Do you prefer reading current books? Or older ones? Or outright old ones? (As in, yes, there’s a difference between a book from 10 years ago and, say, Charles Dickens or Plato.)
When it comes to choosing between books written hundreds of years ago or written in the last five years, I cannot say that I really have any preferences. What I try to enjoy in a book is the story, regardless of the difference in vernacular. I am just as likely to pick up a Henry Fielding novel as I am a Tom Perrotta novel. I find that I am able to enjoy books written by different people from different times in their own way. There are certain qualities that you will not find in a present day novel that you will in a classic and vice versa.
When it comes to the books I own, I have a fairly even spread of books both current and older. One of my book buying compulsions manifests itself in the form of classics (like the Barnes & Noble Classics), and I definitely cannot read them as quickly as I buy them, but I still love them all the same. I have to admit though, I sometimes buy books, then buy more books and never get around to reading them. So I have several books such as Wuthering Heights, the Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and House of Leaves which I’ve had around for a few years and still need to sit down and read.
Among Stories 
I’ve noticed that I tend to read classic fiction and 20th century sci-fi/fantasy. Occasionally I read contemporary fiction.
I’m horrible about buying books faster than I can read them. I’m trying to catch up on already owned books so haven’t bought any yet this year. Geez, it’s tough. But my prize for hanging in there was a friend bequeathing me a stack of books before moving. Haha!
That actually just happened to me too! My mom was cleaning out her books and she goes here you go. So i’m using that as a reason to not buy books for a while.
But isn’t it just so tough to drive by the bookstore and keep going! That’s my problem, that and when I get the coupons in my e-mail.
Adding insult to injury is the bookstore is two minutes walk away.
What did you get?
No but it is only a five and a half minute drive.
I’ve been buying lots of Pride and Prejudice variations recently, but I also buy lots of true crime, sociology, and psychology. I’m one of those people though, where I’ll just pick a book off the shelf and buy it. And! To make it even worse, I recently got a library card so I would stop buying books and start taking them out of the library, but it didn’t work out to well.
I meant to say, my bookstore is only a quick walk away. It’s a blessing and a curse to have it in such proximity. I’ve used my library once in 5 years, mainly because they never have what I want. Have you read the books by Kathy Reichs? I haven’t yet but I’d like to. I read a lot of classics, but haven’t read any Austen yet. Pride and Prejudice has been suggested and I’ve been cautioned against Emma. What do you think?
I gotcha, one of my problems is the fact that there is at least one major bookstore within ten minutes of where I work, live and go to school. Not to mention used bookstores, which I also have a weakness for. I love buying used books knowing that I’m not the only one who was able to read a book and love it, or hate it.
I haven’t read any Kathy Reichs yet, I only have one of her books, but my grandma has read them all and absolutely loves them.
I will suggest Pride and Prejudice to you also, but I am a little biased because it happens to be one of my favorite books – of all time. As far as Emma is concerned, I have not read it yet, but I’m hoping to read it soon. Some people love it and some hate it from what I’ve heard. The character Emma is, from what I’ve heard, one of those characters who is supposed to make your teeth itch, kind of like Caroline Bingley in P and P, if you get around to reading it. I think that one is going to depend on everyone’s personal taste.
Ensnared from all sides. Thanks to my used bookstore I almost never have to go to the chain-store. It’s fun to think about a book’s past, especially when it’s been around for several decades.
Emma would annoy me in real life so I’ll pass. Pride & Prejudice seems to the be winning candidate. I like biased reviews like that. Long running favourites are usually that for a reason. So why do you like it so much?
When I first read Pride and Prejudice it just grabbed me. The development of the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy was really fun to read about. Here’s this incredibly wealthy man who never had anyone question him, and all of a sudden he meets this woman who challenges him and makes him work for what he wants. Besides, every time I read it, I pick up on something that I overlooked or just completed missed before. Its good stuff.
Do you have any favorites like that?
Yep, Lion’s Blood by Steven Barnes. It’s an alternate US history that follows the unlikely friendship of an Irish slave and his Islamic African master and then some. Barnes has an insightful, unique way of showing perspectives, going into cultural philosophies, and playing with the psyche. It’s one of the few books I’ve read twice, and will read again and again- always coming away with something more. It’s been a top favourite since it came out in 2002.
I haven’t heard of it, but it sounds like a good book. I’m definitely going to check it out.
Lion’s Blood is somewhat obscure because Barnes is more known among the sci-fi community. Those I’ve lent it to liked it. I like hearing people’s thoughts about books in general, but more so those I’m biased towards.
I honestly haven’t read too much science fiction, but one of these days I hope to read some more of it.