The Sunday Salon – Starting Books

Published on by Margaret

Sometimes I wish I could just concentrate on reading one book at a time. What usually happens is that I start reading a book and then another one grabs my attention and then yet another one, and another one. Before I know it I’ve started lots of them. Of course I don’t actually read them all at once and often one takes precedence and I spend more time on that one than the others. The problem then is when I’ve finished one I have to start another and so it goes on.

I’ve started reading all these books. The list is not in any order as I don’t keep a record of when I started them.

This has got to stop. Although I have read several pages or even chapters of each when I go back to them I have to refresh my memory and sometimes even start again.

The most shameful one on the list is Les Miserables because I’ve read a big chunk of it. Maybe if I concentrate on two or three – one for reading downstairs and two upstairs (morning and evening) I would do better.

So for the rest of today I’m planning to revive Les Miserables, carry on with Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge and later this evening to continue with The Secret Scripture. Well, that’s the plan, anyway.

24 thoughts on “The Sunday Salon – Starting Books”

  2. I think its a feat to try and read any of Victor Hugo’s books. Not an easy thing to do. I tried reading Hunchback of Notre Dame but never managed to get very far into the book before giving up on it. I know what you mean about having several books started. I have books all through the house that have bookmarks in them. One of these days I will finish them.

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  3. I know what you mean. I have to stop myself from starting new books all the time- there’s always something new to read. Hugo is a wonderful writer and well worth the struggle. :-)

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  5. Kerrie, that’s the problem – I’m not managing to read them! I just keep starting more!
    Kathy, I have the Hunchback, but I daren’t start it.
    Marie, thanks for the encouragement – I still haven’t had time to start reading it today.
    Gautami, I’m so glad I’m not the only one. Sometimes it’s because I can’t decide which book to read next.

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  8. Great post Margaret!
    You’re a marvel when it comes to novel reading because personally I can only read one at a time until it’s finished. I can intersect my novel reading with short stories and non-fiction, they don’t seem to infringe too much, but definitely only one novel at a time.
    Anyway good luck with your latest batch
    Robert

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  9. Yikes! I thought I was bad with two that I’ve started and haven’t finished: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon and Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust. However, that said, I have a hard time focusing on one book. Lately I’ve been doing pretty well in that department: reading one book at a time. We’ll see if I can continue it. With five books (two graphic novels) on my pile for today, we’ll see how well I can do. ;)

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  10. Ha. I sympathise, and sometimes find myself doing the same. It’s the kid in the sweetshop scenario, isn’t it – all those enticing jars, and I end up ramming them all in my mouth at once. One solution, I have found, is to shut myself away for a while.

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  13. My Sunday Salon today is about this too- I only listed 6 books in progress though. One of mine is also a Heyer- Lady of Quality.

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  14. Goodness what a lot of books to have on the go at once! I have managed three or four but no more. And of course when I do that, some get shortchanged I think. Good luck with this stack!

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  15. I do exactly the same thing you do, so I totally understand. I was feeling like I was dragging out Les Mis too long, which is why I decided to just concentrate on that one. Now I’llbe back to juggling for a while. I really like Simenon, and I have the same book–I’d like to start at the beginning now. I really liked the Poppy Adams book, and I also have the Georgette Heyer bio on my pile (not yet started, though). good luck on the pile (especially the Hugo!!). I try and concentrate on two or three and shift books out of the stack, though there are always new ones to take their places!!

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  16. There’s absolutely no way I could keep that many books going at once. I guess I’m a one-track mind kind of girl. I usually just read one at a time. The only exception is nonfiction. For some reason, I don’t have a problem with dipping in and out of nonfiction.

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  17. Have you always done this, Margaret, or does it happen during certain times? You’ve been through a lot lately, and I can imagine it being hard to settle down in all sorts of areas, including reading.
    I’ve had several books going sometimes, but I have just come to the realization that I’ve been fooling myself. I somehow think if I’m reading many at once, then I am reading more books. Nope. I have lately been making myself read one, finish it, and then begin another (unless I decide to drop it) because I found it stressful to have all those books waiting for me. Reading for me is the place of no stress, no rules, no demands. It is the purest pleasure, and I don’t want to spoil it by that feeling of “oh, I’ve got to get going on that book.” You’ll find the rhythm that’s right for you. You’ll know what makes you happy and calm when it comes to reading.

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  18. Don’t you hate to finish several at once? I read lots of books so that I’ll never be without one that is already started.

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  19. I’ve always (well as long as I can remember) had more than one book on the go, but recently I’ve got more than ever. I think you’re right Nan, I’ve been finding it hard to settle down to reading these last few months.
    And sleslie you’re right too I don’t like to be without a book that’s already started.
    Lisa, I can only manage one non-fiction at a time.
    Danielle, I’ve got back into Les Mis – I’ll be reading some every day now.
    Tara, three or four is my limit too – that’s why it’s been frustating recently having started so many.
    Debnance, thank you!
    Jill, I’d feel deprived if I was only reading one.
    Clare D, oh yes it’s just like eating chocolate – I always want one more.
    Unfinishedperson, I haven’t read any graphic novels – I can’t imagine tackling five.
    Robert, I like to slot in short stories – thinking of joining your 100 Shorts Challenge!
    Katrina, thank you.
    Cornflower, Dear Dodie is fascinating and I knew nothing about her except for her I Capture the Castle, which is excellent.

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  20. Oh I totally do this as well. In fact I have about eight or nine right now and they are quite a lot! Like I’ve read more than half of Anna Karenina and then haven’t gone back to it in a few months. I really need to finish it.

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  21. They are a mix of CD’s from the library, Audible.com books on my IPOD, used books I’ve picked up – as well as real library books and real books I’ve bought. Two books a month are for book groups.

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  23. I love reading more than one at a time and I have an amazing memory that allows me to dip right back into a book long after I’ve set it aside (Outlander is coming to mind right now, lol…it’s still on my nightstand with the bookmark around page 500…and I haven’t touched it in almost a year!). I do find that if I try to read more than one book in the same genre, than my late-night reading becomes too confused (like…more than one historical fiction book set during the same time/place…my sleepy mind wanders and I get confused)…so I don’t do that anymore. I read the Quincunx and something else that is escaping me now that I had that problem with….and of course, The Quincunx stayed with me because it is one of my all time favorites! Oh, and to the poster reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay: finish it! I grudgingly read that for my bookclub, and ended up loving it! What a great story.

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  24. Hi, I am trying to find a list of all the books that gladys tabor wrote. I have some but would like to collect them all. Please help…..Dottie

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