Sean Lovelace—
I go to the beach. I ask what you are reading, your ‘beach book.’ 99.4 % of the time it is a novel. Why?
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b/c most people at the beach ain’t broke ass writers who are the only schlubs reading short stories
I think David’s right in pointing out that short stories are less visible to the non-writer community. But part of it is probably too that people planning to relax for an extended period of time want to devote that time to the recreation of being pulled along through a single extended narrative–especially if they don’t read much, probably out of some false economical sense of available time.
I always found this kind of strange, as I use my summer/beach reading as a chance to dig into something I couldn’t properly devote time to during the busier points of the year (my summer reading for the past three months consisted of Agee’s “Let us now Praise Famous Men” and some lit crit stuff).
Maybe most people see novels in the same way I look at dense material (longer=more time consuming?)
Couple things come to mind. I’d rather take a mass market paperback, something I bought new for $6-8 or a old used paperback, because I don’t care if it gets ruined. I don’t even like to take a hardcover to the beach, as I tend to keep those books forever, and don’t want them ruined. But I’ve had no problem taking a collection of short stories to the beach or wherever, as well as a literary or indie magazine. But Tim does make a good point about wanting to spend a longer period of time in a single narrative, a longer relationship. Plus, with short stories, even in a collection by somebody you love, there are always a few that are not as good. In an anthology, you’ll certainly find some that don’t work for you, same in a literary or indie magazine. If you’re going to be in a serene setting, something calm and therapeutic most likely you don’t want to take the risks that you might otherwise, so you don’t potentially “ruin” your leisure time. I also tend to take “easier” books to the beach, as it’s more likely I’ll retain my focus, and can slip in and out of it if I’m distracted by the sights and sounds of the world around me, which is often just as compelling. By easier it could be anything from King to Grisham to any of the detective/mystery/crime collections that I follow, F. Paul Wilson, John Sandford, Preston & Child, etc.
indeed. why not poetry? or non-fiction? (the difference between novels and short stories doesn’t seem that significant to me.)
i always had a hard time dealing with philosophy in the sun. it somehow seemed less important. that and reading something like quine and being as invested in it as is necessary requires quiet, and maybe some paper, and a pen. but why not anything else? the time commitment of the beach matching the time commitment of the novel? talking out my?
No change to my reading habits based on earth substance
You’re lucky to be at the beach! Personally, I don’t read at the beach. When I’m there – and I used to live there – I thrash around in the salt water and run along the shore and stare at the horizon until I melt and my mind is cleared.
But getting to your question: why a novel? I don’t know. Here’s my best guess:
Short stories are short lasting, even the ones that manage to move you. They are good to read in between stops on the subway. Or in the bathroom. Then they go away.
Poems are distilled and, for a lot of people, difficult and unrewarding.
Non-fiction should never touch the beach. Non-fiction is for indoors under a reading light, and it should only be read if you want to learn something in a non-creative way, like most classrooms.
Novels… ah novels. I’m biased. Novels are long lasting. They are good to read on the beach because the beach is long lasting in every sense. The sound of waves, the song of seagulls, the water everywhere in front of you for 180 degrees, the sun, the night sky, the moon. All very long lasting, all very much present and beautiful, like novels, at least the ones that move you.
i read poetry on the beach to attract the ladies
It’s a rare day to find me on a beach, but my summer reading tends to be the same as my winter reading: a mixture of sociology books, novels, short stories, lots of poetry, or some non-fiction relating to whatever it is I’m working on at the time.
Prompted by some friends, I’ve started keeping a list.
The real question is: why do newspapers and magazines assume that people are going to read trashy fiction on the beach?
I read Mouffe’s ‘Democratic Paradox’ on the beach last year. It was okay. Reading short fiction works better for me on the beach because the waves are very distracting, and I want to go swimming all the time. I should try poetry next time.
b/c most people at the beach ain’t broke ass writers who are the only schlubs reading short stories
I think David’s right in pointing out that short stories are less visible to the non-writer community. But part of it is probably too that people planning to relax for an extended period of time want to devote that time to the recreation of being pulled along through a single extended narrative–especially if they don’t read much, probably out of some false economical sense of available time.
I always found this kind of strange, as I use my summer/beach reading as a chance to dig into something I couldn’t properly devote time to during the busier points of the year (my summer reading for the past three months consisted of Agee’s “Let us now Praise Famous Men” and some lit crit stuff).
Maybe most people see novels in the same way I look at dense material (longer=more time consuming?)
Couple things come to mind. I’d rather take a mass market paperback, something I bought new for $6-8 or a old used paperback, because I don’t care if it gets ruined. I don’t even like to take a hardcover to the beach, as I tend to keep those books forever, and don’t want them ruined. But I’ve had no problem taking a collection of short stories to the beach or wherever, as well as a literary or indie magazine. But Tim does make a good point about wanting to spend a longer period of time in a single narrative, a longer relationship. Plus, with short stories, even in a collection by somebody you love, there are always a few that are not as good. In an anthology, you’ll certainly find some that don’t work for you, same in a literary or indie magazine. If you’re going to be in a serene setting, something calm and therapeutic most likely you don’t want to take the risks that you might otherwise, so you don’t potentially “ruin” your leisure time. I also tend to take “easier” books to the beach, as it’s more likely I’ll retain my focus, and can slip in and out of it if I’m distracted by the sights and sounds of the world around me, which is often just as compelling. By easier it could be anything from King to Grisham to any of the detective/mystery/crime collections that I follow, F. Paul Wilson, John Sandford, Preston & Child, etc.
indeed. why not poetry? or non-fiction? (the difference between novels and short stories doesn’t seem that significant to me.)
i always had a hard time dealing with philosophy in the sun. it somehow seemed less important. that and reading something like quine and being as invested in it as is necessary requires quiet, and maybe some paper, and a pen. but why not anything else? the time commitment of the beach matching the time commitment of the novel? talking out my?
Short stories : movies :: novels : tv
How is that working out for you
No change to my reading habits based on earth substance
You’re lucky to be at the beach! Personally, I don’t read at the beach. When I’m there – and I used to live there – I thrash around in the salt water and run along the shore and stare at the horizon until I melt and my mind is cleared.
But getting to your question: why a novel? I don’t know. Here’s my best guess:
Short stories are short lasting, even the ones that manage to move you. They are good to read in between stops on the subway. Or in the bathroom. Then they go away.
Poems are distilled and, for a lot of people, difficult and unrewarding.
Non-fiction should never touch the beach. Non-fiction is for indoors under a reading light, and it should only be read if you want to learn something in a non-creative way, like most classrooms.
Novels… ah novels. I’m biased. Novels are long lasting. They are good to read on the beach because the beach is long lasting in every sense. The sound of waves, the song of seagulls, the water everywhere in front of you for 180 degrees, the sun, the night sky, the moon. All very long lasting, all very much present and beautiful, like novels, at least the ones that move you.
i read poetry on the beach to attract the ladies
Because most people read those kinds of books anyway. They just happen to be at the beach.
It’s a rare day to find me on a beach, but my summer reading tends to be the same as my winter reading: a mixture of sociology books, novels, short stories, lots of poetry, or some non-fiction relating to whatever it is I’m working on at the time.
Prompted by some friends, I’ve started keeping a list.
The real question is: why do newspapers and magazines assume that people are going to read trashy fiction on the beach?
I read Mouffe’s ‘Democratic Paradox’ on the beach last year. It was okay. Reading short fiction works better for me on the beach because the waves are very distracting, and I want to go swimming all the time. I should try poetry next time.
Beach reads don’t go with this crowd. Maybe not even the beach. I once heard a bookstore employee say to a customer in earnest while recommending a book, “short stories are coming back!”. So there you have it. People who don’t know what to read driving the market and marketeers who think they know what people want.
Personally, trash reads or light reads are work for me, they put me in a fowl mood, because reading time is valuable and I have standards.
So women read novels at the beach, by women. And men read nonfiction, probably history.
Poetry?? Umm, is this beach on Mars?
Short stories : movies :: novels : tv
How is that working out for you
Fuck, I take collections of one page stories. Bernhard’s Voice Imitator or Grass’s My Century = ultimate beach win.
Those or Arenas’s Farewell to the Sea. Reading that on the actual beach will make your head explode.
I think it’s safe to assume that the HTML Giant crowd doesn’t represent the average reading crowd. I’m also wary of the notion that there’s some select group out there who can tell people what they “should really read.” People have always favored light reads because light reads are easier to read and most people don’t have the kind of relationship with language and aesthetics that visitors to this site have.
Because most people read those kinds of books anyway. They just happen to be at the beach.
when at the beach, i only read people’s minds. i won’t settle for anything less. gishhh. caw caw.
i enjoyed the voice imitator.
Beach reads don’t go with this crowd. Maybe not even the beach. I once heard a bookstore employee say to a customer in earnest while recommending a book, “short stories are coming back!”. So there you have it. People who don’t know what to read driving the market and marketeers who think they know what people want.
Personally, trash reads or light reads are work for me, they put me in a fowl mood, because reading time is valuable and I have standards.
So women read novels at the beach, by women. And men read nonfiction, probably history.
Poetry?? Umm, is this beach on Mars?
Fuck, I take collections of one page stories. Bernhard’s Voice Imitator or Grass’s My Century = ultimate beach win.
Those or Arenas’s Farewell to the Sea. Reading that on the actual beach will make your head explode.
I think it’s safe to assume that the HTML Giant crowd doesn’t represent the average reading crowd. I’m also wary of the notion that there’s some select group out there who can tell people what they “should really read.” People have always favored light reads because light reads are easier to read and most people don’t have the kind of relationship with language and aesthetics that visitors to this site have.
i enjoyed the voice imitator.
By TV do you mean long-form shows like “Madmen,” etc.? ‘Cause I’ve been having that exact thought lately.
My monumental, altering experiences have been with movies and novels. I feel like movies are often much larger than even 100+ hr TV shows. Something happens to drama when it’s compacted; supernova.
By TV do you mean long-form shows like “Madmen,” etc.? ‘Cause I’ve been having that exact thought lately.
My monumental, altering experiences have been with movies and novels. I feel like movies are often much larger than even 100+ hr TV shows. Something happens to drama when it’s compacted; supernova.
I really enjoy your description of short stories:
“Short stories are short lasting, even the ones that manage to move you. They are good to read in between stops on the subway. Or in the bathroom. Then they go away.”
I am going to have to keep that and refer back to it.
I really enjoy your description of short stories:
“Short stories are short lasting, even the ones that manage to move you. They are good to read in between stops on the subway. Or in the bathroom. Then they go away.”
I am going to have to keep that and refer back to it.
Like My Century, but Tin Drum is beautiful. Haven’t read all of Voice Imitator, but Bernhard’s novels have hypnotized my heart many times.