Monday, February 7, 2011

Reading 101: The Page-Turner

Barbara: I’ll get to the reading 101 potion of this post in a moment, but first I want to ask why are we so good at doing what we love when we’re kids––easily ignoring the nagging reality of chores and duties––and then when we get older, we only heed the nagging reality of chores and duties because we no longer have TIME to do what makes us feel good??? I mean who among us hasn’t heard or given this excuse: I would read a novel/write a novel/exercise … when I have more TIME. This ties in to the bigger question: why do we always stick with the more exhausting, traumatic thing in our lives when we know the pleasant solution will make our lives better and richer (I will break up with that lead-weight of a friend/lover/job when it’s a better TIIIIIIME)??? Let’s just say that that question is beyond my scope.

Okay, so now to reading 101. I have heard so many people bemoan the fact that they don’t have time to read books (*cough* my husband *cough*) and so they don’t. Even I have been known to slap that ol’ excuse on the table from time to time. Add to that the depressing news in the daily papers about the demise of the publishing industry, and it makes a person despair the future of writing, especially fiction writing. And just as I was despairing, my husband started reading again … a lot. And watching his rediscovered ardour made me reconsider the often critically-maligned but ever-popular “page-turner”.

I’ve been trying to write a working novel for the last like, oh, give or take a month or so … TEN years. The verdict was always the same: writing okay, narrative drive lacking (or bumpy or inconsistent, etc, etc). So I’ve started to pick up some “page-turning” books to get a sense of how that driving narrative works in successful stories. And, man, it’s been fun!! There really is something magical about being so caught up in a book you can’t (as I found myself doing this morning) put it down while you’re also trying to load the dishwasher or eating your breakfast of fried eggs on toast.

I have read some brilliant literary books in my time: Michael Ondaatje’s In the Skin of a Lion, Gil Anderson’s The Outlander (no, not the page-turning British one, but the brilliant Canadian one), among others, and they certainly have narrative drive on top of their utterly breathtaking language. But I’ve never found myself simultaneously soaping a steaming hot frying pan while also balancing the 2-lb hard-cover in the crook of my elbow and peering through newly-acquired reading glasses. The truth is, I will always fundamentally prefer literary novels, but on the other hand, man, that Stephen King guy sure knows what he’s doing with a story. And he’s no hack with the language either (unlike many of the other page-turners I’ve tried).

And so today I realized, the novel will never die. It can’t. Because it (regardless of its pedigree) is an experience that is of itself. It is heart-pounding, life-changing, mood-lifting, emotion-swelling wonderfulness. The novel is dead? No way. Long live the novel.


Deb: LONG LIVE THE NOVEL. Yes, I agree! I am also one of those people who struggles to find the time to read. I Iisten to books on CD in the car and go through one a week but I can sit with an actual book for months. I know that people will always read, but I wonder how many generations from now will actually finger the lovely pages of a book. I love reading my KOBO but I also love gently cracking the spine of a new book and the smell of the leather and the teeny sound of the flip of pages. I hope humans continue to love the actual book. Only time will tell. 

21 comments:

  1. This was the boost I needed! I've been bemoaning the fact that what I write is so pedestrian. My husband finally asked me the other day if I was writing to tell a good story well or to win awards. It was his nice way of telling me to shut up, sit down and get back to it.

    The good story told well is my aim. I just need to be reminded. Thanks for this.

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  2. I really try to read,really I do but, I really just can't keep focus on it. Even in high school when we would be forced to read a book I was the one who at reading time who would be looking around the room or even drawing for that matter. And yes I use that excause as well. Most of the time actually. I really don't have time. With school,work and a little time to hang out with my friends it seems like there is not even enough hours in the day time for me to sit let alone READ. Like I said when I do TRY to read it's like my mind goes into a total different world then I might as well forget it. I would LOVE to sit down and actually finish a book but it's just not going to happen. Oh well,I guess some people are made for reading and some people are not.

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  3. I read on average 2 books a week and have for years. I love to read and make time for it. It helps that I no job that I have to work 40 hours a week. I am privileged to have time to myself and usually it is reading.

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  4. Lisa, so thrilled it hit the right note for you! And it's a relief to hear I'm not alone on that matter.

    Lyndsie, I'm sure this is true (readers vs non-readers), but I hope it's not a sign of things to come!

    Madge, I would love to read that voraciously. One day...

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  5. Barbara- Very good question.
    I read plenty of books but nary a novel amongst them. I recently tried to read a novel but I didn't have the time to finish it. I had to return it to the library after my renewal limit was up.
    I am going to think some more about what you wrote and maybe convince myself to sit and read instead of doing the thirty five thousand other things that can't seem to wait and which will all get done eventually anyway.
    Thanks. Great post!

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  6. Melissa -- that's it! My point exactly. And believe me, even I have to remind myself. Usually by reading a great book.

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  7. I LOVE to read and have a wide range of titles on my bed stand at any given time. For Christmas I ask for books - often from the second hand store - bigger bang for the buck.

    I find I read voraciously during the milder months and can easily dedicate an hour tucked outside beside my pond or on my deck escaping into the pages of whatever genre tickles my fancy at that moment. Winter months, I find, offer way too many distractions in the house which take me from my beloved books.

    I swing back and forth in choice - if I've read a gut punching literary novel I will then indulge in absolutely delicious brain candy penned by one of my many favourite women from across The Pond.

    I devoured Stephen King's library of books in my younger years (still have some on my bookshelf). The Stand is one of my all time favourite books. Ever.

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  8. Oh! Add a bag of chips and glass of wine to my reading escape and that describes the perfect day.

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  9. Yes, bag o chips and glass of wine. Perfection.

    I cheated when I posted The Stand because that is also one of my faves of ever. Right now I'm reading Duma Key, which is not nearly so epic or amazing, but still makes you bow to the master.

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  10. I'm pretty sure the publishing industry will survive... I think that most people will always prefer the tangibility of the book.
    The same response is happening across a wide range of industries as a result of the digital age, and I think digital copies of things just leave you wanting (well they do for me), I think it will be a natural response for most people to turn back to the faithful book, CD, record, etc.
    I'm finding the same thing with the music industry, I have an ipod but I have bought more CDs in the last couple of years than I have in all the years before! plus after all these years it seems that vinyl records are making a big comeback as well.
    The same thing with the photography industry. A lot of my friends are going out of their way to ensure that they get their favourite digital photos printed instead of having them sitting in a folder on the computer. Plus, have you noticed the popularity of polaroid style photos making a comeback through ipod/iphone apps like hipstergram and instagram?

    As for reading - I try, I really do, But I'm definitely a creature of habit and have found the genre I really love (which is quite a small niche one) and I really seem to struggle to break away from it and venture into other genres/styles of books... Plus I can never wait for the end and always end up peeking which inevitably ruins it for me *sigh* I'm also one of those people that needs to be doing something with my hands - I can't just sit and watch TV, I have to do a crossword as well or surf the internet ;-) or draw, write, or make something. Unfortunately holding a book doesn't often cut it for me. Of course all this flies out the window if I find a book that really grabs me... then noone sees me for a few days heehee

    Elle

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  11. I have finished one novel and am two chapters form the end of a second. Do you suppose I have TIME to send them out to see if there is any interest? Also, I have written a children's book called Pepper's Dream, about parrots who escape their abusive homes and fly off to find the magic land called Freedom. Everyone who has read it (no family members or friends) cry but are happy with the ending. It's quite Disney-ish I guess. All I need is an illustrator. It's been two years and I still haven't found one. I think that I am being whacked on the head every way I turn with this one as nothing seems to want to gel. Look at me babbling on here! Back to the point. Great post and very true!

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  12. Rosina! Send those ms's out!! So exciting. I might have an illustrator suggestion for you (but have to check) (and we love babblers here)....Good luck!

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  13. Reading this post I now have a goal. My goal is to actually find time to sit down and read a whole book and actually pay attention to it. Don't know how it will turn out but we will see,I suppose. Now to find a good book to actually read.

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  14. Let me tell you something heartening that I saw on Saturday. A bunch of kids in the building brought down two pinic blankets, some chips, a few tetrapacks of juice, and had a reading party. For nearly an hour, they just sat there READING. Not school books, but storybooks. Ones I didn't know, but storybooks all the same.
    It was fantastic!!!!

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  15. MAN, I hope to write pageturners one day. I will definitely never be a literary sort, but I think I could learn the other. I think there will always be avid readers. I think the biggest challenge is the quickly growing group who are WRITING, so the block-buster thing will get harder.

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  16. So, one point for Lyndsie maybe giving novels another try (make sure you start with something of your favourite type -- see Elle's comment). And another point for Rayna's sighting (man, I love that).

    Hart, (sigh) yeah maybe rarer blockbusters, but that's always been a lottery for a writer anyway. Bring on the copious material!

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  17. I need books. NEED them. I mean that 100%. I am an avid library patron, and I frequently haul books in and out by the tote bag full. Same with my friend S's used book store. At any given time, I have 3 digits of used book trade credit there. Occasionally, I'll indulge and buy a book at a thrift shop or yard sale. I can't remember the last time I bought a brand new book. Occasionally, I am gifted one, but buying them for myself is not a budget option. However, who really needs to buy a brand new book all that often? If there's a book I truly need to own (it's got to be more than just want), I wait until I can find a cheap enough used copy to order online from half.com, amazon marketplace, or betterworldbooks. But, I MUST have books. Any place you stand in this house, a 360degree turn will reveals books.

    I always have reading material in my purse, in the backseat of the car, by the couch, by the bed, on the back of the toilet, everywhere! I rarely get to sit and read for extended lengths except for during sleepless nights. But, I'm always grabbing a page or chapter here and there while waiting in a long line at the post office or grocery store, waiting in the pick-up line at my son's school in the afternoon, while taking a bath to thaw my toes, etc. I read probably 80% nonfiction vs. 20% fiction. Lately, that 80% nonfiction has been heavily slanted toward history books, memoires, and how-to books. I just gravitate toward nonfiction because I like learning stuff. When I do read fiction, though, there's a reason I'm indulging in fiction. I'm wanting some fluff! Brainrot! Completely fantastical, nonintellectually redeeming mental vacation on paper! The more page turner-y the better! :)

    Also, I've found that when I'm feverish and sick or feeling really sad and low, I tend to pull my old favorites off the shelf and indulge in comfort reading. For example, if I have the flu, it's a pretty safe bet that stacked in the floor by the couch amongst the tissues and tea mugs you'll find Operating Instruction by Anne Lamott, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgeson Burnett, Brainiac by Ken Jennings, The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder, 4 different first hand story history compilation books from Reminisce Magazine and Reiman Publications, Uhura's Song by Janet Kagan, So Others May Live by Martha Laguardia Kotite, and The Bishop and the Missing L Train by Andrew Greeley -- or some combination thereof. These books are like my brain's soft, fluffy, warm security blanket.

    I've been a bookworm my whole life. Now, my son is, too. The tall bookcase in his room is stuffed to overflowing with sagging shelves, and the spill over is scattered around his room. And, that's not to mention the book(s) in his backpack from the school library and any number of books he's borrowed from our friend R's house at any given time. He's especially into fantasy with dragons and wizards and such. And, comic books. He has such a mess of comic books spread around everywhere.

    Books, books, books, please!

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  18. My girls are both avid readers too -- and when I mentioned the gist of this post, my younger said she loved that feeling of disappearing into a novel and is always amazed by it when it happens (of course not with every book).

    The one thing I don't really do is re-read faves. I wish I did, but I have yet to actually do it. I think it would be awesome to know one inside and out. I love your list, Rigel.

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  19. Thanks Barbara (x) And what a lovely story back there about the kids and the reading party!

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  20. Lyndsie, there is one series of books outside of my fave genre that I can't recommend high enough - The Harry Potter series... love it! My brother has never been much of a reader and has always found it difficult to focus on a book, but when he read the Harry Potter books we couldn't tear him away from them! And the books are soooooo much better than the movies! :-)

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  21. oops, I forgot to sign off!
    The above message was from me ;-)

    Elle

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