As always seems to be the case when I hit a personal blogging milestone – in this case my 1000th blog post – I get all introspective and start thinking long and hard about things. I know it wasn’t that long ago since the last time I thought ‘long and hard’, but it’s clear to me that I’ve still not managed to find peace in myself, both with regards to my blogging, or the direction in which I want to take RobAroundBooks.
I won’t go into the ins and outs of everything – because frankly over the past few days my feelings have been all over the place – but I will say that I’ve gone from feeling utterly dejected at the amount of time and energy I put into my blogging – and feeling I’m not getting anything out of it (in a spiritual sense) – to finally realising where I’m tripping up and in which direction I want to proceed.
The ‘tripping up’ mystery is an easy one to solve. Quite simply I’m trying to juggle too many things at once. My passion for books and reading is so intense that I’m trying to cover as much ground as possible, dip into as many books as I can, and across as many genres as I have an interest in. But the fact is, this one man show can’t make it all work to the degree that his heart wants it to. And so he has pull back the reigns, hone in and get himself a bit more specialised.
That brings me nicely to the main point of this post – the direction I want to take RobAroundBooks in. First and foremost, I should clarify that every feature that I recently said that I was going to be moving forward with, I still am going to be. The only difference is things are going to get a lot more specific.
How so? Well, firstly I should tell you that the catalyst that finally brought me to my senses was the post I put up yesterday on the subject of world literature. Soon after watching that amazing video promotion by Words Without Borders, it hit me like a lightening bolt that deep down in my heart of hearts my true reading passion lies in the wonderful world of translated fiction.
How do I know? Well, aside from my established passion for it, it surprised me yesterday at how upset I was at the general lack of focus and knowledge that surrounds world literature. It wasn’t exactly news to me – I was already well aware of the shortfalls that exist in the promotion of world literature – but after watching that video, reading your wonderful comments in relation to that video, and having a discussion with bookish friends on Twitter, something clicked firmly into place, and I was left with a firm resolution that I really want to do something about the situation; to pour my passion for reading foreign literature into raising awareness (albeit from a small insignificant voice) in what is a remarkable, yet severely under-appreciated area of reading.
In reality I’m already doing something to help ‘the cause’. If you take a general sweep of RobAroundBooks then you’ll see that my reading is probably more focused on works of translated literature, than anything else. Maupassant, Chekhov, Tolstoy, Endo, Ammaniti, Murakami, Camus – to name but a few – are already featured regularly (some more than others), but my focus on these non-English writers is mixed in with every other author that I struggle and strive to shoehorn in, and quite frankly, although it may be fun it certainly isn’t manageable.
So in a difficult move for me to make – because I have some truly wonderful English-speaking authors nested in my heart already (Steinbeck and Hemingway for instance), and there’s many more out there still to discover (now and in the future) – I’ve decided that I’m going to steer RobAroundBooks more in the direction of global literature (both classical and contemporary), while pretty much turning my back on any literature – old or new – that has been created in the English language.
I realise such a decision is drastic, and it may well alienate some of my most precious of readers (even God forbid, turn some of you away). But for my own peace and preservation I feel that this is something that I really want, and need to do.
So with a refocus on world literature does this mean that I’m turning my back on any reading commitments I’ve already made with publishers and fellow readers? Absolutely not. The change over will be gradual, so that I can ensure that I read all the books that I’ve committed myself to reading.
Does my decision to concentrate more on works-in-translation mean I’m going to be completely turning my back on works created in the English language? No! I still have a huge passion both for the short story form and for literary nonfiction and essays – literary forms which I also think are severely under-represented – so I will still be continuing to focus on these, and with as much vigour as I can muster up.
And so my good friends – publishers and readers alike – I think there is little more I can say for now. I very much hope you understand my reasons for taking this sudden change of direction, and that you won’t consider me fickle or indecisive either in life or in my reading. Sometimes something calls to you so loudly that you can do nothing to ignore it. And these past few days world literature has been screaming at me from the top of its voice, and I feel I need to answer its call, unconditionally. So I hope that you will stay around and join me on this new(ish) and exciting adventure – even take a long relaxing dip into the wonderful world of translated literature yourself – because my biggest fear is losing any of the beautiful minds I’m so acquainted with already.
On a final note I just want to add that another dear friend is choosing to take a similar direction with his reading. I’m sure many of you will already know Stu, who blogs at Winston’s Dad, but if you don’t then I urge you to get to know him. Stu is a voracious reader, who, like me, sees the true beauty in foreign literature. He’s moving his focus in a more international direction (to be fair he was largely focusing on this area anyway), and I predict great things coming from Stu over the coming months. I urge you to follow him.
On a final, final note thank you all for listening, and for reading another of Rob’s rambling posts.
About Rob
Wow, good for you! Do what makes you happy. Since joining this strange and wonderful world of book blogging only back in December I am already feeling overwhelmed with the amount of review books I have been sent when what I want to do right now is curl up with some victorian classics (my favourites) so I do know where you’re coming from, Rob.
I, for one, will love to still follow your blog. I am a huge fan of French authors in particular and had already decided to read more Zola, Dumas and Maupassant this year and also read my first Hugo. I really want to read some more Russians too and of course I am loving my Scandanavians at the moment.
I applaud you! You are doing the right thing for YOU – those who stick with you are your loyal fan base and will do so because they have a passion about the same books you do.
I can’t wait to see what you read – please let me know in advance if you can when you read some of the French as, if I have time, I may even join you and dicsuss.
Boof x
says:
It’s not as radical a move as it may appear Boof. I pretty much focus on foreign lit anyway (it’s about a 65-35 split).
As for the ‘letting you know when I read some French’ – I read Maupassant on a weekly basis! And you didn’t even notice *Rob’s bottom lip quivers*
Warmest
Rob
I did notice, I did!!! I knew you were a Maupassant fan! Have you read A Woman’s Life (or A Life) yet? That’s coming up on my pile soon.
says:
Sadly no Boof! Although I’m still reasonably new to the wonderful world of Maupassant, and although I’ve read 30+ stories to date A Woman’s Life isn’t one of them. I’ll get to it though, eventually, and I’m interested to see your thoughts on it.
Warmest
Rob
I know this is a hard decision-consider some Japanese novels also-it is a marvelous world of reading
says:
Hi Mel. Thanks for the pointer. I’m certainly well up on Endo and Murakami. But I do need to brush up on some of the lesser-knowns
Warmest
Rob
Rob-if you have time I have been reviewing Japanese novels for some time now, as well as short stories and classics-I have a posts on about 50 Japanese literary artists
says:
I” make time Mel. Can’t afford to let such a valuable resource g oto waste now can I
Warmest
Rob
I think this is a great decision! You’re right – the world of books is simply too huge to cover everything. Finding your niche is an awesome thing.
says:
Thank you Carrie! Here’s hoping I’m doing the right thing. My heart says I am, but my head..emmm
Warmest
Rob
says:
Yes, Yes, Yes. Some may think that it is a drastic move. I think that it is a step in the right direction. I’m a new blogger. I enjoy world literature and I’ve been struck at the limited coverage of the genre on blogs. So I’m glad that someone like you is “crossing over”. There is so much to love and discover everyday when you read world literature. I like Japanese Lit, European lit in translation – just discovered a Catalan author Merce Rodoreda, Spanish and Portuguese lit, brazilian lit (Machado de Asis and Clarice Lispector), Alejo Carpentier, oh I could go on. But that’s enough for now. Great decision. and you know what, the English classics and books will also be there for you to go back to every now and then. Such is their dominance anyway.
says:
Wohoo..High Five Kinna! *slap!*
. I’m happy that you approve!
Warmest
Rob
says:
I am so excited by this change – you are going to be reading so many great books! I try to read a fair amount of world literature and last year ALL of my favorite fiction reads (and some non-fiction) were from authors I hadn’t even heard of before. I will be following closely to see who you are reading!
says:
And I’m so excited that you’re so excited. Suddenly such a big and drastic, doesn’t seem so big and drastic.
Warmest
Rob
Rob, I only discovered your blog recently and am amazed at the amount of content you’ve managed to create – it’s very professional.
I read nowhere near enough world literature/translated books, so I shall definitely be coming back to find out more.
says:
Hi Annabel,
Pleased to meet you. Wow, I hope more people like you discover me – you’re so incredibly kind and warming. And thank you for your vote of confidence. It means a lot more to me then you probably realise.
Warmest
Rob
says:
thanks for you kind mention Rob ,sure your on the right path dear friend ,your passion always shows when discussing world fiction ,warmest stu
says:
Stu, you’re a star. Between us I hope we can change the English-speaking world’s attitude towards translated literature, although I shouldn’t advise anyone to hold their breath
Warmest
Rob
I love world literature and try to include a balance of it on my blog. I look forward to discovering some more wonderful books from around the globe on your blog!
says:
Jackie, as always thank you for your support. I hope I don’t disappoint
)
Warmest
Rob
About a third of my books are European books in translation, and this theme is definitely my passion. I find myself less interested in Arabic and African literature. I think its something about the vast changes that have happened to our European neighbours over the last century which I find to compelling. I will watch your developments with interest.
says:
It’s a fascinating field of interest isn’t it Tom? You said before it was a passion of your so I’m delighted I’m going to have a knowledgeable overseer.
As for Arabic translations, well I’m rather into those myself. Islamic history is a passion of mine (my dissertation was on the development of the mosque), so I have a soft spot for that too.
Generally though, European and Russian are the ‘biggies’ for me.
Anyway speak soon and thanks for dropping by
Warmest
Rob
As someone whose traditional Eng Lit education means I focus on tradition Eng Lit books I am trying to read more lit in translation as I am aware of the lack. I will read your reviews with interest. (Not that I am knocking a trad lit education – thoroughly reading the culture you’re in is the best stepping stone to reading everything else but it is time I branched out with more vigor!)
says:
I look forward to airing and sharing with you, and good luck on your own ‘branching out’
Warmest
Rob
That’s a brave decision, Rob. I know what you mean about wanting to specialise and find your own niche. I’ve contemplated concentrating on a specific “interest” (ie. Irish lit, or Oz lit) but when it comes to the crunch I haven’t wanted to deprive myself of the types of modern and contemporary fiction I like. All I can really do is continue to read widely, to hunt out things off the beaten track and mix up the content so for every new release I read and review, I read and review three or four older ones. I wish you well in your new endeavour; I love world literature so I’ll be keen to see what you bring to my attention.
says:
I’m glad you for one can see what a difficult decision it is to make in some respects. I know I’m cutting myself off from a huge body of literature, but I’ve got to do something.
As for you, I thought you were concentrating solely on Australian lit *pokes out tongue* (I know, you’re just emptying your suitcase from your recent visit).
Seriously though I think you have a nice balance of old and new over at Reading Matters. So well done for that.
Warmest
Rob
You won’t lose any readers, Rob. People love to discover and, if you’re going to be a guide into less explored waters, I think you’ll find the opposite. It’s RobAroundBooks, right? Not RobAroundBooksWe’veAllRead before – people are here for the writing, not the genre. Good luck!
says:
Thank you Brian, for all you’ve said!
Warmest
Rob