I read a blog post on my friend Carla's blog a few weeks ago that has stuck with me (you can read her post here: http://by-the-waters-edge.blogspot.com/2011/03/mondays-musings_28.html). She mentioned how her partner stayed up late reading, despite having to get up early because he just couldn't put his book down. This happens to me at least twice a month. If you ask my husband, he'll say it happens at least twice per week. But I love reading, what can I say?
I just need to know! I need to know what happens next. I need to know who dunnit. I need to know if they all live happily ever after. I. Just. Need. To. Know.
On the other hand, I don't want the book to end. I always feel so sad when I finish a book. Maybe if I read slower or rationed my chapter consumption it wouldn't have to end.
But it does end and always the same way. It ends with me telling myself I'll only read one more chapter. Then I finish the book around 2:30am. It's a compulsion. I can't seem to stop myself. My desire to know how it ends outweighs any residual feelings of sadness.
And the sadness is always there. It’s hiding beneath my satisfaction at finishing the book; behind my happiness at knowing that all is well in the character’s lives.
Why do I feel sad you ask? Finishing a book is like getting into a fight with my best friend and never, ever seeing them again. It’s awful. I’ve been so immersed in the lives of these characters while they go through awful trials and amazing triumphs and now they’re gone.
So I’ve resolved to only read series of books (sorry, Carla). This way when one book is done, there’s another book sitting on my shelf or at the library waiting for me. Suggestions and recommendations are welcome.
But what will happen when I get to the send of the series????
Anne
Thanks for the shout out! :)
ReplyDeleteI have nothing against series, I just don't get why all young adult fiction seems to come in nothing but. But I am not opposed to them. In fact, last year I read all 13 books in the Lemony Snicket series and it was awesome! But it's worse than just one novel when it ends because I spent over a year and 13 books with the characters and watched them grow from babies and kids to kids and teenagers. It was sad saying goodbye. But, you can always re-read books to visit the characters again, right?