Reflections on /bookworm_writhing





Thursday, February 8, 2024: The project's progress.



I'm back on track.

I was very good at recording the books I read in summer of 2022 and fall of 2023, but there are gaps elsewhere in my timeline. I've been trying to fill them in as best I can and I've gotten better at recording new reads. I often regret I didn't start this project sooner.
    But what I've found is, closer to the chronological beginning, my recollections become more vague and reflect books that had a more memorable, formative, lasting impact on me. They present as core memories — or, as Marie Kondo would say, they "spark joy." I've marked them with heart symbols, just so: ❤






Thursday, January 18, 2024: A few general observations.



1. I'm seeing that I tend to circle back to certain types of books:

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Horror genre fiction (titles in translation being particular favorite)

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Historical fiction novels, family stories (though I seem to like stories about friends the best)

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Nonfiction re: textiles/fashion, Medieval/Renaissance Europe; natural history (shells, eels)

In other words, for the most part, I know exactly what kind of stuff I'm after. As a result, I rarely read books that I end up hating. Except in the cases detailed in the next point.

2. Unfortunately, I'll often try new books completely blind, particularly if they're trending, because I get curious.

And usually, if I end up wanting to hurl a book against a wall, it's for the very reason that I was just jumping on the bandwagon. Afterwards it turns out the book was a total waste of time and I regret it. Some books become popular for no good reason. 

So I'm constantly telling myself, "Never again!"

It's just that my curiosity gets piqued - and I possibly also have feelings of FOMO.



3. Some new objectives are emerging:

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I do want to read more backlisted books. I think my current bibliography is a bit too... current. In spite of the fact that I've been making a habit of hitting up the new books section of my library first thing when I walk in, I was surprised to see that the majority of books I'm reading are new publications. I don't know if that's a good thing, there probably ought to be more balance.

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Also, since reading Hiromi Ito's Grass Spirits Tree Spirits, I've had an urgent need for more books about trees and plants.

 

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