Books and reading
When Reading Feels Like Homework
Book club books can make reading feel like a chore
Part of my problem this week is that I am trying to finish my book club book before we meet tonight. I did not choose the book. I probably would not have read the book if not for book club.
This can be a good thing. It makes me read out of my comfort zone. It can introduce me to authors and books I didn’t know I would love. It can make me learn something.
It can also be a bad thing in that it makes something that should be enjoyable feel like homework. That’s where I’m at this week. I’m not loving the chosen book.
The book is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I know people love the book. That’s probably why it was chosen as this month’s book. I just find it long and boring. There are bright spots here and there, but not enough of them for me to want to keep reading. But, I keep reading.
I keep reading because I don’t want to be in a discussion about a book I didn’t finish. I keep reading because I have never not finished reading a book for any of my various book clubs throughout the years. I keep reading because I always do my homework.
But, homework sucks. I want to do anything but finish my homework. It will take a lot of willpower to finish the book before tonight. I might have finally reached the point where I don’t have the willpower to finish my work.
Am I alone in this? Do book clubs sometimes make you feel like reading is work instead of fun? Should I stop worrying about finishing my homework and just go to “class” unprepared?
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