tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post7719520926813049186..comments2024-01-06T10:36:04.084-05:00Comments on A Commonplace Blog: “Reading skeletons”D. G. Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659136455045567825noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-25200736310923236812010-03-29T11:22:11.505-04:002010-03-29T11:22:11.505-04:00Alas, most of Vonnegut!Alas, most of Vonnegut!PMHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01848296275862900483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-79634918593796839822010-03-27T21:18:45.174-04:002010-03-27T21:18:45.174-04:00The only book I'd consider a skeleton was this...The only book I'd consider a skeleton was this novel that was so horrible that I tossed it in a trash can while walking down the street in NYC because I couldn't bear to have it near me another second (or the idea of anyone else being subjected to reading it). I went so far as to block out the title and author - though I remember the title containing "boy" and "girl" in some configuration. The only way to describe how repulsive it was is to call it the literary equivalent to a perv-ey uncle who likes to tell dirty jokes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-88129379261352107112010-03-26T17:45:37.726-04:002010-03-26T17:45:37.726-04:00Ah, a skeleton book is one we won't admit read...Ah, a skeleton book is one we won't admit reading and also wish we hadn't. This is the closest I can come:<br />My mother said with trembling lip that she hoped I'd never read "The Story of O" because she didn't want to me think there were women like that. Of course I read it immediately. It did not bother me as much as her, but I found it both intriguing and very creepy and it's the first book that came to mind as something I wish I hadn't read. <br />Doc Savage novels - that sounds like fun! I recently picked up a couple old ones and looking forward to them.panavia999https://www.blogger.com/profile/12022750065016664499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-62611776865313786462010-03-26T12:25:58.372-04:002010-03-26T12:25:58.372-04:00Yes, Scott—excellent. Shame and remorse in reading...Yes, Scott—excellent. Shame and remorse in reading!D. G. Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10659136455045567825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-35076898722114139372010-03-26T12:13:11.462-04:002010-03-26T12:13:11.462-04:00I think that perhaps part of the definition of a &...I think that perhaps part of the definition of a "reading skeleton" ought to be that we wish we'd never read the book. This is an essential difference between "skeleton" and "guilty pleasure" reading. If I could but eliminate the impressions of "Fear of Flying," "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" and "Still Life With Woodpecker" from my brain, I would. The fifty "Doc Savage" novels I read at 15 can remain, though.scott g.f.baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05726743149139510832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-88719059852873286882010-03-26T10:35:51.684-04:002010-03-26T10:35:51.684-04:00Dear RT,
Ah, but then you're admitting them a...Dear RT,<br /><br />Ah, but then you're admitting them and true skeletons must remain in the closet for the later visit of the bibliotherapist. Those secret visits with Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz or Richard Brautigan, should remain secret and hidden, festering beneath the surface and giving rise to who knows what rants and tirades. :-D<br /><br />shalom,<br /><br />StevenStevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15520240994034904255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-79228882105932292412010-03-26T09:51:40.458-04:002010-03-26T09:51:40.458-04:00You've nailed me on another sin: guilty pleasu...You've nailed me on another sin: guilty pleasures. Numerous "popular" and "trashy" books are included in my reading (but not on my shelves), but I take solace by rationalizing the good company I keep: W. H. Auden was a huge fan of mystery novels; many mystery novelists were (are) academic scholars with impressive reputations; even Texas A&M professors/critics (if interrogated) would cough up some guilty pleasures.R/Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07791522136032565027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-79202241950494450182010-03-26T09:13:36.567-04:002010-03-26T09:13:36.567-04:00I think the closest thing to skeletons that quickl...I think the closest thing to skeletons that quickly come to mind are the 60+ Star Trek novels I read in high school. Man, did I love those books.Levi Stahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094919454842047688noreply@blogger.com