Book Buffet

I am happy to say that I'm having a lovely "breather" from work this week, as we are on Spring Break! Because I have different things going on during my break, I didn't want to get caught up in a long novel that would make me want to stay curled up under a blanket all week to read it. Yes, yes, I know that "normally" it's exactly like what I'd want to do - but...it IS spring here in Texas, and we've had a few lovely days and more on the way. As much as I love to read, I also love being outdoors. Rarely do these two conflict but, when they do, I try to be outside as much as possible when the weather permits. (I mean, this IS Texas - which means spring doesn't last long, and we can go from a mild winter to 102 degrees in the blink of an eye.)

All that being said, I decided to stay away from long and in-depth books and do a little 'buffet' reading. You know, pick a few small, unimportant novels - a little fluff, so to speak. Now, I'm not a book snob, so I'm pretty much game for anything within reason. I skimmed my book shelves and my Kindle, but...I don't buy 'fluff,' so I shopped for some inexpensive ($1.99) reads on Kindle. After I thought I'd found a few, my book buffet began.

I enjoyed the first book. It was cute, simple. I had the plot pretty much figured out (including the ending) by the time I was done reading a fourth of it. Of course, I didn't want something too involved - I mean, wasn't that the point? On to the next book, the plot...pretty much played out like the first one. Don't get me wrong, I can find redeeming qualities about each, just...not very many. Quick, easy reads - isn't that what I wanted?

Here's the thing about a buffet, though. If you're not real picky with what you read, it seems to satisfy the need for reading, but...it doesn't stick with you. I mean, it's fun in the moment (which is fine)...buuuuut, after the third one...I realized my brain wasn't really being fed. Is that so bad? Well, I guess it all depends. I thought what I wanted was to read but try to give my brain a bit of a vacation, too. What I realized is my brain appreciates a vacation where it can build its own world inside my head. That IS my brain's version of "fun" - which really means, it's also my version of fun.

What did I do about it?

Well, I got up this morning and looked at the calendar. I still have four days left of my break. I do have plans that don't involve reading, of course, but I've decided it's time to give my brain what it wants. It's suffered from malnutrition long enough. And if you're wondering if I'm aware that there are strong, powerful, well-written books that aren't the size of doorstoppers, I should acknowledge that I am very aware. I am including those when I say "in-depth" books. I do not mean size. When a book is good, no matter the size, it pulls me in and makes me a part of it. It engages my brain, my heart, and my soul. It takes energy and thought and, because of the way I am, usually involves additional research of some kind. I do not read just to follow words across a page and to mark it off my reading list. I read to add something to my life.

I guess...that's what was missing from my fluff reads. They didn't add anything to my life. It's like watching a sitcom just to have something blaring on the television. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, it...just...doesn't happen to be my thing.

I do have two other books I read before the break that I want to tell you about, but I'm not in the mood to write about them today. I guess I'm a bit anxious to have some reading time before I start my day's adventures. I promise to write about them in the next few days before I go back to work. Hopefully, I'll also have something interesting to tell you about the book I am about to start today.

Happy Reading! :)

SPRING BREAK!!!

That's right, folks! I am in the middle of my spring break and enjoying it immensely! No, I didn't travel to some far away place or some remote tropical island (wouldn't that be nice?). I decided to stay home this week and catch up on some reading...and some house cleaning!

My reading choices have been scattered so far. In other words, I feel like I've sat down to a smorgasbord of tasty things and don't know which delicious morsel to try first. I don't usually like to read more than one book at a time, but I've found my brain needs a little something extra with extra time on my hands.

I am currently reading City of Masks by Daniel Hecht, which is my book club's book choice for this month. I'm enjoying it so far. It's a little different from my normal reads (which, in my opinion, is what book club is for - to try something you don't usually try on your own), but it's a good sign that I'm carrying the story in my head with me. In other words, I don't forget about it the minute I close the book, and I look forward to picking it up and continuing the story during spring cleaning breaks.

I'm also reading, in bits and pieces, a beautiful "coffee table" book about Vincent Van Gogh. The book itself is a work of art, filled with his beautiful paintings and letters written between him and others, mostly his brother, Theo. I know Vincent's life did not end happily, and he didn't know a great deal of joy in his life. I find it interesting that a man who was so tortured was able to paint art that gives me such joy and fills me with a sense of peace.

I am also indulging myself in a little mental vacation with...(let's see, what IS the "nice" term for this particular genre)...easy reading. You know, a book that doesn't take a lot of thought, but has...ummmm...nice scenery, if you know what I mean. If you don't know what I mean, well,...then you don't need to. (As I've said before, I'm no book snob. I'll read just about anything...at least once.)

While I know the whole world isn't on a break this week, I do hope everyone's week is going well! I hope you're all reading and doing something you enjoy!

No, this isn't the kind of scenery I was talking about for my "easy read,"
but...sure, we'll go with that.  ;)
Happy Spring Break!