My first thought was 'Good for her' but then I started wondering about the quality of her reading experience. I don't know about you, but there are some books that I love to linger over, to really take my time and enjoy them. These tend to be the books that give me a 'reading hangover.' You know what I mean: you finish the book and the story lingers with you, making it so that you are at a loss as to what book to pick up next. It can't possibly live up to what you just finished, so why bother?
I don't want to sound like a reading snob. I won't deny that I read plenty of 'potato chip' books, those that are tasty and fun and go down quickly. I love those books, but they don't make me pause. I don't take those characters into my heart or find myself thinking about them in an idle moment as if they were my friends. The 'potato chip' books are great, but it's the 'steak and potatoes' books that really make reading worthwhile for me.
How about you? Do you move from book to book to book, or are there some stories that really make you stop?
You're right, my first reaction was, wow, she read more than me!
ReplyDeleteBut I do think there's something to recommend reading slowly, savouring, and thinking about what you're reading.
How's that Neil Gaiman addiction treating you? :)
DeleteWonderful! Trying to get my dad into the Sandman series so he can help me, uh, afford them...
DeleteYes, I read that fast, but I also stop and think and write mini-reviews about the main ideas before I go on. ; )
ReplyDeleteMini-reviews, huh? Interesting idea... :)
DeleteI hate the steak and potatoes books because they make me feel like I can never live up to that standard.
ReplyDeleteThey are immensely more satisfying to read though!
True--the trick is not to compare, because it can be disheartening!
DeleteI like a mixture. Full-fat and the light versions. Really depends on my mood. What I love, regardless of chewability, is a story that engages me, the kind where I keep reheating the bath water because I'm too engrossed in the story to put it down long enough to get out of the tub. That, to me, is a great book. :)
ReplyDeleteChewability--lol! I tend to agree with you--a mix is always a good thing.
DeleteWhen I am stressed and not in the best of moods I like to read the "fluff" type books. The kind I don't remember after I close the book at the end. They lighten my mood while reading them. The rest of the time I like really good stories. The longer the better. And series books are even better still as I get very attached to the characters and want to keep reading about them.
ReplyDeleteI love a good series!
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