Sunday, February 7, 2010

Xbox vs Reading

I love to read. I almost love it too much.

When I start a good book I have a hard time doing something else. This week I opened up the book Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, which I had gotten for Christmas.

I took it to work and read during my lunch hour. Then I read it at the stop lights on my way home from work, which resulted in a few horns being honked. I continued to read it while I waited for my son's basketball practice to be over and before my son's basketball game to begin.

Friday was my day off and I was half way through the book. I had three things on my agenda before I had to take my son to his basketball tournament (Did I mention we do a lot of basketball). I wanted to exercise, paint a few walls, and do a little bit of editing. I started off good by riding the bike (bad knee remember). I even put a load of laundry in, but then the book began calling. I read while I ate breakfast and then just blew off the rest of the morning.

I told my family that I couldn't start any more books, because I just don't get anything done when I'm reading. And my son says yeah I know what you mean, it's just like Xbox.

I gulped, swallowed hard and bit my lip. I love my son, even though he doesn't like to read, but he has been known to be a little obsessed with a certain Xbox game.

So I guess in an obsessive kind of way, yes reading is just like xbox.

19 comments:

Tiffany Neal said...

I seriously thought that I was the only CAH-RAAZEE one that read and drove at the same time. Yikes. There's more than just me out there. :)

Jessica Nelson said...

Hahaaa! Yes, my husband has accused me of being addicted to reading. I love your son's insight. LOL

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

GULP! That's a humbling comparison! I have certain books like that. They are just so good!!!

Jenni James said...

Yes! But as I tell my children, reading is actually enriching the mind--and xbox just fries it. LOL!

I'm so bad with my compulsive behaviors.

Jenni

Jonathon Arntson said...

True that! My nephew loves XBOX and reading...so he never really gets anything done. At least I condone half that reality.

I have a feeling I'll be playing The Hunger Games if it comes out as a game. Oooo and Uglies. Oooo, okay, done.

Patti said...

Tiffany: Yes, the people behind me didn't like me too much that day.

Jessica: It really is an addiction. My son once said. "Don't ask mom anything, she's reading again."

Kristen: It's better to have books like that, as opposed to one's you slough through.

Jenny: I was going to tell him that but I need to pick my battles.

Jonathan: I regret that I was addicted to Amped for a while. Now the Hunger Games that would be a good idea, maybe the boys would then read it.

Carolyn V. said...

I LOVE books like that! I have to block out my time for the reading, but am so far behind. I will have to check out that book!

Heidi Willis said...

I am obsessive by nature, too,and reading brings out the worst in me. I read while cooking, at stoplights, waiting in line at the store. If a book is really good, I ignore everyone else around me, which is a very bad thing when you're a mom.

I watched my son playing Wii not too long ago and thought the same thing: he's inherited my addictive personality. Why is it that it feels more okay to be addicted to books than video games?

Tamika: said...

Reading does sort of slurp up all my time! But in our defense it is part of the creative process. Right?!

Patti said...

Carolyn: I'm getting far behind that's why I can't pick up another book.

Heidi: I refrained from telling him that reading was a lot better way of spending his time.

Tamika: It's like our research.

lotusgirl said...

It's completely like that for me. If I want to get things done, I have to shun the books. It is just like the Wii for my son.

Michelle McLean said...

I am the same way! My husband groans when I open up a new book. And once, when I started reading a new series, he made a comment along the lines of "well, I guess I won't be getting clean laundry for a few days." So I do try not to start anything new if I know I've got stuff coming up that I have to get done. Because yep, I'm addicted and proud of it! :)

Southpaw said...

Me too! But it's soooo hard to stop. I would say it is seasonal but in the winter I cuddle under a blanket and in the summer I go to the park!

patti said...

Patti,
Sigh. I love to read but it is NEVER too much!!! That's ONE of the blessings of being a writer--research, dear hubby, research!!

Blessings,
Patti

P.S. In my kids' days it was, gulp, Gameboy...

Elana Johnson said...

LOL! That's so true! That's how I am, but dude, even I don't read at the stoplight. That's what scribbling in a notebook or paying bills is for. *wink*

Tina Lynn said...

YES! I'm the same way. If the book is good, no one gets hot meals and personal hygiene goes out the window. Sorry, TMI, I know, but...let's be real. Some books are just THAT good:)

lisa and laura said...

Oh, there's just nothing like a good book. Can't wait to read Beautiful Creatures. I've had it on my TBR pile for a while now.

Abby Annis said...

I read like this too. Once I start a good book, I just can't put it down. And I love Xbox--keeps my husband busy while I write. :)

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