Friday, February 23, 2007

The Frugal Chariot

All of last year, I probably read only one book. This is such a terrible disappointment, given that ever since I was old enough to read, I have been devouring them at the rate of several books a month. However, as television adaptations of my favorite genre became more accessible to me, my reading dwindled, and I seem to be heading rather positively toward couch-potatodom. This is a real pity because on the rare occasions that I do read a book, I am enthralled, enraptured, ecstatic, cannot place the book down, and am oblivious to the world around me.

As Emily Dickinson put it:
"There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress or toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!"


In an attempt to rediscover the joys of reading, I resolved this year to read at least one book a month. I have been better than that and have already read two, and am on to my third, and have a fourth one already planned. I’m so proud of myself that I’m patting myself rather vigorously on the back.

2 comments:

James said...

I would like to add a word of encouragement from a fellow reader. The joy expressed by Emily is augmented by our own pleasure when sharing with each author whose acquaintance we make as we read their work. I'm reminded of the touching scene from "The History Boys" when Hector shares with Posner "the best moments in reading ..."
Best of luck on your journey aboard that "frugal chariot".

Azalea said...

Thank you very much. I am always sad when I see people don't read so much anymore. And in several ways, I feel guilty because I don't read as much as I used to.