I think just about every reader has a least one book that they’ve been meaning to read for awhile (months or even years) but, for one reason or another, they just haven’t gotten around to it. Maybe it’s a book a friend recommended last year, or a title you’ve flirted with in a bookstore on more than one occasion, or maybe it’s a book that’s sitting right there on your bookshelf, patiently waiting for you to pick it up — but the thought is always there, in the back of your mind: Why haven’t I read this yet?This week, tell us about a book (or books) you have been meaning to read. What is it? How long have you wanted to read it? And, why haven’t you read it yet?
There is definitely more than one book on my TBR pile that I’ve been meaning to read for ages. One, The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana by Humberto Eco, has been on my TBR pile for about five years now, ever since I saw it listed on one of those Best Books of the Year list one holiday season. So, why haven’t I read it yet? I would say that other books in my pile catch my eye and distract me from picking it up. If I were honest with myself, I think the truth is that this strikes me as the type of book for which you really have to be in the mood. I haven’t found that right mood yet.
Also on my list, The Story of David Sawtelle by David Wroblewski has also been on my list for a while. I was hoping to read it last fall, before Oprah put her stamp on it. Life got in the way, unfortunately. As with The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, I’ve been told that this book requires time to savor each word and the right mood to truly enjoy it. I’ve found it difficult to fulfill both requirements at the same time. So, there it sits, waiting patiently for me to pick it up.
There are so many more on my list. I’ve been meaning to read more Oscar Wilde, but haven’t gotten around to it. The same holds true with different works of Dickens, whom I adore as a writer. At this point in time, I still haven’t finished the last two books in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and those were books I was devouring at a rate of one every two days a few months ago.
I’m not too worried about this pile though. I know that one day I will get through everything that is currently on my pile. I like the freedom to choose what interests me at that point in time, knowing that my moods fluctuate like the weather. Therefore, having a myriad of books waiting to be read ensures that I will have a book for any mood in which I might find myself. Life is all about options. And I have a lot of them right now when it comes to my next book!
Marg – It sounds like he's one of those authors we hope to read but never get around to it for a lot of people. I wonder why that is…
Second mention I have seen of Eco today. He's on my list to get to one day.
I looked at my Eco book today. I'm getting closer to reading it. I'm just not quite there yet. And now that there is the RIP IV challenge, it's definitely going to get pushed off again.
I have set myself to read all the Ecos there are!
Weekly Geeks: Why haven't I read it yet?
Ceri, I loved, loved, loved Dorian Gray!! The sarcasm just oozes from the pages, which is why I have wanted to read more of his works. Hmmm, I just might have to make him a priority in the upcoming months.
I've always want to read some Umberto Eco too and I feel the same way – His books definitely look like something you need to be in the mood for.
I want to read more Wilde too. I love Dorian Gray <3