Unfinished Business
I like to finish things. When there are a number of things pending, it’s an uncomfortable feeling for me. I love to read, so it naturally follows that I am rarely without a book to read. I like to mix it up between fiction, technical (photography), spiritual, and I guess self-improvement books (books about creativity, etc).
Many times I will not start another book until I have completed one that I have started. Some things mix, others don’t. For example, I cannot read a fiction book and a book on creativity at the same time. I think that it has to do with my enjoyment of fiction, especially those page-turners. I never seem to make it back to the other book until I finish the fiction book … then I want another fiction book!
This morning I really wanted to go out and shoot, because I haven’t been shooting outside for a few days. I got kind of bored going to the beach each day. Certainly, there are more shots to be had, but I just wanted to mix it up. Unfortunately, the skies are a solid, slate gray. I came back inside.
When I walked back in the door I noticed the coffee table and the array of books spread out upon. There were 2 fiction books that I had completed, one that I will never complete because it was so horrible, and 3 others, pictured here, that I am reading at the same time! I need to finish one of them! So, the books are:
Completed:
Compulsion: Jonathan Kellerman – If you like crime novels, you’ll like this.
Plum Island: Nelson DeMille – He’s not a new author, but new to me. If you like smart-mouthed, rule-bending, detectives, then you’ll love the John Corey character. These books featuring John Corey are riveting and hilarious.
Never gonna finish:
The Road: Cormack McCarthy – This is the same author that wrote No Country for Old Men. Personally, I find this book annoying, but that’s just my personal opinion. It’s set in some post apocalyptic time frame. We are never told what happened, it’s left to our imagination. There are only 2 characters: “The man”, “The boy”. No names. That’s it. I made it through about half of the book and couldn’t take it anymore!
In progress:
- Zen: The path of paradox – Ohso : I love this book, but it is one that you have to read a little, meditate a little, read a little more. I’ve had it for several months and, although it is only about 200 pages, I’m still reading. Only about 30 more pages to go.
- The Creativity Habit: Twyla Tharp: I became interested in this book thanks to Gordon McGregor. He mentioned it when we met in person and has mentioned it on his blog a couple of times. I have just started reading it, but so far, so good. I’m really liking the part about Zoe vs. Bios … That will take another post, folks! I have to have this book back to the library in 2 weeks, so it goes to the top of the list. The other books, I own.
- Light, Science, and Magic: An introduction to photographic lighting: This is the technical entry and is read on an as-needed basis. Though I find the images somewhat boring, but practical, I am learning a bit from it especially how to handle certain lighting scenarios. It’s been useful.
Lastly, there is one book that I’ve not yet started: Night Fall by Nelson Demille. Another John Corey novel. I’ve got to clear out at least the Twyla Tharp book before I distract myself with a good work of fiction.
Anybody else find themselves in similar situations?
OK, off to read a chapter of The Creative Habit before I go to work.
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9 Responses to “Unfinished business”
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You reminded me to finish my post on Zoe & Bios – thanks!
It was a good book – some of the ideas have certainly stuck with me over the last month or so and influenced a few turns
@Gordon: OK. I’ll look forward to your take on it and I’ll write about something else. I found something else, in the next chapter, that tickled my fancy!
you can still write your own take on the idea you know…
All the time.
I am, well, was an avid reader. 2-3 books per week. The past couple of years though I’ve not read nearly as much as I used to. Now I read maybe one or two books a month, if that. When I do read I tend not to be able to move on to another book until the current one is finished.
Like Laurie, I tend to finish one book before I start another. Your post reminded me of how little fiction I have read recently. Instead, I have been so immersed in reading books about photography (running hard to get up to speed). Come to think of it, that has been a pattern for a few years now. When I was still working I preferred reading books in my field. It got me thinking that I should visit the local library and check out som fiction.
I’m struggling with Twyla Tharps book for a while now. Reading it on and off, but so far I haven’t caught “the spark”. Many of the things she writes about are somewhat trivial (in my opinion) – and others are rather specific for her situation as a dancer / producer. Mh…but maybe I should finish the whole book, perhaps that opens new perspectives.
@Thomas: I’ve found few useful things in the book that I’m going to try. Other things, as you mentioned, are very useful for her, but probably not for a photographer. I’m about 1/3 of the way through the book and am enjoying it.
You sound a bit like me… I mean I love reading books especially on self-improvement and spiritual subjects. I’m lately getting into buddhism and reading several books about its philosophy… It does make a lot of sense to me and it somehow helps me to take better photos…
When I get in the mood to read I’ll try to read a few books at a time, like you. 1 mystery, 1 photo-related, 1 non-ficiton. Right now I’m in a no read mode, though. No time and no interest, although I had to return one book to the library before finishing it. That’s bothering me a little. I’ll probably end up buying the book and then sharing it with others. If I never get it back, that will be OK.