B3THANY READS

Hi, my name's Beth and I miss reading for fun. Almost four years ago I made the decision to study Comparative Literature and French at degree level, and I have loved it every step of the way. I got to study  Heidi , Catcher in the Rye , The Iliad, Dracula ... to name a few. I felt truly academically challenged and pushed myself to achieve my absolute best work. Without a doubt, my course is my favourite part of being at university. But I really, REALLY miss reading for fun. What's that you say? Why not read for fun in your spare time?  I wish I could. By the time I get home from a full day's work in the library, it feels like my eyes will fall out of my head if I have to read any more. I would much rather watch something mind-numbing on Netflix just to give my brain a little bit of a break before doing it all over again the next day. (I just finished season 4 of Jane the Virgin and ... oh my god, that show is so! good! ). That's not to say that I ...

I have been reading for as long as I can remember. It almost feels as if I was never actually taught how to read, I was just born knowing how and haven't put a book down since. But now, as the grand old age of 21 draws nearer, I realised I have never read the same book twice. Sure, there's the exception of compulsory reading for school (I'm pretty sure I've read Jane Eyre at least 4 times by now) but that's it. So why don't I like re-reading books? Where's the suspense? Whenever I consider re-reading a book, I quickly dismiss the idea because of the obvious ... I already know what's going to happen. Wouldn't that be boring? I don't think I would enjoy it as much the second time round if I knew what the big plot twist is going to be. It's not like I will be on the edge of my seat, hanging on to every last word. This is especially true with plot-driven stories that have a lack of world building and character development (like We Were L...