READ A BIOGRAPHY (OR AUTOBIOGRAPHY) OF SOMEONE YOU ADMIRE

So, when I planned to tackle this as my next challenge, I thought it was going to be too easy.  I mean, people think I read for a living anyway.  But, I’ve started and restarted this post multiple times.  I feel like I have reader’s block.  If you are a big reader you might know this syndrome: a general inability to get into something that you are “supposed” to read.  For me, it usually involves some kind of deadline to start and finish an “assigned” book. It’s probably amazing I ever made it through school!

At this point in life it most frequently manifests itself in book clubs. People often ask me how many book clubs I’m in.  None.  I have enjoyed book clubs over time and would join again if the right situation arose but for now, I’m more than happy to be riding solo.  I’ve got a bit of “stick-it-to-the-man” in me even when it comes to books.

In this particular situation, I actually am “the man”.  I’ve got to get over the assignment feel of this challenge.  Maybe it’s because I read a lot of fiction. For some people, that means I’m wasting my time. Not “learning” anything.  Whatever. It’s not that I don’t read nonfiction, I do. I just like fiction better. It’s like cake. I’ll eat any cake that looks good, but there’s nothing like a white cake with white frosting. That will be a controversial statement for the chocolate cake eaters out there.  Just move on.

I do enjoy a good biography or autobiography.  In fact, while reading a memoir several years ago I was motivated for the first time to reach out to someone famous via social media.  It’s always exciting when someone with some influence talks about libraries. I was enjoying my library copy of Love Life when Rob Lowe told a story about his time in the  library researching Bigfoot as a child. Then this happened: “Has there ever been a more horrific barrier to reading than the Dewey Decimal System? No wonder libraries are becoming irrelevant.”  Well, thanks for that.

 

The majority of autobiographies or biographies that I read are interesting or entertaining but are not necessarily about people that I admire.  Not that I don’t admire them, but, usually admire would be too strong a word.  See previous Rob Lowe story. I’ve been undecided for awhile on this so I guess it’s going to be a game-time decision.  I’ve started the clock ticking with this post and by next week I need to have selected, read and written about this book. It’s like being in college again!

Are you an autobiography/biography reader?  Do you read about people you admire? Read along with me this week.  Just don’t overthink it like I do! I’d love to hear what you’ve read, this week or previously, and what you recommend. I’ll be back here next week, and hopefully, you will, too.  Thanks for reading!

Before you go…I’m not letting this library thing go.  First of all, Horrific Barriers to Reading for $2000, Alex.  Does the Dewey Decimal System even make the cut? I’m not going to defend the Dewey Decimal System but I will challenge you to go to your local bookstore and try to find a book on Bigfoot without asking anyone for help.  Irrelevant, my a$$.