Saturday, April 04, 2009

The Siren's Song

It started off as a whisper, barely audible over all the voices clamouring to be heard. I thought I heard it's siren's call but it was so soft as to go almost undetected. But still it’s effect was noticed. I really tried to go to the next one. It was time, its time was over. I was able to move on for one, but its voice slowly began rising; it was now slightly more then a murmur. But I ignored it, denying the call; the lure it had for me. But slowly all else began to fade into the background, even those I had sought to supplant it; those I had looked forward to with eager delight. I tried to move forward; into the next stage, but every time I tried to make a move, the voice that started off as a soft whisper would get louder, more insistent. It slowly became unrelenting. I would find myself thinking; remembering what was in the most unusual of times.


It wasn’t that this was a new phenomenon. I had experienced it before only a few short months ago. At that time things weren’t as frightful and I could indulge; I could listen and obey that unrelenting voice that called. But this addiction has only grown in the previous months and I didn’t have time to pander to that voice that wouldn’t stop.

But it wouldn’t stop; the compulsion to just give in and let the voice take over. I myself was weakening each day as the voice increased in volume each day until finally, this morning I admitted defeat. In order to go forward, I first had to go back. I knew I would feel no lessening until I did.

So I gave into the voice that started as a mere whisper and was now a soon to be conquering shout. The only consolation is I know how strong the gratification will be. Although I experienced the thrill only a short while ago, I can rejoice that in my weakness, I will once again experience that ecstasy that only reading a keeper can give me.


Yes; despite the number of books I just got and the ones I will be getting soon, ignoring the ones that have been sitting, lying, calling for an indeterminate amount of time, the only thing I can think of is rereading the book that hasn’t finished with me yet.


I’m rereading The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie.


It wasn’t that long since the last time I went through this. Broken Wing wouldn’t leave me alone until I’d read it four times in a row. So – am I alone in my weakness? Does anyone else ever have those books that won’t leave them alone? That whisper to them? That won’t allow you to move on to other books until you read that one particular book again? Please tell me yes.



17 comments:

Renee said...

Wow, Kristie, so beautifully written!

Sugar Daddy was like that when I read it. I just couldn't stop thinking about it, and wanted to go up to strangers and tell them about it. Man, I love that feeling!

I have The Madness on my list (I may have seen it first at your place.) I can't wait for it to be released. I love the excerpt I've read! Now you've got me even more excited for it!

Kati said...

Kristie - I've read Smooth Talking Stranger straight through six times now. The first two I read in a row, as in finished and flipped back to page one to start again.

I totally get what you're feeling!

Lea said...

Kristie:

I call them my "Breathless Books", when I finish them I feel bereft until I pick the book up and read it again. I've had many books like that over the years.

"Wicked Burn", was one. "Passion Unleashed", was another. "Daring Time", another.

Some books never leave you, "Outlander", will forever be special.

Lovely Post
L

she reads said...

Well said, and indeed I do.

Agnes & the hitman (J.Cruise), Olivia Joules (H.Fielding), Every boy's got one (Meg Cabot), Can you keep a secret? (S. Kinsella) and of course P&P are a few that come to mind. Man- when a story wants to be re-told the call is fierce! Also, if I've read a stink bomb I'll go back to one of my re-read classics. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, yes. I have quite a few. Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas, Because Your Mine by Lisa Kleypas, Again The Magic by Lisa Kleypas, By Possession by Madeline Hunter, Tempt Me Tonight by Toni Blake...just to name a few. Oh and Broken Wing was definitely a great read, Kristie!! Thanks again for recommending it.

Bridget Locke said...

Don't feel like you're the only one. :) I felt like that with Blue-Eyed Devil, Secret's of a Summer's Night, and Dreaming of You all by Ms. Kleypas. Also, Years by LaVyrle Spencer. There's something about these three books that gets to me every single time I read them. I have no idea why.

Wendy said...

I have books that won't leave me. Books I think about long after I finish them. But I've never done an immediate reread, and I've never read a book over and over again non-stop.

I'm not sure why this is. Either I'm not a true book lover or my TBR Anxiety is just that overpowering.

What is more likely to happen? I finish a totally awesome book and then I won't read a darn thing for a couple of days.

Unknown said...

Hi Kristie!

What beautiful words! I suffer from the affliction, the - I've already read it, have to read it again - one.

To Kill A Mockingbird is my all time favorite, I just love Scout.

There are many more I'm embarrassed to say. Sometimes they do call out wanting to be picked up and read again, like spending time with old friends.

Dottie :)

Kristie (J) said...

Dottie: This OVERWHELMING urge to immediately reread a book doesn't come over me that often. It's happened 3 times in the past few years with
Ride the Fire by Pamela Clare
Broken Wing by Judith James
and now this one.
So I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Wendy: That's exactly what happened!! I read TMoLIM and then finished reading the Theresa Weir book for the Reread Challenge and then I stopped reading. I just couldn't move on - as much as I wanted to - 'cause this one was calling me back. So what could I do after fighting it's call (cause I have so many others I want to read) but heed it????

Bridget: I've read BED a few times now 'cause I love it it pieces, but it wasn't at the point where I simply "couldn't" move on until I read it again like this one. But isn't it a weird thing when that happens?

Barbara: Oh just wait until you get to this book!! *evil laugh*

SheReads: Again *g* I'm glad I'm not the only one. It's a sign I think of fabulous writing when this happens. I have a lot of books I adore - and a large number of books that I reread a lot - but very few that won't allow me to move on.

Lea: That's EXACTLY how I felt until I gave in!! You know!! You know!!

Kati: I didn't fight the complusion to immediately reread the other two I just mentioned - I just went with it. But I think the fact that I just bought a bunch and have more coming in soon put pressure on me to move on from TMoLIM - but as those old enough to remember this song I'm quoting:

I fought the bo-ok
And the book won!

Renee: It really did start out that way - just as almost a whisper - a whisper that wouldn't let me move on *g*.
I am so excited to see what others think of this book when it's released. I have the same feeling about it as I did about Broken Wing and well - we know what happened that time - heh heh heh.

VampFanGirl said...

Beautifully said Kristie. I've only reread a few books: 'Passion', 'After the Night' and the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

I can't wait to read 'The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie'. I remember when you reviewed this one. The fact that you've reread it again can only be another sign that the book is great.

Have a great weekend!

:) VFG

azteclady said...

You have an amazing gift for writing, Kristie. Thank you for sharing it with us.

And yes, I know what you mean--but I give in myself without fighting, because I know resistance is, as they say, futile :grin:

orannia said...

I'm going to echo everyone else - that was beautifully written!

I haven't had that complusion straight after reading a book. I'm normally the opposite.. I go from the high of reading the book to a low and usually don't want to read anything... And if I do want to re-read a book it usually occurs way later. A line will get stuck in my head and won't leave until I re-read at least the scene the line is in.

I don't think we're mad BTW :)

Nikki said...

I have two words for you: "Death Angel". It's one of an assortment that I immediately reread after I finished it. Then I bought it unabridged on audio so I could listen to it. And I'm getting that feeling again. You know what I'm talking about.

Kristie (J) said...

Nikki: Death Angel was an excellent book wasn't it? I've already read it twice - though not back to back. But it's a wonderous thing when a book hits you that hard.

Orianna: *g* Maybe when it takes a few days to read a book after you finish it - maybe it's telling you to read it again *wink*

AL: "Thank you" she said with a bow. This was the first time I tried resisting - but as the saying goes 'Resistance is futile'

VampFanGirl: After the Night - oh that's another good example. I don't know how many times I've reread that one!!

Rosie said...

I have books bug me out of the blue and I'll even dream about them until I re-read them. Or they will torment me driving to work and in the shower, etc. It's rarely right after I read a book though that I'll re-read it.

My most recent experience of this was my re-read of LETTERS TO KELLY by Suzanne Brockmann. Sheesh that book wouldn't leave me alone.

BTW, I saw that you got LORD RUIN by Carolyn Jewel. Can I even tell you how jealous I am?

ag said...

whoa, thanks for putting all that into words we can relate to ... and glad we're not all alone in this ?affliction? addiction??

Mine happens to be By Arrangment by Madeline Hunter, and Somewhere I'll Find You by Lisa Kleypas. I've lost count after the 6th rereading. These are THE BOOKS that'll get me out of a slump.

Kristie (J) said...

Ag: Some books are just impossible to let go of aren't they? I love that a book can affect me that much.

Rosie: I knew the minute I spied it that it was one of those HTF books :)