A writer’s musing (and gratitude)
It’s understandable to me that ever avid reader contends that his or her to be read (TBR) list outpaces his or her read list by far. I’ve been a voracious reader since middle school (some would say to a fault). Having decided to get serious about writing, I feel like life has changed a bit. Today, as I sit here, elbow-deep in other authors’ chapters, I glanced across my table to the next in my TBR list: Nnedi Okorafor’s Akata Witch.
by Nnedi Okorafor
I sighed on the momentary pang over how many weeks (ok, maybe months) that book has been sitting there. I keep “planning” to start, but something always comes up…my characters in my own work start tugging at me, my blog starts tugging at me, marketing tugs at me, my book club or my writer’s club tugs at me. I’ll get there eventually, but if I’m being honest, today is probably not that day.
When I’m just feeling unaccomplished as a reader, I glance around at the other stacks on my coffee table. Yeah, this week, I’m doing it old-school due to the shoulder surgery on Monday–it’s easier to hold papers than a computer, but I’m almost back to being able to sit and type for longer periods. 🙂 Anyway, back to the topic at hand. When I look at the rest of my clutter, I have to remind myself that I am currently reading a litany of books…
…a lovely and exotic mystery that spans continents
…a caper novel with a cast of very rich and eccentric characters–who at their hearts are truly good people
…a hitchhiker’s guide to the 1970’s
…a literary piece exploring what it means to age in the fast-paced industry of journalism
…a Victorian-esque historical fiction novel
…a coffee-table book about the adventures in owning a bed and breakfast
…sometimes a romance about a hockey player
…and the occasional short story
Soon, I also hope to be reading the YA adventure work of a good friend who has been MIA from our group. Looking at all of this and reflecting on the works I have had the privilege to read and provide feedback upon in 2018, I find myself feeling an overwhelming amount of gratitude that these talented authors would not only trust me to read their work, but accept what feedback I might have to offer. I hope it is helpful on their journeys.
And, in the end, I must say… My reading life is quite full!