Booking Through ThursdayYou’ve just reached the end of a book . . . what do you do now? Savor and muse over the book? Dive right into the next one? Go take the dog for a walk, the kids to the park, before even thinking about the next book you’re going to read? What?
(Obviously, there can be more than one answer, here–a book with a cliff-hanger is going to engender different reactions than a serene, stand-alone, but you get the idea!)
Usually after I have finished reading a book, I will just dive right into the next book but that doesn't mean I will not muse over the previous book I have read. If it is a horror or thriller story with some terrifying scenes/themes, it is enough to send chills down my spine and haunt me for days (although not as strong as compared to movies), or if it is a thought-provoking ones, it will lead me to ponder but this won't interfer with the book which I'm currently reading.
However, let's say if I have finished a book late at night, then I won't dive right into the next book but I will make sure to choose a new title next so I can start right away the next day.
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I don't read horror stories, but sometimes a book does stay in my mind because of its theme and then I usually need something different to read next.
I don't read much horror either but there are definitely bits of books that haunt me for a while. It's great when books keep you thinking for days after you finish them. :)
I have been diving straight into the next book lately too. Sometimes if I have read a string of books in a row I will take a day or two off, but usually I am like bring on the next book...
It depends when I finish a book. I don't start another if I finish reading one after midnight!
Booking upto ending
Isn't choosing the next book part of the fun of reading? The anticipation that you may have picked your next favorite book or even just a really great book...ah, there's nothing like it. :)
I almost always start another book right away. In fact, it used to be that if I finished a book at night before going to sleep, I'd have to read the first few pages at least of the next book or I couldn't get to sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation has cured me of that one. :)
Sometimes, though, I'll read a book that's SO incredibly good that I don't want to read anything else for a while. (or ever again--at least that's how it feels at the time) I'll either go do something else, or sometimes I'll just flip back through and re-read favorite parts.
You are right that starting a new book right away doesn't mean we aren't still thinking about the previous one. It is only rarely that a book leaves such a strong impression on me that I don't feel like reading anything else for some time. One thing I like to do before I start a new one, though, is write down some of my thoughts on the book in the form of topics that I will later expand into a full-lenght post.
I have a book of journal entries by my bed for those times when I don't want to start a new book late at night. It means I have something to read but nothing that is going to take too much thinking about late at night.
Great answer Melody! It all depends with me. If a book is really good, I might muse for a bit too. But I also like the process of choosing a new book to read.
I usually go right into the next one too unless it's a book that's just so powerful that I need sometime to think about things... I'm think of The Book Thief and A Fine Balance in particular. Those books were emotionally draining for me. I loved them but they took a lot out of me.
I like to pick out tomorrow's reading just before bed too. Happy BTT.
Bookplease - Yes, I do have those moments especially when a certain book have that effect on me.
Jennifer - I find thought-provoking themes are the best because they make me think things differently...
Rhinoa - Although there're times I want to dive right into the next installment of a trilogy, but I tend not to do so because I want to read something else before I dive right into the next installment... maybe I'm weird, hehe.
Gautami - I don't dive right into the next book after finishing a book late at night either... because that's the time I need some sleep! :P
Trish - Oh yes! I love the fun of choosing the next book to read, because they're so many for me to choose from and I can't decide! ;)
Darla - I know what you mean! :) I rarely reread a book unless they're my favourites, but usually I'll read them after a certain time just to have the feel of reading a 'new' book. ;)
Nymeth - Wow, I'm impressed that you'll jot down your thoughts on the books. I rarely do that because I'm lazy, hehe. It's no wonder it's always a joy to read your reviews because you always explain them so well. :)
Tabletalk - I don't do much reading before bed nowadays... I'm too tired after a day from work and keep my daughter company but if given a chance, I'd love to do that too. :)
Jaimie - I love to go through my pile of books and deciding what to read next... there are times that I did decide on one but changed my mind next!!! Mood changes, haha.
Iliana - I've heard many good reviews about The Book Thief but just haven't got around to reading it... perhaps I should pick it up and read it one day soon!
Pussreboots - Glad we've the same thoughts! :)
Good answer. Yes some books do stick with us longer than others, there are some books I finish and I want to immediately start a book of a completely different genre to get the other one out of my mind!
I like Jaime's answer, and I love the process of deciding what's next. Sometimes I know what I'll read next from my TBR pile, sometimes I decide or switch it at the last minute.
But for finishing a book, I usually pace it out so that I finish it by the time I'm ready to go to sleep. It's funny, I would never dive into the next book right away like you. I like to wait a day! Maybe I'm a prude.
Kim - I totally agree with you on that. ;)
Carolyn - I do change my mind at the last minute after deciding on a book to read next... I guess my mood also plays a role in this. ;) Each of us has our reading preferences so you're not a prude at all.