Reading and Reminescing. Reading Log of Syl and her Alteregos AND her Offspring

[Ahtims]

Of course, Gorab. I have a selfish intention too. I can go through all this in my dotage and relive my past. Would be helpful as otherwise, I never keep a diary or blog.

[Gorab, TheGunman]

Selfish se yaad aaya... i should too create a reading log of 2016... though a *bit* late for that!

Same here. No diaries or blogs. Memories are preserved in form of letters written. But then they are not with me :D

[Ahtims]

Create one Asap. You can start from June... half year progress :-P

[Gorab, TheGunman]

In a couple of weeks, my wife and kid will join me back in Bangalore. Not sure whether there'll be any progress at all :P [hopefully there will be some...]
Anyways, let me create one. Thanks for the inspiration :)

[Ahtims]

he he.. make the most of these 2 weeks then and update your reads. :P

[Ahtims]

Reached the halfway mark.
But I WILL be slow for the next 10 days as my parents are visiting, and I am consciously trying to spend time talking to them.
If I sit with a book, I am oblivious to surroundings. So nowadays my reading is limited to while travelling, eating etc...
I propose to come back with vengeance after 25th of May :P

[Gorab, TheGunman]

That's a privileged reason to slow down! Enjoy the quality time :)

[Ahtims]

I was quite busy the past few days due to above mentioned reasons. Today I have packed off husband and son for a 10 day trip, and though parents are still there, am not that pressed for time. And tonight, will surely suffer from insomnia as I have seperation anxiety whenever my near and dear ones travel. Hence planning to make good use of that by reading The Passage.
Another book in the offing is Flood of Fire, which I have just started.
Am also going to read Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves, a repeat read , and as it is highly recommended by many friends who read it recently, and as I feel I have to read a Wodehouse, and because I need to cheer my lonely self up (parents leaving after a couple of days). I am sure that Bertie and Jeeves will succeed in lightening my mood.

[Girish, The Good cop]

Books are great company indeed. Bertie is the near perfect choice..
a wrong book can end up making you feel more miserable (from experience) I think..

[Ahtims]

Am alone for a couple of days. Planning to make the most of those, especially the evenings.
Am done for the day as I had taken leave to see off my parents on their way to my brother's place.
Will spend the day alternating zombies with Flood of fire.
And perhaps audiobook of What Alice forgot in between.

[Ahtims]

My reading has picked up.
Currently on the following
Attachement - On Moonplus pro reader on mobile (I have an 8 inch screen mobile as I text more than I talk, hence no eyestrain)

What Alice Forgot - audiobook for chores and jogs

The Passage - on Kindle Paperwhite

Flood of Fire - on Kindle basic

In a Land Far from Home - paperback . Though the story is good, have made least progress with this one, as I never carry my books away from the room in which they are stored (dont have a dedicated library, my books are in my bedroom on wall to wall shelves), and I read it only when in my bedroom.


Loving all 5, and enjoying my time with my varied book character friends.

[Gorab, TheGunman]

People often get confused between which version of book to try... and here you go using all possible versions simultaneously! Diversity at its best.
So which version (irrespective of book content) is the best experience for you?

[Gorab, TheGunman]

And I like the idea of not taking the book outside the room. Beats the purpose of an intelligent interior design using books when guests borrow the books (and never return them!) :)
Wondering why being the owner, you restrict taking it outside. Scared that the characters will meet real world outside?

[Ahtims]

I love physical books the best, Gorab. But then I change my reading appliances according to circumstance, and actually am comfortable with all.
But books are visible, tactile, olfactory, audible (the rustle of pages) and have considerable comfort and charm over others. :-)

[Ahtims]

I don't mind characters meeting real ones, sometimes I confuse between them :-P (kidding)

But I am so absent minded that I misplace books. So to reduce my futile searching time I made this rule for self.

[Ahtims]

Once in a while, a person needs complete solitude - to read, to think, to contemplate, to dream, just to laze around.
I am reveling in this enforced evenings of solitude, but feeling a bit guilty for enjoying myself this much when husband and son are away - quite contrary emotions.
Am almost transported into the world of early nineteenth century India/china and the post apocalyptic post viral pandemic world of zombies and survivors in the blink of an eye. And am immensely enjoying both worlds to the utmost.
ALso had plans to watch a movie or two recorded on TV, but dont feel like touching the TV remote. Occasionally I listen to music and try to do some strength training exercises, as I have given up my routine jogs due tothe fact that I am walking to and fro ( 4 X 1.5 km) , which is a decent distance.
Wednesday evening they arrive. Am waiting for their safe arrival, but enjoying the days of solitude too.

[dely]

Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "Once in a while, a person needs complete solitude - to read, to think, to contemplate, to dream, just to laze around.
I am reveling in this enforced evenings of solitude, but feeling a bit guilty ..."

No! You don't have to feel guilty if you enjoy your time all alone! Sometimes it's good to take a break from husband and son.

[Ahtims]

thanks, dely. _/\_

[Ahtims]

Today afternoon, I fell into a deep slumber and had a weird dream (courtesy : the Passage). I was the semivampire girl in the passage, sitting on a rocking chair, rocking myself away into eternity, when suddenly there came many souls - translucent and slightly shimmery, who surrounded me and slowly whispered, "you are not alone, we are there with you" repeatedly. Suddenly awoke to the alarm with a thudding heart. No aftereffects since the room was bright and shiny and I had to immediately walk my way to work, a 1.5 km walk (listening to audiobook) in the hot sun.

But I do love it when the books I read give me dreams.

I vividly remember dreaming that I was Scarlett in my late teens, wherein I would be running away from the burning southern cities, hiding in jungles and scavenging for food. Those dreams were vivid and I still remember those.

[dely]

Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "Today afternoon, I fell into a deep slumber and had a weird dream (courtesy : the Passage). I was the semivampire girl in the passage, sitting on a rocking chair, rocking myself away into eternity,..."

That dream is scary!

[Gorab, TheGunman]

Good to see that the book has served its purpose :)

[Ahtims]

dely, deliciously scary ;-)

Gorab, yes it has. ^.^

[Ahtims]

Participating in Broke Bibliophiles Face Book 24 hour readathon which started at 6 pm yesterday.
We neednot read all 24 hours, but have to finish set targets
I set 2 targets (amounting to 450 pages approximately)
Finished In a Land Far from Home
Next target is completion of Flood of Fire, another 200 pages to go.

[Girish, The Good cop]

wow.. quite a pressure to enjoy yourself :D
we should set up an IR readathon sometime

[Ahtims]

Girish, we can ... but I dont think it would be a great success. Perhaps one or two brave souls may complete it. :P

[Girish, The Good cop]

lol. what are you alluding to? ;)

[Srividya]

Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "Girish, we can ... but I dont think it would be a great success. Perhaps one or two brave souls may complete it. :P"

I agree. :P

[Ahtims]

Girish wrote: "lol. what are you alluding to? ;)"

alluding to the fact that most of us are too busy to devout more than an hour or so for reading, and even if we hold a readathon and there is an initial enthusiasm, when the real thing sets in , most may drop out.
Look at how the group reads proceed every month. :/

[Girish, The Good cop]

hmm.. guilty as charged on most counts and yes, the group reads are mostly a diffused affair.

At least to me, reading is a compulsory daily exercise to keep my sanity in the daily endless loops. Would think twice to make it all competitive :)

[Ahtims]

After a peetty long time, read nearly 8 hrs over the short weekend. Feeling accomp!ished. Thankyou, BB readathon. :-B

[Indrani]

Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "Participating in Broke Bibliophiles Face Book 24 hour readathon which started at 6 pm yesterday.
We neednot read all 24 hours, but have to finish set targets
I set 2 targets (amounting to 450 pages..."

welllll done!

[Girish, The Good cop]

Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "After a peetty long time, read nearly 8 hrs over the short weekend. Feeling accomp!ished. Thankyou, BB readathon. :-B"

Congratulation :)

[Srividya]

Congratulations Syl! That's great! :)

And you know what, I have been thinking on what Girish said - Maybe if we made it a week long thing, instead of a one day event - where the individual sets their own goals, it might work. At least those that are regular might do it. Also, if you include the weekend in the week, you can definitely get more results.

All of us read at least a little every day. It doesn't necessarily have to be number of books you finish but maybe number of pages etc... I think it might help motivate people to participate more in the group activities. What say?

[Ahtims]

Yes, Sri. Thanks a lot for the suggestion. :-)

[Gorab, TheGunman]

Superb Syl!
And Girish's idea is nice too... May be not many will participate but many more will get inspired by that couple of brave souls.

[Indrani]

I would also be interested to join...

[Ahtims]

I will put this up to other mods and come up with a working plan

[Ahtims]

My son read two of my recommendations.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
and House Rules - currently reading

he liked them both.. and am happy.

My reading progress
Too busy nowadays as I have relatives at home, and have resumed my long evening walks. Managing barely an hour a day. Hopefully shall devout more time on Sunday.

[Indrani]

@Smitha I loved these two books recently. Your son may like them (unless already read) - Wonder and The Phantom Tollbooth

[Ahtims]

He's read both, Indrani. Thanks for the suggestion. Tollbooth he didn't like much. Wonder and Julians chapter he read at a very young age, 11 or so.

[Indrani]

very nice... how old is he now?

[Ahtims]

13.

[Indrani]

Aah.. so he is a teenager now.. exciting times ahead... :)

[Ahtims]

Yes really "exciting" :P

[Ahtims]

am in the process of reading many books. Hence formulating a rough schedule

when will there be good news - finish today
Secret Adversary / Vegetarian. --> by weekend
Never let me go/ Slaves of solitude --> by June end
then think about the rest half dozen half-reads
then read my son's recommendation (to fulfil redo by family member challenge)

[Girish, The Good cop]

I've seen marathon runners do such detailed workout plan.. :P
*slip in a PGW somewhere.. equivalent of catching your breath*

[Indrani]

perfect!

[Ahtims]

When I was small, I had dearth of books to read. I would pester my parents and make them buy loads which would magically shrink to a couple of days' reading material, and then I would do a second read within a gap of a couple of days, and then pester them again.
Joining a local lending library helped my parents a bit in curbing their child's book spending spree, but then if I liked a book, I would immediately clamor to buy it.
I have done many things to attain a book
-steal
-threaten
-cajole
-voraciously barter

all those in subsequent threads as I am short of time, and a tad hungry.

I suddenly remember my childhood because nowadays I am facing quite the opposite situation

Loads and loads of book in every form and type
Less and less time to read
More and more friends to discuss them with...

I have pledged myself to read many books with many people and I have to draw up a rough chart which I may or may not keep up to, but at least it is here for reference

So here are my books
(in the approximate planning to finish order)
The vegetarian-Whatsapp book group
Secret Adversary- Christie Carnage
Slaves of solitude - with Alex/Sundar
Company of liars- with a small company of non-liars
Let the right one in - with Manju
Never Let me go - with Girish
Code of Wooster/anyother PGWodehouse -Vimal has to select
The Hidden Oracle/Royal assassin - pick it for me challenge

plus the poor 5 loners which I started but couldnot complete as group and buddy reads were forever intervening. (not that I complaint, I do love reading books as a group)

[Gorab, TheGunman]

Ha ha ha ha ha :D
Steal and threaten!

Your thread always inspires to read more and more. I too love reading as a group but never delved outside goodreads for that. Whatsapp group would be interesting... but not many people in my contacts give a damn about reading a book.

I'm eagerly following up on your son's recommendations and reads :) Thanks for continuous sharing.

[Ahtims]

Glad to know that you find my thread interesting, Gorab.
We can form a whatsapp Readers group if a few others too are willing. Let me think a bit. My current whatsapp group is doing a group read after more than a year. Hence am excited.

The one time I stole book is still drag in my memory. only excuse is that I was about 9,or 10. I will tell that anecdote some time. I so want to relive that.
But stealing, scrolling and waiting eagerly was so much fun (at least retrospectively). Instant gratification, in fact is not that gratifying. :-P