Thursday, May 29, 2008

Scary Books

For any of you that were fans of the show Friends, do you remember when Rachel and Joey traded favorite books and when Joey was scared of the book (his book - the Shining) or sad about a book (Rach's book - Little Women) he put the book in the freezer? Well right now, I want to put The Golden Compass in the freezer.



I LOVE to read. I really do but this book is making my blood run cold right now and it's killing me. Today when I get home all I want to do is go outside, sit in the sun with a glass of wine and read BUT...the book scares me. I worry that I am going to have nightmares about it. Let me remind you that this book was written for CHILDREN. I am a fraidy cat. Also, I am a bit screwed up and my imagination is insane realistic (this is why I don't like movies). When I read (or see a movie), it's like I am there, in the middle of things. When things in a book scare me or make me sad, I think I feel them way more deeply than I should. It's freaking make-believe but somehow in my mind, I can make it seem more real. I don't know. Maybe I am not making sense. It's almost like I am trying to avoid the emotion that the book evokes because it costs me too much to let it out.

When I read books about real like (biographies, memoirs, etc) I don't have the same problem. I can read them, think about them, feel any sort of emotion and I am fine but bring fiction into the mix and I have to put the book down...or maybe in the freezer.

8 comments:

Emily said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mama Dawg said...

I love The Golden Compass. It was such a terrific book. So was The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. I loved the whole series.

I haven't gotten around to watching the movie yet. I bought it, but we haven't watched it yet.

I love books of all kinds. Except romances, westerns and sci-fi (most sci-fi, that is). I get lost in the books, but it's rare that I get emotionally attached to a book. I always keep in the thought that it's all make believe in the back of my head. Having said that, it doesn't stop me from enjoying the hell out of what I'm reading.

ShelbyAnne said...

Me too me too! I have this problem too, utterly emotional and connected to things that don't really exist. Thus, I avoid any media that will make me unhappy or scared. Now that you said that I'm all afraid to see the movie. Oh dear. I think it's time for this book to hit the freezer!

Los said...

I don't read too many books ... usually, I'll like a book that makes me laugh (much like the movies I like) ... of course, I also like books about wrestlers for some reason ... go figure!

I have a magazine subscription to Paste, a music magazine ... that and the internet usually are enough for me.

Betsy, short for Elizabeth, formally known as Esther said...

Um, yeah, burn the book. I haven't read that book, but if it scares you that much ditch it.

Ok, let's talk DC...so totally awesome they were pulling 130's, THAT was amazing! I totally forgot about all the ice during the Opelio season. Can't wait for Tuesday!

Snooty Primadona said...

You sound exactly like me. I think others refer to us as more sensitive than most people. I totally get where you are coming from. I get completely freaked out over books and movies and the hubby just looks at me like I have a third head. He says "It's just a movie (or book) honey. Relax." Problem is, I can't relax.

Heather said...

I'm like you with movies. I get way into them and then stay up at night replaying them in my head. I knew The Golden Compass was a children's book, but I didn't know it was scary! Oh, girl, put it in the freezer.

MissKris said...

I felt the same way about "Misery". The book was 10 times creepier than the movie. Also, "Shutter Island" by Dennis LeHane...to this day, neither my daughter or I have figured out the ending of THAT one. I heard a while back they're going to make a movie out of it and it'd be interesting to see how Hollywood interprets the ending. One question, tho...why do cop thrillers have to have so much profanity in them?!