Location: San Lorenzo, CA
About:
Back in the U.S. after nearly 10 years in England. Currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area with little time to read, but now I'm re-prioritizin
Back in the U.S. after nearly 10 years in England. Currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area with little time to read, but now I'm re-prioritizing my time and making sure that reading is again a done thing.
Up until about a couple of years ago, I'd been a reference and non-fiction reader. Some of my favorites were The Porcelain God: A Social History of the Toilet, a book on poisons (written for authors rather than murderers, I hope)and The People's Almanac Presents the Book of Lists. My favorite author was Charles Panati, because it's interesting learning what a body does when it is hung, or drawn and quartered- right? I'm a one person wrecking team when it comes to Trivial Pursuit.
Then, I thought I would dip into the unknown waters of fiction. Scary. I had no idea what I was doing, really. The experience has already made me a different person and widened my outlook. The choices! I've learned that I enjoy Gothic novels, "cozy mysteries," and even science fiction. I'd had run-ins with classic literature in the past, and it put me off the whole subject. But I've even started giving them a second chance. It is still hit and miss, but I'm trying harder to relate to them and get through more of it before giving up.
I used to think that my tastes made me uninteresting to others who didn't understand my weird (go on!) diversions. Now I discuss with people what WE are reading, I recognize authors' names that are talked about, and there are people in the library with me! Oh joy! Instead of just feeling like my head is full of useless knowledge, I feel like a part of my surroundings. That's weird! Or not.
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