Summertime reading...

[fajrdrako]

I just noticed a link or article or something out of the corner of my eye, with the headline "Summertime Reading". I've been seeing a lot of that lately, usually with articles that give recommendations for 'what to read on the beach'. And it's usually assumed that a person will read different things in the summer, like thrillers and romances, rather than... Rather than what?

I don't recall ever seeing an article on "Wintertime reading" so I don't know what they'd be talking about.

Which led me to reflect that I don't change my reading habits from season to season. Sometimes I read more, sometimes I read less, but I'm always reading something and my 'to be read' list doesn't vary by season.

Comments

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I agree - I find these articles silly and patronising. Also, why should I want to read x book because some minor celeb is recommending it in the press? (These articles tend to ask various TV presenters, actors & c what they will be reading.)
And I don't go to the beach, in any case: an uncomfortable and boring experience unless it is with a dog!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I only like the beach if I can sit in a boat and watch the beach from afar.

Yeah, perhaps I was picking up on some patronising in the tone of these articles. And they often pick reading suggestions I think of as being light-pretentious: currently popular in literary circles but not really deep and demanding, and not good schlocky fun either.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

And they're all so insufferably trendy; it's as if these are books-as-fashion-accessories, things to be seen with in order to appear fashionable. I have never wished to appear 'fashionable' in that way; I go my own gait.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think everyone who really loves to read does so. There's no way anyone can share the taste of everyone; books are very individualistic things. I think some people just gravitate to the really popular writers - Rowling, Grisham, Brown, and so on, and though they may be individually good (or not), a steady diet of best-sellers would be ultimately tedious. The sign of a real reader is to love books whether they are popular or not - perhaps even to be unaware of relative popularity.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

I allways assumed that it was intended for people who barely read during the year round and only during the summerhollidays. So, summer is readingtime. At least, that is the impression I get from those articles overhere.

Some lists are good, some lists are hopeless.

I don't remember celebrities playing a major part in these, but I might well be missing it. For I don't read the newspapers and magazines that are most likely to feature lists by celebrities.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I allways assumed that it was intended for people who barely read during the year round and only during the summer holidays.

Quite possibly that's the case.

I don't read the newspapers and magazines that are most likely to feature lists by celebrities.

Well, you know, I wouldn't mind seeing some of those lists. I bet some celebrities have good reading lists - Viggo Mortensen, for example, or Hugh Laurie. I'd be curious. But then, I'm always curious about everyone's reading habits. What are you reading this week?

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

What are you reading this week?

eh, well, boring. I haven't been reading anything, I am afraid. I started in an autobiographical book from someone who had a psychosis. I read about 5 pages, was in tears and decided to put it away (and that was only the introduction).

I tried studying, but didn't manage and no calmness/concentration for reading or even watching video or listening to the radio.

So. I did read last week though. I bought and had a first time reading of spirit ring by Lois McMaster Bujold. I did enjoy that immensely. In the span of a short work she showed quite a lot of personal groth in the protagonists and an interesting deviation of the history of the catholic church. If you haven't yet read it, i can certainly recommend it.

Don't know what I will be reading next.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear - if you can't get past the introduction, it's not a good thing!

I've been there: unable to settle to read or watching anything. I never really found a way to deal with that except letting it all run its course.

Ah - Spirit Ring! Yes, I read that, long ago. In general, I don't like Bujold's fantasy as much as her science fiction, but I liked the Renaissance background of that one.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

well, the introduction was also quite said. Or full off triggers. It was written in the 60s and it related about the biggest crime against humanity of that titme and how he was ashamed of the Dutch government for supporting the American whole heartedly. That and the topic of psychological collapse made it quite heavy going. But nevertheless, I would like to read it. The author seems sympathetic. Also, he was a student of siology when he had his psychosis and afterwards managed to become professor of sociology. That is a reasuring thing, like a sign 'hey, it is possible!'.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's impressive when someone can succeed despite handicaps. It sounds like an interesting book.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I don't remember celebrities playing a major part in these, but I might well be missing it. For I don't read the newspapers and magazines that are most likely to feature lists by celebrities.

Sadly, even the broadsheet newspapers do it here.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

Same here. I see that a lot at the library and, quite frankly, I am usually clueless as to what patrons are reading (it's always the more 'popular' stuff promoted by such reading lists, or something that has just had a movie made based on it, or something that was mentioned in some such article) and wanting to recommend a more obscure book to them, at which point they probably think I am a terrible librarian.

At least for now I have the excuse of not actually being a librarian. Still, they usually look at me like I'm an idiot. If only they knew what they were missing...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Mind reading would be so handing in many occupations.