I've read some books in my time, but sometimes I can't remember most -- if some -- of them.
Once I've finished a book, be it ficton or non-fiction, I generally put it down and that's it. I don't write anything, I don't blog about it. Not even a note.
I'm trying to change that. My girlfriend suggested writing a one-page appraisal of every book I finish. Since I recently just finished one, seemed appropriate enough.
It felt good. I think I'll remember it better and, even if I don't, it'll be there for quick consultation. I wouldn't recommend it as review for someone who hasn't read it and is looking for a recommendation: it's just a little something to remind myself what the book is about, if it's worth the read and what stood out the most for me.
What do you do once you've finished reading your book?
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg was kind of a "man of letters" back in the 17th century. In addition to creating Lichtenberg Figures (look them up, they're rad) he also keep his "waste books" - little notebooks in which he wrote down thoughts, people he met, grocery lists. They're f'ing awesome - like Jack Handy from the Renaissance. I'm far less prolific than him and I mostly use my little book to highlight the wisdom of others, rather than the wisdom of myself... but back then, there weren't any social networking sites. http://www.amazon.com/Waste-Books-York-Review-Classics/dp/09...
"Rosa, fetch me the parchment, this one is nearly complete" He says as he reaches for his customary tumbler of Grappa, as is tradition each time he finishes a notebook equipped with his signature tiny mechanical pencil.
The first quote in it is from a movie, actually: A pig who doesn't fly is just an ordinary pig.
Perhaps if you don't feel like writing an entire appraisal of the book is useful to you, you could focus instead on writing about one (or more, if you find them) really interesting concepts, events, or well-written passages.
That's one thing that I might do less with digital books. On a related note, it bothers me to have a number of books I haven't read. I've read most everything on our shelves, unless it was a gift that I wasn't very interested it. That's another thing that might be different with digital books... Yeah, if you are willing, hit us with the appraisal. It would be an interesting thing, just to get people's takes on what they've recently read. Maybe I'll consider the same with Mythago Wood.
That said, some books REALLY stick with me. These include: A Farewell To Arms, 100 Years of Solitude and the LoTR Trilogy. The last 2 books I've read were, A Brave New World and Crime and Punishment I cautiously include BNW as I didn't read it but listened to the audiobook. Crime and Punishment was FANTASTIC! I finally see what the hype is all about. It reminded me a lot of The Stranger by Camus (another novel whose characters names I couldn't remember for the life of me, but really enjoyed reading) because it deals with the first hand narration of a murder. I wouldn't be surprised if it were divulged that Chapman and Hinkley had this novel in their pockets too. I like the idea though caio, perhaps we should start "blogging" about the books we read HERE? I'd be interested in your thoughts on whatever book you've just finished. Great photo btw. You?
If I have something interesting to say, I might post it. But the langage barrier is a tough one. I want to do the thought justice. The photo? Oh, I just typed "closing a book" on Google Images. It's right after Jeff Scott Soto's Human Clay. It's seemed to be royalty-free, so I grabbed it. ;)
I think we don't do certain things because we pigeonhole ourselves, or live in a paradigm - for whatever reason; so now I act as I see fit! They're your books, do as you see fit. Hope this helps.
They're your books, do as you see fit. -- It's a great advice. Thanks!
She did it to make fun of how much time I spend on Hubski. So far, 3 have "8 wheels" and 1 with only 5. -Thai Peanut Curry. The cookbook is Clean Food by Terry Walters, its been really good so far. It was a recommendation from fr33lunch
Just take the piece of crap out of circulation, prevent others from sharing my suffering.
I've actually decided to start writing wee appraisals of the books that I read, though so far I've only written one, on the first volume of Haruki Murakami's 1Q84. It gives a brief rundown of the contents of the book, my opinion on it, and the circumstances in which I read it - often a book enbodies memories of a particular time for me; actually, Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a good example, for it reminds me of a trip to Brussels last year.