On two separate occasions this last weekend, I had to defend my activity. The first when it came to material, the latter on my method of procurement.
Now don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t reading light and fluffy fare that I’d be embarrassed to be caught seen reading outside the comfort of my own home. (There have been plenty of moments where that may or may not have been the case.)
There I was, sitting on the bus, chatting it up with two cute BU law students (because all BU law students are cute, right Whit?). Our conversation lulled, so I pulled out the copy of The Count of Monte Cristo I've been wading my way through (and procrastinating at times). Holy buckets. You should have seen the looks and heard the questions I fielded after that one. Yes, the book is long. No, it's not an assignment. Lemme check... it's 1124 pages. Yes, the type is small. This was the second nerdiest I've felt in my whole life... only because this happened a few days earlier.)
Then, not a day later, an eyebrow was raised when it was discovered my book was checked out from the public library. My casual response? "THIS IS WHAT MAKES ME CHARMING." Just like that. In all caps.
You are all aware of the fact I watch quite a bit of TV. But you may not know I also plow through books with reckless abandon and my roommate can attest to the time I spend lounging about reading. It's something in which I delight. And the library is an amazing, amazing place.
How happy I was this morning to see Jared buzzed this great great image:
credit: asofterworld.com
So. What's the longest book you've ever read for the sheer pleasure of entertainment? Do you have books you'd rather people didn't know you read? And wouldn't you agree that frequenting a public library is charming?
8 comments:
ok this post is awesome for so many reasons.
first, yes all BU law students are cute (actually there were only a couple cute ones when I was there) ;)
second, its the count of monte cristo -- one of the most action packed novels ever written. totally not nerdy (war and peace or anna karenina would be more embarrassing to crack open)
third, I can totally see why they would be flabbergasted that it was not an assignment. Reading leisurely or for pleasure in law school is impossible. The reading assignments pile up and are usually never interesting enough to keep you awake, even at 2 pm.
fourth, yes the library is awesome and it really doesn't get better than the boston public library's reading room
I went to the library last week, and checked some books out...first time in a while. LOVED how it felt to walk out with a whole pile of them. LOVED how it felt to crack one open. LOVED being in the library, and being among the people that READ.
Huzzah for good books. :)
Are you on Goodreads? (.com) If not, you should be! I'm always looking for recommendations!
I am revealing myself as a lurker here (since we only met once years ago and are facebook friends, but you may not even remember who I am...), but I wanted to tell you I can sympathize!
I am currently reading the unabridged version of Les Miserables, and I get similar reactions from people when they hear how I am spending my free time. But here is the thing: #1 - the book is amazing and I mostly don't care what other people think. #2 - I avoid many awkward looks (and the heaviness of the book) by reading it as an e-book on my iPhone. It's great! You always have your book with you without having to carry a heavy thing around (you can read on the bus! during meetings! in the bathroom!), and people don't know that you are reading a 1200-page book on there, so they can't judge you. Plus I downloaded it for free from Project Gutenberg, so it's a win-win-win.
I do love going to the library though. It IS charming!
Joni -- don't be silly. Of course I remember you. I lurked on your wedding photos not too long ago. Congrats!!
Eck -- not on Goodreads yet. I'll have to look into it. My one off-the-cuff recommendation (ironically given to me by a blog comment months and months ago) is "March" by Geraldine Brooks.
Whit -- I seem to remember you finding time to do all kinds of non-legal things in your school time. TV, trips, sports... etc. You're the master of multi-tasking!
Hah yes that is true. The secret was that I didn't do my reading for my classes during my 2nd and 3rd years (once professors stop cold calling on students)
I also barely went to class. :)
(First year was a different story)
Hah yes that is true. The secret was that I didn't do my reading for my classes during my 2nd and 3rd years (once professors stop cold calling on students)
I also barely went to class. :)
(First year was a different story)
I read les mis (unabridged) a couple years ago for fun. I think it was 1400 some odd pages. I'd definitely go for the abridged version next time. But, wow. What a fantastic book. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking to kill a few months. :)
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