Rediscovering the joy in reading, kind of...

So being here without much to do, I have started to read again. When I was a kid I would devour books, anything that was put in front of me, I would read in no time flat. I would often read two or three books at one time; juggling the stories was always fun for me. However high school hit and then college, and all reading for pleasure went right out the window. I even boycotted to the point (and I am somewhat ashamed to admit this) that I wouldn't even read textbooks or assigned reading for some classes. It got to the point that reading just was not an enjoyable thing for me to do any more. It was a struggle to get through books, even ones I liked! I think throughout all of college I actually read 4 books from start to finish; about attempted about 7 others that have just fallen by the wayside only half read.

But, much to my pleasant surprise, I had this huge desire to read once I got to Japan! And luckily, my apartment is filled with all kinds of books that have just accumulated over the years of JETs living in this apartment. So I was searching through the shelf and picked up American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis. I have heard of it before and I know there is a movie that exists with Christian Bale as the lead actor. I had some inkling that it was kind of a dark story about a serial murderer. Really, I had no clue what I was getting myself into!

I read this book in fairly short order, about 6 days, which is nice because I am back to my old speeds. But I think it was the most difficult book I have ever pushed myself through. It is an understatement to call this book dark. It is deeply disturbing due to the extreme nature of its content. In places it is almost pornographic and then it quickly changes into the most detailed accounts of murder and mutilation. Honestly now, I never need to see the movie, EVER. And I would NOT recommend anyone to read this book. But if you do, or you already have at some point in your life, I would like to discuss it with you, so let me know.

Now I am on a reading kick and I really hope it stays this way for a while. I have a ton of books on my shelves at home, but if anyone has some good suggestions, I will totally try to track down some of them while I am in Japan! Amazon.com still delivers to me. :) As I read I will be giving mini reports about my thoughts and feelings; not that any of you want to read them, but I want to write them. Fun how since this is my blog I can write about whatever I want, even if it bores you....haha. But seriously if I am boring, let me know and I will find something more exciting to write about.