A Vacation Full of Reading… yeah, right!

Jul 10

A Vacation Full of Reading… yeah, right!

By Michael Kindness Uncategorized Add comments

I’m on vacation this week (although, with a BlackBerry, it’s hard to truly be on vacation), and my plan was to get a few things done around the house and to do a boatload of reading. The best laid plans…

Why does yard work always take ten times as long as you expect it to? “I’ll just trim back the trees and bushes so the house painters can actually get to the house.” Well, I got all of that done yesterday. Now I have 3 very large piles of brush that I have to cut down to size so they will fit in those annoying paper bags that never stay open. Then I have to mow the lawn. Then I have to finish laundry. Then I have to move a bunch of boxes. Then I blah, blah, blah. When do I read?!

What book am I reading (or trying to read)? I’m glad you asked! The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski has been getting an unbelievable amount of attention, especially for a first author. Several extremely well-read and discerning booksellers I know have been raving about it. Everyone from the Washington Post to Stephen King to many bloggers loves this book.

I’m only 100 pages in (see first 2 paragraphs), but I can easily tell that all of these raves are spot on. I’m normally a slow reader, but in this case I’m slowing down even more, savoring the writing and the truly wonderful character that is Edgar. I’ll update you all when I finish the book, but I’m guessing I’ll be jumping on the Sawtelle-loving bandwagon!

And now, a few questions for you dear reader? Are you days as full as mine? Do you have trouble carving out reading time? How do you do it and do you have any tips?

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We encourage you to write down or print out the title information and shop at your local bookstore. Titles link to LibraryThing, a social networking site that allows you to catalog your home library. LibraryThing also links to various online purchasing options. Here are the books from this post:

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, Ecco Hardcover, $25.95, 978-0-06-137422-7

(all information is for the U.S. editions).

http://mindmoss.blogspot.com Maggie

Hey, I’ll take tips on finding time too.

About the book, I recently had it recommended to me by my book loving brother. Read some reviews on it and you’re right, everyone seems to rave about it. It’s on my to-read list, along with oh, 80 or so books. See what I mean about needing reading time?
http://mindmoss.blogspot.com Maggie

Hey, I’ll take tips on finding time too.

About the book, I recently had it recommended to me by my book loving brother. Read some reviews on it and you’re right, everyone seems to rave about it. It’s on my to-read list, along with oh, 80 or so books. See what I mean about needing reading time?
http://notenoughbookshelves.blogspot.com Alix

Sounds like a good book I haven’t come across it yet.
As for reading time I stay up way to late which is why I look permanently shattered. I used to love my commute because it was two hours of guilt free reading a day!
http://notenoughbookshelves.blogspot.com Alix

Sounds like a good book I haven’t come across it yet.
As for reading time I stay up way to late which is why I look permanently shattered. I used to love my commute because it was two hours of guilt free reading a day!
http://www.carolynjewel.com Carolyn Jewel

I have Edgar Sawtelle and read the opening chapter while I was waiting for something else to finish. I quickly realized this was a book I would want to read without interruptions, so I put it down. Which neatly segues to your question.

There are some books I can read in chunks. A few minutes here and there and before you know it, all done! But certain books I know I’ll want several hours to read at a stretch.

Those books I set aside for a day when I’m goofing off from writing or not under deadline. During those times, I close my door and read, read read read read.

Sometimes, when not under deadline, I bring a book with me to the gym where I can read uninterrupted for 45 minutes while I’m pedaling away on the bike.

In between deadlines, I will read a dozen or more books in one massive frenzy of joy. One thing that makes this possible is that I don’t watch TV. I gave it up years ago because I needed that time for writing.
http://www.carolynjewel.com Carolyn Jewel

I have Edgar Sawtelle and read the opening chapter while I was waiting for something else to finish. I quickly realized this was a book I would want to read without interruptions, so I put it down. Which neatly segues to your question.

There are some books I can read in chunks. A few minutes here and there and before you know it, all done! But certain books I know I’ll want several hours to read at a stretch.

Those books I set aside for a day when I’m goofing off from writing or not under deadline. During those times, I close my door and read, read read read read.

Sometimes, when not under deadline, I bring a book with me to the gym where I can read uninterrupted for 45 minutes while I’m pedaling away on the bike.

In between deadlines, I will read a dozen or more books in one massive frenzy of joy. One thing that makes this possible is that I don’t watch TV. I gave it up years ago because I needed that time for writing.
Marny

Being Michael’s wife, I do APPRECIATE all the yardwork!

As for reading, Michael my sweetiepie, I will let you have some time this weekend and next week for extra reading. Thanks for trimming the trees, the house looks great!
Marny

Being Michael’s wife, I do APPRECIATE all the yardwork!

As for reading, Michael my sweetiepie, I will let you have some time this weekend and next week for extra reading. Thanks for trimming the trees, the house looks great!
http://www.bookroomreviews.wordpress.com tracy

Oh I am SO excited about this book. I am at an incredibly sad point in the book right now, so brace yourself. But like you I knew right away this is one to slow down and savor because books like this don’t come along often! Enjoy your vacation:)
http://www.bookroomreviews.wordpress.com tracy

Oh I am SO excited about this book. I am at an incredibly sad point in the book right now, so brace yourself. But like you I knew right away this is one to slow down and savor because books like this don’t come along often! Enjoy your vacation:)
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

thanks Tracy… I am loving it MORE than before…
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

thanks Tracy… I am loving it MORE than before…
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Marny,
let me be the first to say, “awwwwww” that’s so sweet!

Ann
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Marny,
let me be the first to say, “awwwwww” that’s so sweet!

Ann
http://www.shelleygreenberg.com Shelley Greenberg

Wow, you guys called it! Check out the front page of today’s Globe: http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2008/07/16/best_seller_out_of_the_blue/.
http://www.shelleygreenberg.com Shelley Greenberg

Wow, you guys called it! Check out the front page of today’s Globe: http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2008/07/16/best_seller_out_of_the_blue/.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

Thanks for the link Shelley! I wish I could take credit, but I’d been hearing about Edgar Sawtelle for months… I should have clued you all in earlier!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

Thanks for the link Shelley! I wish I could take credit, but I’d been hearing about Edgar Sawtelle for months… I should have clued you all in earlier!