Comments on: Novels: more than clever devices for trapping and holding house dust

By: SharonAshwood

SharonAshwood — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:19:22 +0000

Interesting, Shereen! And isn’t it great to discover something new to enjoy. It’s kind of a winning-the-lottery feeling because I think, in some ways, it’s discovering something about yourself you didn’t know.

To get all profound about it, books are mirrors as well as maps.

I think after that I’d better quit while I’m ahead …

By: Shereen Vedam

Shereen Vedam — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:56:48 +0000

Very profound indeed! I like this idea of “Books are maps.”

I’m at the other end of spectrum of readers from you or Jessica. I read purely for pleasure. If it doesn’t look like it will entertain me, I’m down the road, crossing the street. But I might have to reconsider my choices, because I think you’re on the right path with this theory.

When I returned from the fantasy world convention, it was with a bag full of books. Probably the most I’ve had in a long while. Being frugal me, I got rid of the heavy ones before I left, sent some as Christmas presents on my return, and put a pile aside as “give-aways.” I only kept one or two I figured I’d enjoy.

One day I was stuck with nothing to read. So I picked up a book I would never have chosen myself, simply because it was on top of the “give-aways” pile. I’m well into this one and it’s such a fascinating read (Marseguro by Edward Willet).

Instead of culling the roads I’ll never travel, I’m discovering roads I’ve missed, both as a reader and writer.

Great thought-provoking post, Sharon.

By: Jessa Slade

Jessa Slade — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:08:30 +0000

You’re right. There are plenty of books I enjoyed as a reader that just wouldn’t work for me as a writer. Like, um, every book without a happy ending Separating my two selves — reader and writer — has gotten harder for me. I tend to read every story with a ‘how’d she do that?’ eye. I think I should make more of an effort to read some books for pleasure alone.