Well, I did it to myself again. <sigh> I've book hauled. As much as I try to resist the urge, I can't. Yes I said those two ugly words again...I can't. I'm not going to follow it up with a my usual qualifier of "right now."
Between Smashwords promotion of "Read an e-book" week and all the yummy selections that are offered for free on Amazon, I've amassed 53 new titles to the horde of books on my kindle and computer. Three are audio books. I won't lack for things to read any time soon. For the old me consuming voraciously, two books a week was no problem. The new me, post stroke this amount of book hauling could take years to read them all!
It all started simple enough, an author friend posted on the Compuserve Book & Writers Forum that two of her books were free on Smashwords. Having read parts of her excellent writing style in bits and pieces while she was writing both books didn't hurt my rushing over to grab the books. Of course, I'm speaking of Marte Brengle's "Closed Circuits" and Dutchman's Puzzle."
I love to read and daily and forever thankful that I still am able to with only minor difficulties since my stroke. It just takes me longer to read with understanding. It can now take me almost two weeks to read a full length novel via kindle or computer. Even though I can attach them onto my treadmill or air cycle, I can't focus on two things at once...my brain short circuits. I can no longer walk and chew gum at the same time either, literally. So my multitasking days are over for the time being. (Notice I did use the qualifier here) But I can listen to a book while I do these things.So will I continue adding to my mountain of reads, probably. I got a hardbound book in the mail last week from a publisher to review, "Letters to Zerky: A Father's Legacy to a Son...and a Road Trip Around the World" by Bill Raney and Joanne Walker Raney. This is on my next read pile. The review will appear here the Friday after I finish reading it.
And to think, a short year ago audio books and e-books were on my least favorite list. What a difference a year and a stroke makes.
It's nice to have so many books waiting. Gives us something to look forward too.
ReplyDeleteI agree, but it can be overwhelming too.
DeleteBut Jo, chewing gum has been proven to increase blood flow to the brain, likely making you smarter
ReplyDeletelol Dean tough decision building up leg muscles or rebuilding brain power. They are both equally important. I guess I could always do one or the other.
DeleteMy iPad is overflowing with books. Every time a blogger buddy releases one, I buy it. I will never run out of reading material.
ReplyDeleteAlex, at the rate I'm downloading neither am I.
DeleteI'll never run out either! I will say I've learned to read faster whereas I used to be very slow. I've had no choice to due to the plethora of books piling up on my Kindle from blogger buddies I love. :)
ReplyDeleteNick, neither will I
DeleteSorry that you're overwhelmed with books to read, but on the positive side, you'll never be bored. You'll have something exciting to read for quite a while and your friends will love to hear you comments on their work.
ReplyDeleteDeanie, I only wish I'd had this kindle in the hospital with me. But at the time of my stroke, I was into more paper books and didn't have much on my kindle. But I'll be prepared next time.
DeleteEven though I'll probably never read all of them, having books around makes me happy. Besides, it's good to have options! :)
ReplyDeleteActually all the physical books I have around me are read, or soon to be read no more than 6 because I used to read three at a time (2 fiction, 1 nonfiction). But me downloading books has taken a life unto it's own. Granted they don't take up a whole lot of space either.
ReplyDeleteYay for Marte! I enjoyed her books too.
ReplyDeleteI've got way too many books on my TBR pile. Though I do wish I could knit and read at the same time!
Yep Yay for Marte! Her books are even better than the snips she posted. I usually don't buy books more than a couple of months before I read them. No more than twenty at a time. Now my list is a different story. There must be a couple hundred books that I don't have a copy of but want to read.
DeleteMy behavior last month in downloads alone is so out of character for me.