It is the time of the year when I do an honest revision of my book stack, a clean out of my Goodreads and Audible Want To Read lists, crafting projects I would like to get to this year, and my annual re-dedicate to practice. While reviewing my Goodreads/Audible wish list I am very ruthless – if I can’t remember anything about the title when I first read it without looking at the details, it automatically gets deleted. If it has not been an impression on me, then I don’t need it. I always feel more tidy and less overwhelmed after this purge.
While talking to my friend Amy, the other day about books we are reading or plan to read, she mentioned the book club she is currently in. They are reading the first two a court of thorn and roses books. She has been told that you need to read the second book to really understand the first one. I don’t understand. A book should grab you at some point and compel you to find out what comes next. You (and Amy) should not have to read another book to enjoy the first book.
I reflected while driving home that being told to read an allegedly good book is the reason I don’t join or enjoy book clubs. I don’t mind reading books, poems or plays for school. I don’t mind reading to be like ‘hey let’s talk about this book or hey this is a good book for XYZ reason.’ However, I don’t want to read a book just because everyone else is reading that book. I did not read Twilight or Shades of Grey. I did not continue reading a court of thorn and roses because I read the first two chapters and did not like where it was going.
It is also for this reason that I’m not great at large scale knitalongs. Upon reflection, also why I was a poor student in Ravelry’s Illvermorny School of Magic; proud Horned Serpent alumni. I like to knit with small groups of like-minded people, not hundreds.
I don’t want to let anyone have that much control over my time. Perhaps I am becoming a cranky old lady if so, I’m looking forward to it. I shall listen to my cozy, fantasy, RPG, murder mystery, romances and crochet support chickens.