WARNING: This post may be a bit shocking to you. As an author, an English Department SCU Alumni, and a passionate creative writer, you would assume that I am also a very avid reader.
After all, most authors are.
But you would be wrong.
I am not.
I have read the classics, I have read some modern hits, I have read modern indie books, but tbh, they are droll. (Droll: adj. curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement)
The last book series I *really* *truly* *honestly* enjoyed was the Harry Potter series. But I was so heart broken by Dumbledore’s ending (If this is a spoiler to you, girl, please. Keep up) that it took me years to pick up a book for fun again.
You see, I was afraid of getting my heart broken again by a fictional character — but I was also massively craving some literary genius.
Having finished with the entire Doctor Who series (yes, including the classics) and not in the mood to pick up a book from my TBR pile, I searched for literary adaptations.
Curiously, I started watching Pride and Prejudice, & Zombies, which is exactly what it sounds like. I loved the take on such a romantic classic. In fact, I loved Matt Smith’s take on Mr. Collins so much, by the end, I seriously asked myself, “Is it really that bad to “read” a story by not … actually.. reading it?”
If you’ve ever met an avid reader, you know the JUDGEMENT they glare at you if you dare to admit you actually did like the movie better.
And to be honest with you, the thrill of “breaking the rules” in secret really lit a fire underneath my comfy couch butt.
Looking around to make sure no one else was around (and making Bodie Pup promise not to tell anyone), I searched for movie adaptations of the classics.
With cookies in hand, I made my way through Dickens in a week.
Reaching for some chips, I binged Agatha Christie.
I swooned over Shakespeare and Austen and the Bronte sisters. And couldn’t get enough of Apple TV’s take on Emily Dickenson.
I was perfectly content with my new found way of “reading”!
The only problem with this new-found secret addiction is that there are only so many movie or TV adaptations of books I enjoy reading.
So, let’s just say, I needed to find a new fix. And there was no way I was going to get that fix the old fashioned way — by actually picking up a book and reading! 😂
A friend suggested I download the Libby App. I did. And then I went a step deeper and subscribed to Audible!
Excitedly, I clicked on the first Sherlock Holmes book. With a happy sigh, I sunk down into a London in which all crimes could be solved next to the fireplace with a long night of puffing on a pipe, and started cleaning my kitchen while laughing along to Holmes always trying to trick Watson with his disguises.
By the end of the month, I had finished Sherlock Holmes. And our rental house was very clean.
Craving another cozy mystery set with British Accents, I stumbled upon Agatha Raisin; the deliciously flawed middle-aged amateur detective in 1990’s London who retired early in the Cottswells and, so desperately wanted everyone in the village to love her, she entered a village baking contest with a quiche she bought at a Quichery London… and then, unfortunately, her store-bought quiche poisoned the judge, and the mystery began!
IT. WAS. SO. FUNNY!!!!
AND NOW I WANT TO GO TO A QUICHERY!!
When you think about it (especially if they were written before TV), books are sort of meant to be read out loud.
In the olden days families would gather around the fireplace or the radio and listen to a story.
I can really see that former life for myself.
Now I “read” on my way to work, while I’m filing paperwork, and when I’m lying in bed with my eyes closed for a moment. I’ve consumed more books in 2020 than I have since I entered high school (and sports and homework and trying-to-look-pretty took over my free time).
And the BEST part (personally) is “reading” while I clean. Why? Because it has finally become *enjoyable*.
Have you gotten into audio books yet? Is there a book you actually *do* enjoy the movie better? Dish the gossip in the comments, babe!
Sending you some rebellious love!
♡ Maggie Ann
