Stuck
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?
February 20, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I recommend not finishing them. Why can’t it be about growing your knowledge and experience AND be enjoyable. Just because these aren’t doesn’t mean that all books like them aren’t. Maybe its the writer. I love Michener style books, but only when the author has the right style. I don’t actually like books written by Michener himself and have never made it through one, I’ve only tried three and pretty much decided that he wasn’t an author for me. I love Rutherfurd however and he’s basically doing the same thing as Michener. Its the same with classics. Often I enjoy them but its more about who wrote them and their writing style then about the stories themselves which originally draws me in.
Maybe put them aside for a little while and read something different. Come back to them later one at a time and see if it makes any difference. Perhaps your just bogged down with both at the same time or with knowing that you haven’t enjoyed them so far and it makes you less likely to want to pick them up.
February 20, 2011 at 4:39 pm
I had run into the same problem at the end of last year, and ended up abandoning the books I was stuck on. Life is too short for bad books. Or good books that just don’t do it for you?
How about an enjoyable classic? I reread Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey” a few years ago, and while I had hated it when I first read it, it made me laugh aloud when I reread it. I thought it was a wonderfully witty book.
April 20, 2011 at 2:33 pm
I have a hard time getting though certain books sometimes too. I don’t know what it is, sometimes, I’ll even get 3/4 of the way through one and just completely lose interest. Think of them like a WIP – if it is not going well, it won’t help to finish it! heheh.
As far as volunteering/doing things for the greater good – I’m a firm believer that no matter who you do good things for, it will always be helpful. I think focusing on your kids is a great idea. I look at it as helping a lot of people in a little way, or helping a few people in a big way. Either way you are propelling goodness in the world.
Hope all is well in Illinois.