This seems to be my year of abandoned plans. I should really learn to not make plans, but there's some little part of me that likes things nice and neat and well thought out. And part of the pleasure (for me anyway) that comes with reading is thinking about reading--what I want to read and accomplish. I wish I could content myself with picking up one book at a time, reading it, thinking about it and then moving on to the next. But no, I want to read everything and everyone at once.
So far this year there's been poor Mr. Dickens and Bleak House, which I was enjoying and then I just sort of set it aside and couldn't make myself pick it up again. I do want to finish it, but I'll wait for the right moment. I loved the BBC adaptation by the way.
That was meant to be just the first of my long reads. I had planned on reading Anthony Powell's Dance to the Music of Time, which is made up of four "movements" (each book/movement containing several novels). And then I had thought to read Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy. I still want to read John Galsworthy's novels, but at the moment I am reading (really reading) Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters. I think I've found one I can stick with. It's early days, though, so we'll see.
Then there is my M.J. Farrell/Molly Keane reading project, which needs a bit of a jump start. I'm on novel #2, Young Entry, which is part of her "juvenilia". It's okay, not great, but okay. I still do want to get back to it and continue on with the rest of the books as I know they get better as she becomes a more experienced writer.
I had intended to read Katherine Mansfield's short stories, but I'm putting that project on hold until next year. I can only work on one collection of short stories at a time I think. I'm thoroughly enjoying Daphne du Maurier's Don't Look Now and will finish it by the end of the month.
I was all set to start reading Shakespeare again, but I've gotten sidetracked from that as well. It's just been a complete overload and something has had to give.
I think my problem is I spread myself too thin. And lately I feel like I'm just spinning in circles with no real focus. Every book I have on my night table I'm enjoying, but I can't seem to concentrate on just one to actually finish some of them. Maybe it comes from having been under the weather, or just feeling generally out of sorts. Or maybe the early snow has muddled my brain. I've not yet decided.
The worst thing is, I was thinking earlier today how much I would love a book with a seaside setting (what I always seem to return to--my fantasy destination). I thought about getting back to the Horatio Hornblower books or giving Patrick O'Brien a try finally. Then I started thinking more about Daphne du Maurier (since I am enjoying her short stories) and remembered that she often sets her stories in Cornwall, and maybe I should look at the unread novels by her that are on my shelves. I came up with The Loving Spirit and I'll Never Be Young Again, as both are set either on ships or on the coast. Technically I've not started either, but I know myself, I almost always give in to reading temptations.
It's a good thing I have a book buying embargo on, as the last thing I need are lots more new books to lead me astray. If only I could learn to stay on task now.
Have you stuck with your reading plans so far this year. Or do you prefer to forego plans and just see where the books take you?