Reading is Fun!

I enjoy reading, really I do. My college liberal arts degree included lots of English literature. I did well, and most of my "textbooks" were actual works of fiction to keep in my personal library. 

But somewhere along the way I got out of the habit of reading on a regular basis. I suppose part of it was a subconscious "rebellion" against having to read for a class. At times, daily life gets in the way of relaxing leisure time. I admit, too, that Facebook, Twitter, and the internet in general tempt me away from the intimacy of a good book.

Usually when I want to get back into it, I'll pick up some Sherlock Holmes, Hitchhiker's Guide, The Hobbit, or Lake Wobegon Days. They're familiar, they hold my interest, and they ease the transition from computer or TV back to books. I can comfortably put them down and pick them back up again as I try to find a comfy chair with decent lighting.

This time, however, I figured I needed to venture into new territory. Sometimes it's overwhelming to walk into the public library and pick out a couple of random books that I can commit to reading before the due date. So last time I went to Dollar Tree, I browsed their small book section. The least I could do to redirect my brain was spend a dollar on a book! 

I "splurged" on Four Dark Nights. a collection of "horror" novellas. This was something a little different for me, but I was attracted to the fact that they were shorter stories by four separate authors. "Give it a shot," I said to myself.

The first selection was "The Circle" by Bentley Little. This was actually three separate yet connected stories. It read easily enough. I understood what was going on and what role the characters played. But I can't say I'm going to rush right out and see what else this man has written. There were plenty of mysterious events, which were resolved/explained...sort of. It had adult themes, but they seemed out of place to me. Two teens met their doom during sexual activities. I wouldn't call it graphic or gratuitous...not even really "gross." Just...odd. Parts of the story were creepy and in a longer form might have interested me more. I wouldn't say that I was ever scared, though. Perhaps I just don't "get" the modern horror genre.

Basically, I don't regret spending 25 cents for that story. At least I was reading. I'll have to let you know what I think of the other three...as soon as I can make myself walk away from the computer to read some more.