I always feel a sense of hesitation
and trepidation when it comes time to choose a new title to read.
There's never enough time to do all that I wish, so why would I want
to want to read something that I didn't enjoy? This makes sense
practically as well: if I don't enjoy reading a book, I am less
likely to invest the time and focus needed to understand it as well
as possible. I would miss the little details that might redeem it in
my eyes – so knowing myself, it's important for me to find
something that draws my interest from the start.
These ideas, of course, were vital to
consider when choosing an independent reading novel. Of the list
provided, I immediately recognized only a few: A
Clockwork Orange, The Poisonwood Bible, as
well as classics including Pride
and Prejudice.
Based on their summaries, a few others jumped out at me: After
Dark
appeared to have an interesting style, while Lost
City Radio
had a unique setting that I believed would make for an interesting
story. Ultimately, based on the recommendation of friends and my own
curiosity I chose to read A
Clockwork Orange –
hopefully, it will work out for me!
I thought similarily when I was selecting my book (I chose Catch-22). I knew that Catch-22 was known as a "modern" classic and a book that most high schoolers have read by graduation, so I suspected that the book was going to good. So far it has been weird (to say the least), but then again I'm only on page 25. Hopefully both of our books will turn out to be good! Let me know how 'A Clockwork Orange' works out for you - I may read as my second book! :)
ReplyDeleteI feel illiterate- I only know Pride and Prejudice from that list you mentioned. I, like Rohin, am also reading Catch-22 but mostly because I have heard of it before. What is A Clockwork Orange about? Also tell me if it would be a solid choice for book #2.
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling all too well. I can just never find the time sit down and have a good read. Now this may partially due to me having a very picky taste in books, but I digress. For my novel, I chose "Crime and Punishment" because the moral implications of the premise really jumped out at me. Axe-murder is a good motivator in getting me to read a book.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have already read "A Clockwork Orange". That book'll be right up your alley, Dustin. I thoroughly recommend it.
I used to experience anguish over selecting new books too; however, I've recently given myself permission to stop reading a book that I don't like. There's too much out there to read, so why should I force myself to finish something I hate. Yes, it feels a little like giving up, but it's actually fairly liberating. And I find myself reading more.
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