Six years ago, Anupa and I began reading the Lord of the Rings. We’d both read it before, and liked it so much that we formed a ritual. Before going to bed, I would read a page or two aloud. When we started out – even before we were married – neither of us had any idea the custom would last this long :)
We soon found that sticking to something like that wasn’t easy especially if we’ve just had a tiff of some sort. Both of us needed to be in a good mood, not feeling lazy, nor too tired, too sleepy, or too busy with something else. Not every night’s conclusion saw these conditions met. And often we’d go for a very long time without reading.
And yet…sooner or later, one of us would always ask – “When do we read?” And we would always restart. Sometimes for a long stretch. We kept at it, pegged away at it page after page. And now finally after six years, we’re nearing the end! There are only about 10 pages left. Actually, a month or so ago we saw we had 70 pages remaining. Anupa’s birthday is coming up at the beginning of next month. So we decided to rush things a bit by reading 2-3 pages everyday in order to finish up by that deadline. And after that, we’d watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy in one full sitting!
Sometimes I have difficulty wrapping my head around it. Six…years :). This has gotta be the longest I’ve amount of time I’ve ever spent on one book.
So after this is over, maybe we can start reading something else. It has to be fantasy to keep us both on our toes. And not something that is part of a series – it must be a one off work. And certified to be gripping. What can it be I wonder? The problem of course is that you can’t tell how good a book is going to be for you before you read it. So I’ll have to do a lot of researching and read many reviews. AND I’ll need to make it a hard copy. Everything I read is an ebook but for this kind of bed time reading, a real physical copy of the book is nicer I feel. So much easier to monitor progress and decide when to start and stop. Plus there’s the comfy and cozy factor too :)
I guess I’ll be writing about the next book another six years from now :)
lovely :) how about trying one of the Indian Epics
In reply to tp
I think I’ve pretty much read them all :-)
The Wheel of Time series. Start now, with Volume I, in two parts, go on through Volume II, also in two parts, and you will be emerging from Volume XIII just in time to buy and read the two volumes remaining to be published. Highly recommended, but it’s immeasurably more ‘American’ than LOTR, which is so Brit, so John Buchan, as to be almost a parody.
In reply to Bonobashi
Both my wife and I have read the entire thing – a long time ago now :)
wow.. that is so nice to read together before the bed time.. i actually find it to be a romantic idea.. six years is goo long time.. if u have nt read the book earlier, i am sure you would have forgotten the first part long before.. :).. happy reading.. hope to read the nest post after 6 years.. :)
In reply to ashreya
Thanks :) . And yes – it IS a good thing we’ve read it before. That might not be the case for the next book though :)
You know what? I still haven’t read this book *hides face*
In reply to Ashwathy
Oh, you bad girl! You’ve been slacking.
OMG!! 6 years? But I like that part, that both read it together. How fun!
Awesome ritual!! Makes me want to read this book, we have it at home because my kids love it…