Choose your time wisely.
Binge watching on one or over several of the screens available to you has been much in the media lately. I saw a TV ad the other day that was amusing. A man discovered his wife was cheating on him. She had watched ahead on a series they had both agreed to binge watch together. He was devastated.
While we all read at different paces book aficionados can face a similar result. As a quick reader I have waited in anticipation for someone to reach a specific part in a book that grabbed me to see if they have the same reaction. Sometimes the wait seems eternal only to have the result be deflating.
I am a binge watcher and enjoy it immensely. Immersing yourself in someone else’s world in a way you don’t manage to when viewing on a weekly basis is freeing. However, binge watching is just a knock-off of binge reading. What! Yes, of course it is.
Long before there was quality serial TV we were well into book series’. We sat deeply absorbed by the current novel with the next one at our elbow. It was a given that if enthralled, you were at the author’s mercy until the release of the next book. Just like waiting for the next season of your favourite screen series.
Readers stole time in the dentist’s office, on the subway/bus/streetcar and coffee breaks, and we lunched with our books. Now we sneak this time with our mobile devices. Oh yes, we were bingers long before the phrase “binge watching” was coined. We feel asleep with the light on and glasses askew on our faces.
I am a binge watcher but in a modified way. Usually three episodes a night is my max, several nights in a row. Depending upon the length of the series there will be a break of a few days to catch my breath. After all there are so many great books to read many of which (not coincidently) we now watch on-screen.
Perhaps this makes me a qualified screen binger: a semi-binger, or a half-binger? However, never am I a qualified book binger.
Are you a binge reader? Are many spare moments spent squeaking in quality reading time?
June Lorraine
4 responses to “Binge watching: Bing reading”
A binge on Patricia Cornwell novels was enough to put me off her books for a long time (still haven’t picked up another of hers). Too much of a good thing, as it turns out, is not a good thing (for me). So no, I’m not a binge reader or watcher. 🙂
Yes, that’s true it can have a negative impact. I over dosed on Sanford’s Prey series (years ago) and Patterson’s Alex Cross series (recently) and have had to just let them go. It’s mot them, it’s me.
Reading (or watching) back to back you are more aware of inconsistencies and an aspect of a character can become tiresome. Things that wouldn’t be as noticeable when spread over time.
Always great to hear from you Vicki.
June Lorraine
Is there a BWA chapter near you in Toronto? You could start the 12 step program to rehab, ya know?
What I hate—and I’m reading several series books now—is when I can’t find the next book. I have that with Catherine Coulter, James Rollins, and now Harlen Coben.. is Myron series. I have given up trying to get all the Johnathan Kellerman Alex Delaware books.
HOWEVER, hope is perhaps on the horizon! My lovely bride gave me a Nexus 7 and we both went to the S A public library and got new cards. We’re on the e-book list, and maybe, JUST MAYBE, I can fill in some blanks there.
It was 97 here today.. Yeesh.
A 12-step program is called a Book Club 😉
Yes, I’ve faced the same problem and it is frustrating trying to keep a series in order when you can’t locate the books. I was for years a dedicated used books shopper but 3-years in Asia killed that for now. Good luck at the San Antonio library (love libraries) and bragging about the weather there does not guarantee approval of your comments Mr.