Tag: reader

Can Reading Be Passive?

Being an avid reader, I spend a lot of time thinking about books. Not only do I daydream about them but I also chat about them lots. Luckily many of my friends and colleagues are almost as obsessed with literature as I am.

My work mates are always recommending or slating books. Word of mouth is so valuable and I can see how authors benefit from people telling their friends about the novels that left a mark on them.

Whatever reading is, it definitely isn’t passive. Books are immersive experiences and it would be difficult to pick up a well written story without getting absorbed into the narrative.

Here are my three reasons why I believe that reading is an active sport.

1) Sucked In

When I read a good book, I soon become immersed in the pages. My mind wonders to the locations that are described and I lose touch with my surroundings. Not only that, but I usually lose track of time as well.

Getting sucked into the narrative is a complement to any writer. It shows that they are entertaining, intriguing and weaving a tale that distracts the reader from the monotony of their daily lives.

2) Talking Points

When people read novels and short stories that they like, they tend to want to talk about them. My friends often come in and excitedly proclaim how amazing their latest read is.

Enthusiasm is infectious. If I see someone being excited by a good book, I know that I have to read that book and fond out why it is so special.

3) Investments

If you were passively reading a book then you would not begin to empathise with the characters. This is hard to do. I certainly become invested in Joanne Harris and Liane Moriarty books and love when sequels come out.

When you are invested in storybook worlds, you cannot help but care about the main characters and want to discover what happened next in their fabricated lives.

Final Thoughts

If you love books as much as I do (and let’s face it – books are a multibillion dollar industry these days) then you will identify with the reasons I gave above.

It is impossible to passively read books because they are thought-provoking and, when written well, immerse you in their fictional landscapes, making you want to love or hate their characters.

Have you ever been sucked into a good book?

Has a character ever enraged you?

Do you think that reading can be passive?

Check out a recent review I wrote about Truly Madly Guilty by Liana Moriarty. Please also follow my blog for more book, TV and film reviews as well as climate change articles.

Read, Watch and Listen (August)

Every month I try and share some media that has caught my attention. Most people know that I am fairly bookish and love TV programmes and films. I am also a sucker for a good podcast or a catchy tune. So here are my suggestions of what to read, watch and listen to this month.

Hopefully I can provide you with some food for thought and maybe inspire you to open a book, search out a programme or pop on a wonderful podcast.

Read ‘The Fell’ by Sarah Moss

In the long, boring months of Covid lockdowns, Kate was going stir crazy. She only had her teenage son for company and could not go to work in the cafe as she had been furloughed.

Living right next to the Yorkshire moors, she just wanted to escape and get some exercise among the hills she had grown up with. Unfortunately her trip became a problem and things soon went pear-shaped.

This short novel is written from the point of view of Kate, her son and her neighbour, as well as the local search and rescue guy. Check it out if you like a good drama.

Watch ‘Succession’

Now I am pretty late to the party on this one but I finally got round to starting this huge production earlier this summer. This story of a media family, who own a powerful company called Waystar Roy, is all about an aging billionaire and his four grown up children.

From the very beginning, we see the offspring vying for prime position to inherit the top job once Logan either steps down or dies. Backbiting, sibling rivalry and practical jokes are mixed with workplace angst. Some of the ways these rich showoffs treat their staff are downright horrible.

But the whole thing is clever. The jokes are funny so long as you are not easily offended. The script is razor sharp. Watch an episode to see for yourself the arrogance and aggravation which encircle this spoilt family.

I absolutely recommend this show, sad to know that it has now ended.

Listen to ‘Joanna and the Maestro’

Joanna Lumley is one of my favourite TV personalities with her royal voice and bubbly nature. Her role as Patsy in ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ will go down in comedy history as iconic, classy and trend-setting.

When I discovered that she was making a podcast with her orchestra-conducting husband, Stephen Barlow, I knew that I was going to be completely fascinated by it.

This couple come across so well on the podcast and it is obvious that they share a deep love for classical music. Having listened to several episodes, I have learned lots about Mozart, opera and film scores. Joanna asks Stephen questions around a theme each time and they pick samples of music that emphasise particular points.

Stephen often tinkles on the old Joanna to make a point. Yes, I am talking about the piano, not his wife.

Final Thoughts

Perhaps I have introduced you to something that you hadn’t heard of until now. Maybe you have watched Succession already and can share your take on it below. Possibly you love classical music and would find Joanna and the Maestro right up your street. And if you need a quality short book, it would certainly be worth reading a sample of The Fell.

Thank you so much for checking out this article about what to read, watch and listen to in August. Follow me if you are interested in reading more of my reviews of books, films and TV shows. I also write regularly about climate change and ways to combat it. My previous July recommendations are here.

My Novella Is Four – Still Proud!

I know I am not a famous writer or anything like that but I was over the moon to see people write reviews of my first novella when it came out in 2019. Now that novella is turning four years old and I still cherish it.

Just because I can – I decided to share another short extract from, ‘The Fathers, the Sons and the Anxious Ghost.’ Hopefully it will intrigue you.

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From ‘The Fathers, the Sons and the Anxious Ghost.’

‘Mummm!’

I wished he would give it a rest.

‘Dadddd!’ he went on.

It made me wonder why his mum never answered. I was too busy trying to get knots out of Tess’ hair.

‘What’s wrong now?’ I replied anxiously.

Alfie stormed in with a red face and swollen, angry cheeks.

‘I can’t find my football socks anywhere!’ he announced.

‘Try under the bed,’ I said, trying to remain calm and de-escalate his crossness.

‘Ouch,’ squirmed Tess softly, as I caught yet another knot.

She was always so relaxed. She never let anything get to her. She was ten times cooler than Alfie, whose hot-headedness got him into scrapes left, right and centre.

He stormed out again and slammed the door to his room. I winced and hoped that he could find those damn socks, or we would never hear the end of it. The clock was staring at me and reminding me that we hadn’t got much time left. I went to find Michelle.

The distant noise of a bath filling, coupled with an aroma of scented steam made it obvious that she would not be coming this morning. When we woke up this morning she told me that she had had a bad night’s sleep and her headache was back. Women use headaches as excuses to get out of things, but this was not like her! She always liked to be involved in school-related stuff. She loved the banter between mums. Her favourite thing was pricking her ears up and listening intently for any titbits of gossip that she could soak up from the gaggle of parents who would usually surround her on that packed and bustling playground. Maybe this time she was actually feeling a bit sick. Quickly I realised I should attend to this in a sympathetic, understanding way. After all she had cared for me like a private nurse when I had man flu last Christmas.

‘Are you alright?’ I tried, gently.

She turned off the tap to the bath and opened the window slightly to let out some steam.

‘Have fun today. I bet the assembly goes well.’

I could tell she was not feeling very well. She kept holding her head; sort of wiping her brow as she spoke. I had not seen her look like this for a long, long while. Thinking back, I should have realised this was out of the ordinary for her. Instead of prying further, I left her to it, planting a quick kiss on her forehead and then rushing down the stairs.

Alfie and Tess soon followed and we collected our things and burst out into the driveway, where they ran to the car, Alfie calling shotgun as usual to make sure he got to sit in the front passenger seat. I asked if he had kissed his mum and he simply said the bathroom door was shut. Tess went on to say, ‘I hope mummy gets better soon because I want to go swimming later.’

When we got Tess off to class and I had signed Alfie in, I went to find a seat next to someone I barely knew and sent Michelle a text. Quickly I switched off the phone and tucked my coat under my chair. I gave a slight nod to Matt as he rolled in, just in time. The lights came on and that teacher did the introduction. It did not cross my mind that today was going to turn out so black and dismal and full of anger.

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Thank you so much for reading this extract from my book. As my novella is now four, I will be finding ways to celebrate with articles and extracts over the summer.

For another book review of mine, have a look at my write up of The Lost Daughter which was a very well written and satisfying novella. Please consider following my blog for more book, film and TV reviews alongside articles about climate change.