I just started reading a new YA novel. And I’m hooked. For a normal person this wouldn’t be a problem. For me it is detrimental. See when I’m hooked, like I’m hooked with this book, I keep reading and reading and reading. Laundry needs folded. I read instead. My lunch needs packed. I read instead. Bedtime arrives. I read instead.
This time, I tell myself, I’m going to put down the book. Walk away. Be responsible. The story will wait for me. But I don’t want to wait. I want to know the story. I want to know the story now.
This has been a life long issue. In middle school, I rearranged my bedroom, strategically placing my bed so the hall light lit the pages if I angled my book just right. After good nights, I pulled my book from under the covers and turned the pages. I knew then (just as I know now) that I should shut the book. Turn away. Wait for the story.
But I would much rather read a few more pages and drink an extra cup of tea in the morning.
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I’d love to share the title with you, but the book ended up being not-so-good. I was disappointed. Still I skimmed the middle 100 pages and flew through to the end.
All of that to say, I’m not telling the title because then you might buy it and waste your money too!
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So true. I often find myself saying, just to the end of the chapter. Only, I end up saying it over and over until I reach the last page and realize that I should have been in bed long ago! It’s so hard to put down a good book.
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Boy…we really are a lot alike…. 🙂
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I”m with you ruth. When my copy of Because of Mr. Terupt came in the mail I read right through dinner. I just spent an hour devouring Ninth Ward. I can’t stop.
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That’s funny! I purposefully stop reading my favorite books so I can make them last longer…I tell myself, “Save some for tomorrow!” I love being in the middle of a book where I’m all comfy with the characters.
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That’s exactly how I was with The Help and The Hunger Games series which I finished last night at a very late hour–Mockingjay had been calling my name all weekend but I had chores, papers to grade, my kids to love on, and basketball to watch, Bible study to catch up on. What to read next? Oh yeah, I have a pile by my bed. Miss you friend!
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I can completly relate. I can remember long nights reading by the book light. I still spend many late nights reading and looking at the clock. The voice in the back of my head screaming that it’s time to sleep but my eyes continue to scan down the page. This is why we teach children how powerful reading can be…and how addictive. Happy reading, and please share the title with us.
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I guess that’s why you’re a writer!!! You are so driven!! What do you owe that to?
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My daughter does this. She reads and reads. I’m wondering if your kids will be doing the same in the near future. Love your enthusiasm that comes through. I love the varied sentence lengths like “Be responsible” and your voice in “But I don’t want to wait.” Sounds like an avid reader!
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Racing in the Rain (What should have been my Sunday post!)
http://writenowtroup.blogspot.com/2011/03/racing-in-rain.html
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First of all, WHAT are you reading? Secondly, I have the same problem and fully understand the tendency to read long past the time you should stop. I tell my students I worry about what the characters are doing while I’m gone. I’m afraid I might miss the party! Some think I am crazy, others get that knowing glint in their eye.
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Wow, I love how you angled your bed in middle school to get the hallway light! What a dedicated reader you are! My problem is that when I start reading books I like, I stay up all night to finish it!
–jee young
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Ditto all of the above. I liked all the details! Sometimes I get an extra copy of the book if I can so I can leave one at school in case I have a few minutes to read. I hate to carry the book around, fearing I might leave it at work.
A ‘slice’ question. In the drawings for prizes, should people enter all the drawings or choose only the one in which they are interested?
Thank you for an awesome time this month!
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I’m right there with you (with my trusty book light). My husband woke up last night at 12:30 and said, “Stop reading. Go to sleep.” But I told him I couldn’t…I *had* to know the story and I knew I’d worry about the characters if I went to sleep then. There’s just nothing like a great book!
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I am so right there with you. Don’t even want to think about the deeds/misdeed my boys have engaged in while I have been lost in a book!
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I also know that feeling. It’s too hard to wait for the story when the story is right there waiting for you to continue reading! Love the way you tell this slice, including the title! I’m hooked already! But you will have to share the title of this great book! (Like I need to add another title to my must read list!?!) I just gotta know! Do tell!
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I can totally relate to what you’ve written. But I also want to know the title of the book that has captivated you so! Please do tell!
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I unerstand this now, but there was a time when I wouldn’t have. I wish I had known about this when I was young. Reluctant readers have no idea what they are missing! Thanks for sharing! Happy Slicing! I can’t believe we are nearing the end of this monthly slicing. This has been a ride!!!!!!!!!
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