tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570507407569672764.post8642608255516156364..comments2024-03-28T12:36:39.312+00:00Comments on A Reader's Diary: Two depressing books: personal taste, content intention?S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12010038911071421007noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570507407569672764.post-19501940248901177902015-06-26T15:52:07.097+01:002015-06-26T15:52:07.097+01:00You've touched a key point, when we pay for bo...You've touched a key point, when we pay for books we feel more pressured to read them and like them. I feel this occasionally with those books I struggle to read and finish and that have cost money. Our brain is weird it can make us feel guilty over this but then we spend lots on other things with less importance and it means nothing. (books are really high on my "important things" list)<br />Happy reading!S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12010038911071421007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570507407569672764.post-65719257285614286472015-06-25T16:11:58.175+01:002015-06-25T16:11:58.175+01:00I'm coming up fast on 60, so I've had way ...I'm coming up fast on 60, so I've had way more time to read a lot of those books we're "supposed" to read. I also used to compulsively finish everything I started. But age also gives me the luxury of saying with perfect truth, "life's too short for this." And so I can set aside the books I don't want to finish. Even if I've paid for them instead of borrowed them.<br /><br />You're doing great and I admire your ability/willingness to read more broadly. And, really, I found no typos :)Phylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14665665401551658932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570507407569672764.post-11258313762415730642015-06-25T10:44:29.907+01:002015-06-25T10:44:29.907+01:00I truly believe this, Phyl. And yes I also think a...I truly believe this, Phyl. And yes I also think age matters. As we move along in life, everything around us changes in meaning, importance, goal.<br />I totally understand older readers who say they no longer try anything they don't think they'll like. I still do this, whether it's a borrowed book which I read both for convenience and duty - and interest if I'm being honest - or books I collected and feel I should read. I guess some themes are easier to avoid, certain authors you learn to not be interested as experience and time goes by.<br />But I still want to read things I usually wouldn't touch just to prove myelf I can. And I still religiously follow my personal rule of finishing all books. In some cases this is hard to accomplish. I foresee patience running out in a few years though (I'm turning 30 this year) lol<br /><br />Sure age in in our minds as much in out bodies but older people can do and want amazing things. But in this I do feel it changes how I see things.<br /><br />As for depressing books...these two just were the most recent but this has happened to me. I always tell myself why do I bother but there it is, that wishful thinking that that might be THE book that changes the whole purpose of disliking the genre/theme/plot/ concept, etc.<br /><br />Thank you for commenting. Sorry for the typos! I think I got them all, and then.... :/S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12010038911071421007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570507407569672764.post-70713188922841633232015-06-24T14:50:06.881+01:002015-06-24T14:50:06.881+01:00You raise some very interesting questions! Your im...You raise some very interesting questions! Your implication that where we are in life can affect our enjoyment of depressing books resonated with me. For decades I was able to read all over the map and devoured books like "Sophie's Choice" or "The Grapes of Wrath" (two of the most depressing books I've ever read). But could I read those today? No, I don't think so. My life is very different now.Phylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14665665401551658932noreply@blogger.com