Marg, I totally feel you about the reading books you don’t enjoy thing. Somehow I keep doing it, perhaps unconsciously because most of the time I keep thinking something will turn the book around, like some sort of gasp moment but it hardly ever does. The expectation or possibility of something happening plus the guilt from not finishing a book puts me in a predicament where I feel like I have to finish it because I’ve already invested so much time in it. Anyway I tell myself that if I’m not interested after 50 pages then I’ll quit but it’s still a work in progress…. 🤷🏻♀️
Hi Hoang, you sound like my hopeful friend who likes to think the book will miraculously get better halfway through. To be honest, books occasionally do that, so you do need to be careful that you’re not giving up too soon. On the other hand, I frequently abandon books where the characters are just horrid. I love flawed characters but can’t abide spending time with horrible mealy-mouthed characters. I wouldn’t spend time with them in real life, so don’t see why I should invest my reading time. I guess my main point is that there’s no shame in deciding that a book is not for you.
Marg, I am still waiting on my copy of the book as well from library. Guess I will make your granola instead and read another book I like. I don't finish books or go for very long if they do not engage me. Enjoy your trip!
Thanks Sally. I’m having a great time and will include some photos in my next issue. Enjoy your book and granola! I’d love to know what you choose. I’m currently reading a very undemanding book and enjoying it immensely.
Life with Picasso looks very interesting. I don’t know much about Picasso or his wife, but we are hoping to visit one of the Picasso museums while we are in Spain so I will be slightly better informed after that.
My mother was a Scot (Glasgow), and I’m a fan of many things Scottish, including the place, Robert Louis Stevenson, the accent, the kilt, bagpipes and porridge. I like mine with brown sugar, raisins, walnuts and a sprinkling of cinnamon--plus milk. Sometimes I sub maple syrup for the sugar. I can’t wait to hear more from your trip to Edinburgh!
I used to feel compelled to finish a book I didn’t enjoy, but less so now. I couldn’t get through White Teeth and because of the great reviews, felt a little bad about not finishing it. I’m struggling a little with Demon Copperfield. I’m only halfway through and have mixed feelings. Because I hope to be part of your book club discussion, I plan to finish it, but there are many other books I have no guilt about dropping. Life really is too short for guilt. Bon voyage!
I’ve just arrived in Edinburgh and can’t believe I’m here. There’s a wonderful atmosphere with all the different nationalities here for the Festival and the Tattoo of course. There are people everywhere but everyone seems relaxed.
I agree that life is too short to struggle through books you don’t like, but sometimes it takes me a while to get going, so I like to give books a fair chance.
I quite like Peter May's writing. If you have time, go see the Lewis Chessmen in the wonderful museum in Edinburgh. And Scots make the best porridge - even in summer!
We are very close to the Museum of Edinburgh so I will do that. There’s also a Museum of Childhood here as well. I so enjoyed our visit to the one in London.
Marg, I totally feel you about the reading books you don’t enjoy thing. Somehow I keep doing it, perhaps unconsciously because most of the time I keep thinking something will turn the book around, like some sort of gasp moment but it hardly ever does. The expectation or possibility of something happening plus the guilt from not finishing a book puts me in a predicament where I feel like I have to finish it because I’ve already invested so much time in it. Anyway I tell myself that if I’m not interested after 50 pages then I’ll quit but it’s still a work in progress…. 🤷🏻♀️
Hi Hoang, you sound like my hopeful friend who likes to think the book will miraculously get better halfway through. To be honest, books occasionally do that, so you do need to be careful that you’re not giving up too soon. On the other hand, I frequently abandon books where the characters are just horrid. I love flawed characters but can’t abide spending time with horrible mealy-mouthed characters. I wouldn’t spend time with them in real life, so don’t see why I should invest my reading time. I guess my main point is that there’s no shame in deciding that a book is not for you.
Should I say publicly that I was never crazy about his art, but his life is interesting? I hope you do get to visit one of the museums.
I feel the same about Gaudi. 😀
Marg, I am still waiting on my copy of the book as well from library. Guess I will make your granola instead and read another book I like. I don't finish books or go for very long if they do not engage me. Enjoy your trip!
Thanks Sally. I’m having a great time and will include some photos in my next issue. Enjoy your book and granola! I’d love to know what you choose. I’m currently reading a very undemanding book and enjoying it immensely.
I am reading Life with Picasso and the new book of poems by Meg Files. Both of which are very intriguing. Have a great day!
Life with Picasso looks very interesting. I don’t know much about Picasso or his wife, but we are hoping to visit one of the Picasso museums while we are in Spain so I will be slightly better informed after that.
My mother was a Scot (Glasgow), and I’m a fan of many things Scottish, including the place, Robert Louis Stevenson, the accent, the kilt, bagpipes and porridge. I like mine with brown sugar, raisins, walnuts and a sprinkling of cinnamon--plus milk. Sometimes I sub maple syrup for the sugar. I can’t wait to hear more from your trip to Edinburgh!
I used to feel compelled to finish a book I didn’t enjoy, but less so now. I couldn’t get through White Teeth and because of the great reviews, felt a little bad about not finishing it. I’m struggling a little with Demon Copperfield. I’m only halfway through and have mixed feelings. Because I hope to be part of your book club discussion, I plan to finish it, but there are many other books I have no guilt about dropping. Life really is too short for guilt. Bon voyage!
I’ve just arrived in Edinburgh and can’t believe I’m here. There’s a wonderful atmosphere with all the different nationalities here for the Festival and the Tattoo of course. There are people everywhere but everyone seems relaxed.
I agree that life is too short to struggle through books you don’t like, but sometimes it takes me a while to get going, so I like to give books a fair chance.
Wow, lucky you to be there for the Fringe Festival and the Tattoo! I hope you'll write more about it in your next newsletter!
I quite like Peter May's writing. If you have time, go see the Lewis Chessmen in the wonderful museum in Edinburgh. And Scots make the best porridge - even in summer!
We are very close to the Museum of Edinburgh so I will do that. There’s also a Museum of Childhood here as well. I so enjoyed our visit to the one in London.