I have an addiction.

46 Replies

It’s true. I don’t talk about it openly a lot but it has been a part of my life, for most of my life. It’s not illegal, immoral or unethical but it can sometimes take me down a rabbit hole that is difficult to get out of. Most of the time I have it under control, it is a daily thing. But sometimes…

Just at this moment there are dirty dishes in the sink and packages not put away. I haven’t dusted in a while or run the vacuum cleaner and I don’t care. I’m in the midst of a rabbit hole and I don’t want to come out. But I will. Eventually my supply will run out and I will be forced to resurface, to face the cold, cruel world… until the next time…

Less than two weeks ago I saw an interview with my favourite actor interviewing a writer that he has worked with. They have done several Netflix series together and are in the process of doing another. They were talking about a book. I was intrigued, so of course I watched. The author read a line out of his book and said this should catch you almost immediately. He was right. I of course bought the book. And what happened next was unexpected. Or perhaps not. I loved the book! So, I bought another one. And I bought another one. And I bought another one. And… Rabbit hole opens up and I willingly dive in. The man has written 35 books. I have read 9.

The last time this happened it was an off-the-cuff remark made by someone making a delivery. He mentioned an author he was pretty sure I would like. I bought the first one and then I bought the second one and then I bought… I don’t remember how many books there were but I went down that rabbit hole and read them all. Might’ve been close to 40. And then six months later I did it again. Same author. Same books. Addiction. The problem is that it feels so good! I get such a rush out of reading the books that I want to re-create the feeling I had, so I reread. And interestingly enough I find that quite often I pick up on nuances that I didn’t notice the first time around. It’s like going to a restaurant and having a meal you’ve had before. It was so good you want to recreate that feeling. That’s why I reread and reread and… I have a few books I have read so many times I broke them. OK, it was a big book, about 800 pages so, yes, the back broke. I replaced it. Second time it happened I just taped it. Gotta love duct tape!

As I’m writing this my skin is itching. My mantra seems to be “I want to read!” If there any mistakes in this blog, well, I don’t care… I want to read!

46 thoughts on “I have an addiction.”

  1. Mark Lanesbury

    Ah dear lady, a gift has descended upon you…to ‘know’ of that ‘touch’ felt before. Is that not a connection, a love known before. We ever search for it, until we ‘know’ it is the one. We all search for it…until…it IS the one. Is love an addiction…or but that ‘knowing’ of what we truly seek within, never satisfied until we ‘know’ it ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. Darlene

    I’m such a slow reader, I can’t do this. But I want to! If you find an author you love, why not read all of their books and even reread them? There are a few, Diana Gabaldon, Jane Austen and Alexander McCall Smith, that I have read almost all they have written and in the case of Jane Austen, I have reread her books. Yes, I always discover something new. It is a good addiction to have.

    Liked by 1 person

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      1. Darlene

        I’m not surprised. The books are long and wordy but those characters just grow on you! I’ve met Diana Gabaldon, more than once, and she is not only a talented author but a very nice person. I’ve also met Alexander McCall Smith. I have not met Jane Austen for obvious reasons, but I’ve been to her cottage and felt her spirit. xo

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Jim Bertram

    My mother encouraged me to read, everything as long as i read and I would learn something in every comic book and Mad Magazine every Edger Rice Burroughs, regardless of type type and style eventually becoming more selective. I haunted bookstores and libraries. I would lose myself in the window wells high up in the stacks at university. I still scour book stores whenever i travel and my road routes are determined by which town has a decent usef book store.
    My waiting list is up to a year on “ Libby” so good for you I understand

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. quiall Post author

      I knew there was a reason I liked you! My favourite time in the library was when I was stuck at the back just before closing time when it was quiet…

      Like

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  6. Murphy’s Law

    If an addiction can be considered wonderful, reading would be it. I love to read…since I was a kid. But I do not re-read books. I’m too anxious to get on to the next one. I have some authors that I read every book they publish. I can’t imagine a life, a world, without books.
    Ginger

    Liked by 3 people

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  7. Anonymous

    I have the same addiction. I have also found that in rereading a book, I find the things that my brain skipped over. Some books just have away of staying with you forever.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Dale

    I was going to say waitaminute! You cannot leave us hanging by not telling us which books so drew you in! I haven’t read the Outlander series – yet. I found a used up copy of the first book. I used to read way more voraciously than I do now and I’ve been trying to get back into that groove.
    Wonderful share, Pam

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. quiall Post author

      Right now I am reading Harlan Coben. He has several books on Netflix, I’ve seen two. And I have read nine books. Give me a minute and it will be 10. Thoroughly enjoying his books.

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. Dan Antion

    I know that feeling, Pam. Despite having a to-be-read pile that threatens to tip over and kill me, I find myself rereading certain books. There’s just something comforting about curling up with an old favorite.

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. Donna Florack

    I’m in a reading slump right now. I have them piled up high around me, and I’ve started many of them but nothing has grabbed me. I want something to drag me in and not let go but it’s just not happening. Have you ever had that slump, or is it just me?

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. quiall Post author

      I went almost a year barely reading anything other than my blogs. All it takes is a few good authors and I’m back! Have you read JA Jance? Harlan Coben? Wilbur Smith? These are a few of my favourite things…

      Like

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      1. Donna Florack

        Thanks. Not my speed I’m afraid. Thrillers usually scare me. Murder mysteries kind of nauseate me. Scary stuff gives me nightmares. I prefer happy, sunny books – romances or sagas. Or nonfiction like autobiography or biography or science type books. I like learning things or reading for pure escapism.

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Miriam Hurdle

        That’s very creative, Pam.

        My daughter took the girls’ flashlight also. When Autumn was younger than three, she insisted on carrying a whole stack of books to read in the car when going somewhere. Both Autumn and Nora won’t have their mind idle, they’re always holding books. When Nora was two and a half, she could use her finger to follow the words from left to right!
        Autumn’s teacher asked her to sit in the teacher’s chair in preschool to “read” to the class!

        Liked by 1 person

  19. charlesdavis

    Don’t know how many times I’ve done this with different authors. It started with Taylor Caldwell when I was a kid. I think it’s knowing what you’re going to experience or getting reacquainted with an old friend. These days, I read the print or digital version of a book and then listen to the audible version in order to experience it in a different way. Here’s to the rabbit hole.

    Liked by 1 person

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