So, I'm in Denver on business. Keeping busy and what not. Last night after dinner and watching the end of the Detroit/Calgary playoff game, (around 10:30 or 11 pm) I picked up the book I'd brought with me for my reading pleasure, The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue. And I just couldn't put it down. When I finished and checked the clock, my ever so exhausted eyes noticed it was 1:08 am.
Next to listening to music, reading is one of my favorite pastimes. I've been on a regular tear lately, I believe I've read about three or four books (in addition to The Stolen Child, I've also read The Prestige by Christopher Priest and Crazy '08 by Cait Murphy) over the course of the past month or so. Next on my queue is Another Bullshit Night in Suck City by Nick Flynn (which has got to be one of the coolest book titles since Dave Eggers' A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) or possibly Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policeman's Union.
What I'm hinting at, skirting the fringe of-- I'm a Bibliophile... or possibly a Biblio-addict. I just can't bloody well quit. Case in point, about halfway through Crazy '08, I picked up The Prestige, read it cover to cover within about a week, and then resumed and inevitably finished about two days later. As soon as I finished... I mean within seconds, I'd picked up The Stolen Child.
I don't know that there are any support groups for such an addiction-- the only thing I don't like about reading is that it takes me away from one of my other vices-- music... I'm an audiophiliac. I can't divide my attentions between reading and listening to music and do both activities the justice they deserve... Inevitably one or the other will win over my attentions. I've tried instrumental pieces (Steve Hackett's Metamorpheus and A Midsummer Night's Dream and the film scores of John Barry and Ennio Morricone), but even they are able to steal my attention from whatever literary journeys I happen to have embarked on.
Then again, I don't know that I'd want there to be a support group for these wonderful addictions. There are far worse things to be hooked on (I personally am still doing the 12 steps for my Phonics Addiction), I relish (and mustard and giardinera) these addictions. I nurture and grow with them.
Incidentally, when I write I NEED music, I need that musical cadence to keep me writing... even now I'm listening to Alan Parsons Project's Eye in the Sky album. Despite sounding delightfully dated (sounding dated is not always or necessarily a bad thing), I still find this album an absolute joy to listen to (then again much of Parsons musical repertoire, with and without "the Project" is quite delicious ear candy). There's just something magical and mystical about the power of music. I think, whether or not we realize it-- we as human creatures need an aural canvas or soundscape to get lost in from time to time. It's another form of escape from our day to day drudgery, the workaday 9 to 5 and all that silly monotony.
And so I leave you with a question? What are your favorite aural and literary escapes? What are your latest escapes?
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
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3 comments:
You are a true book lover. It warms my little librarian heart. Unfortunately, I don't read anymore. I last read an Ian Rankin mystery, but no true 'literature' for a while.
I love reading as well - it's how I get to sleep at night. Lately, however, I've been reading history books (Canadian, mostly), instead of actual literature.
On the music side, I've found myself listening to Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Spock's Beard's "V" which I only just discovered, and The Mars Volta, which is also new to me.
As addictions go, you're in good territory. I'm quite addicted to air, food and sleep. An addiction is only problematic when it interferes with work, relationships and general well being. Steer clear of methamphetamine, gambling, and casual sex with strangers and you should have no problems with your addictions.
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