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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Noa on December 4, 2004, at 7:41:39
I go through periods of reading and not reading. I have been wanting to get myself back into a book, but don't feel I'll be able to concentrate. So today, I'm going to try reading a short story. I love short stories and have a number of anthologies. These are great to have around the house--you can always revisit them and find something new. I also like reading stories in the New Yorker when I'm at the doc's office. I've thought about subscribing, too.
Posted by partlycloudy on December 4, 2004, at 8:46:22
In reply to Short stories for reading concentration woes, posted by Noa on December 4, 2004, at 7:41:39
I like reading Vanity Fair, too. It's one of the few magazines I actually read from cover to cover. I could do without the 150 pages of ads, but I like it that you can get a subscription without the perfume pages.
Posted by Racer on December 5, 2004, at 10:58:09
In reply to Re: Short stories for reading concentration woes, posted by partlycloudy on December 4, 2004, at 8:46:22
When I can't read "real" things, I read New Scientist magazine. Same thoughts.
You know what I LOVE about short story collections? They're like popcorn. I've got a ton, and all different sorts. When I'm reading something really challenging -- like when I read "Anthony Adverse" earlier this year -- I can stop and have a break with a short story!
"Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton" is one I come back to a lot, love her writing, but get so depressed if I read a whole novel, so the short stories are pure joy -- and her ghost stories are amongst the best I've ever read.
And, being a real junk food addict, I like the "Cat Fantastic" collections, and other SciFi collections.
Noa, if you aren't familiar with Mrs Wharton's short stories, there are a few I think you'd really enjoy: Roman Fever, The Fullness of Life, Mary Pask, I can't quite remember the name of the other one I think you'd really like, something like "The Other Two", I think. If you read them, and enjoy them, think of the recommendation as a gift from me to you. If you read them and don't like them, of course, Partly Cloudy suggested them...
{{ducking}}
Posted by partlycloudy on December 5, 2004, at 13:04:24
In reply to Re: Short stories for reading concentration woes, posted by Racer on December 5, 2004, at 10:58:09
<<<swinging>>>
whoosh!
Wow, you are quick!!
I have a new question for youse guys:
if you start to read a book and don't like it, do you keep reading it, or do you put it aside? (I try to give a book 50 pages to establish itself in my head. I used to forge on, but now I don't bother. I put the disliked book aside and pass it on to a charity box. I always feel like I have lost out on something when I don't enjoy a book.)
Posted by Racer on December 5, 2004, at 13:32:39
In reply to Re: Short stories for reading concentration woes » Racer, posted by partlycloudy on December 5, 2004, at 13:04:24
You're asking an anorexic if she finishes every book she starts??? LoL!!! Of course I do!
OK, there are times I really don't. Depends on what sort of book, but I always feel as if I'm cheating if I don't finish a book I start. And I mean reading cover to cover. I just read most of "Anorexia Nervosa, A Guide To Recovery" and didn't read the one author's story, didn't read most of the stuff that seemed to be related to family counselling, men with body issues, etc. I read the parts that talked about the underlying issues, the process of recovery, the benefits of various professionals on a treatment team, medications, and inpatient or out patient settings. You know, the stuff that applied to me. And I feel as if I cheated.
Generally, though, it depends on the book. Someone gave me a Len Deighton, and I didn't really read it. Read a few pages, lost interest. No big deal, although I think the book might still be here in case I ever get back to it. "Anthony Adverse" on the other hand, despite it taking a couple of months, as I recall, to wake through, I finished. Couldn't NOT finish that one, because it was a "real" book, and because someone special gave me the copy I have.
So, short answer -- usually I finish, no matter how bad. Alas.
Posted by Noa on December 5, 2004, at 13:41:28
In reply to Re: Short stories for reading concentration woes » Racer, posted by partlycloudy on December 5, 2004, at 13:04:24
I used to have a hard time letting myself stop reading if I didn't like a book. Then, about 10-12 years ago (I think) I was visiting some friends out of town and I was reading the first novel by an essayist I liked and I found the novel dreadful. My friend's mother was a librarian and she told me to let it go, that life is too short to read a book you don't enjoy.
Last year, around this time, my friend's mother died. I went to visit the family and was telling this story and how meaningful it has been to me all these years, both on a practical, book-reading, level, as well as a metaphor for other aspects of life.
My friend disappeared into a bedroom and came out with something for me. It was a bookmark that goes with this librarian action figure that someone had given her mom. (http://www.mcphee.com/amusements/current/11247.html)
The figure is based on a real librarian in Seattle who started the "Seattle Reads" program that has been copied in many other cities. The book mark had on it her philosophy about how much of a book to read before giving up on it. She says that life is too short and there are too many good books in the world.....etc. Her formula is 50 pages for anyone under 50 years of age and for those 50 and above, you subtract your age from 100 and that is the number of pages you read to give a book a chance!!
So you are right on with the 50 pages, partlycloudy (assuming you are under 50 y.o. I guess).
Posted by Noa on December 5, 2004, at 13:56:49
In reply to Re: Short stories for reading concentration woes, posted by Racer on December 5, 2004, at 10:58:09
I'll have to take that out of the library--thanks!
Yesterday I read the story "Greasy Lake" by T.C. Boyle, from an anthology entitled "The Art of the Tale: An International Anthology of Short Stories" by Daniel Halpern.
This anthology has a lot of slightly eerie or uncanny stories.
Posted by partlycloudy on December 6, 2004, at 5:00:44
In reply to Re: Short stories for reading concentration woes » partlycloudy, posted by Noa on December 5, 2004, at 13:41:28
I am going to Seattle next week and was planning to go to the Archie McPhee store - a mecca for the tasteless and trite. What a small world. Thanks for your story about the 50-page rule! I'm 42 but I I've probably read 50 years' worth of books.
Posted by Noa on December 6, 2004, at 19:02:51
In reply to Re: Short stories for reading concentration woes » Noa, posted by partlycloudy on December 6, 2004, at 5:00:44
>I am going to Seattle next week and was planning to go to the Archie McPhee store - a mecca for the tasteless and trite. What a small world. Thanks for your story about the 50-page rule! I'm 42 but I I've probably read 50 years' worth of books.
Small world indeed! Enjoy! Let us know if they have any new and interesting action figures. Hey, how about a Dr. Bob action figure??
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