Horror of horrors

Lately I've begun noticing that I'm reading lesser and lesser. This would be normal for most people as it is difficult for one to continue reading beyond your work needs as you settle in your job. But among my relatives I was known for my reading. No, not for the stuff I read. It's the voracity I'm talking about. I used to read anything without any preference. And almost tended to be just light stuff. Magazines, fiction kitsch, news papers, old newspapers that the grocer used for packing etc.. Basically anything went.

Some people remember the characters of all the novels they read. Not me. I basically read for enjoying the read. Usually I recognize what I've already read but never the characters. Ofcourse rare exceptions are there.

In my once daily train commute to work and back, if I were to be without anything to read it would be difficult for me to endure the ride. I'd crane my neck on to what others would be reading. I'd even borrow some reading material.
I still remember Saraswati puja days of then, when it'd be tough going for me without the daily newspaper. The only stuff I was not interested in reading was the academic books and Mills & Boon. Otherwise I've read even while walking!!

Such a person, I used to be. But not anymore. Yesterday I went to Borders, the books and music chain. I found myself gravitating more towards music racks than books. Not that books lost the allure. They speak in their own language to me, still. But somehow, I could not bring myself to buy them as I know I've already three unread books with me. I've committed to myself that I won't be buying anymore till I finish them. All I bought was two frivolous magazines. And that too because I've decided not to buy music CDs for now.
The 10 or so I've ordered, are in transit, that's why. :-)

The net is a culprit to a great extent. I like to check all my mail IDs atleast twice a day. Orkut and blog-hopping takes up the rest of the time.

Last week I was furious about myself for not doing enough reading. I decided on a drastic action. I vowed to myself that till I complete atleast one pending book, I won't be coming near my laptop. It lasted all of an evening. After dinner, I promptly went to an early sleep instead of reading. Morning I found myself catching up on my lost net-surfing.

Also my friends whom I used to discuss books are not with me now. I've moved cities since.

Somebody help me!!! Any ideas how to get back on reading? And that's reading like a maniac which I used to be.