stay up late: reading

Yesterday, my coworker Barb mentioned to me that she had stayed up real late, until 2 a.m., reading a book. I think she was sort of gloating, too, because she prefaced her comment with a "guess what I did last night?" And I guess I was kind of jealous because I couldn't remember the last time I had stayed up stupid-late reading a book. I occasionally stay up stupid-late for other reasons—blogging, blog reading, watching TV, knitting, parenting. But, rest assured, if I try to read after 9 p.m., I am certain to fall asleep. Comatose sleep too, not just a little cat nap that energizes me so I can read a little more when I awake.

So, last night, after I had gorged myself on all the food programs banked on the DVR, I muted the TV and tucked into my book, The Shadow of the Wind. I have been reading this novel off and on since August, and I really wanted to finish it before I lost interest and never picked it up again. Besides, I have set aside another semi-hulking, semi-dense novel to which I must return, and many other books are calling my name.

The first 250 pages are rich and dense, lusciously establishing the literary intrigue at the center of this novel, as well as a sense of place in post-war Barcelona. Often I'd get that sinking feeling that I was missing something and contemplate starting over. Then, near page 275, the book became utterly gripping. Although it took me three hours to read the last 100 pages, I could not put it down. Before the storylines were wrapped up, one of the secondary characters gave her perspective of the events, which neatly served as a review of those chapters I read back in August.

After reading the last page at 12:30 a.m., I felt totally energized and wanted to start another book immediately, especially something that might be consumed in a few sittings. I feel a renewed faith in my ability to read, and I want to devour every book in sight!