Reading that Keeps Me Up at Night…
Marie Prys is the administrative presence behind our three agents. Books are one of her favorite things. Look for a monthly post from this former editor on what she will happily give up sleep for.
I cannot give up reading great books—even when the days are bursting with schoolwork, overflowing laundry, potty-training, an author database in need of updating, and the to-do list that never ends. I’ll let Montesquieu explain why:
“The love of reading enables a man to exchange the wearisome hours of life, which come to every one, for hours of delight.”
My sentiments exactly! So at the end of the day, I read. Commune. Indulge. It might be a romance, mystery, spiritual read, biography, or even a cookbook. Late into the night, great books keep me up, bringing hours of delight. This month my favorite was a spiritual read: One Thousand Gifts (Zondervan, 2010) by Ann Voskamp.
I’m not opening the door for theological debate; let’s just talk about the writing. Some would call her style "wordy." I call it art. Her voice is powerful, and dare I say wrenching. Her words reach out and demand her audience to stop, to LISTEN. To respond.
At one point Ann grips the pain and suffering of this life. She voices what we all have felt at one time or another, a plea that she would not write the story this way! And then she says:
"I regret the words as soon as they leave me.They seem so un-Christian, so unaccepting—so No, God! I wish I could take them back, comb out their tangled madness, dress them in their calm Sunday best. But there they are, released, and naked, raw and real, stripped of any theological cliché, my exposed, serrated howl to the throne room" (p.20).
I love the imagery. She takes these jumbled emotions and crafts word pictures so stark you can’t help but pause and imagine them just as she said! Voskamp's writing slays me and pushes me to turn just one more page, and one more, and one more…until it’s way past bedtime and I’ve done it again and indulged, for hours of delight.
Look for a post once a month about what books are currently keeping me up at night. How about you? What are you reading that brings hours of delight?
17 Comments
I loved this book and am on my second reading. Her insight on getting more time by staying fully in each moment is what captivated me the most.
So true, Letitia! Thanks for your input! 🙂
Thanks for all the great reading suggestions. I love how good books can connect strangers and friends alike.
It was the amazingly rich revelations I got from reading Voskamp that made me keep turning the pages in spite of the writing style that wore me out. It’s the only book I’ve ever bought to give to my friends, though, so she did something very, very right.
I am currently reading “The Reluctant Prophet” by Nancy N Rue. It is indeed keeping me up too late — every night. I’ve even been tempted to play hooky today so that I could read more.
That’s what I’m reading right now too! It’s wonderful.
That bit you quoted was my favorite part too!
I agree! I felt like I had no time to read during those early years of mothering little ones, but I have since reclaimed a bit of time at the end of the day to actually begin AND finish a few books lately, including Voskamp’s book. I’ve read nothing like it and am in awe of her ability to craft word pictures that stay with me, although I think that she has such a strong style that it’s bound to be off-putting to some readers. I’d say it’s not for everyone, like a feast where every course is rich, succulent, and overflowing with strong flavors–tart, piquant, sweet. Too much for some, but a delight to many! Like commenter Kim below, I also found myself savoring this read instead of speeding through.
Most recently I’ve read and been more than inspired by Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.
Great post, Marie!
Very nice! I look forward to reading these posts!! I am reading “Goblet of Fire” in the Harry Potter series and “The Hunger Games” right now at night…and “Leningrad” by Ann Reid for some lighter reading about WWII. Ha ha. All GREAT books and fun to read.
One of my problems with artistic writing is that it wears me out if it’s spread too thickly. What is lovely upon discovery grows burdensome for me if I have to wade through too much of it. Am I the only one who feels this way?
I loved the material you quoted from page 20 of Anne’s book, but if each thought (I was sorry I spit out the self-indulgent words) takes a paragraph, I’m going to grow impatient before I get through two chapters.
Last night was Dave Barry is Not Making This Up. Last week I was a little more cultured, with James Thurber’s Life With Ross, about the early years at The New Yorker magazine. That was a fascinating glimpse of some of the greatest American writers of the last 80 years (E.B. White, for one). Highly recommend it.
I’m an up all night reader too. Loved “Gifts.” Currently reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King late into the night, and in the carpool lane, and while I eat and wish I could read while I sleep too. (I know, Ann Voskamp and Stephen King in the same sentence-weird!)
Enjoyed reading your post, Marie! One Thousand Gifts is on the top of my TBR. Can’t wait. I remember getting really pulled into Under the Tuscan Sun. It had that poetic, artsy voice that continued to draw me into the story and I kept going back for more :).
I bought and am reading Ann’s book because I heard her speak (she is just as good in person). Even though I have been known to finish a book on a plane ride (I read fast) I find myself savoring this read. I don’t want the delicious words to end! This may break my rule, and become a re-read!
You’re the buzillionth person to mention that book…okay maybe the tenth…but definitely one too many. I need to read that book already! Thanks for the post! 🙂
I bought Ann’s book because her blog posts mesmerize me. Her words are like liquid poetry, to be taken in and savoured. I can understand why One Thousand Gifts kept you up late. 🙂
Ooh. I’m going to like Marie’s posts.