I recently wrote about a blog post about a few books in my TBR list that intimidate me.
The common theme with them?
Bigness.
The common theme with me?
Fear of commitment and laziness. *pulls guilty face*
I’m not a quick reader. I used to wish that I was, but I’ve grown to accept my tendency to meander through the pages of a book – and I’ve grown to be happy with my meanderings too. It takes me time to process a story. It takes me time to switch off from the outside world/the worry-filled world of my head.* It takes me time to decide how I feel about characters and it takes me time to settle into an author’s voice.
In other words: I’m a story turtle. Slow and steady.
Unlikely to win any races, though.
No matter how much I like the blurb, no matter how many rave reviews I read, my slowness means a big book always makes me nervous. A big book is a big commitment for me. Weeks – possibly even months – worth of a commitment.
And turtles are renowned by scientists for their fickle nature and total lack of commitment.
Okay, that’s not true.
It could be true.
I don’t know.
Anyway.
This story turtle is throwing caution to the wind.
This story turtle won’t let commitment nerves get the better of her any more.
I’m diving into the deep, Mariana Trench-esque waters of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. It sounds too good and too wonderfully magicky to keep on avoiding. Who cares if it’s one thousand and six pages? *hyperventilates*
One thousand. And six. Pages. *hyperventilates more*
Wish me luck.
Send tea and chocolate.
You’ll probably hear what I think about it in October. Maybe November. Perhaps December. What even is time anyway? *tries to look philosophical and clever*
This turtle is making no promises.
❤
*this has historically been the single biggest problem for me with reading (and pretty much everything else in my life). The chatter of worries flying around my brain was relentless, exhausting, infuriating, and maddeningly distracting. Literally maddening. Thankfully, it’s got a lot better in the last year. One day, I’ll write about it. Even if no-one wants to read about it. *sticks out tongue*
Joanna Corbet 
I, too, am a story turtle. I picked up Infinite Jest in a bookstore once and knew I’d never get through it. Good luck with your deep dive into the trench.
Question: What is a zimmer frame?
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I’m glad it’s not just me! 😊 Ah sorry, a Zimmer frame is a mobility walker. I think it’s actually a specific brand of walker, but it’s what I’ve grown up calling all of them lol.
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Ok. Here we just call them walkers. Have a great day.
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I just ran out to my local coffee shop for a cup of dark roast to get me through the afternoon. They also sell books. And what book is on the top shelf, front and center? Yep. The very same book you’re reading. Small world.
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It certainly is! Love coffee shops that sell books! 🙂
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[…] yesterday, I finally finished my story turtle quest to read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna […]
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[…] by Mitch Albom: it’s typical, isn’t it? As soon as I write a blog post about being a slow reader, I start and finish a book in a day. I read this on a blazing hot June afternoon*, curled up on a […]
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