Despite the fact that I gave myself a fairly short list this spring, I still surprised myself by actually finishing all of the books on it.
Oh, the fiction was fine — I breezed through all of that by the end of April. But the nonfiction…well, there’s nothing else to say except that I was a real nonfiction slacker this spring. But over the past two weeks, I didn’t allow myself to read any fiction at all, simply so that I would actually finish my Spring Reading Thing nonfiction. And I did! Hooray!
I have to say, I enjoyed all of the books on my list. No book was boring, no book made me want to put it down and never pick it up again (as, admittedly, sometimes happens). I honestly just enjoyed a very pleasant spring of reading, and I hope you did the same!
One thing that stood out to me was that I read more than half of my SRT books on my Kindle. I still love (love!) “real books,” but the convenience, portability, price, and ease of reading on my Kindle has definitely swayed my overall reading more in that direction. I love having 10 or 20 books in my purse at once — all on the Kindle. And while I spent four weeks this spring at physical therapy, working on my elbow, I took my Kindle with me each time. I spent every heating and icing period — and a good part of the time in between — reading.
One of the most “quotable” books I read this spring was Wordsmithy by Douglas Wilson. It’s a book for writers (primarily Christian writers, though there’s plenty there for any and all writers), and Wilson has a knack for pithy sayings and memorable phrases. Some of the things I noted:
Writing ability is a developed and honed skill, and the more you develop and hone it, the more of it you will have. Writing as well as you can in every setting is the way to have reserves to draw on when it comes to writing for publication.
When you write a page and delete the whole thing, there is a sense in which it is not deleted. The better writer who remained behind is still there.
Reading lousy books is occasionally edifying, but do not make a practice of it. Life is short.
Productivity is more a matter of diligent, long-distance hiking than it is one hundred- yard dashing. Doing a little bit now is far better than hoping to do a lot on the morrow. So redeem the fifteen minute spaces. Chip away at it.
Go for total tonnage, and read like someone who will forget most of it. You have my permission to forget most of it, which may or may not be reassuring, but you will forget most of it in either case…The fact that you can’t remember things doesn’t mean that you haven’t been shaped by them.
Good stuff.
So, in summary: I read (or completed) the original nine books on my Spring Reading Thing 2012 list. I also read another four or five novels while I was busy ignoring my nonfiction. All in all, a good spring!
Don’t forget to visit the official wrap-up list to see how other participants did.
Love that last quote. I think the thing for me in reading non fiction is I feel in going to miss something crucial and processing all that I am reading is hard at times. if I’d just read, it would be a whole lot easier.
Jolanthe´s last post ..Spring Reading Thing 2012 Round Up
You’ve certainly had a lot on your plate this spring with the elbow situation and sickness. I had to do that with my last non-fiction — read nothing else and step on it to get it done in time. But that was nice in a way — usually I drag nonfiction out a little longer and then forget half of it by the time I’ve finished it.
Barbara H.´s last post ..Spring Reading Thing 2012 Wrap-Up
Congratulations on finishing well! I read a lot on my Kindle too. I love having choices wherever I go!
Jennifer @ BlogfulofBooks´s last post ..Spring Reading Thing 2012 \\ The End
Yay for finishing your list!!! I need to write up my summary post! I did not finish my list!
I need to write mine up. Don’t even remember my original goals, but I have noticed that a LOT more of my reading is done on the Kindle as well. I agree that it’s convenient and easy (especially for you with your limited capacity to use your arm!)
Jennifer, Snapshot´s last post ..Flip-Flopping
“The fact that you can’t remember things doesn’t mean that you haven’t been shaped by them”. Wow, powerful quote.
I still haven’t had any desire to get into the Kindle thing. But I’m sure one of these fine days it’s going to get me too. Hope your elbow is feeling lots better.
I did not participate this time, but still enjoy reading the wrap ups. Good job and I plan to check out Wilson’d book, thanks!
Amy
Well, good for you for completing your list, and thanks for the posing the challenge as well. Also thanks for sharing the quotes too – I think we need to chip away at all the things we enjoy, be they reading, writing, or in my case scrapbooking. It’s all about using those found 15 minutes. I myself have a Nook tablet, but I have been using it more for thinking other than reading books. Maybe someday I will convert – but not quite yet.
Congrats on finishing well!!!! you have some good books on your list!!! I like my husband’s Nook and have one book still on there that I am finishing up (Respectable Sins) BUT…I MUCH prefer holding (and smelling!!) a nice hard cover….my book, an iced tea and my deck…the perfect summer morning!
Congrats on finishing your challenge – I just squeezed through it myself at the last moment. :O) I have to say, I’ve also been reading more and more on my Kindle. It really is a terrific device!
Jen E @ mommablogsalot´s last post ..Spring Reading Thing: Wrap Up
The part about reading so much on your Kindle made me chuckle–we readers seem to either love it or hate it!
Must. Buy. Wordsmithy!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Reading lousy books is occasionally edifying, but do not make a practice of it. Life is short.”
Oh! How! I! Love! That!
Carrie, Reading to Know´s last post ..A Girl of the Limberlost, by Gene Stratton-Porter
You inspire, Katrina. I appreciate you encouraging us all with your faithfulness with these challenges. I totally enjoy them every time.
I’m with you about Kindle versus real books. I still love the “real” ones, but there are so many advantages on the Kindle that I do love also. Glad we can have both!
Lisa notes´s last post ..Hobby or ministry