I’ve got three books going right now.  That is really unusual for me.  I’m a read-it, finish-it, and start-the-next-one kind of gal.  But for unknown reasons, I find myself juggling three books.

First – The Three Christs of Ypsilanti (Milton Rokeach). 

I mean, come on, who could resist a title like that – especially if you’re from Michigan?

It’s a psychiatric case study of three men who each believe that they are Christ, brought together at the Ypsilanti State Hospital.  It’s good.  But it’s slow – because we’re talking about three paranoid schizophrenics back in the late 50s / early 60s. There aren’t a lot of treatment options.

Second – Three books by Shakti Gawain (Creative Visualization, Living in the Light and Creating True Prosperity).  I’ve read the first two before, and actually, I’m just really looking to re-read Living in the Light; but started in on Creative Visualization first.  There are some basic, root tenants here that I really like and want to be reminded of – but boy I forgot how much “woo-woo” there is in her writing.  So I’m trying to ignore the woo-woo and just keep what I want/need.

Third – The Stand (Stephen King).  I’m on a bit of a Stephen King nostalgia kick.  I re-read It and now I’m re-reading (for the umpteenth time) The Stand.  This is the book I am actually reading reading right now. 

We won’t discuss the wisdom of reading The Stand during a pandemic, okay? 

I should know better – but the real problem is, it’s –

• The Stand : The Complete And Uncut Edition includes more than five hundred pages of material previously deleted, along with new material that King added as he reworked the manuscript for a new generation. 

God (TIDBI), Mr. King has gone George Lucas on one of his best novels.  And he has undone all the good work of some hardworking editor. 

Please, authors.  Writing is like singing – as Pamela Hall told me, “Nobody is as interested in hearing you sing the song as you think they are – pick up the [damn] tempo.”  Ditto for authors – not every word is a precious seedling that needs to be nurtured and protected from the editor’s weed whacker. 

So what I had hoped to be a nice trip down literary memory lane has become a slog down the slough of hyperbole.

What are y’all reading?  (Just in case I ever get through the three books I’m currently working on – and none too diligently, I must admit as well.)