I'd Rather Be Reading

After an incredibly long and frustrating reading rut, I finally broke through with a book I really enjoyed!


I was hesitant to read this book because I had read Anne Bogel's first book and didn't like it very much. But I was seeing a lot of people online raving about her new book, and I loved the cover so much, that I decided to give it a try anyway. The book is only 149 pages long so I figured I didn't have much to lose. I'm so glad I took a chance on this book because I loved it!

Right from the first chapter, I found myself nodding my head in agreement as the author discussed books we feel like we should read and the books we secretly love but are embarrassed to admit to. The first book that sprang to mind was War and Peace. I've tried to read it about three times now because it's a classic and I feel like I should appreciate the classics, plus I've always been curious about the book ever since I was a kid and I watched Happy New Year, Charlie Brown and his teacher assigned it to him for homework over Christmas break. But that book was so boring that my brain refused to retain even the most basic facts about the book. If anyone ever asks me to tell them about the plot, my response would go something like this, "Well, there was war. . . and then there was peace."

What I learned from trying to force myself to read that book three mind numbing times is that trying to force yourself to like a book you don't like is just like this:


It's like trying to drag a wheelie cart, loaded with a heavy burden, through the snow.  It's exhausting and a total waste of time. On this point Anne Bogel and I appear to be kindred spirits! We also agree that people should embrace reading books that we love but are embarrassed by. Like this book, for instance:


Yeah, that's right, I love a book called Separate Beds. The title alone makes me cringe. The plot sounds like it's straight out of an episode of Days of Our Lives. And the story is set in 1985 so there is actually a character in the book who wears a cinnamon colored tuxedo with an apricot colored shirt under it to his wedding. But I can't stop loving this book no matter how many flaws it may have. The heart wants what it wants. These things can't be helped.

There are so many wonderful parts of I'd Rather Be Reading that this would become the longest blog entry in history if I told you about them all. Suffice it to say, the book took me on a wonderful trip through my reading past, the good, the boring and the mortifying. And I loved ever minute of the journey!

Comments

  1. That's a great post! I've seen this book around but haven't got a chance to read it. Will keep this book in mind.

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  2. Thanks for visiting me:) I have a stack of books waiting to be read. You would think Winter would be a time for me to get started. Enjoy your day dear friend, HUGS!

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    1. Me too! And I think this was one of my favorite books about reading!

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  4. Sounds interesting. Sadly of late I haven't been reading much preferring to craft.

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    1. I go in stages with my reading as well. Sadly in my case, when I'm not reading it's because I'm watching TV.

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  5. This sounds delightful. I've been reading like crazy since the new year. But I will admit, some are guilty pleasures!

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  6. This looks like a book I'd enjoy. I'll add it to my TBR stack. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  7. Totally agree. We shouldn't force ourselves to read boring books, even if they are classics, and we shouldn't be embarrassed to love embarrassing books! Sounds like I'll have to check Bogel's new book out. I have her first one sitting on a shelf, but I still haven't cracked it open.

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    1. I read her book Reading People and didn't care for it. It just wasn't what I expected. I thought it was going to be about people who love to read but it ended up being about how to understand people better.

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  8. I love this post, Angela. I didn't care for some of LaVyrle Spencer's books but I read two of hers twice (and would be embarrassed to tell anyone that. One is Bittersweet (set in our area) and the other is Morning Glory. If you ever get the chance I loved them both- Especially Morning Glory.
    I have mulled through War & Peace and finally gave up. I have decided at this point in my life I don't HAVE to read something I started (I hate to even think that). If I am 1/3 of the way through and book and feel no connection it goes back to the library or the thrift store.

    Have a wonderful night- xo Diana

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    1. I don't know if I've ever read Bittersweet or not. I'll have to check. But I have read Morning Glory and I liked it a lot!

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  9. I'm eager to buy a copy of this book! Every blogger I know has raved about it, so I hope I'm not disappointed. One book that I've read, but am a little embarrassed to say I loved is The Bridges of Madison County. Oh, it was so good and so was the movie.

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  10. Thanks for visiting Nanaland today Angela. I love to read but I have been having trouble finding really good books. Thanks for sharing this book. I decided when I turned 50 that I would not "make" myself read books that did not interest me.lol If they do not pull me in in 50 pages, they are toast.

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    1. What type of books do you like? I might be able to offer some suggestions.

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  11. I'm glad you found a book that you liked. I've been reading a lot of good books lately.

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  12. I haven't seen this book before! And, as avid readers, it seems this is written for us! I know I have some guilty pleasures, and feel the same way about War and Peace! Although I did get through Anna Karenina. I have listened to several classics, and I find that format sometimes works better for me. Thanks for the recommendation.

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    1. I made it all the way through Anna Karenina as well! I'll have to try a classic audiobook. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  13. I feel like this is a book I would totally enjoy! As an avid reader, it's hard to find books that really *stimulate* my senses these days - perhaps I've read too many?! - but I think a book ABOUT reading might be just up my alley. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I went through a reading rut a few months ago where every book was just okay. I hope you break out of your reading rut soon!

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  14. I am a bit in a reading rut too. I have yet to finish a book in 2019 although I have two half started!

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    1. I hope you are able to break out of your reading rut soon!

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  15. Thanks for visiting me! I enjoyed this post and could totally relate. I've forced myself through a few books just because they were best sellers and was so glad to finish them. Then others are so good you can't put them down. I will have to look for Separate Beds. :)

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    1. You're welcome. I was happy to visit. And thanks for stopping by my blog as well!

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  16. I don't read books as much as I should and I surely have trouble sticking with a book that doesn't interest me. But I do stick to books that build up and stick to good morals. Thanks for your honesty.

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    1. You should probably skip Separate Beds then. The people in that book have soap opera-style morals.

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  17. Thanks for stopping by my blog Angela.

    Reading ruts can be frustrating. I am glad to hear that you broke out of yours. This book sounds so interesting. I tend to like books about reading,. I have also heard good things about Bogel. I may give it a try this year.

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  18. I read this one last year and really loved it, too. But then it's hard not to love a book about books and reading. Great review! :)

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  19. Aw, I'd Rather Be Reading sounds delightful.

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  20. YES! So much this! (And it really speaks to my soap-loving heart too. I know I "should" be watching like Black Mirror, but let me just rewatch Lucky and Liz for the thousandth time, okay?!) I just got out of a lengthy reading rut with a book about WWII, which is definitely not what I would typically choose, but c'est la vie!

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  21. I would rather be reading as well. I need to make a goal to read x amount of books per year.

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  22. Thanks so much for coming by to wish our son a happy b'day.
    I take my reading by spells...I haven't read a book, tho, in almost 2 years....

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  23. I so struggle with books if I have to think too hard. I have tried to read All the Light I Cannot See so many times and still haven't finished.

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  24. Hi Angela! It's great to meet you, thank you for visiting my blog :) I enjoyed your post very much, and the book you mention has piqued my interest as well. I don't read much at all, but in the past I was an avid reader. I have never read War & Peace either, lol... Enjoyed your review of this book :)

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  25. I loved your comparison about reading a book you don't like! So very true and wonderfully put!

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