A few years ago I decided not to keep all my books. They were taking up space and, really, was I going to read them all again or were they just for show? So I kept the ones I loved, the practical ones and ones I hadn’t read yet. And whenever I bought and read a new book, I gave it away afterwards.
I did a book audit today.
Physical books:
Light in August, William Faulkner:
Nearly finished. Found in a charity shop and an attempt to see if I love Faulkner as much now as when I was a student. It’s been nearly 30 years between readings and I have experienced almost the same feelings this time. The world he describes is as alien to me now as it was then and I get lost and awed in the same places. Read daily before sleep.
The places that scare you, Pema Chodrun:
Half way through. Pithily written and wise. It’s in short chapters and each describes a practice, so a good book to pick up and put down as suits. It’s been mostly put down lately.
Corporate Escape, Maite Baron:
Intro and first chapter. I met Maite at an Escape the City event; we were two of perhaps four people over 45 there that night. We had a good chat and she gave me a copy of her book. I started to read the book on the train home. I like the style and tone. It’s a book about career change and reinventing yourself, full of exercises. I’m not sure I can read a book on career change at the moment, so this one is languishing.
Audio books:
The Casual Vacancy, JK Rowling:
A third of the way through. It’s a savage book so I have to be in the right mood for it. Listen to this on the bus sometimes.
What’s Stopping You? Robert Lelsey:
Half way through. I like the key message of accepting and working with your fear of failure instead of denying it. It plays very fast on my elderly iPod so it’s not the most relaxing of experiences. A lie down and listen to book.
Kindle books:
Vagina: A New Biography, Naomi Wolf:
6%. I saw Naomi give a talk and bought the book the next day (conveniently no-one can see what you’re reading on a Kindle). So far, so interesting.
Find Your Power, Chris Johnstone:
70%. I attended a resilience workshop that Chris ran and the book is wonderful. Not finished, mind.
I won’t list the four books I need to read for a course I’m on as I haven’t started them yet.
I love reading. I love books. I love ideas well expressed. I love to learn and to be transported by story and poetry.
However.
It might be time for a book sabbatical. Sometimes when I go into bookshops I feel overwhelmed by other people’s words.