book lover: leesgroep

Frankly, I'm not a huge fan of this whole phenomenon of book clubs, although the concept is appealing - deep and incisive conversations on the merits of a certain turn of a phrase or an unexpected plot twist. But nobody I know reads the same books I do. They read self-helps and thrillers and bios of movie stars. There's no end to the crap that's around. This same crap is made into movies and pretty soon they won't even read the crap anaymore. So joining one of my friends'book clubs is out.
I have this fanatsy book club in my mind where other people feel as passionately as I do about reading. As if it wre a really good kiss. The sheer pleasure and intimacy of having a relationship with a novelist and all the characters is transcendent - even sensual. Certain passages keep resonating in my head long after I've closed the book, and I often can't wait to get back to the story, as if it were a secret lover.
When I tell Virginia this, she thinks it's all too extreme. She reads, she tells me, to find out what happens. And she doesn't get half as caught up with the language and the stories behind the stories.
But for me, reading is so much more. Books teach you how other people think, and what they're feeling, and how they change from ordinary beings to extraordinary ones. Often they are so appealing and intelligent, you'd rather spend time reading about them than doing anything else.
And unlike life, if you don't like what you're reading, you can slam the book shut and then ...peace. That friendly cajoling voice is cut off until you decide to open the book again. Which is why I may not be the best candidate for book clubs. I like to read on my own terms, in my own time. And the same goes for in-depth discussions. I'm just too opinionated and outspoken. I'd alienate everyone in the room. No one would like me. They'd kick me out(70-71)