Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Morbidly Thinking About Books

Today I was in Barnes & Noble, just innocently browsing, when I was struck by a thought that occurs to me occasionally. I will never ever finish everything I want to read before I die. Never. I won't even finish everything in my house before that happens. When I'm struck by this thought-bolt, I, ironically, find it hard to read at all. Nothing interests me because I think, "What if by choosing to read Bleak House, I'm making it so that I will never read The Left Hand of Darkness, which I might like better?" Each decision I make to read or not to read a book seems vitally important then. Maybe reading Bobbie Faye's Very (very, very, very) Bad Day isn't the best reading choice after all. Or maybe it is because it makes me laugh.

9 comments:

Kristina said...

I don't know how many times I've had that thought...it usually leaves me feeling slightly panicky and overwhelmed. Fellow geeks unite! ;)

Kathy said...

That's exactly how it makes me feel too! And I think of all the books in the bookstore and in my house and all the libraries in the world, and then I can't read. Geekdom personified.

Marshamlow said...

I sometimes get overwhelmed by all the posibilities as well.

BabelBabe said...

OH. MY. GOD.

I thought I was the only lunatic who thought like that.

I feel much better now.

Seriously.
I may be insane but I am in good company.

Kathy said...

BB: it's always good to know you are not insane all by yourself! Glad I made you feel better.

Hilda said...

Oh I think about this a lot. I have major book issues. A few years ago, whenever I went to a book store I would get severe stomach cramps if I didn't buy a book. Then I started taking medication...I'm better now.

Kathy said...

:) Maybe that's what I need -- medication for my book addiction!

sari said...

I am not making fun of you guys, but this is kind of funny. I think everyone has weird thoughts of these kinds. I always think "how many times have I walked by a serial killer and not even known it?'

Now that requires medication. :-)

Kathy said...

Oh no! Now I'm going to have the "serial killer" thought. Which I usually only think if I've watched some show about serial killers.