So many books, so little time.

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 02:56:00 +0200

My library isn’t very big but it’s full of books I’ve read, sometimes reread, books I’ve never opened, books I’ve been given, and books I probably won’t ever find the time to read.

I am French, so excuse my mistakes, but English books are more appealing to me. I hate reading translations, they are never satisfying. I try to read only books in their original versions, which is funny when you know I wanted to be a literary translator. I was put off by people telling me how stupid the idea was. No enough money, too much work, already too many translators, blah blah. I was young, I easily gave up the idea even though sometimes it’s still nagging at the back of my head. I took translation classes at Uni for my English Degree but I wasn’t so good actually. Maybe not so bad compared with some other students, but not good enough for my liking. Granted, I’d probably be better if dictionaries were allowed in exams but that’s not the point. It’s not a natural process for me to translate. My head works with pictures when I read. I can understand a word I’ve never encountered before but I’m sure I could not translate it or maybe even explain it. That’s also why I then wanted to be a scriptwriter. The ideal job - not really, I know. I thought it meant having ideas, not having to write them the way you would write a book, and picturing the stories so a film-maker would do all the rest. But a dream’s a dream. I have plenty of ideas of stories in my head, all the time, but let’s face it, I’d sure be rubbish as a scriptwriter. I’m so not original. I’m so cliché. I still try to write stories, though. I’ve never really finished one. I give up, disappointed. But then again, I’m only in my early twenties. Some writers had their book published when they were old. I know my style of writing - I’m not sure I do have a distinctive style right now but I’m working on it - improves with time, so I’m waiting.

Anyway, while I’m waiting for my Muse or for the god of books to send me some talent, I read. And this blog isn’t intended for anyone particularly but I thought it couldn’t hurt to share my love of books and my opinions on some of them. Do not hesitate to correct me when I’m wrong and feel free to disagree with me anytime.

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”
― Ernest Hemingway

my heart's a little attic - my library

So many books, so little time.