Elite? Ego? Your feelings when you are reading or finish reading a long book

[Jonathan]

She's breathing carbon monoxide? Isn't that dangerous?

[Jim]

Yes it is Jonathan.

[Cynthia]

Is that why she gets so crabby?

[Sally, la reina]

mmmmmmmm

[Aynge]

No, and no. In fact, if I'm going to tackle a long book, I always think the author really owes me, because I'm going to have to lug the damn thing around and probably hurt my back.

It doesn't cross my mind what people think when they see the book I'm reading, but if it's good I'm all about raving about it to anyone who will listen.

Once I was on a train and reading The Most of PG Wodehouse, and this guy came up to me and help up his copy of Code of the Woosters. It was from the same recent paperback collection. How great is it when you meet someone who is as crazy about something as you are? It's almost like kismet when it's something a little bit obscure.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Dutch wrote: "Do you enjoy the looks you get from people when they notice how far the bookmark is in your epic novel? "

I'm trying to imagine a society where people look at where other people's bookmarks are.

Yes, I do feel a sense of accomplishment after finishing a really long book. Particularly if it took several months to read. There were days when I doubted I'd finish The Magic Mountain. Then I read some person's review that said, "I read this every year." (I also know both adults and children who would reread every previous Harry Potter book before the next one came out.)

I also feel a sense of accomplishment if I read a book with a lot of noteworthy passages, and I copy them into my "commonplace book."

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Jim wrote: "I usually feel relief when I get done with a long book. I never feel elite though."

Do you at least feel superior, or grand? Not even a little top-notch? Polished and dignified? Haute? Nonpareil?

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

You can compare bookshelves without friending someone, Goodreaders.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

RandomAnthony wrote: "I keep thinking Dutch is a guy."

Don't sweat it, we keep thinking of you as a girl.

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

Lobstergirl wrote: "You can compare bookshelves without friending someone, Goodreaders."

Not if their profiles are private, LG.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

I've never switched out a dust jacket. If I have a hardback book out in public with me, I take off the dust jacket so it won't get crinkled. I'm usually reading a paperback in public.

[Jim]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Jim wrote: "I usually feel relief when I get done with a long book. I never feel elite though."

Do you at least feel superior, or grand? Not even a little top-notch? Polished and dignified? H..."

I guess I could feel a little top-notch, but I haven't yet.

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

I don't know about feeling superior after finishing a book, but I feel very accomplished when I finally get the review up on GR.
Especially if I can get it right the first time, without typos.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Jackie "the Librarian" wrote: "Lobstergirl wrote: "You can compare bookshelves without friending someone, Goodreaders."

Not if their profiles are private, LG."

Oh yeah.

[Jonathan]

Jackie "the Librarian" wrote: "I don't know about feeling superior after finishing a book, but I feel very accomplished when I finally get the review up on GR.
Especially if I can get it right the first time, without typos."

Errorless typing makes me feel good too, Jackie.

[Félix]

Who?

[Sally, la reina]

Amelia said "assuage "

[Félix]

Sausage?

[Jammies]

How about the feelings of shame and inadequacy when you can't finish a big long "classic"? :(

[Helena]

Jammies wrote: "How about the feelings of shame and inadequacy when you can't finish a big long "classic"? :("

I don't know if it's a classic.... but I'm feeling a bit of shame at stalling on Foucault's Pendulum. I had been issued a challenge by a friend with a massive intellect, interested in my thoughts on it. Sigh.

[Jammies]

I just feel so dumb when I can't stand finishing a big book that's been around forever, especially when one of my really smart friends is reading it and wants to discuss it.

*hangs head in shame*

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

Jammies wrote: "How about the feelings of shame and inadequacy when you can't finish a big long "classic"? :("

noooooo....this makes me sad. What is it moms always say? If they were really your friends, they wouldn't care. Of course, that's the lecture you get when you're not supposed to be doing drugs, along with the one, "if everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it?"

What Bun said. Read what you want to read! So many people don't even read anymore, that I'm just happy to see people reading, even if it's comics or manga. I think it's great when I find another person in my real life circle who reads something - anything. Most people are so plugged into electronics these days that it's harder to find people who read.

[Lori]

I used to but now that I read just about everything on my Kindle I never get that little 'Ha look at me' thing anymore. :x I usually can't even tell how thick the book would have been even with the little bar at the bottom to show me how far in I am.

[Helena]

Jammies... what Bun & Stacia said :)

Reading is supposed to be fun, relaxing and entertaining. I have to remind myself of this from time to time when discussing books with my uber smart friends. I do often feel just a bit dumber after talking with them... but... they are total geeks and can’t even dress themselves. I’m so much cooler than them & I’m sure you are too :D

[JackieB]

I shall be thinking of you all tonight. I have to travel to London tomorrow, which is a three hour round trip on the train. I've nearly finished my current book, so tonight I have to choose what I take to read. I'm a bit tempted to take something with a lurid cover (and title) and keep a sneeky eye on people's reactions.

[Sarah]

Lori wrote: "I used to but now that I read just about everything on my Kindle I never get that little 'Ha look at me' thing anymore. :x I usually can't even tell how thick the book would have been even with the..."

I get mad at people reading Kindles because I can't snoop on what they're reading. Now I have to decide if I want to engage the person in conversation, and if they want to be engaged.

[[deleted user]]

Lobstergirl wrote: "You can compare bookshelves without friending someone, Goodreaders."

Even if they're "private" and you can't see anything on their page?

[[deleted user]]

Never mind, LG...I missed pg 3 when I posted that.

Also, I totally heart Sally all the time, every day. I don't get how anyone could be scared of her. Cynthia???

Sallers, you're plain highlarious and I heart you! Don't change a thing.

*sighs with relief that she's been friends with Sallers since before the torture of new friends started*

[Lori]

I do like reading out of a book in some cases but sometimes if I get really into a book and am sick so just reading it all day it gets a little uncomfortable for my hands to be holding the book open and I can't find a comfortable way to lay down and read with a regular book. Especially if it's big and it's sort of an effort to hold the pages apart. So I think that the kindle is good for reading extended periods. :)

[[deleted user]]

I see that, Lor. I'm a little arthritic from too much crocheting...and only 39! So, I'm with you there.

Dutch, I could never give up me classics in real book format. But, my crappy paperback sci-fi / fantasy or the occasional best seller list rubbish I could totally live without.

[Carol]

Ha! What's a Kindle?!