"Where do I find the time for not reading so many books?" - Karl Kraus
Here's my small "d" dilemma. I liked "The Gathering" (2007) by Anne Enright enough to read more by this prodigiously talented author. But my list of authors to read again is so out of control. How do I prioritize? How many authors are on your list? How do you prioritize? Help!
My dilemma has lately produced an odd side effect. When encountering authors with simply serviceable craft, a kind of perverse relief ensues as I recognize their back catalog - or future work - is not going on that ever-swelling list of mine. Before you recommend medication for me, first examine your own line of thought when you finish a book and say "meh". After your initial annoyance having wasted your time, aren't you even a little relieved you can scratch that author from your list?
After deciding several years ago to base any future I might have with authors by using my last experience with their work as the sole judge of that future - whether it was my first or tenth exposure to that particular author - I really thought my list would start becoming more manageable. But books like "The Gathering" keep appearing, written by authors new to me. And old favorites like Anne Tyler and new favorites like Jennifer Egan keep not letting me down. Darn it, anyway.
About Me
- Pat Barton
- My most recent single release - "My True North" - is now available on Bandcamp. Open my profile and click on "audio clip".
Do you seriously want ME to help YOU prioritize? After spending time at two libraries today, I came home with four books. I put them in a pile on my desk and walked out of the room. Strange sounds of banging and knocking ensued. When I re-entered the room, three books were on the floor; the fourth was on the desk, standing upright. Presto! I knew which book to read next. You see, Pat, my books love me. They prioritize themselves by fighting for my attention. Would you like me to visit your home library?
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