For months, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the return of Nick Hornby to the pages of The Believer, resuming his “Stuff I’ve Been Reading” column. I’ve previously written on this website about Hornby’s effect on my reading. In short, his column introduced me to many books and authors I wouldn’t otherwise have found, and more importantly reminded me to read a wide variety of authors, genres, and styles (and that it’s okay to abandon a book when you don’t like it).
But the return of the prodigal reader yielded not one book I wanted to pick up. Instead, it gave me the swift kick in the ass I needed to get my own writing in gear. I’ve been boring. And lazy. And it’s time to snap out of it.
I want to chronicle the real life of a reader. The glory and the agony, the thrill and the shame. You won’t want to read what I’ve been reading just because I’ve been reading it; I need to make it interesting in other ways.
So I’m resetting. I’m starting fresh today. Less words, more substance. I hope you’ll enjoy. Feedback, as always, is welcome.