It's been ages since I finished reading a novel--the past year, I've had a tendency to buy several books every month, and I either brought them to Kota Bharu, or I left them here at home. I have almost a Billy bookcase-worth of unread books, to be honest.
You may notice by now that I tend not to finish what I start. Not reading, however. I think I used to read at least 50 books a year, though plenty of them were re-reads. Nowadays I'm reading less Fantasy and more contemporary YA, partly because my novel-in-progress is contemporary YA.
It sounds pretentious, doesn't it? My novel-in-progress. As if telling the whole world about it will advance it further than the 32,000 words that I have.
Anyway. I just finished reading a British YA, Adorkable by Sarra Manning. It's refreshing to read something non-American, mainly because I get to appreciate how different the terms and the humors are. Unintentional research, as my story is set in KL. No Manglish, sorry. I may write a proper book review, but what I can say is that I love the book. I love the main characters, Jeane Smith and Michael Lee. I actually got a little depressed when I reached the end, because I reached the end of my journey with the characters.
It happens with all good books I've read, I suppose. That's why I love re-reading certain books. I picked up another book I haven't read, but I found it difficult to give the book a chance. So I picked up another. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Yeah. Did I mention I love watching teenage romantic comedies and romantic flicks as my perk-me-upper?
When you're still in love with the characters from the book you've just finished, it's difficult for you to give new characters in new books a chance. It feels like you're cheating on the characters you've already fallen in love with. At least that's what it feels for me. So I wasn't giving this new book much of a chance, but within these few hours, I've already passed the 1/3 mark. Maybe because there are plenty of excellent descriptions of Paris. And maybe the book is good. That too.
I took some time off reading just to say this. And to reflect that truth be told, I dread finishing a detailed sketch and my novel(s) because once I reach THE END, I have to say goodbye to the characters I've invested in. And I don't want the journey to end. Even though the destination may promise grand things, I've always been the one who loves the journey more.
And. I just need something to cheer me up. Got a rejection letter from ASIM for my story In Memoriam. With me, when people don't say anything, that means I'm doing things right. They call on my mistakes, and thing that I could have done better, and I appreciate it because it gives me a chance to better myself, but sometimes, sometimes I'd like to hear someone saying that I'm doing a good job.
Meh.
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