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Despite requests...

26/2/2019

It’s nice to have feedback – at least it lets me know I’m not talking to myself here. So, thanks for that.
However, despite requests, no, I won’t supply a list of the books I set aside unfinished last year (see blog below).
I’m not in the game of pulling down another’s work in public. If I don’t rate a book highly that’s a judgment I make for myself, knowing that others may well appreciate it more than I did.
Also, any author knows the amount of thought and work that goes into writing a book and that should make one hesitant to dismiss another’s industry without explanation and justification.
Writer Olin Miller said,
"Writing is the hardest way of earning a living -
with the possible exception of wrestling alligators."
Best wishes to all who are wrestling with a manuscript right now.

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Books that disappoint

18/2/2019

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Speaking of New Year – well, I did in my last blog (see below) – I looked back to see what I resolved a year and a bit ago. I see it included –
…
I’m looking forward to [the reading] the coming year will bring my way, and anticipating discovering enough literary gems to provide frequent highlights..
Resolution 2 – in the case of books that disappoint, make an early decision to abandon them, rather than keep reading in the hope they’ll improve.

Did I keep to my resolution and do that? Yes, I did.
In 2018 I read 75 books. These covered fiction and non-fiction, in a variety of genres – contemporary and historical novels, thrillers, humour, collections of short stories, fantasy, even a paranormal or two.
In addition, I started another 14 that I put aside when, after giving them more than a fair chance.
Years of experience reading and assessing books and manuscripts, told me they were unlikely to improve. Whereas in the past I’ve always felt obliged to carry on to the end, I now know there’s little likelihood I’ll be rewarded for it, so I put them aside. With some regret that they didn’t deliver, but I figure that with so many books available to be read, there’s no point in wasting time persevering with those don’t shape up.
On my kindle I have a virtual shelf where I’ve placed these titles. One day, with a few clicks, I’ll remove the lot. At least I’ll be glad that in the case of my copies, no paper was involved.

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New beginnings

9/2/2019

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I’ve always liked new beginnings.
       The anticipation and then the experience of trying and learning about something new, be it a skill or place, presents something of a challenge it’s good to meet. Even packing up and moving to a new town doesn’t invoke in me the thought of dread others speak of.
       So taking down the spent calendar and replacing it with a new one at New Year can also be a satisfying action – the ruling-off of what is past and setting one’s sights on what is ahead.
       What I like about New Year is that if you look forward to it you can have more than one go at it.
       At midnight on 31stDecember I watched fireworks over Auckland harbour, viewable at a distance from our lounge window, then went to bed happy that a line was drawn separating what was 2018 from what, I hoped, would prove to be a better 12 months ahead than the one just past. That’s the hopeful anticipation.
       Now, thanks to the Chinese astrological reckoning, at this time of year I can do something similar by watching a lion dance and saying goodbye to the year of the Dog while looking forward to what the Year of the Pig has in store.
Why stop there! Next month at the Autumn/Spring solstice, when several other calendars traditionally began, I can stop and start again if I wish. In Iran, Afghanistan, and some other countries around the northern part of the globe where west meets east it’s the beginning of the calendar for them. I’ll celebrate yet another New Year with my Iranian and Baha’i friends.
       Looking even further ahead, there’s opportunity for more such occasions that I can celebrate if I feel the need for a yet another time of renewal.
       The Gregorian system is just one way of ordering time, after all.
       So, whenever you choose to celebrate it, Happy New Year to you. May the next undefined period bring you progress, pleasure, and peace.

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Books that disappoint

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