Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge: A Book I'm Nervous to Read (and Why)
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Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge: A Book I’m Nervous to Read (and Why)
Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. It’s Wednesday, and it’s time for another post in the Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge hosted by Long and Short Reviews. If you’d like to participate in the challenge yourself, you can find this year’s list of weekly topics here, and if you’d like to read what others have written about today’s topic, you can do that here!
A Book I’m Nervous to Read (and Why)
I am continuously moving one book to the bottom of my TBR pile: The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsarrat. The story is about a group of Royal Navy sailors fighting in the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II.
It was my dad’s favourite book, and ever since he passed away in 2008, I have considered reading it many times. It’s not the sort of book I’d usually read, but it’s very my dad. He was a total World War II aficionado, often coming out with random facts about ships, famous soldiers or even family members who served in the forces during the war whenever we were walking anywhere.
For the most part, I often thought his stories were boring. I listened out of politeness, but I’d always be silently wishing we’d hurry up and get to wherever we were going so the history lesson would stop.
However, now, I’d give anything to spend an hour or even ten minutes listening to stories of how the HMS Kelly, a K-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy, was built in our home town. I’d love to hear him wax lyrical about the pigeons who got conscripted to help with the war effort, and I feel I could have some version of that if I were to read The Cruel Sea. It would be like I was connecting with my dad in a way, even after all these years.
All that said, the only reason I keep putting off reading the book is I’m worried I’ll hate it, and my dislike for it will somehow besmirch his memory. I know that’s ridiculous, but that’s just how I feel.
Some day, I believe I’ll bite the bullet and read it, but the possibility of actually enjoying my dad’s favourite book still exists so long as I keep moving it down the TBR pile.
So, that’s the book I feel nervous to read. I wonder which books you’re all putting off reading.
Anyway, that’s post 10 in the bag!
As always, thank you for stopping by to read my words. It really does mean the world!
Until next time,
George
© 2025 GLT
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#Listening to Three Legged Dog, the 1995 album from vaguely alt-country Ozzie indie guitar band The Cruel Sea.
"Get yourself a suit and tie
And get your hair cut way up high
Get yourself a lawyer, son
You're gonna need a real good one"
#TheCruelSea, 'Better Get A Lawyer'
Admiral Bademeister
GeorgeLThomas
GEORGE L THOMAS
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Strypey