Readers thread: what or who are you reading right now?

[blackemerald1]

House of Spies - A Gabriel Allon Thriller - Daniel Silva - Harper Collins

Another spy novel of course and following Silva's beautiful way of weaving a big plot into easy to digest portions. I'm enjoying it. I've also enjoyed all of his other novels too. Silva write's in a style that where modern and traditional intersect. The tempo is just right for me. And I like that he's developing the fictional spy Gabriel Allon.

I've become a bit of fan.

 

[somerandomguy]

Has it ever happened to anyone that others are dismissive of your reading material?

My first instructor when I went to library school went around the class and asked us what we were currently reading. I told her I was reading a chronology of Roman emperors, and she made a disgusted face and said "That sounds so boring."

I dropped out after a couple of semesters, mostly due to money but partially due to the absolute incompetence of the instructors. And not specifically because my choice of reading material was dissed, but that sure wouldn't have been a great way to start a career.

 

[Mee]

Has it ever happened to anyone that others are dismissive of your reading material?

My first instructor when I went to library school went around the class and asked us what we were currently reading. I told her I was reading a chronology of Roman emperors, and she made a disgusted face and said "That sounds so boring."

I dropped out after a couple of semesters, mostly due to money but partially due to the absolute incompetence of the instructors. And not specifically because my choice of reading material was dissed, but that sure wouldn't have been a great way to start a career.

Ha, loads of times.
I don’t know if it can be explained how much of a challenge post PTSD sharing what I am reading really is. It’s very ‘exposing’ to me. Makes me feel highly vulnerable.

 

[blackemerald1]

Has it ever happened to anyone that others are dismissive of your reading material?

^Well yes! They have tried to guess what sort of mind I have through what I read. They guess wrong. lol

Parents, colleagues and even my kids have critiqued my reading trends.

I found it particularly interesting when they didn't read much at all.... And they didn't know what was inside of my book either.

Whilst I carry around a book with me almost everywhere and everyone can see what I'm reading, most people scan their phones rather than reading a book... so I've got no idea what they're reading and thus I cannot critique them.

When ptsd took away my ability to focus, concentrate and retain for many years I felt like I was lost without being able to read. I worked really hard to bring it back and now, to keep it. I feel like I am making up for years where reading wasn't possible.

SRG I think that Instructor was harsh and her comments were unnecessary. It was a Library school? Wow.. that's awkward. I belong to a library book club which is a lot of fun bc I am required to read other people's selections. It's an odd feeling when I become bogged down with someone else's selection and either cannot finish it or have to admit defeat and own up to it at the end of the month. lol...

My last selection for everyone else to read at the club went down like a lead balloon. And they crucified it completely. But I still loved it. I didn't try and defend it. Their reactions were interesting because it was a provocative kind of book.

I think I can tolerate most people not liking what I read bc at the end of the day it's my mind and my time.

I'm usually quite interested in what other people are reading too and there isn't much I won't give a red hot go at reading.

Roman emperors, and she made a disgusted face and said "That sounds so boring."

^Rubbish! The Roman emperors were interesting. They got themselves into all of kinds of pickles. lol

 

[Mee]

^Rubbish! The Roman emperors were interesting. They got themselves into all of kinds of pickles. lol

I, Claudius , by Robert Graves, remains one of my favourite books ever and the development, or devolvement of Claudius’ character, in ‘Claudius the God’ was fascinating to me as a Young person.

 

[somerandomguy]

I, Claudius , by Robert Graves

I love everything by Graves, especially the Claudiuses and Good-bye To All That.

 

[Mee]

I love everything by Graves, especially the Claudiuses and Good-bye To All That.

For me it’s Claudius and the Greek Myths . I found out recently that the Greek Myths are on audible and it’s very tempting to buy them.

 

[Mee]

Ninth house, just finished. Hmm. I hated the start of this but warmed to it by the end then didn’t like the ending ?. I might have another go in a few weeks. Notably I found it hitting quite a few of my ‘ptsd abrasion zones’. Might just be after a rough week?

I still crave fantasy so I am downloading Garh Nix’s Angel Mage.

 

[Mee]

I think I might have found a cure for my hyper vigilant insomnia. Every single time I have put angel mage on I have gone to sleep. A whole day and I have still ( while awake) only heard up to the third chapter .

 

[blackemerald1]

only heard up to the third chapter .

^Do you keep listening to the same three chapters and nodding off?

I know it's a good thing that you're getting sleep but it doesn't say much for the material or is it magic?

 

[Mee]

^Do you keep listening to the same three chapters and nodding off?

I know it's a good thing that you're getting sleep but it doesn't say much for the material or is it magic?

?

I go back to the last thing I remember when I wake up. It means it’s sometimes vaguely familiar. I’ve got going back to the last thing I remember down to a fine art since ptsd. Simply cannot sleep without a distraction from my thoughts.

That said; it does reinforce the Terrible sleeping pattern of late nights and isn’t really tackling either intrusive thoughts or hyper vigilance; just avoiding dealing with it. I’m sort of ok with that for now. I’ve needed to feel safe first ; and during even stretches I try harder to establish healthier routine. ( I Know earlier nights help me more).

I have now made it to chapter five. And the soporific impact is wearing off. I think that high fantasy makes me drowsy in general. I like the name of the wind but finding those books was incredible for sleeping!

 

[Mee]

Finally , three days on one book is epic for me ?. I was so depleted I couldn’t decide what next so a friend chose the thriller The Magpies for me, she has wanted me to read it for a while