
These two books are kicking my hind end. They’re not bad books, but I can’t seem to get through them. The top one is an epic novel in the style of James Michener. I have no idea why I purchased it. (I bought it years ago) It’s 628 pages of the beginning of Texas (battle between the Anglos and Mexicanos) and then the Anglos and the Nemenah (Comanche) Indians. So, you’ve got two main characters: this guy who was born in Louisiana, grows up and goes to Texas, marries a wealthy Mexican woman, and fights/doesn’t fight for the Anglos in their war of independence of Texas (think Sam Houston, Stephen Austin, etc.). The other main character is this Indian who crosses paths with the other main character, kidnaps his son, scalps a bunch of Anglos, tries to figure out the future for the Comanche (doomed, of course). Blah blah blah…I’m almost to page 400, and there’s a lot of historic detail, but it’s like mud to wade through.
The other book appeals to my idealistic nature: a book about what you can do to change the world. Lots of different ways – through service, money, etc. By rights it’s a wealth of information (plus a bunch of “my presidential library in Little Rock”, “my Foundation”, and “my office in Harlem” name dropping by the author) but it becomes overwhelming. Overwhelming because I think a lot of the things people are out there doing is inspirational, but I don’t have the time to volunteer. My volunteering really has to be for my family at this time. I want my kids to turn out to be normal, confident, smart, good person. Is that selfish?
So, what to do? I made a challenge to read 52 books this year (1 more than last year) and I am mired down with these two. Maybe I’ll skim both to the end and call it a day.
I think my next book should be a “classic” (as that was another goal I set for 2011), but will it be enjoyable? Should reading be about always reading what’s enjoyable? Or should it be to grow your knowledge and experiences, even if it’s not something you particularly enjoy?