What Kind of Reader Are You?

But I Digress…November 2025

When I was a kid, I loved Thursdays. That was the day my mom went grocery shopping and dropped my brother and me off at the library to get our reading supply for the week. Our library had a summer reading program (as libraries do), but I don’t remember any of the details. I also don’t remember if the library imposed a limit on the number of books one could check out. I do remember climbing into the back seat of the car with my haul and diving into whichever book I decided was to be the first in line. I was not prone to carsickness, which was a good thing.

While I was in the throes of my legal career, I did a ton of reading, but didn’t consume a lot of books. Instead, fancying myself an intellectual, I subscribed to the local paper, The New Yorker, and The Smithsonian. I participated in a book club of fellow lawyers, and my shelves are filled with those books, even if my memories of the stories contained within the pages are a bit depleted.

But I digress…

After leaving the lawyer job, I headed to my local library and obtained a library card, while regaling the staff with my plans to write my own book. It was all very exciting, even though my reading time was not evenly allocated with my writing time. In fact, after a full day of writing, along with re-experiencing all the grief from that period in my life, I often didn’t have the energy to open a book.

Fast forward and I’ve joined a new real-life book club and one online book club. I’ve returned to a reading experience I’ve not enjoyed since I was a child! That said, I’ve also come to realize that I’m an impatient reader. Meaning, I tend to skim, especially when I feel like the author is digressing. Spoiler: this practice is not good for overall retention. In fact, as I think about the books I’ve read just this past year, there are quite a few where I can’t tell you the ending. Embarrassing!

I have friends who take copious notes—writing down the names and relationships of all the characters. I can’t do that, and instead, find myself getting frustrated if a book feels too complicated. Lately I’ve been wondering if that’s a direct result of the influence of social media, where everything is delivered in bite-sized nuggets.

Which brings me to another complaint: LENGTH. Why does a novel have to be over 300 pages? I recently listened to John Grisham on a podcast and was amazed at his capacity to churn out book after book that’s in the five to six-hundred page range. I actually bailed out of one of his audiobooks, because I felt like the primary story was wrapped up nicely and there was no need to start a completely new backstory-story (IYKYK).

I recently finished this monstrosity for book club. The first fifty pages were maddening. I’ve learned I don’t tolerate non-linear plots very well. More impatience.

And so the skimming commenced. Admittedly, I had to work to maintain the gist of the multiple story lines, which I believe I did adequately. The reward was the ending, where all the mysteries were solved along with some beautiful emotional resolutions. When I consider Goodreads rankings, I started at two stars and ended with three. I look forward to the discussion next month.

What kind of books do you like? What kind of reader are you?

In other news, I’ve completely reconfigured the vegetable garden, after contemplating giving it up altogether. It was a physically demanding project, and one I’m quite proud of.

Bring on the hibernating, writing, and more book reading!

Until next month,

~ Debbie

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UPCOMING EVENTS

I’ll be at the Wadena City library on Saturday, December 6th at 11:30 for an author talk and book signing. Come see me and bring your friends!

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NOVEMBER BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Nonfiction: The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall with Douglas Abrams

When I discovered Jane Goodall years ago, I wanted to be her, but without the challenging lifestyle. She did so much good for the world, and provides so much wisdom in this book.

Fiction: The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

I must confess, I was unprepared for the subject matter contained in this book. I find stories of the Holocaust almost too difficult to bear. (Full disclosure: there was some skimming involved). But what’s so important about this book, is the straightforward and unflinching description of how children can be conditioned to do unspeakable things. This one will stick with me.