Categories of Reading

I'm snagging this post idea from Dorothy as I can totally relate to what she's writing about.  My problem is that I want to read both deeply and widely--all at once.  That's reason #47 why I always have so many books on the go at once.  I want to read everything and I want to read them all now.  I can never decide whether I could accomplish more just reading two or three books at once or continuing to go about it the way I am doing so.  In any case I never give myself the chance to find out as my reading pile simply grows all on its own.  

I think I spend too much time when I'm not reading, thinking about what I want to read.  There are so many books out there that I feel like I should read or that simply appeal to me I am constantly reorganizing the queue in my mind.

Here are a few of my own categories, in no particular order.  Some I am sure you will be very familiar with.

• Molly Keane/Anglo-Irish Literature.  I've always been a little interested in Anglo-Irish authors like Elizabeth Bowen and Annabel Davis-Goff, but it wasn't until I read a novel by Molly Keane earlier this year that I wanted to investigate and read more.  Both Bowen and Davis-Goff have memoirs that I'd like to read.  And of course I plan on working my way through Keane's work in the order she wrote it.  I'm on book #2 (out of fourteen or so). 
• More Persephone books (would love to read all of them, but there are over 80 now, so that would be quite an undertaking) and more Viragos.  I will pretty much buy a Virago content-unseen, because I know they always publish good, sometimes provocative authors.  I'd love to own them all and am always on the lookout for used copies at bookstores or library sales.  I have little Virago reading project, which I work on here and ther e during the year.  Virago publishes Molly Keane's books by the way.
• In a related category I want to read more middlebrow literature (see Persephone Books and Virago Press), and I want to read about middlebrow literature.  See this post.
• Daphne du Maurier.  I've read some of her novels and Margaret Forster's very interesting biography.  I want to continue on and read all her novels.
• We might as well add Jane Austen, Rosamonde Lehmann, Elizabeth Taylor and Mary Wesley to the list of authors who I want to read all their work as well as a biography and come criticism.  Have I left anyone out (probably).
• More classics.  Lots more classics.  I have piles of them around--books I always feel I should have read when I was younger but never did.
• More American Lit, especially 20th century and contemporary writers like Philip Roth, John Updike, Anne Tyler, etc.  I read very few American authors these days--not because I don't want to, I just don't get around to them.
• More mysteries.  I'd like to read more classic mystery authors, both British and American, and I'd like to read more about how they all fit together--Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, Mignon Eberhart, Mary Rinehart, Dorothy Sayers, Dashiell Hammett among others.  And contemporary authors like P.D. James and Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine--well, there are just far too many to mention.
• More books in translation--contemporary novels, mysteries and classics.  And I'd like to read many more non-European authors, too.
• Shakespeare.  I had a little project going that I've been neglecting.  I want to read more plays, a book or two about him and the period he lived in, and even some fictional books as well.
• More nonfiction.  I have lots of travel narratives and it has been too long since I've read any of those.  I have lots of author biographies.  As weird as it sounds I'd like to read more books about the seaside and the coasts  (I actually have a fair number dealing with a variety of topics).  More nature books (I have at least two on bees alone!).  And more social history (am thinking of those books on the interwar period).
• Anything about Edwardian England--fiction, nonfiction, memoirs.
• More Victorian Lit.--especially Wilkie Collins and other Sensationalist writers (like Mary Elizabeth Braddon), but also more serious writers (not that Wilkie Collins isn't serious!) like Mary Gaskell, the Brontes, George Eliot.
• Art books.  I studied Art History, yet I never read about art or artists anymore (what used to be my favorite topic at one time).  I keep telling myself I need to read more about art.

I could probably go on, but I think you get the idea.  Just talking about these various projects makes me want to go pick one of these up and start reading!      

Comments

[Darlene]

Since beginning to read blogs last Fall I seem to be collecting books at a rate much faster than I can read them. There's a sense of guilt about wanting a book really, really badly and then putting it on the shelf because another title that has caught my eye. I love learning and every book is an opportunity to learn something or expand a horizon. Book lovers all over struggle with the same problem, so many books - so little time. You're in good company!

[Vipula]

Its probably a good thing that you do plan and think about what you would want to read. I never do that..its too daunting a task. Everytime I try to think about what I am reading and what I should be reading I start worrying about how far behind I am. I have not read a lot of writers that you have talked about - I would like to explore mysteries myself but everything written before 1950s.I have fortunately read a lot of classics - classics are infact my comfort reads and I recommend them to everyone.

[Danielle]

Darlene--I totally understand that sense of guilt. I try and avoid the guilt and think of it as building my own personal library (therefore it's okay not to read them all right away...), but I do hate to see some of them languish away so long when I was so excited to buy it in the first place. If books teach one thing (and they teach many things) it really is that we are not alone! :)

[Danielle]

Vipula--Thinking about books in this way can be fun but also a little overwhelming, too, to think of everything you want or think you need to read!! I like mysteries written prior to the 1950s, but I also follow a few contemporary series as well. And classics can really be comfort reads, too, and I think it's cool that is what you turn to. I need to do that more often!

[Cornflower]

I echo Darlene's comment about books being an opportunity to learn and expand one's horizons, so I find your having many 'reading strands' entirely understandable and commendable, Danielle!

[Jackie (Farm Lane Books)]

I know exactly what you mean. There are so many things I want to read that I really struggle to find time to fit them in. The more blogs I read, the more great books I discover. It is a great problem to have though - good luck in your mission to read more widely.

[catharina]

I remember my grandmother looking up from her book, her face beaming, saying :'I have made such a wonderful journey today.' Maybe that still is what reading is all about for me today. Since following a few blogs my world has expanded and a wealth of books has opened itself up for me. Though I want to read both wide and deep and am a slow reader with to many projects I thoroughly enjoy it!

[Paperback_Reader]

There are definitely too many books and too little time. Like you I have lots of personal reading projects.

I am also co-hosting a Persephone challenge that may interest you; a reading week commencing 24th August:

http://paperbackreader2.blogspot.com/2009/07/persephone-reading-week-challenge.html

[Jeane]

I have categories of books I want to read in my head, too. I used to go to the library when the mood struck me, and come home with ten or more books on one topic, like wolves, say- and not quite read them all, but list a few dozen more their pages made me aware of- and by that time be tired of the subject, but have a huge list to go back to when the "read-about-wolves" (or whatever) subject struck me again.

[Amy Reads Good Books]

Nice categories! Yes, I always have a few going as well. Put "Will in the World" by Stephen Greenblatt on your list for your Shakespeare project. It's wonderful!

[Dorothy W.]

I'm glad you picked up on this little mini-meme! Isn't it fun to write out a list? I kind of wish I knew what Viragos you don't yet own, because I come across them all the time and would be happy to snag them for you. I usually don't buy them for myself, because I have enough collected for the moment, and am trying to be restrained :)

[Danielle]

Cornflower--There's so much to be tempted out there, isn't there! It's nice to think that even while I'm enjoying a book I am also learning something new. Everything is so interesting I have a hard time limiting myself!
Jackie--My reading horizons have also been expanded greatly by blog reading. Without the internet and so many fine places to read about books I think I would be stuck in the same old rut. There's a lot to be said about reading at random, but I always have my 'reading categories' in the back of my mind when I choose a new book, too.
Catharina--Your grandmother's sentiments are nice ones! Often reading really is a journey. Sometimes it's a familiar one, and sometimes not at all, which can be a great adventure. I may try and squeeze in as many books as I can, but I tend to move slowly on larger goals, too, but that's okay--there is no rush. As long as I enjoy myself as I go, getting there is less important.
Paperback Reader--That sounds like fun--I'll check it out this weekend. I'm always up for reading a Persephone--I have one started and I need to get back to it! :)
Jeane--I do the same thing--get lots of books, but then just dip into one or two. It is nice to be able to bounce back and forth as the mood hits, which is why it's so nice to be able to have my own little library at home!
Amy--I do want to read more Shakespeare--more about him definitely. I will look for the Greenblatt book, thanks. I have the recent Billy Bryson book, though I don't think it is necessarily a scholarly sort of biography.
Dorothy--I always have reading ideas in the back of my mind, so it was fun thinking about them in a more concrete sort of way. I should probably stick to one area, but there are so many interesting subjects and types of books out there. I rarely come across Viragos here, sometimes I will luck at at my library sale, but it is totally hit or miss. I do have a list here: http://danitorres.typepad.com/the_lists/2007/01/virago_modern_c.html
You can get to it via the "lists" link on my left sidebar. If you ever do come across any I would be happy to do a trade or buy them off you! :) (But only if you happen upon them--no need to search them out specially as I, too, have Plenty to read).

[Danielle]

Dorothy--Looking at that list I really could spend a year reading only Viragos, but I'm not sure I could totally commit myself to just one set of books like that!

[Debby]

I posted my list in Dorothy's comments, mostly mysteries and travel reading for the summer, but you brought up a new category I'd missed, art books. I need to read more of these too!!

[Danielle]

Debby--I have loads of art books and even fictional novels about artists that I've let languish on my shelves. I miss reading about the art world! And I've not read any travel books for a long time and may have to see what looks good--armchair travel is a good thing when you aren't actually going anywhere exciting!

[iliana]

Oh Danielle can I just steal your list of topics? :) I love 'em and I feel like those would all be on my list as well.

I don't know if you saw my post on the Letters of Vincent Van Gogh (or maybe you've read the book already) but it is wonderful. I would highly recommend that if you want to look for a book that'd fit that category.

[Isabel]

My goal for 2009 is to whittle my TBR list and I am succeeding. However, I did give in and get some new books.

My goals for 2010 are to read more Latin American Lit and to host another reading challenge.

[Nan]

It's a good thing you're still young! I tend to think of you as that girl at the top of the blog. :<)

[Danielle]

Iliana--Feel free to grab away! :) I think there is always a lot of sharing of book ideas via the book blogging world, and I know I take advantage all the time. I did see your post and have added the book to my list...of course!
Isabel--You are a good whittler! I admire your ability to read and recycle! And I look forward to hearing about your new challenge. I am generally awful at challenges but it's fun to think about joining them anyway--and sometimes I get a few books read!
Nan--I sometimes wish I could go back to about 24--but keeping the wisdom I've gained in the interim! This is why I always read so many books at once--I try and squeeze in as many as I can. And I had always planned on switching out the photo every few months, but I've kept this one so long that I think people might be confused if I swapped her out. It is an old French postcard by the way.

[Dorothy W.]

Very nice that you have a list! If I find anything not on the list, I'll let you know. Yeah, you could read nothing but that list for quite a while, but I would get impatient doing that too.

[Danielle]

Dorothy--I like having a Virago on the go at most times, but I need other books as well. I certainly have enough to just read exclusively, but I would get fidgety as well. And no worries about the list--if by chance you happen upon some Viragos I am always willing to take them off people's hands (for compensation of course), but please don't go out of your way!!

[Stefanie]

Dorothy started quite a nice little meme didn't she? I had to make a list too. I'm glad I am not the only one who spends a lot of non-reading time shuffling the book queue in her head! And I know exactly what you mean about thinking that limiting the number od books in progress might be good to try but then not being able to because you keep starting new books! I like your list. Victorian novels are a popular choice. I have them in my list too :)

[Melanie]

Thanks to Dorothy, and Stefanie, and now you too, I had to make a list. I thought I had my ideas of what to read neatly laid out, until you all pointed out areas that made me think, oh yeah, that too! :)

[Danielle]

Stefanie--She did! Victorian books do seem to be universally popular. I think I need to read one soon...And I am constantly reshuffling. I love seeing everyone's list!
Melanie--I have your post bookmarked in Google Reader and will hopefully get caught up on blog reading this weekend!