I did a bad thing.
A very bad thing.
I picked up this book at the library, ——————————————>
and (gasp!) I started reading it.
Oh, it was a terrible mistake.
I’ve cast aside The Portrait of a Lady for a book with interesting characters, romance, danger, and a lightening-fast plot.
Henry James who?
When we first started the WEM program, I had upstairs books and downstairs books. The WEM novel would be downstairs, and I would read it when I had a quiet moment. The “fun” book would be upstairs on my nightstand, and I would devour it before bed. But it took months and months to read Don Quixote. After that, I cut out recreational fiction. Or rather, I used it as a reward for finishing a novel.
Not this time. Nope. The library hold came in, and I couldn’t crack the spine open fast enough.
I am a big, fat cheater-pants.
We’ve talked about this dilemma before, but it’s been a while. Fellow readers, what do you do? Do you stick exclusively to the assigned title, or do you read multiple books as the same time?
A Classic Case of Madness 
Christina Joy
January 25, 2013 at 8:32 am
I get very little done, I have two books (the latest Alexander McCall Smith Isabel Dalhousie novel, and Gretchen Rubin’s Happier at Home) on loan from the library on my kindle, but I barely touch them, and I’m sure both with expire without being finished. Like in my old post, I try to read at least one chapter of whatever WEM book we’re in before diving into the fun. POAL chapters are seriously hampering my enjoyment.
You know, I never did any extracurricular reading in High School or college, either.
Christine
January 26, 2013 at 5:35 pm
I need to be strict with myself and follow the one chapter rule. The fun books are just so tempting!
Adriana @ Classical Quest
January 25, 2013 at 8:59 am
I have to save all of my side reading for in between WEM novels. This past year everything I’ve read other than WEM has been nonfiction. Glad you’ve been able to squeeze in some pure fun!
P.S. Love your arrow above. 😀
Christine
January 26, 2013 at 5:36 pm
Sadly, the only nonfiction I have been reading falls in the cookbook category.
Gina Monge
January 25, 2013 at 9:09 am
Ha ha, this post made me laugh! Christine, I for one, will not hold your “cheating” against you. 🙂 I’m usually reading a few books at a time. I actually have time to read while I’m at work, so that’s when I do my WEM reading. It’s too hard for me to take notes while I’m on the bus, so that’s when I do my “fun” reading!
Christine
January 26, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Thank you for your leniency with my nonWEM reading. I completely understand not reading/journaling a WEM novel on the bus. I did try to read Don Quixote in every public place I could–just hoping someone would notice.
dangermom
January 25, 2013 at 11:49 am
Are you kidding? That is not cheating!
I usually have 3-4 books going at the same time. I can’t concentrate on just one. I get itchy. Besides, a book that is good for holding open while eating lunch is probably not the same as a book good for holding up in bed. 🙂
Christine
January 26, 2013 at 5:38 pm
I may or may not have gotten toothpaste on my kindle before. I’m all about multi-tasking.
Ruth
January 25, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Good for you – coming clean. But its not your fault! I’m sorry, but do you know how many times I wrote in the margins of POAL: “I can’t read anymore!” and “I hate this!”??? Maybe if it commanded attention, readers wouldn’t cheat.
As for me, aside from what I read during school time with the kids, I’m feel like I cannot read anything else because I have so little free time. However, I may speed read through non-fiction. Right now I am looking through The Latin Centered Curriculum.
Christine
January 26, 2013 at 5:40 pm
I’ve confessed, but I’m not very repentant. I just want Henry James to get to the point! I tell myself that it’s a classic for a reason. I’m hoping that reason becomes evident soon!
Norma carey
January 26, 2013 at 9:11 pm
I like to read a whodunit in between classic chapters. But Alexander McCall has a new one? Got to have it! Guess what guys – I finished Lady and I must say I could not put it down after chapter 40 and I did enjoy many the author’s analogies. I had my own copy and underlined quite a bit. Someone is suppose to drop off Silver Linings but haven’t seen it yet.