11.14.2007

Broken Brain



I have loved to read since about fifth grade. My over active imagination serves me well to fill in the blanks in a story and I am carried away, really into the lives of the people on the page. But, as you might have noticed, my reading list to the right hasn’t changed much. About a year ago, I stopped reading like I had been. There doesn’t seem to be any reason that I can pinpoint. Even if I have spare time, picking up a book is not high on my priority list.

Some of it has to do with book choice. I haven’t enjoyed the last eight or so books that I tried to read. Everyone raved about Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, but I couldn’t find much sympathy for her. That’s that last book I actually finished, last June. I keep picking them up and putting them down. Didn’t like any of the book club selections—Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Even Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell, a book that should appeal to my teacher’s soul, did not move me. I have Gentlemen & Players by Joanne Harris next to my bed and I have to say that I like it, but I am reading it so slowly. Only a few pages at a time. I have to press on with it, just to finish a book.

Maybe I just need something that will spark my interest. If you have read an inspiring book that moved you, please let me know. I need help getting back on track.

10 comments:

Vanessa/NessieNoodle said...

"The red tent"
"The secret life of bees"
"The Road"

I have the road, I can slip it in the mail for you if you would like.

Cathy said...

The Red Tent and the Secret Life of Bee were great books. I've never heard of The Road. You think it's good? I'd love your spare copy.

Susan said...

Hey, Cathy -

You and I seem to have very similar taste in books - at the risk of duplicating what you may have already read, some of my favorites (old and new) have been: Prodigal Summer ~ Barbara Kingsolver; Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader ~ Anne Fadiman; 8 and The Physician's Mate by Amy Fusselman; Bel Canto by Ann Patchett; High Fidelity by Nick Hornby; anything by Ann Lamott; anything by Alice Hoffman...

Keep me posted... :-)

Cathy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cathy said...

Ooh, some great suggestions. I have probably read every Ann Lamont, and Nick Hornby, and Barbara Kingsolver too. The others sound intriguing. I will check into the library and see if they have them. Thanks for the thoughtful suggestions, Susan.

Vanessa/NessieNoodle said...

cathy, happy to put in the mail for you. I trying to keep books moving in and out of my house lately, share the joy. :)

Cathy said...

Nessie,
You are so kind. I can reciprocate with 3 Cups of Tea, Eat/Pray/Love, Freedom Writers, Zadie Smith's On Beauty, or Sarah Dunant's Birth Marks, if you (or anyone else) wants them. I also believe in sharing books as much as possible.

Anonymous said...

I still want you to read "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". I know I keep on about it but I loved that book.

Love Mom

Heather said...

Did you find some books you loved from this post? One I always love to recommend is Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. So gorgeous. I agreed with you about Eat Pray Love!

Cathy said...

Thanks, Heather~
I'll check into the Hannah Coulter book.