The Annual Read

This year's beach read

I just picked out my yearly novel... it must be time for the beach!

I don't know how else to put it other than I just really don't enjoy reading. Each year I mange to get through one book while I'm enjoying some sand, sun and surf. I am a slow reader, and probably won't finish my random Costco pickup while we are at the beach. But because I like to finish what I start, I'll continue to diligently read a chapter a night until I finally finish the book once we get home.

I think I used to enjoy reading. I can remember reading lots of books in elementary school, but maybe I just felt like I had to in order to advance through the Accelerated Reader Program. I think I really started feeling like reading was a chore in high school when I was forced to read books I just did not enjoy. Because I read slowly, I always felt like it took forever to get through the assigned portion of the book each night. And because I was a stickler for doing everything by the rules, it never occurred to me to skip a few words. 

I don't like to read series because I don't want the commitment of having to read multiple books that build on each other. I prefer novels with short chapters and will actually checkout chapter lengths before buying a book. Kevin really likes to read and tries to get me to read from time to time. I have actually found a couple of reads to be pleasurable over the past few years. I read 'The Help' because of its tie to the Junior League but ended up liking it (even though it did have some lengthy chapters). I seem to enjoy books written by people that I can hear their voice while reading, almost as if they are telling my their story directly. Michael J. Fox has written two books about his struggle with Parkinson's and I loved them both. I also really liked Mike Greenberg's (from Mike and Mike in the Morning) 'Why My Wife Thinks I'm An Idiot'.

I really don't think I'll ever learn to love to read. So the next time you start talking about this awesome book you are reading or say that you stayed up until 3am to finish some wonderful novel don't been offended if I respond with a blank stare... I just don't get it.