Do you ever get into a quandary of reading a book, then starting a second book and then starting reading a third book, all in the same time frame?
Then I began the fabulous second book in the Marcel Proust epic "Within a Budding Grove."
I admire the story in Proust's works, the narrator, the beautiful language, the words I note down.
The book is part of his "Remembrance of Things Past" or the new translated version of the title which is "In Search of Lost Time." I much prefer the older translation of the title "Remembrance of Things Past". I know French and see why they are now calling it "In Search of Lost Time", a more literal translation. But the other is more poetic and evocative of the themes Proust explores.
The translation I love is by C.K. Scott Moncrieff and Terence Kilmartin. I like that since the books were written in 1900 or so, the words used in the translation are compatible with that period.
So far so good. Reading two books at once is my usual style.
But no!
I was captivated by "It's All Greek to Me" by John Mole which my husband recommended and now I am juggling the reading of three books.
Danger if I tackle a fourth. I will be strong. I will not go there.
This third book is quite funny and is written by a man from England who bought a ruined house in a remote area of Greece, and fixed it up with the plan of moving there with his wife and four young children.
Stop me before I pick up a fourth book, please.
I do love to read mysteries and biography, and the Mitford family intrigues me.
Stop the madness.
I pledge to finish reading one of these three before starting another.
Anyone else have this problem? Best wishes to you, dear friends.
34 comments:
Hello:
A trio of reading? Oh no, this is madness, we have to say. These days we have enough trouble keeping the plot lines in our heads of one book at a time. This sounds like a recipe for disaster. However, each one does hold interest for us, so, one at a time, we may well try them out!
Enjoy your reading.
These are great choices, Terra, I can see how you got caught up in three! Let us know what you think of them. I am almost finished with book #5 of a six part series. I have several books waiting for me in my Nook library and although I love the book I'm reading, I'm anxious to get started on the others!
XO,
Jane
I'm a slow reader and I could never read three at a time.
Good luck!
Don't know that I've done three at a time but I've frequently done two at once!
Oh yes, I do that too... Often I have at least two books going - one as audio and one printed or Kindle - but three or even four is not uncommon. But then they're usually different genres. Like, for example, one children's book, one new contemporary and one old classic that I'm at least half-familiar with from before ... or some combination like that. I don't usually start three different new unknown ones at the same time.
Good for you to take on 3 at one time! I used to read Danielle Steel before I had my children. I collected quite a few of her books during the times I was busy raising my brood, vowing that I would sit down one day and read them. Now my nest is empty and you have inspired me to open that box and to pull out a book to read!
Hi Terra.....i've read the one by Beth Hoffman.....haven't seen the other two yet...but they do sound interesting.
xo
Jo
I'm working on two right now, and still trying to read through the Bible this year in a different way. Hard to juggle when I love doing other things too...
Most of mine are herbal choices, Terra and I have bookmarks in more than three that I have started and put down. I can relate to what's happening to you. xxoo LVL
Your reads all sound delightful. I don't like to read more than one book at a time. I let myself get lost in a book as completely as possible and don't want to be anywhere else but "there" if it is a book I am really enjoying. But, I know a lot of people who do.
Thanks for coming by and commenting on the Blue Willow mural post. I haven't eaten in there, but several people commented that they had. I will have to go in some time and will definitely tell them their mural is being greatly enjoyed!
Having several devices to read on makes that happen for me sometimes. Recently I had Traveling with Pomegranates on my Nook, Where Treasure Hides on Kindle, and we've been listening to The Fall of Giants on audio on our drive to Florida! Surprisingly, I've been able to keep the storylines straight.
Ha! I can read an non-fiction and a fiction book at the same time, but these days I am keeping myself to one book at a time. I just finished a difficult book (way too many people in it!) and am now looking for something to just breeze through.
Kathy M.
Hi There. I love reading and I've always got a book on the go, but I have never read two books at once! I think I would get the storylines all muddled up if I did that! LOL!!
Happy reading...you will be busy my friend. xoxo
how do you keep them all straight with so many on the go? ...I know I would end up thinking Mr. So and So belonged to somebody in another story entirely...
I love reading too ! but only one book at the time :) !
Why do you call it a problem?
I often have even more books on the go. Not all of them novels, but poetry and non-fiction as well; It’s fun.
But sometimes a book is just too riveting and I must finish it before I pick up another one.
I keep different books going all the time. Two are in my car - - one on audio and one paperback for when I am waiting to pick up our grandson. At home, there might be three more - - but each in separate rooms. I also read magazines and cookbooks for variety.
I do that occasionally but lately have leaned toward more anthologies, which makes it easy to have several going at once. Your choices sound intriguing, especially that last one.
Oh goodness, I could never read 3 at once. I think I have to be the only woman in the world that is not a Danielle Steel fan!
Carol
I'm always reading at least two books my daughter-in-low is always reading 3...
She is a teacher and LOVES TO READ!
:)
xoRebecca
That Greek book sounds so good!
I always have a few books going at any given moment. I like to mix it up.
Like you, I generally have several books being read, sometimes more and that's not counting the devotionals in the morning. Nice to meet another reader.
Nope, I'm just not intelligent enough to read more than one at a time. I get the plots all confused in my head. I'm always amazed by how many people read more than one book at a time. It's All Greek to Me is on my reading list. I'll check out your other 2 recommendtions. I've been so busy with family matters, I haven't had much reading time lately. Hopefully soon. laurie
I don't do a lot of reading but I'm currently reading two books right now. Good luck with your pledge:) Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!
Jennifer
Hi Terra,
and yes, I do that all the time.
I usually have a number of books going at once, and read by mood.
Thanks for coming by yesterday and for your sweet comments, feeling much better today. Ah rest, it is a good
thing.........
Blessings hon, Nellie
Enjoy those nice books...........
Oh My Goodness! A Trio of fine reading! You are brave! I have juggled two but not three in my reading frenzies! Hee Hee!
Haha, yes, I often have 3+ books I'm reading from at the same time in different locations around the house. Fun, isn't it!
I definitely have this problem, but I don't seem to finish much these days. I admire that you are tackling Proust. He's on my must read list -- I don't count the scraps we read in high school -- but I keep putting it off.
Hi Terra!
Thanks so much for your comment on my blog about the new issue of my magazine, Christian Women's Voice. Yes, you can send a check if you'd like to purchase a copy. Just email me at dmdillon88@yahoo.com and we can coordinate.
Your blog looks beautiful!
Be blessed,
Debbie
Thanks for stopping by my site. :) I usually have two books going at once, sometimes three. Four would be unusual for me.
I started reading Remembrance of Things Past years ago and I really liked it, but I never finished it. I think the length was a little intimidating. It's on my to-do list. I want to find the "Greek to Me" book now.
Oh yes! Sometimes, more than three, and often one lingers half read for a year or so, until, voila' time and energy are all confluent.
I often have two books going at the same time. (does that mean I have a short attention span?) But I don't think I've ever tried to balance three. It's all Greek to me sounds very interesting... perhaps you husband is trying to tell you that he wants to go live in Greece. :-)
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