Do you ever have conversations with yourself while reading online? Not imaginary chats with the author or comments to other readers, just internal dialogues about the words streaming across the screen.
I do.
Earlier this week, I was reading an article in The New York Times about 26 books that are coming out this month. Novels by Barbara Kingsolver and Stephen Graham Jones, biographies of Larry David and Frank Capra, and tales of horror that make perfect reading during spooky season were featured. As I scrolled through the list, I stopped to read the summaries of the books that bore an intriguing title or an eye-catching cover, or because I’ve enjoyed the author’s work in the past.
When I discover a story that sounds appealing, I open a new tab to learn if the book is available at my local library. That’s when the conversation with myself begins:
Will the book be available in large-print? If yes, then definitely put on hold.
No? Fine, let me see if there’s a Kindle version on Libby.
Seventy-eight people have it on hold? That’s insane! Perhaps the print copy will have a shorter wait time? Yes, it does. Come to mama!
Back to the tab featuring the list of books.
“Peck & Peck” by Bonnie Garmus —Absolutely add that one. It may have taken ages to read “Lessons in Chemistry” because of that terrible, cartoony cover, but it turned out to be one of the best books of the year.
“The End of Everything” by M. John Harrison —Yes, check that out. Literary fiction isn’t really my jam, but this was the only novel on the Booker finalist shortlist that sounded like it had a riveting plot.
“Every Story Is a Love Story” by Imbolo Mbue —My goodness, what a great title!
“Wolo’s life is upended when his pregnant wife dies in a car accident.” —Oh no! Clearly this is going to be a tragic romance.
“Three years later, he finds unexpected solace…” —Yes, this does sound like something I’m going to want to read.
“… in sharing his heartbreak with an unlikely companion…” —His wife’s ghost?
“Victoria, the driver who killed her.” —Oh hell no! So much freakin’ nope.
“Their meeting sparks a reckoning…” —There’ll be a reckoning, allright. And it starts with the words “Avenge me!”
“… about life, love and how to move on without letting the past die.” —I don’t think so, Imbolo. I am just not your target audience. Next!
And so it goes. Me, reading articles in the middle of the night and talking to myself.
You don’t do this too? Ah well.
Then let’s just forget I said anything.
