A few more reading challenges

 

The last post I published on reading challenges (here) proved to be quite popular, so, because I am so good to you, here are a few more challenge ideas. I do like the way in which challenge ideas can draw readers to those books that they might not otherwise have read, so I hope that this brings something new into your "to be read" pile. If not, I hope you at least enjoy this piece!

A book about, or heavily featuring, a car/cars

Under this challenge, I might recommend On The Road by Jack Kerouac, which, when I first read it as a teenager, captured me with its depiction of life on the open road of mid-twentieth-century America. Kerouac's tale of sex, drugs, and beat life, depicts perfectly the restlessness of post World War II America youth, with their lost innocence and desire for something more than the dream that was offered. Or, perhaps you would prefer Stephen King's Christine, which tells the story of a car apparently possessed by evil supernatural forces and the hold it has on its owner. Whatever book you choose for this challenge, you might end up in the fast lane!

A book about, or heavily featuring, drugs and/or alcohol

We all know James Bond, Ian Fleming's creation, liked a martini, and throughout the series of Bond novels you'll find spirits, cocktails, and beers aplenty! Or, perhaps you'd prefer Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, in which Huxley's dystopia makes use of the fictional drug, Soma, to keep society in check. I am a big fan of Huxley and would recommend his most famous work to anyone that hasn't read it. When it comes to the use of hard drugs, Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, and Junkie by William S. Burroughs (drug use can be found throughout much of Burroughs' work), both in their own ways depict the users world in a raw and honest way. 

A book for self improvement

Now, with this one, we could go the route of the self-help book, and if you do so, you'll have plenty of choice. The last book I read that concerned itself with the problem of how to attain happiness was a book called Happiness By Design by Paul Dolan, a Professor of Behavioral Science. In this book, the author explored how purpose and pleasure are the main constituents of happiness, and how to get that balance just right. In the not too distant future, I plan to read, and discuss here, Peter Jones' How To Do Everything and be Happy. In this book, the author tries to take an approach to maximising happiness using practical methods, such as the use of diaries, lists, and scheduling. I will discuss this one, as I say, in a later post. However, self improvement doesn't mean a visit to the self help section, it could be that there is a non-fiction book you have been meaning to read that could lead to you developing a better understanding of politics, history, science, or art. Anything really. What self improvement means to you is really up to you!

A book that makes you cry

I suppose with this one, it need not be a book; it could be a poem, or a play. And they need not be tears of despair, but tears of joy. Still, we ought not to be afraid of those works that bring a tear to the eye, or maybe even a stream of tears. Those feelings are just as valid as happiness, and don't we read partly so that we can explore those feelings in a safe way? I know I do. In this category, I might recommend Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, a book that can be a hard read, but a book that deals with themes of loneliness and mental illness beautifully. I might also recommend One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey, which is one of those stories that, to me, blends hope and brutality. Whatever it is for you, I urge you not to shy away from those books that make you cry.

A book you never get tired of

Again, it needn't be a book. I could never get tired, I don't think, of reading and rereading The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. It is such a beautiful, gothic, musical poem, and if you haven't read it, I wholly recommend it. Or, see if you can find James Earl Jones' reading of it on the internet! Oh, that voice! Or, I am rereading The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of a Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson, a book I fell for, as did many others, when I first read it. I will be discussing this book in an upcoming post too. This challenge is a comforting and cosy challenge, perfect for blankets and coffee along with that book you love. Or, if not coffee, something a little stronger perhaps.

Children's/YA books

On my shelves I have a book, a Winnie the Pooh book, that I had when I was a child, and I have as much respect for that book as I do for anything Tolstoy or Dickens ever wrote! It is beautiful. And, those books we love as children, it could be argued, can have a greater influence on us than those we embrace as adults. I also have Batman and Deadpool graphic novels standing on my shelves, those comics and superheroes I loved as a kid and a teenager . . . Well, I still love them. I'm sorry. I just do. As for YA fiction, I might suggest The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, a book that deals with themes as weighty as anything you might find in Ishiguro. Go on, immerse yourself in a kids book, or a book for teens. An opportunity to revisit childhood, or those tumultuous teenage years.

I hope you got some ideas from this little piece, and if you did enjoy it, perhaps you would consider following/supporting me over on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform specifically for creatives. If every reader donated just the minimum, it would make such a difference to me. But, if you can't, but you have a ko-fi page of your own, do consider following. Thank you.

Stay safe, read lots, and see you soon.

How our beloved authors get paid

 

A recent piece in The Telegraph (16/05/2021) tells us that Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh is the most stolen book from UK bookshops, and apparently Welsh is fine with that because he still gets paid!

Our authors are earning less they did just nine or ten years ago. Far less. From writing alone, a writer would be living far below the minimum income standard, they'd probably take home just over £800 a month, which is why the vast majority of writers are never solely writers. 

So, after reading what Irvine Welsh had to say about how he feels about his books being stolen, and how he still gets paid anyway, I thought I would take a brief look at how our beloved authors get paid.

When books get stolen

We'll start here since it is what inspired this piece.

Well, according to Irvine Welsh, when his books are stolen he will still get paid royalties. So, he thinks it is brilliant!

We are told that when a book is stolen from a shop, the shop has to cover the cost of the loss to the publisher. The publisher will sell the books to retailers and distributors at a discount, often on a sale or return basis, and if the retail outlets have any losses they have to cover that with the publisher. From this, the author will earn a percentage. Which will be determined by their contract.

Sales

This is probably the most obvious one.

An author writes a book, a writer gets that book published, the author gets paid. Simples. Right?

Uh . . .

Well, firstly, it depends on how they have published their work; is it through a traditional publisher, or have they self published? If they have a publisher, then what they earn from sales will be determined by the contract they have been able to negotiate with that publisher. If they have self-published, what they earn will be determined by the terms set out by the retailer and distributors through whom they sell their work.

When you self publish it is a tad more straightforward than when you sell through a publisher. And, if you want to learn more about how authors get paid from their sales (it's a little more complicated than a brief overview like this allows space for, I'm afraid), you might want to a look at this page here from The Society of Authors - it goes into a little more detail about percentages and different ways in which authors can get paid from sales.

As consumers, the main take away from this might be that the more we pay for our books, from retailers and distributors, the more the author receives in turn. And, when authors really are earning dismal amounts for their work in most cases, that really is something to bear in mind.

Talks

There are, of course, literary festivals. But, there are also schools, where authors of children's books might go to read, speak, and give the children some fun activities to do which relate to the author's books.

There are universities, perhaps where the academic writer might speak, or give a lecture, to the students.

Authors who specialise in certain areas, on certain topics, might be able to find venues appropriate to that field. For example, if you have written extensively on the business world, there might very well be companies in need of your experience and insight.

And, not only can you get paid for these speaking gigs, they are an opportunity to sell your book!

Though, as someone who enjoys talking to an audience about as much as swimming in raw sewage, I can understand that this one is not for everyone. However, there are writers who earn more from speaking engagements than from sales!

Library lending

The Public Lending Right Act 1979 gave British authors a legal right to receive remuneration for the free loan of their books by public libraries. This is a right that British authors campaigned for for thirty years!

You can follow the PLR here, on Twitter to find out more and stay informed.

You can also learn more from The Society of Authors here, along with how they are continuing to lobby for PLR.

I am unsure whether or not there are similar schemes in other countries, but the brief research that I did for this article suggests that it is not something one might find in the US. Though, as I say, my research was brief and I may be wrong.

If you are in the UK, or another country with a similar scheme, this seems to be just one more reason to make use of those fantastic places we call libraries.

There may be other ways in which authors can make money. I haven't considered them all here. For example, I do believe there is another scheme, at least here in the UK, that authors can sign up to after they have had work published. This pays them a little something for their work possibly being used as a resource for learning and research. Though, if I am right about there being such a scheme, the name of it escapes me for now. Do pop the name of this scheme in the comments, if you know what it is!

As consumers, as readers of books, it is worth us considering these methods by which authors are paid because we, essentially, are their supporters. They, the vast majority of the time, are not earning very much for what they do. Especially, if you are like me, you consider the joy, hope, and insight that they have given us.

I do hope that you found this piece interesting or, at least, enjoyable. If you did, perhaps you'd consider following/supporting me on ko-fi, a platform for creative types.

Thank you for reading, and see you soon!

Reading Challenges - Part 2

 

In my last post on reading challenges, I wrote about how I don't really bother with them because I don't feel the need to. I find inspiration in other places. Nor do I concern myself with my progress, in terms of how many books I have read per week/month/year. It doesn't really concern me.

There have been a couple of occasions when, on admitting my love for books and being the bookish sort of fella who always has a book with them, I have been asked how many books I read in the last month or year. And I find myself bemused by the question. I have no idea, none whatsoever. I don't read to keep count, and I definitely don't read to try and beat someone else's tally. I'm not into competitive reading!

The last post was inspired by a comment I saw online. This comment concerned the writer's "shame" over their not reading as much as others and how challenges and tallies she saw online made her feel this way. My last post was a reaction to that I suppose.

However, there are benefits to these challenges. 

I find a lot of inspiration for which books I am going to pick up next in interviews, articles, reviews, and other places. And, in the same way, challenges can introduce you to books that you might not otherwise have picked up, and reading broadly is, in my opinion, a good idea. So, it's not all bad. Just don't let them leave you feeling ashamed of your reading habits. If that's the case, let it go, it's not serving you any more.

And so, for balance, and just for a bit of fun . . .

A little list of reading challenges (or suggestions, if you'd prefer)

1. A book with a colour in the title

Whether it's Goldfinger by Ian Fleming, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, or Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, there are plenty of books out there with colourful titles. Colours can carry with them all sorts of different thoughts and feelings, and so using colours in the title can tell readers something of what's inside. Using colour is a great way to create an image in the reader's mind, and it shouldn't be too hard to find a book you'll like with a colour in the title.

2. A book with a number in the title

At the moment, I am rereading The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of a Window and Disappeared (which could also probably feature under the suggestion heading "Books with long titles"), and I would thoroughly recommend that one in this category. However, like colours, there are plenty of books out there with numbers in the title. Let's see, there's Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, there's Slaughter-House Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Ooh, and there's Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. And, what about Around the Worl . . .

Well, I could go on and on.

3. A book that reminds you of summer

Now, this one is going to be much more personal to the reader. I could sit here and type out books and stories set during the summer time (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, for example). But, it could be the case that the book that reminds you of summer is a book not set during the summer at all. Perhaps it's a book based on a film you saw with a loved one one summer some years ago. Or, perhaps it's a book you read as a teenager during those long and glorious summer days away from school. Whatever it is, why not pick up a book that makes you feel as though you are basking in sunshine?

4. A book that reminds you of someone you'd rather forget

I know, right? Why on earth would you want to undertake this one? Well, why not? If you find yourself reading a character and they remind you of someone unpleasant from your own life at least the character is stuck between the pages of a book! Besides, books, aside from being a source of joy and pleasure, can, like other pieces of art, help us to work through our emotions. And, the feelings that we have for people we'd rather forget are just as much in need of our attention, sometimes more so, than those that we have for the ones we love.

5. A poem that you can read aloud

This can be pretty much any poem. In fact, a piece of advice that I took on board a while ago was that when reading poetry it is a more pleasant experience if you do read aloud. To feel your mouth, and tongue, and lips working with the words, the sound they make, is a part of the pleasure. And take your time with it. Think of it like chocolate, or wine, as something to savour. I might recommend The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, which I think is a pleasure to read aloud. Or, This Be The Verse by Philip Larkin. Though do be aware, reading poetry out loud can lead to odd looks from passersby. However, it can also lead to admiring looks. So, might as well just go for it, I say!

6. A book that makes you think

This one, like the suggestion for a book that reminds you of summer, is one that is going to be personal to the reader. The book that makes one reader stop and think, considering their views on life thus far, will bore the other reader stupid, wishing they could get a refund on the time and effort they invested. Personally, I have an interest in nature and wildlife, so I am intrigued by books on those topics and the issue of conservation. However, there are, thankfully, books on a plethora of topics. Not just is there books on environmental concerns, but social concerns, political, and so on. Seeking out those books that make you pause, consider life a while, are worth the seeking out, in my opinion. The world, I sometimes fear, could do with a few more people reading books that make them think a while.

Well, those are my suggestions for now. Not a challenge. Just suggestions. Do you have any suggestions/recommendations that might fir into the categories above? Why not leave a comment below? And please, give it a little share, if that's your thing!

If you didn't find this piece useful, I hope you at least found it enjoyable. If you did, perhaps you would consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for creatives, and all followers/supporters are very much appreciated!

Happy reading!

Reading Challenges

 

I have a confession to make.

I have never, in all the years that I have been alive, based my reading on any challenge, from the internet or otherwise. And, I think if, somehow, I found myself basing my reading on a reading challenge, I would abandon it sooner or later.

If you go to Google (or any search engine of your choice), and type the words "reading challenges" into the search bar, you will be presented with a list of book bloggers, GoodReads pieces, and more bloggers suggesting ways in which you can challenge yourself this year.

And, I don't get it.

Okay, that's not completely true. I do get it. It is a pretty great way to introduce yourself to new books, new genres, and keep you reading when you are tempted to say to yourself, "I don't have the time . . ." 

But, personally, I think these challenges would suck the joy out of reading. For me. Personally.

Just sayin'.

Now, I will take up book suggestions, and if I read an article in a magazine or online where a book is suggested by an author I admire, I will add it to my "Ooh, I must look into that book now!" list of potential purchases. I peruse the list of "Also by  . . ." list at the front/back of a book I have read and enjoyed. I read book blogs and . . . 

Well, you get the idea.

I find myself with plenty of ways in which to get intrigued by one book or another out there.

And, I don't think my bookshelves are dull and lacking in diversity because of it. If you take a look there, you will find crime and fantasy, historical fiction and historical fact, writers from different corners of the globe, popular science and poetry. 

I am not writing this to tear down reading challenges. I started writing this after reading somewhere, I forget by whom, in another bookish blog, I forget which one, that a blogger felt a little shame sometimes when they compared their progress with that of other readers.

When I read that it occurred to me that, when I have told fellow bookish people in the past that I love to read, I have found myself being asked, "Oh, how many books did you read last week/month/year?" To which I don't really know how to respond. I mean, I haven't been counting. I immerse my self in books for the pleasure, the joy, the experience, the time I get considering thoughts, feelings, and life experience from another's point of view.

I have nothing against reading challenges as fun inspiration for readers, a way to get you into books you might not otherwise have picked up, etc. But, if they leave you comparing your "progress" to that of others and feeling uneasy because of it, I say, don't worry about it.

What about you? Do you enjoy reading challenges? Are you undertaking a challenge right now? And, have you found a book that you might not otherwise have picked up because you took part in a reading challenge?

Let me know!

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this post, or any of the others, please consider following/supporting me on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for creatives, making it easier to find supporters and stay in touch with readers/supporters/fans. All support is appreciated, thank you!

How to Find More Time for Reading

 

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In my personal experience, reading seems to be one of those things that people give up first when they are trying to manage their time. And, given the many benefits of reading (you can read a blog post I have written on the benefits of reading here), plus the pleasure that can be gotten from a good book, that seems a real shame to me. However, it is also understandable - books require time and effort from the reader that other forms of entertainment might not.

With this in mind, I thought I would share a few practices - I think they might help make time for those that aren't ready to give up their love for literature. I have practiced some of these, and others I have observed being practiced, with some degree of success.

Staking a claim

My first piece of advice would be to simply stake a claim to a certain amount of time in the day, half an hour perhaps, if you can get it, letting others know what that time is for, and that it is important to you that you have that time for yourself. We ought not to feel so selfish about taking some time for ourselves. I mean, as long as the kids aren't on fire and the house is still standing, I think they can spare you for a little while.

If you feel guilty, take a look at that - it might be that you have nothing to feel guilty about. Our lives ought not to be made up purely of the demands and expectations put on us by others, and you're allowed to claim a little time in the day for yourself. So, set aside some reading time in your diary, or set an alarm on your phone for an appointment with yourself - I have done both, and I've found them helpful.

Audio-books

A practice that I haven't tried much myself, but which I have seen work wonders for others, is reading with your ears!

With platforms like Audible or YouTube, audiobooks are a great way for some to insert some bookish time into their day. You can listen to a book during the commute to/from work; when you're on the school run; when you're at the gym; as you're cooking dinner . . . The list can go on!

Personally, I don't make use of audiobooks, but I have seen others make use of them, and they've said that they are a great way to get more reading time. I have even known some who find picking up a book to read a bit of a chore, but who enjoy listening to an audiobook!

Multiple reader

Something that I have started doing, something which I didn't used to do, is to read more than one book at a time. I used to think that by giving my attention to more than one book at a time it would be a distraction but, personally, I haven't that to be the case. I usually have my "main read", and then there's a "side read" (usually something a bit lighter than my main read) that I pick up between the chapters of my main read. I understand if this doesn't work for you - I was averse to the suggestion myself for some time - but I thought I would put it out there.

Concealed book

Perhaps my favourite suggestion would be to always have a book about your person. When we go out into the world, we often find ourselves with time on our hands at some point - waiting in lines, in waiting rooms, travel time, etc. Having a book in my bag has been a blessing on more than one occasion. I do love to take long walks as well, and a long walk can be made even better when you've a good book to dip into when you find a good bench in a quiet spot. Though, if you'll take my advice, you'll be mindful of others when you take out your book. And, just because the dates going well, or that Zoom meeting is a bit boring, it's probably going to cause more issues than it'll solve if you take out your book!

I hope that these few suggestions have been useful, or at least enjoyable. And don't forget, seriously, their ought not to be any guilt or shame in claiming some joy in our day-to-day lives. 

Read lots, be good, do good. And, I'll see you again soon.

Oh, and Happy Easter weekend! (If you have dogs, be careful they don't get in the chocolate or the hot cross buns!)

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Site specific reading

    

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I recently read about site specific reading. This is where the reader, in the interests of getting a more immersive experience, reads a book in a location connected with that book. For example, reading one of Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse novels in Oxford, or taking the Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo with you when you next visit Paris.

Site specific theatre is a form of theatre in which the performance is staged in a location other than a standard theatre. The location at which the performance takes place might never have been intended as a location for theatrical performance. However, the location might lend itself perfectly to the plot of the play. For example, a murder mystery that takes place in a grand English house, the play unfolding around the audience. This lends itself to a more immersive and interactive form of theatre.

When applied to readers this means taking your book off to a location connected to that novel. When you finally get to visit New Zealand, like you have always wanted, maybe you could take The Lord of the Rings with you - Peter Jackson's film adaptations were filmed there. Or, perhaps you might consciously recreate a trip from a novel - the character of Stevens from The Remains of the Day (which I reviewed and discussed in a previous post ) takes a trip through the English countryside and to a seaside location, for example. 

You don't have to travel to immerse yourself though. If you are reading The Room by Emma Donoghue, why not take yourself off to the smallest room in your home to try and get a sense of the world those characters are living in. If you want to read a book like Wild by Cheryl Strayed, but the weather is just too frightful for heading outdoors to read, maybe you can get away with heading to YouTube and finding some ambient outdoor soundtracks that you can play while you read.

It could just be that a location recalls to your mind a place in a book that you have read, or that, for reasons personal to you, there exists in your mind a connection between a book and a place that others wouldn't understand. I don't think that really matters. The interest of this exercise is that it makes the experience more immersive for the audience - for you. So, take your book outdoors. Feel the grass beneath your feet, smell the coffee, hear the bird song . . . whatever it is that drops you into the story that much more, take yourself (and your book) there. Browse your bookshelves and select the book you are going to take with you on that trip you are going to take when the world opens up again. 

Be safe though.

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Thank you. Be good. Be kind. Read lots.

 

Profile of a Bookworm Blogger

 In which I discuss my bibliophilic tendencies

My having a book about my person - whether I'm on the street, on a park bench seat, or up in a tree - is almost certainly a certainty!

I read everyday.

Now, as I make that admission, you may start to form images of my being a rather bookish fellow - a tote bag of some sort over my shoulder, thick framed glasses sat on the bridge of my nose, and a cup of black coffee perched somewhere within reach. Perhaps I wear a cool hipster cardigan, to go with my cool hipster facial hair, which really ties together the whole bookish-hipster thing that I am going for, no? That's a very nice, and Instagram ready, image. But, it's not me. No, think more Chris Pratt in Parks and Recreation, only with a book in hand. That's closer.

I do like to think, in my more deluded moments, that my being widely read lends me, at least a slight, air of intellect, and perhaps sophistication - we all have an ego, that's my only excuse. However, truth be told, the books that I have immersed myself in have not conferred upon me those attributes. No, they have left me with something more important though - the thoughts, lessons, feelings, and ideas of men and women from other times, and other places. A good book can leave you feeling small and, at the same time, part of something huge, like when you look up and consider the ocean of space and stars in which we are suspended.

Mostly, I read for joy though.

But, reading is a solitary activity which is, most of the time, fine by me - I am a tad more introverted than I am extroverted. Still, I sit here, click-clacking away at the keyboard now, reaching out into the void that is the internet, tossing my thoughts and feelings about reading out there. Obviously, I hope that it will reach someone and, dare I hope, some sort of connection is made. Otherwise, what is the point?

Maybe joy. Maybe that's the point again . . .

At the moment I am reading The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro and it could very well be the case that, much like how Stevens, the butler of Darlington Hall, is stultified by his life in service, I am made a little dull by my interest in all things bookish - which would go some way to explaining why I feel a need to allude to a literary character when describing myself; it might make the portrait a little less bloody boring!

Still, I do hope that these posts are of interest to somebody. As I sit here in my room, bookish and writerly notions in a perfect cloud of sparkly hope dust erupted above my noggin, hunched over this laptop, clickery-clacking the keys to form these words that you are reading (hopefully!), I hope that somebody is reading. I hope somebody shares it. And, I hope that we can have an exchange . . .

Anyway . . .

Signing off. Read well. Be good. Please enjoy the below picture - nothing bookish here, just my late dog (otherwise known as my best friend) viciously attacking my face with her weapon of choice, her tongue.

I'd Rather Be Reading . . .

 In which I consider a few typical day-to-day activities and ask myself, 'Would I rather be reading?'

This post is purely for the lulz, baby! I just take a few everyday activities, and then I ask myself, 'Would I rather be reading?'

So, let's crack on, shall we? I imagine we all have better things to be getting on with . . .

1. Sleeping

I do fight off sleep if I can when I am in the middle of a chapter and my eyelids begin to feel weighted. I am not the sort to stick a bookmark in the middle of a chapter. In fact, generally, I always finish a chapter once I have started it unless there are circumstances beyond my control which keep me from doing so. Death, illness, a natural disaster. Things like that . . . 

I would rather be reading. But, I am not quite at the point where I am keeping my eyes open with match sticks a la The Clockwork Orange to stave off sleep and read more.

2. Showering

When a reader has the opportunity, they should always pick a bath over a shower! You can read in the bath. You cannot read in the shower. You will have to trust me on that one . . . However, because of time constraints and because the shower is more environmentally friendly, a shower is, more often than not the preferred option.

If I say that I would rather be reading, you might think me rather disgusting (and be thankful that you are receiving my thoughts via the words on a screen, rather than face-to-face), but I assure you that I shower often and do not forsake personal hygiene for personal pleasure. Well . . . we all have pyjama days, right? I like to read in the bath if I can - I will take that over a shower ideally!

3. Watching a film/TV 

As book readers we have all said it - "I preferred the book". Still, there are times when I feel the need to relax in front of the television and lose myself in a good sitcom, drama, or documentary. I have my Netflix account just like everyone else and there are evenings when I've found myself saying, "Oh, just one more episode", knowing full well it will probably be about two more episodes. Maybe three.

I find myself watching less films as I get older. I don't know why. I think it's because of the time asked of me - a film of about an hour and a half plus runs the risk of losing my attention these days. However, I am still quite happy to immerse myself into a book for as long as it takes. So, all in all, I would rather be reading.

4. Eating

Like tiredness, I will ignore hunger to finish the chapter that I am reading. Sorry, body. That's just how I roll. I mean, what am I supposed to do, run the risk of getting stains on the pages? Put the book down? Pfft. You don't know me too well, do you?

This is a tricky one because I do like food. However, like I said I will ignore hunger . . . Plus, I am more likely to spend money in a bookshop (when I have money) than I am to spend it in a restaurant. So, yeah, I would rather be reading.

5. Sex

Sometimes men don't want to have sex. I know, right! But, it's true. Sometimes, we would rather be reading. Well, I would anyway. Also, with this entry I am stretching the term "day-to-day activities" here. For myself anyway. Without getting into it too much, I am pretty confident that I can go without this for significant stretches of time . . . We have been in the middle of a global pandemic for about a year now, so, there's that . . .

Anyway . . .

I would probably give up sex first before books but, who am I kidding, under the right circumstances, the book would fall to the floor and be forgotten about pretty quickly for this one.

6. Socialising

I love to see family, and I love to see friends, and I love to exchange messages with good and decent people. However, the parties that I find myself attending through little to no agency of my own - yeah, I might be considering whether or not I can sneak off to a relatively unpopulated area to catch up on my reading. And, just as a heads up, I do usually have a book about my person . . .

If it is good company, I can let my book go. If it's a party where I might be expected to socialise with people I don't know or have little in common with, I would probably rather be reading.

So, from this brief list, I can safely say, I would probably rather be reading or, if not that, accommodating reading into the experience.

I don't whether I should be proud of that or not. Probably not.

Anyway. Be nice. Be kind. Read lots. Listen to music. And, do you, everyone else is taken, as Oscar Wilde sort of said!

Eight Great Reasons to Read Everyday!

 

Personally, I don't need a reason to read, but here are some great reasons as to why I, pretty much all the time, have a book about my person . . .

1. Good for the brain

There are studies that show regular reading can boost brain power. In the same way that exercise at the gym can improve muscle strength, reading regularly can improve brain connectivity. A study in 2013, making use of MRI scans, measured the effect that reading can have on the brain whilst reading. Whilst reading a novel over a period of nine days, it was found that areas of the brain connectivity increased in study participants. It has also been posited that reading often can even slow the process of mental decline that comes with old age!

2. The more kids read, the better they get at reading

This one basically follows the "practice makes perfect" rule of thumb. If children read often, and they read widely, they become better readers. Really, this just makes sense. Every writer has their own style, their own voice, and approaches subject matter from different points of view. They will even make use of different words to convey their messages. Reading widely offers a child more opportunities for discovery essentially - discovery of new words, discovery of different points of view, discovery of different voices . . .

3. Listening and understanding

Following on from number two, what about the benefits of reading to children? Well, when a child has a story read to them it gives them an opportunity to listen and understand. Much is said in the tone of voice, and body language, and so, even when a child doesn't understand every word that is said, they can still come away with an understanding of the story and its structure. It also provides an opportunity for children to ask about words and topics they don't completely understand. And, you know what, it's a great bonding experience - and that goes for people of all ages, reading aloud with anyone of any age can be great!

4. Exercises empathetic understanding

Books provide us the opportunity to immerse ourselves into the experiences of men, women, children, animals, and other beings both real and imaginary. We can read the words of someone who lived centuries ago. We are offered the opportunity to read from the perspective of somebody of a different gender, age, race, cultural experience . . . And, more besides. And, in a way that we can't when we watch a screen, we immerse ourselves into those experiences - our brains building, from the words on the page, the world we are being invited in to.

5. Reading reduces stress

Studies have shown that reading can help to reduce stress. In fact, a study in 2009 found that reading can lower blood pressure and heart rate - it was found that thirty minutes of reading was as effective of thirty minutes of yoga. It may depend somewhat on what you are reading though - probably better to pick up a good novel rather than an online news article (especially with all those negative comments and fighting in the comment thread!).

6. Helps put you to sleep

Well, if it calms you down, it's probably going to be good at putting you in a good place for nodding off too, right? Apart from that though, the brain is good at picking up on cues and, if reading becomes a regular part of your bed time routine, it signals to the brain that it's time to quiet down and get ready for sleep. If you're a fan of e-Readers, it is probably best to read from good old fashioned paper books - light shining into the eyes from a screen isn't good for getting off to sleep.

7. Education

If you're reading non-fiction, this is obvious - there are more books than any one person could ever hope to read in multiple life times, and plenty of books written by experts in their fields. And, lucky us, we have access to that ocean of knowledge for the cost of a pint or two of beer. The difference there being, of course, that the book will hopefully leave your head a better space for having consumed its contents . . . over the beer which will lead to a hangover . . . Yeah . . . Anyway, also bear in mind libraries - lots of free knowledge there. And, even if you are reading fiction, as previously mentioned, there are opportunities for learning about other points of view and life experiences.

8. Better writing skills

One piece of advice that writers often pass on to other writers is to read, read, read, and then read some more. In his book, On Writing, Stephen King tells us, "If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write." And, I mean, that makes sense, right? As a writer, words are your tools, and if you read, you gain a better understanding of those tools, and how to effectively make use of them. It gives you the opportunity to broaden your understanding and, even if you aren't aiming for becoming a best selling author, leaves you better at being able to communicate and convey thoughts, feelings, and ideas through the written word.

So, now that you've plenty of good reasons, what are you going to read now?

Shakespeare . . . I mean, that's it. No more introduction needed.

 Sonnets

Shakespeare is a writer that you have to read at school. We all have to do it - Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth etc. We learn that Shakespeare is a writer to be studied, not enjoyed. Of course, it doesn't help that, his English being the English of the sixteenth century, his work requires some deciphering.

I haven't started on the positives, have I?

Well, I am just trying to be honest. I mean, I think I was put off the works of Shakespeare because of those reasons, and it took me a while to realise that Shakespeare's work can be enjoyed and appreciated just as any other writer's work. Shakespeare's work isn't meant to be studied, it is meant to be felt. 

My advice would be to not let any of those reasons deter you from reading Shakespeare. Read his writing for yourself, decide for yourself.

Shakespeare's reach can't be denied. And, it is understandable. He used the language well, and his sonnets are the perfect example of this.

Shakespeare's sonnets are musical and haunting. They fall through the centuries and land delicately in the twenty-first, sending out ripples. Though, perhaps that isn't quite the image to call to mind - ripples fade away, right? I am not sure that Shakespeare will.

Oh, I don't know. The sonnets are beautiful. Some of them, or bits of them anyway, you will recognise. Others, you won't. But they really are beautiful - some of the finest poetry ever written. 

These are not original sentiments. However, they are accurate, in my opinion.

All that can really be said is that you should read Shakespeare for yourself. Decide for yourself. Don't let the dusty English lessons put you off. And, the sonnets are an excellent place to start.

If I could offer some advice, I would say, read them aloud to yourself - feel the words in your mouth and how they fall together. Read them with your heartbeat. And, give each individual sonnet the time and attention it deserves. They can be read one after the other, but they are better appreciated when read slowly and given the attention that they command. And, if you stumble over an archaic word or two, take the time to find out its meaning, then go back and read the sonnet again. Take the time.

This blog is not for the academics. Definitely not. But, you know what, Shakespeare's works and plays were not just for the academics - he wrote to entertain the people.

Well Versed

Diary of a Church Mouse by Sir John Betjeman

I am not particularly well versed in poetry. I couldn't quote lines from Robert Browning at the drop of a hat, nor could I give an academic or intellectual analysis on the works of Walter de la Mere. However, I can sometimes be found dipping my toes into poetic waters and, if the waters feel good . . . yes, well, not entirely sure where I am going with this but . . . something about wading right in . . .

Ahem!

Anyway, at first glance Diary of a Church Mouse by Betjeman may come across as just being a playful little poem about the days of the titular little creature. In fact, with its AABBCC, and so on, rhyming couplets and rhythmic bounce, when I first read it, that is all that I expected it to be as I slowly made my way into the poem. However, as you read further you find a cynical and satirical undertone.

The poem tells the story of the mouse that lives in the church of the title. In the first part of the poem, which is sixty-two lines in length and made up of one stanza, a description is made of the little mouse's situation. We find that his is a solitary existence and he makes with the food that he can find.

So far, so sweet . . .if you like mice. Which I do.

Reading further, we find, through the innocent eyes of the mouse, observations being made of the churchgoers and their ways. And it is here we find the satire creeping in - critiquing those who portray themselves as being more devout than perhaps they truly are . . .

This really is a pleasant poem and would be one of those that I would recommend to those that don't really read poetry in general. It is fun to read and funny too!

Please do, go find out this poem for yourself!

I would like to end here by passing on some advice concerning poetry that I came across myself - when you read poetry, it is best to read it aloud.