Great site by the way, chipper.
Hey, I am not a book finisher - if it is not fabulous by page 100 then it's dunzo for me and goes straight to the charity shop. Followed by a 4 letter word... NEXT.
I just checked out the redbubble site, I was a graphic designer for 11 years, but now I work in real estate, I may put some of my graphic work up there, keep the old creative thoughts flowing. Thanks for sharing.
Great site by the way, chipper.
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