In spite of the fact (or because of the fact?) that the semester has begun and I have less time for reading, and am therefore trying to keep the number of books I’m currently reading down to a minimum, I have felt a longing lately to start ridiculously long reading projects. For example, I’ve got The Oxford Book of Essays (edited by John Gross) that I’m tempted to begin reading in, and it’s a long book in itself, but I’d also like to read not just individual essays in the collection, but books by the authors I like along the way. I’d make it a big, long study in the essay. Doesn’t that sound like fun? And something that would take forever?
Or I could brush up on the history of philosophy as I’ve been thinking about for a while, except this time, study the authors in more depth rather than rushing through them as one must in a year-long course. Or could start reading novels in German again, because surely after a while I’d remember the vocabulary I once knew and reading them would get faster and be lots of fun? Or I could take this big fat anthology of 18C literature I’ve got and, maybe not read through it exactly, but do a study of the authors I don’t know very well?
I’m often torn between wanting to read systematically, and wanting to read at whim. Or I can put it this way — I’m torn between wanting to be an expert in one or two (or three or four) areas, and wanting to read a little bit of everything.
And the thing is, I’m not so terribly good at taking on long reading projects (Proust excepted, I suppose, but there I have the satisfaction of finishing a volume now and then). I get frustrated when I don’t finish books in a month or two, at the longest. Perhaps I need a “long-term reads” or “ongoing projects” category such as Danielle has; perhaps then I’d give myself permission to take my time. This is just one of the ways I’m sometimes at war with myself …
Of Books and Bicycles 
Dorothy,
You amaze me at your level of reading skills as do several others like Danielle and Diana. I also have an old college friend in Danbury, Connecticut, who still reads the same now as she did in her younger years. I believe I have become a shallow reader with age now limiting my genres to Mysteries and Thrillers. Although when I do read the occasional non-fiction, I enjoy philosophy. I like to read a passage look up and ponder how a specific thought may reflect on my past and current life and life in general.
Oh yes, don’t ask me how my German is doing. In college, I had to drop dating an English major and begin dating a Foreign Language major in order to pass the required three years of German.
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Yes, I think you need a long-term reading project and all of the ones you are thinking about sound great. An ongoing project doesn’t mean you still can’t read at whim, you can do both.
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An ongoing project on one paticular author does sound great, doesn’t it? this semester I get to do an in depth study of all of Hawthorne’s books and I am very excited about it!
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I like having ongoing projects or long term reads, though I don’t always stick with them religiously. I tend to go back and forth between things. I really like the idea of studying the essay (and while I know you are busy with school now–I still think it would be fun to have a group reading them like Kate’s short story group). All your ideas sound good. I agree with Stefanie–one longer project along with other easier reading might be a way for you to accomplish both desires!
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So many books, so little time. I’m often frustrated that there is no way to read all I want to read.
My favorite book of essays is Phillip Lopate’s The Art of the Personal Essay, and I have made various excursions into the authors over the last 10 years since first reading it. It has been a rewarding, if a slow and digressive activity. Whenever I happen upon something about my favorite authors in the anthology, (Seneca, Sei Shonagon, Montaigne, Maria Edgeworth, Charles Lamb, and currently M.F.K. Fisher) I find myself compelled to follow up.
Can’t give up my mysteries or science fiction, however. Like you, I want a little bit of everything–nonfiction, fiction (all genres).
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This is something I really struggle with. I’m often overwhelmed with long-term reading ideas but it’s hard to schedule time for them regularly. Your ideas sound great so I do hope you pick one!
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Your German story is funny Edd! 🙂
Stefanie — thanks for enabling me 🙂 I’ve decided to begin one — and I’m still tempted to add others.
Your Hawthorne project sounds great Hepzibah! You’ll learn a ton, I’m sure.
Danielle — not sticking to the project religiously is surely the way to make it work — so it doesn’t get boring. I think a group would be fun, although after Tilting at Windmills, I’m not sure I’m up to leading one — I mean, it was fun, but it took more energy than I have right now. But if anyone else wants to lead one ….
Jenclair — I love The Art of the Personal Essay — it’s such a wonderful collection! I may get it out and look through it again.
Verbivore — it’s good to know you struggle with this too — I sometimes think struggling about leisure reading is silly, but I just can’t help it!
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I think the essays reading project sounds fascinating, and very tempting. And now I think I may have to track down The Art of the Personal Essay too!
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I’m glad you got Lopate’s book — it’s quite excellent, and I’m looking forward to reading the essays in it I haven’t gotten to yet.
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I don’t blame you for not wanting to lead a group!! It is a lot of work–especially when you are already busy. Maybe I’ll just watch your progress from the sidelines! 🙂
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