Reading Multiple Books at Once
So much to read. So little time.
I have always had such a wonderful relationship with stories. They are, as cliché as it sounds, a respite of magnificent proportions, right? I can delve into a world unlike any other (mostly) and meet its characters, discover its secrets.
But, what my problem tends to be, is that I’m not satisfied with just one world. I horcrux my mind into several different pieces and send each one plummeting down into the depths of a different story. I’m currently reading so many good books all at once. Here are the three that I’m thinking about most right now:
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I read this at LEAST twice a year. Phenomenal.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini. Research…strictly, research.
When she Woke by Hillary Jordan. Futuristic dystopian spin on The Scarlet Letter. So far? Fantastic.
Two fantasy and one dystopia mixed with romance mixed with social justice stuff - very strange mix. Once you add in the many others that are in my rotation, it gets even more bizarre. But, I want to bring up the idea that not many people like to read more than one book at once. I’ve heard from friends, family, co-workers that they like to sink into one story until it is “finished” before picking up another one.
To that, I say…what?!?! FINISHED? What does that even mean? So, after reading a book, you’re just done with it and you move on to something else and you’re just finished? No way.
When I get to the last page in a book, I’m not finished. I hold onto that story long after it is placed lovingly back into my bookshelf. And even though I’m neck deep in another story moments later, that story is still with me. And, to tell you the truth, I am all the better for it. The dragons and fairies from my fantasy books come with me into the dystopia and give me company. And then, when I write, I have so many characters and settings and themes and ideas just bouncing around everywhere, ready to be emulated (fancy, guilty word for copied).
There is so much literature in the world. So many stories. I want to know them all. They are great friends of mine as well as fuel and inspiration for me to create something to one day join their ranks.
“Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly”
― Cornelia Funke, Inkheart