Read this Post about Reading

Arlene Blackman Yolles ♦ April 9, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment

Have you ever started reading a book and thought you had already read it?  Read on to find out how I deal with this.

I have always been an avid reader, passing on the love to my children to whom I read before they even understood words.  One of my favorite stories is telling my daughter, Jordana, an aspiring young actress at age 12, that she would love “Marjorie Morningstar.”  She thought it way too long for a summer book, but once into it, agreed and couldn’t put it down.  To this day, she is my best Book Recommender!

My pile of books waiting to be read (obtained from tag sales or friends.)

I decided, in 1970, while pregnant with Jordana, to start keeping track of the books I read.  After finishing each one, I would note title, author and date completed on an index card.  The first index card? “Thank you, Dr. Lamaze!”

About 10 years ago when old age set in, I would bring home a book from the library. 20 pages in, I would swear I had already read it.  Looking through 40 years of index cards was out of the question.  I decided to computerize my list into a spreadsheet.  It took quite a while but I did it.  The next step was to put the file on my phone so I would have it when I went to the library!  Now I could easily search for a book and discover … I read it in 1987! BTW, I still fill out an index card and, when I have about a year’s worth, enter the info in the spreadsheet.

Once, I brought home a book, and after a few pages, thought I had already read it. However, it was not in the spreadsheet, and I continued another 20 pages.  By this time, I was certain I had read it.  I went over the pile of index cards not yet entered electronically … and there it was!  I had read it 3 months prior!

One of my Favorite Books!

Here’s one of my favorite books and the first page of it. Get it.  You won’t be disappointed.

First Page from Ruined by Reading

I love perusing the database.  I see that I have read 20 books by Anne Tyler, 10 by Calvin Trillin and 11 by Anna Quindlen.  I love seeing the dates and finding out that there were some books (before the database) that I read twice, like Ann Rule’s “Too Late to Say Good-Bye.”  2007 and 2010.

Excel Spreadsheet!

Gotta go … finishing “James” by Percival Everett for my Book Club!