Having grown up in Arkansas, you would think I would have been at some point exposed to such a beautiful native voice as that of Maya Angelou. Unfortunately, not so. Time to fix that.
Title: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Author: Maya Angelou
My Start Date: 8/29/10
My Finish Date:8/31/10
Book Count: 46/100
Talk about poetic writing! Angelou's imagery is simply captivating. I really must say that I can't think of many other examples in all of my past writing that have surpassed her, or even compared with her skill of weaving a story into breathtaking chapters. They are perfectly told, perfectly chosen and perfectly timed. I had always thought of Angelou in relation to her poetry and had honestly been somewhat unaware that she had written anything in prose. However, it turns out I was correct. This autobiographical work can't be described as anything other than beautiful poetry.
That being said, it does tend to slow toward the end. Her characterization of Momma and Bailey are so incredibly powerful that at the point in which they start to fade from view, her move to California, the story faintly fades along with them. It is still great writing, mind you, but it just loses a little bit of its power and she is right in ending her story not long thereafter.
Another thing that I personally liked about this reading experience is Angelou's amazing ability to capture the feel of place in such a way that the reader is transported straight there. Her stories take her mostly to Arkansas, but also to St. Louis and California, which are all places important to my own upbringing. I fairly weeped with pleasure at some of the descriptions. You could almost smell the fried chicken. Stunning.
One quick note. Considering her importance to the heritage of Arkansas, I must admit some disappointment that I am just now reading Angelou's works. Why didn't I read this in high school? Granted, I took some advanced and AP courses, rather than the traditional English path, so it is possible that the other courses covered her while mine were to specific to include this work, but I am not entirely convinced that is the case. Sigh.
Now to conquer Wuthering Heights.
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The Thrill of the Banned
So, I was consistently getting scolded for never having read The Catcher in the Rye. I decided that now was the time to fix that. Here it is:
Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J.D. Salinger
My start date: 8/27//10
My finish date: 8/28/10
Book count: 45/100
As soon as my grandmother mentioned that this book had been on the banned list for many a year, my curiousity was even further piqued. The copy I had purchased was the one with the typical period red and yellow design featuring a carousel horse over a cityscape, but which had no book summary on the back. This is a pet-peeve of mine. I like to know what I am getting. Further, I had no intention of wikipedia-ing (yes, that is, in fact, a verb) the plot. So I went in blind.
I now understand why it was banned! Do you remember how I mentioned that I subconsciously pick up every dialect I read because I spend so much time mentally invested in the text? How, just the previous day I was thinking in a lovely Scottish accent? Yeah. This book was NOT good for that. There is so much profanity that I really had to keep strict watch on my tongue for a couple days to prevent sounding like an angst ridden rebellious teenager, overly eager to spout dirty words. Sheesh!
However, this was a really fun book. It was very easy to read and I covered the first half in one sitting. The plot is interesting and, I have to be honest, it reminded me of a much more intense and a much dirtier version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Complete with the half-hearted proposal to the pretty girlfriend. Fortunately, Ferris limited his profanity a little better.
I loved the little sister, Phoebe. She was a vivid character for me and felt very well written. I kept picturing her as played by the young actress in the recent movie, Remember Me, who played the lead's younger sister. She would have been perfect here.
Anyway, I am really glad I finally read it, although I think I would like my Scottish accent back now please!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J.D. Salinger
My start date: 8/27//10
My finish date: 8/28/10
Book count: 45/100
As soon as my grandmother mentioned that this book had been on the banned list for many a year, my curiousity was even further piqued. The copy I had purchased was the one with the typical period red and yellow design featuring a carousel horse over a cityscape, but which had no book summary on the back. This is a pet-peeve of mine. I like to know what I am getting. Further, I had no intention of wikipedia-ing (yes, that is, in fact, a verb) the plot. So I went in blind.
I now understand why it was banned! Do you remember how I mentioned that I subconsciously pick up every dialect I read because I spend so much time mentally invested in the text? How, just the previous day I was thinking in a lovely Scottish accent? Yeah. This book was NOT good for that. There is so much profanity that I really had to keep strict watch on my tongue for a couple days to prevent sounding like an angst ridden rebellious teenager, overly eager to spout dirty words. Sheesh!
However, this was a really fun book. It was very easy to read and I covered the first half in one sitting. The plot is interesting and, I have to be honest, it reminded me of a much more intense and a much dirtier version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Complete with the half-hearted proposal to the pretty girlfriend. Fortunately, Ferris limited his profanity a little better.
I loved the little sister, Phoebe. She was a vivid character for me and felt very well written. I kept picturing her as played by the young actress in the recent movie, Remember Me, who played the lead's younger sister. She would have been perfect here.
Anyway, I am really glad I finally read it, although I think I would like my Scottish accent back now please!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Scottish Adventure
Encouraged by my recent success in reading, and subsequent loving, of Stoker's Dracula, I decided to try another of pretty much the same period. Thus began my new love affair with Robert Louis Stevenson! Here's what I found:
Title: Kidnapped
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
My start date: 8/22/10
My finish date: 8/27/10
Book Count: 44/100
I absolutely loved this book! It took me several days to complete, which was disappointing having had a string of "book-a-day" reads lately, however the added time had nothing to do with the difficulty in reading the story. It was entirely related to the unfortunate fact that my usually free schedule was interrupted that week for an unexpected funereal trip to California during which time even my inflight reading was waived when I was stuck with a talker from gate to gate. (PS, if you are one of those people, realize that a person who is trying to read on an airplane would not rather talk to you, they would rather continue with their book.) Also, if you are superstitious, which I am, it is interesting to note that I was stuck for the duration of this trip on book number 44, which is the Chinese number associated with death. Weird. Anyway...
Stevenson writes great adventure. In this case, he even managed to weave fairly accurate history into a great adventure. I loved the characters, I loved the Scottish dialect (which, I'm not going to lie, I had started using in my head by the end), and Stevenson's passion for his country is so richly evident that I could not help but love the setting. Remember when you are ten and pirates and treasure and camping and adventure were the height of your imagination? Or, if you are around my age, remember when the movie The Goonies was the coolest thing? Stevenson's writing will take you back to that age. I absolutely love it.
A little additional thought on my part and I remembered that Stevenson is responsible for bringing us such greats as Treasure Island and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as well. I can't wait to read them now.
Yay for late 19th century adventure novels!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: Kidnapped
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
My start date: 8/22/10
My finish date: 8/27/10
Book Count: 44/100
I absolutely loved this book! It took me several days to complete, which was disappointing having had a string of "book-a-day" reads lately, however the added time had nothing to do with the difficulty in reading the story. It was entirely related to the unfortunate fact that my usually free schedule was interrupted that week for an unexpected funereal trip to California during which time even my inflight reading was waived when I was stuck with a talker from gate to gate. (PS, if you are one of those people, realize that a person who is trying to read on an airplane would not rather talk to you, they would rather continue with their book.) Also, if you are superstitious, which I am, it is interesting to note that I was stuck for the duration of this trip on book number 44, which is the Chinese number associated with death. Weird. Anyway...
Stevenson writes great adventure. In this case, he even managed to weave fairly accurate history into a great adventure. I loved the characters, I loved the Scottish dialect (which, I'm not going to lie, I had started using in my head by the end), and Stevenson's passion for his country is so richly evident that I could not help but love the setting. Remember when you are ten and pirates and treasure and camping and adventure were the height of your imagination? Or, if you are around my age, remember when the movie The Goonies was the coolest thing? Stevenson's writing will take you back to that age. I absolutely love it.
A little additional thought on my part and I remembered that Stevenson is responsible for bringing us such greats as Treasure Island and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as well. I can't wait to read them now.
Yay for late 19th century adventure novels!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Monday, August 23, 2010
ahhh, Shakespeare
This post will be brief. I thought Shakespeare was supposed to be hard? I distinctly remember struggling through Shakespeare in the past. But I really loved this one!
Title: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Author: The Bard himself, William Shakespeare
My start date: 8/21/10
My finish date: 8/22/10
Book count: 43/100
Perhaps I have gone wrong in the past by focusing on the tragedies and the histories. I have done Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and the usual suspects. This was, I believe, my first Shakespearean comedy. It was a pleasure to read, not at all difficult to follow and I am now actually enthused to attempt another!
A note on edition. Like any good literature student, I own the collected works of the Bard in a giant, (no seriously, HUGE) leather bound Yale edition. I didn't read that. I found this one on my shelf individually and paperback, with interlinear notes to help me along. That might have contributed to my enjoyment and I am very tempted to keep using this brand.
That's it for now!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Author: The Bard himself, William Shakespeare
My start date: 8/21/10
My finish date: 8/22/10
Book count: 43/100
Perhaps I have gone wrong in the past by focusing on the tragedies and the histories. I have done Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and the usual suspects. This was, I believe, my first Shakespearean comedy. It was a pleasure to read, not at all difficult to follow and I am now actually enthused to attempt another!
A note on edition. Like any good literature student, I own the collected works of the Bard in a giant, (no seriously, HUGE) leather bound Yale edition. I didn't read that. I found this one on my shelf individually and paperback, with interlinear notes to help me along. That might have contributed to my enjoyment and I am very tempted to keep using this brand.
That's it for now!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Just glad I finally did it
One of my goals in doing this project was to take the time to finally read some of the books sitting on my shelves that have gone unread for years. As you noticed from the last few posts, I have started working my way down that list. (After all, I can't afford to just keep buying new ones!) The greatest bulk of these unread jewels came from that collection previously mentioned and purchased during my undergrad attempt to have an intellectual looking library. Heartened by my great success with the previously intimidating Beowolf,I decided that it was time to conquer one of the great Elizabethan epics, The Faerie Queene. And conquer is most assuredly the right word, because it was a struggle, no, a full on battle, until the last word.
Title: The Faerie Queene
Author: Edmund Spenser
My start date: 8/20/10
My finish date: 8/20/10
Book count: 42/100
The best I can say is that I am just so glad I finally finished it. But SOOOO LOOOONG. Oh my gosh. Spenser must have been really bored. I know I was. Perhaps part of my problem was that I stubbornly tried to read this in a single day. I had the day off from the gym, it was cold and overcast and I had a pile of soft, warm blankets. However, while I do strongly recommend reading Beowolf all in one sitting, I can now say that I most certainly do not recommend the same for all six hundred pages of this epic. What was I thinking? I was thinking, "it is in verse, that isn't like a real six hundred pages, right?" I'm crazy. I also tried the same technique of really engaging in the rhythm and verse by reading it aloud. Yeah, I gave that up after a few hundred pages when I started losing my voice. Although the fact that I had just done the same with the one the night before probably didn't help. Moral: all verse is not alike.
Also, the content of this epic poem is simply not similar to what I had read the night before. It was confusing, with a lot of names and they were strange names at that. There were side stories and all sorts of random bits. I just started plowing through, hoping to find something good.
And occasionally I did. There are a few sections that are really beautiful poetry. I mean, technically, it is all beautiful, but some sections really swept me up. And I especially liked the periodical parades of allegorical figures, in which Spenser describes such greats as the deadly sins, the virtues, or the seasons. Those were fun.
Ok, at least I finished it.
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: The Faerie Queene
Author: Edmund Spenser
My start date: 8/20/10
My finish date: 8/20/10
Book count: 42/100
The best I can say is that I am just so glad I finally finished it. But SOOOO LOOOONG. Oh my gosh. Spenser must have been really bored. I know I was. Perhaps part of my problem was that I stubbornly tried to read this in a single day. I had the day off from the gym, it was cold and overcast and I had a pile of soft, warm blankets. However, while I do strongly recommend reading Beowolf all in one sitting, I can now say that I most certainly do not recommend the same for all six hundred pages of this epic. What was I thinking? I was thinking, "it is in verse, that isn't like a real six hundred pages, right?" I'm crazy. I also tried the same technique of really engaging in the rhythm and verse by reading it aloud. Yeah, I gave that up after a few hundred pages when I started losing my voice. Although the fact that I had just done the same with the one the night before probably didn't help. Moral: all verse is not alike.
Also, the content of this epic poem is simply not similar to what I had read the night before. It was confusing, with a lot of names and they were strange names at that. There were side stories and all sorts of random bits. I just started plowing through, hoping to find something good.
And occasionally I did. There are a few sections that are really beautiful poetry. I mean, technically, it is all beautiful, but some sections really swept me up. And I especially liked the periodical parades of allegorical figures, in which Spenser describes such greats as the deadly sins, the virtues, or the seasons. Those were fun.
Ok, at least I finished it.
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Beowolf!
Here is another that had been sitting unread on my shelves since my ambitious undergrad days.
Title: Beowolf
Author: We just plain don't know
My start date: 8/19/10
My finish date: 8/19/10
Book count: 41/100
This is one instance with a classic that I will make an edition specification. I have and read the Seamus Heaney edition in which the old English is printed on one page and the modern English is printed on the page opposite. Most of you have probably seen it. It is likely the most well-known edition currently in use and it is the one with the shiny black cover and raised print of a chain mail warrior head on the front. I bought it for the pretty cover, I'm not going to lie. (Ok, I said I was an ambitious undergrad, I didn't say I was a particularly picky undergrad) This is the only edition I would ever recommend. Heaney is the absolute best in this field and his notes are essential.
I think the whole idea of a long poem in old English is what intimidated me. I hate poetry. Really hate it. And I don't speak old English. I like new English. I was so put off by the one side of the page in weird words that I never bothered to focus on the other side with nice, easily understandable modern words. Again, Heaney is a genius. His translation loses nothing of the beauty and greatness of this treasure, yet puts it within reach of all of us.
I hear most people read this in high school. I didn't. Having now tackled and LOVED this work, I am so disappointed in myself for not doing it sooner. Once I got into the story, had conquered the first several stanzas and started feeling the rhythm, the experiences was wonderful. I chose to read the entire thing in one sitting and outloud, both of which I strongly recommend. It isn't horribly long. It took me a few hours on a cool, overcast evening. But interupting the rhythm to return to it later I feel would destroy the experience. Also, read it outloud. It was meant to be told and it reads like music. My cat was fascinated. (However, I doubt the neighbors were similarly pleased, since I had my window open. Oh well, they could use the culture)
Of course, since this is apparently traditional high school required reading, maybe you all have already read it. But if you didn't do it outloud, I am going to have to insist you go back and try it again.
PS, the edition linked below with Amazon is the edition I recommend.
Keep Reading,
Sarah
Title: Beowolf
Author: We just plain don't know
My start date: 8/19/10
My finish date: 8/19/10
Book count: 41/100
This is one instance with a classic that I will make an edition specification. I have and read the Seamus Heaney edition in which the old English is printed on one page and the modern English is printed on the page opposite. Most of you have probably seen it. It is likely the most well-known edition currently in use and it is the one with the shiny black cover and raised print of a chain mail warrior head on the front. I bought it for the pretty cover, I'm not going to lie. (Ok, I said I was an ambitious undergrad, I didn't say I was a particularly picky undergrad) This is the only edition I would ever recommend. Heaney is the absolute best in this field and his notes are essential.
I think the whole idea of a long poem in old English is what intimidated me. I hate poetry. Really hate it. And I don't speak old English. I like new English. I was so put off by the one side of the page in weird words that I never bothered to focus on the other side with nice, easily understandable modern words. Again, Heaney is a genius. His translation loses nothing of the beauty and greatness of this treasure, yet puts it within reach of all of us.
I hear most people read this in high school. I didn't. Having now tackled and LOVED this work, I am so disappointed in myself for not doing it sooner. Once I got into the story, had conquered the first several stanzas and started feeling the rhythm, the experiences was wonderful. I chose to read the entire thing in one sitting and outloud, both of which I strongly recommend. It isn't horribly long. It took me a few hours on a cool, overcast evening. But interupting the rhythm to return to it later I feel would destroy the experience. Also, read it outloud. It was meant to be told and it reads like music. My cat was fascinated. (However, I doubt the neighbors were similarly pleased, since I had my window open. Oh well, they could use the culture)
Of course, since this is apparently traditional high school required reading, maybe you all have already read it. But if you didn't do it outloud, I am going to have to insist you go back and try it again.
PS, the edition linked below with Amazon is the edition I recommend.
Keep Reading,
Sarah
Old vs. New Vampires
In returning to the classical canon side of reading, I decided to go with a little Victorian gothic. Considering how immensely popular to current fiction and other pop culture vampires have become, I decided to explore one of the earliest famous vampire novels. So of course...
Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker
My start date: 8/15/10
My finish date: 8/19/10
Book count: 40/100
For some reason, this novel has sat unread on my shelves for half a dozen years. I bought it during my early college years during which time I started collecting classical works of literature for my library, however I had only made it through the first chapter before losing interest and putting it aside. How that is possible, in retrospect I don't know. I loved this novel! The plot was great, the epistolary form made it easy to read and the characters were all well written. It was a classic adventure tale with all the great elements of a spooky but not terrifying story!
It is interesting to earlier characterizations of horror type characters, especially in contrast to present usages. One question I had wanted to explore in my academic research involved discovering at which point our writers started writing and our readers started craving characters who are traditionally evil figures but who are good. The vampire with a soul who doesn't hunt humans (Meyer's Cullen family, Buffy's Angel, the good vampires of True Blood, or those of Vampire Diaries), the protective werewolf pack (again, Twilight) or the good witches and wizards made world famous by J.K. Rowling. I was fascinated to register in reading Stoker's novel, the very epitome of horror genre, gothic classic, that even at the turn of the century these figures were not depictured as universally evil. Regular reference is made to their pitiable nature and the desire by all characters to free these evil ones from themselves. Granted, there is no human-vampire ill-fated love scenario, but they aren't entirely maligned either. Interesting.
All in all, a very fun read. Perhaps one of my favorites among the classics. Considering my affinity for vampires, werewolves and witches, I will definitely read this one again.
In the meantime,
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker
My start date: 8/15/10
My finish date: 8/19/10
Book count: 40/100
For some reason, this novel has sat unread on my shelves for half a dozen years. I bought it during my early college years during which time I started collecting classical works of literature for my library, however I had only made it through the first chapter before losing interest and putting it aside. How that is possible, in retrospect I don't know. I loved this novel! The plot was great, the epistolary form made it easy to read and the characters were all well written. It was a classic adventure tale with all the great elements of a spooky but not terrifying story!
It is interesting to earlier characterizations of horror type characters, especially in contrast to present usages. One question I had wanted to explore in my academic research involved discovering at which point our writers started writing and our readers started craving characters who are traditionally evil figures but who are good. The vampire with a soul who doesn't hunt humans (Meyer's Cullen family, Buffy's Angel, the good vampires of True Blood, or those of Vampire Diaries), the protective werewolf pack (again, Twilight) or the good witches and wizards made world famous by J.K. Rowling. I was fascinated to register in reading Stoker's novel, the very epitome of horror genre, gothic classic, that even at the turn of the century these figures were not depictured as universally evil. Regular reference is made to their pitiable nature and the desire by all characters to free these evil ones from themselves. Granted, there is no human-vampire ill-fated love scenario, but they aren't entirely maligned either. Interesting.
All in all, a very fun read. Perhaps one of my favorites among the classics. Considering my affinity for vampires, werewolves and witches, I will definitely read this one again.
In the meantime,
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Had me wanting to learn to dance the Charleston!
Oh how I love Sophie Kinsella! Her Shopaholic series is among my very favorites and one of four works/series of which I collect different editions and copies in foreign language. I previously posted on another work by this author, albeit under her legal name of Madeleine Wickham and her stand alone books rarely disappoint me. So I went into this reading knowing I had some good pages ahead of me. She didn't fail me.
Title: Twenties Girl
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Publisher: Dial Press Trade
Publish Date: 2010
My start date: 8/11/10
My finish date: 8/15/10
Book count: 39/100
As is often the case with even my favorite books, the first chapter of this one left me a wee bit hesitant. I mean, a girl and ghost duo? Really? Yet Kinsella/Wickham has that touch. I LOVED it! Her characters pull me in without fail. I just can't help but to identify with and like them! Her shopaholic protagonist, Rebecca Bloomwood, somehow always makes me want to immediately go shopping. These characters were no different. By far the most charming was the ghost half of the duo, Sadie. Kinsella brings the youth of the 20s alive and, perhaps more importantly for me, puts a youthful and vibrant face of these wonderfully cherishable but oft forgotten and underacknowledged seniors of the world. How easy it is for us to regard our grandparents and greatgrandparents, or even our parents and older siblings as nothing other than the adults which they represent to us. Can you picture your grandparents clubbing? Just because they didn't dance the same techno craze you might find today, doesn't mean they didn't have just as much fun. We tend to remember our grandparents the way they are at the end, rather than the way we would all perhaps want to be remembered, and that is at our prime. Kinsella exlores that feeling, but in a rich and often comedic way. How she pumps so much emotion into so light a work just amazes me.
For fear of giving too much of the plot away, I will leave it at that, but suffice it to say that this is yet another homerun for the already successful Kinsella.
Also, since this blog is my personal space in addition to the more professional review side of things, in thinking about grandparents I want to dedicate this particular post to the memory of my stepgrandmother, whom we lost yesterday. Although far too young to have had anything to do with the twenties, she was nonetheless a grandparent about whom I have many cherished memories and about whom I hope we can all remember in her "prime" moments. You will be missed, Kathymarie.
Oh, and one last note on Kinsella. In checking her webpage for tidbits on this particular novel, I was very pleasantly surprised to see a new addition to the Shopaholic series rolling off the press next month. Woohoo! They don't usually sneak up on me like that, but I am thrilled to know I won't have to wait long for it! Expect that one on this blog before too long!
In the meantime,
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: Twenties Girl
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Publisher: Dial Press Trade
Publish Date: 2010
My start date: 8/11/10
My finish date: 8/15/10
Book count: 39/100
As is often the case with even my favorite books, the first chapter of this one left me a wee bit hesitant. I mean, a girl and ghost duo? Really? Yet Kinsella/Wickham has that touch. I LOVED it! Her characters pull me in without fail. I just can't help but to identify with and like them! Her shopaholic protagonist, Rebecca Bloomwood, somehow always makes me want to immediately go shopping. These characters were no different. By far the most charming was the ghost half of the duo, Sadie. Kinsella brings the youth of the 20s alive and, perhaps more importantly for me, puts a youthful and vibrant face of these wonderfully cherishable but oft forgotten and underacknowledged seniors of the world. How easy it is for us to regard our grandparents and greatgrandparents, or even our parents and older siblings as nothing other than the adults which they represent to us. Can you picture your grandparents clubbing? Just because they didn't dance the same techno craze you might find today, doesn't mean they didn't have just as much fun. We tend to remember our grandparents the way they are at the end, rather than the way we would all perhaps want to be remembered, and that is at our prime. Kinsella exlores that feeling, but in a rich and often comedic way. How she pumps so much emotion into so light a work just amazes me.
For fear of giving too much of the plot away, I will leave it at that, but suffice it to say that this is yet another homerun for the already successful Kinsella.
Also, since this blog is my personal space in addition to the more professional review side of things, in thinking about grandparents I want to dedicate this particular post to the memory of my stepgrandmother, whom we lost yesterday. Although far too young to have had anything to do with the twenties, she was nonetheless a grandparent about whom I have many cherished memories and about whom I hope we can all remember in her "prime" moments. You will be missed, Kathymarie.
Oh, and one last note on Kinsella. In checking her webpage for tidbits on this particular novel, I was very pleasantly surprised to see a new addition to the Shopaholic series rolling off the press next month. Woohoo! They don't usually sneak up on me like that, but I am thrilled to know I won't have to wait long for it! Expect that one on this blog before too long!
In the meantime,
Keep Reading!
Sarah
A Kashmiri technical win
In case you haven't noticed in previous posts, I love Kashmir. I have been fascinated with India and Pakistan in general for as long as I can remember, but I have always been especially attracted to the inate beauty of Kashmir. Obviously, this is not a place I have been able to visit in person yet, and perhaps it will never be stable enough for Globus to set up a tour, but that doesn't stop me from being instantly interested when I spot a book about the region. Which led me to my next read:
Title: Chef
Author: Jaspreet Singh
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publish date: 2010
My start date: 8/8/10
My finish date: 8/10/10
Book count: 38/100
This book has won many awards and has been well praised, a fact about which I am truly happy. I am really glad that many others have liked this book, because despite my initial excitement over it, I did not. Technically, this book is stunning. I just wasn't looking for technical that week I guess. I am not even entirely sure where it went wrong for me. Let me see if I can figure it out.
On a very petty and minor note, Singh lost me in the first two pages when he immediately indicated that the protagonist was dying of a brain tumor. I have a thing with brain tumors. Not a fan. That is personal though, strictly a me thing, so the rest of you out there could probably read that as just another literary device. However, there was an immediate darkness over the novel and not necessarily in the "deliciously chilly" sense I mentioned in regards to The Scarlet Letter. Perhaps haunting might be a better word and others might find it beautifully haunting.
I think my bigger issue was with the books inability to deeply engage me. The narrative shifts times between various presents and marginally chronological memories of the past. Sometimes I forget or am plain unable to determine in which setting the action currently was.
I found the main character distant and hard to identify with. This is one of those stories in which you find the protagonists story interesting to hear but don't feel a connection to your own life. For me, I was left on the outside looking in. Even if the inside might be fascinating, I am still stuck on the outside.
Hmm, I think that as closely touches my issues as possible. As I said, Singh was highly praised for this work and there are some beautiful technical aspects to it. It was simply too distant to make my top ten list. Sigh. And I do love Kashmir so!
Oh well, onward and to one of my favorite authors!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: Chef
Author: Jaspreet Singh
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publish date: 2010
My start date: 8/8/10
My finish date: 8/10/10
Book count: 38/100
This book has won many awards and has been well praised, a fact about which I am truly happy. I am really glad that many others have liked this book, because despite my initial excitement over it, I did not. Technically, this book is stunning. I just wasn't looking for technical that week I guess. I am not even entirely sure where it went wrong for me. Let me see if I can figure it out.
On a very petty and minor note, Singh lost me in the first two pages when he immediately indicated that the protagonist was dying of a brain tumor. I have a thing with brain tumors. Not a fan. That is personal though, strictly a me thing, so the rest of you out there could probably read that as just another literary device. However, there was an immediate darkness over the novel and not necessarily in the "deliciously chilly" sense I mentioned in regards to The Scarlet Letter. Perhaps haunting might be a better word and others might find it beautifully haunting.
I think my bigger issue was with the books inability to deeply engage me. The narrative shifts times between various presents and marginally chronological memories of the past. Sometimes I forget or am plain unable to determine in which setting the action currently was.
I found the main character distant and hard to identify with. This is one of those stories in which you find the protagonists story interesting to hear but don't feel a connection to your own life. For me, I was left on the outside looking in. Even if the inside might be fascinating, I am still stuck on the outside.
Hmm, I think that as closely touches my issues as possible. As I said, Singh was highly praised for this work and there are some beautiful technical aspects to it. It was simply too distant to make my top ten list. Sigh. And I do love Kashmir so!
Oh well, onward and to one of my favorite authors!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
A brave young girl
I purchased this next work because seeing the title sitting on the Target shelves just plain shocked me into curiousity. Let's see what you make of it!
Title: I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced
Author: Nujood Ali, with Delphine Minoui
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Publish date: 2010
My start date: 8/7/10
My finish date: 8/8/10
Book count: 37/100
So, you saw the title, right? It is serious. This is the memoir (albeit short memoir) of a ten year old girl who already has a divorce. Wow. I am just not even really sure what to say. Must read, that about covers it.
These brief memoir tells the fascinating story of a young Yemeni girl who is forced by her family, driven by poverty, to marry a man three times her age. She is abused in a myriad of ways, yet finds the courage at the tender age of ten to make her way to the court and plead for a divorce. Her story made headlines around the world, as she is presumable the youngest divocee ever.
This is a very short work; even slower readers can finish it relatively quickly. Also, although Ali has an adult professional writer who is technically behind the book, it is clear the Minoui has left the voice largely to young Nujood herself. Thus, the writing is very childlike and characteristic of a kid pulled out of her elementary school class to go be a wife. Not exactly high brow language. Yet beautiful and charming nonetheless. Ali has a sense of self and poise that most adult women would envy and her story comes breathtakingly to live in these 188 pages.
That is really all there is to say, much more and I will have given the entire short story away! This memoir is simply captivating, so what are you waiting for?
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced
Author: Nujood Ali, with Delphine Minoui
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Publish date: 2010
My start date: 8/7/10
My finish date: 8/8/10
Book count: 37/100
So, you saw the title, right? It is serious. This is the memoir (albeit short memoir) of a ten year old girl who already has a divorce. Wow. I am just not even really sure what to say. Must read, that about covers it.
These brief memoir tells the fascinating story of a young Yemeni girl who is forced by her family, driven by poverty, to marry a man three times her age. She is abused in a myriad of ways, yet finds the courage at the tender age of ten to make her way to the court and plead for a divorce. Her story made headlines around the world, as she is presumable the youngest divocee ever.
This is a very short work; even slower readers can finish it relatively quickly. Also, although Ali has an adult professional writer who is technically behind the book, it is clear the Minoui has left the voice largely to young Nujood herself. Thus, the writing is very childlike and characteristic of a kid pulled out of her elementary school class to go be a wife. Not exactly high brow language. Yet beautiful and charming nonetheless. Ali has a sense of self and poise that most adult women would envy and her story comes breathtakingly to live in these 188 pages.
That is really all there is to say, much more and I will have given the entire short story away! This memoir is simply captivating, so what are you waiting for?
Keep Reading!
Sarah
18th century travels and a note on modern movies
Ok, this is going to be one of those classics that I just briefly note. Here it goes:
Title: Gulliver's Travels
Author: Jonathan Swift
My start date: 7/26/10
My finish date: 8/6/10
Book count: 36/100
First of all, don't let the long length of time that I took to read this work fool you. It is not at all long. However, I was attempting to read this will helping my grandmother move from Arkansas to California and crossing the desert, my least favorite place. I was so exhausted each day that I could only read a few dozen pages, if that. So, first note on this experience: reading Swift is not a half-hearted type of activity. As mentioned many blogs ago, my academic focus is 18th century fiction. This should be right up my alley. However I found it immensely difficult due to my inability to deeply engage at any given time. Writers of this period, and Swift in particular, can get rather dry in their writing as they were very interested in making the work extraoridnarily ordinary and believable. Thus these works often include extended passages in which they detail minutia. Let's just say that if you are already tired, this might as well be counting sheep.
Reading this work tired didn't allow me the focus to appreciate Swift's famous talent for sarcasm and satire. Swift was incredibly witty and, while I did catch many of the hidden swipes at his society, others were missed in my sleepy haze. What a pity. By the time I got to the section in which horses rule the world (a section which, as a passionate equestrian I figured I was bound to love) I was just so ready to be done with it I couldn't muster up the right amound of appreciation. Argh.
Oh well, next time.
Also, just a quick note on modern film. Although I love that modern film makes loving and comical use of classical works, it is pure coincidence that my first to classical works (well, first of this project) happen to be two which are the inspiration for upcoming films. Of course, mere happenstance aside, I am now very curious to see how Hollywood treats Hawthorne in Easy A and how Jack Black manages the lead in Gulliver's Travels. All the more fun having recently read the books.
Ok, on to a few more recent works!
Happy Reading!
Sarah
Title: Gulliver's Travels
Author: Jonathan Swift
My start date: 7/26/10
My finish date: 8/6/10
Book count: 36/100
First of all, don't let the long length of time that I took to read this work fool you. It is not at all long. However, I was attempting to read this will helping my grandmother move from Arkansas to California and crossing the desert, my least favorite place. I was so exhausted each day that I could only read a few dozen pages, if that. So, first note on this experience: reading Swift is not a half-hearted type of activity. As mentioned many blogs ago, my academic focus is 18th century fiction. This should be right up my alley. However I found it immensely difficult due to my inability to deeply engage at any given time. Writers of this period, and Swift in particular, can get rather dry in their writing as they were very interested in making the work extraoridnarily ordinary and believable. Thus these works often include extended passages in which they detail minutia. Let's just say that if you are already tired, this might as well be counting sheep.
Reading this work tired didn't allow me the focus to appreciate Swift's famous talent for sarcasm and satire. Swift was incredibly witty and, while I did catch many of the hidden swipes at his society, others were missed in my sleepy haze. What a pity. By the time I got to the section in which horses rule the world (a section which, as a passionate equestrian I figured I was bound to love) I was just so ready to be done with it I couldn't muster up the right amound of appreciation. Argh.
Oh well, next time.
Also, just a quick note on modern film. Although I love that modern film makes loving and comical use of classical works, it is pure coincidence that my first to classical works (well, first of this project) happen to be two which are the inspiration for upcoming films. Of course, mere happenstance aside, I am now very curious to see how Hollywood treats Hawthorne in Easy A and how Jack Black manages the lead in Gulliver's Travels. All the more fun having recently read the books.
Ok, on to a few more recent works!
Happy Reading!
Sarah
A high school favorite
A good friend of mine recently recommended I try a few of the classics and among her suggestions was one that had been a favorite from my high school reading list. That suggestion led me to pick up, for the second time, Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. So here is what I thought the second time around.
(P.S. when I post on the classics, I will not be putting publisher info, etc, there are dozens of copies out there, just search for one.)
Title: The Scarlet Letter
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
My start date: 7/22/10
My finish date: 7/26/10
Book count: 35/100
I can no longer remember which year in my high school curriculum this work was required, but I do actually remember reading it. I read it all in one sitting one night while my parents had guests. At the time, although I loved English and adored reading, I remember loving the plot but feeling that the writing was a little slow. I knew nothing yet about style and periods within literature. Well, this time I do. This enables me to appreciate things in a different light. And I was pleased to find that, although there are definitely still sections that drag on, I was able to polish off some great new aspects of this work that I had previously been unable to appreciate.
I love Hawthorne's characters. So intense! This time around I was able to find a deeper richness in these characters than I had previously grasped. As mentioned, Hawthorne's style, particularly here, is not exactly action driven. In fact, there is very little real action in this story. Entire chapters are devouted to single moments in detail in which the author makes the reader stand very still and examine something. What I get now more than I did as a high schooler is the way in which this inaction drives a deeper understanding of the characters. I don't think I understood then that a book could be more about understanding a character than about any sort of plot or action! I get it now. :-)
That being said, don't let those slow chapters fool you into thinking there isn't a stellar plot. I love the build up as Hawthorne slowly lets you into the secret which Hester is keeping to herself and I really love the mounting tension as the main characters come to a head and must face the ties that bind them. Brilliant.
So, while nothing about Hawthorne's great classic has gotten any more action packed in the last ten years, I loved going back and re-experiencing the chill. You just feel so deliciously cold when you read this book! And I especially appreciated how much my growth in experience has allowed me an even deeper love of a previously enjoyed classic. Many thanks to to Uzma for the recommendation to return once again to Hawthorne's chilly pages!
Until next time!
Sarah
PS, the link I provide below on the classics is not necessarily the same copy I personally read. It is the first link that Amazon shows. As indicated above, though, they are essentially the same. If I recommend a particular copy, say, for especially helpful added notes, or something, I will let you know.
(P.S. when I post on the classics, I will not be putting publisher info, etc, there are dozens of copies out there, just search for one.)
Title: The Scarlet Letter
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
My start date: 7/22/10
My finish date: 7/26/10
Book count: 35/100
I can no longer remember which year in my high school curriculum this work was required, but I do actually remember reading it. I read it all in one sitting one night while my parents had guests. At the time, although I loved English and adored reading, I remember loving the plot but feeling that the writing was a little slow. I knew nothing yet about style and periods within literature. Well, this time I do. This enables me to appreciate things in a different light. And I was pleased to find that, although there are definitely still sections that drag on, I was able to polish off some great new aspects of this work that I had previously been unable to appreciate.
I love Hawthorne's characters. So intense! This time around I was able to find a deeper richness in these characters than I had previously grasped. As mentioned, Hawthorne's style, particularly here, is not exactly action driven. In fact, there is very little real action in this story. Entire chapters are devouted to single moments in detail in which the author makes the reader stand very still and examine something. What I get now more than I did as a high schooler is the way in which this inaction drives a deeper understanding of the characters. I don't think I understood then that a book could be more about understanding a character than about any sort of plot or action! I get it now. :-)
That being said, don't let those slow chapters fool you into thinking there isn't a stellar plot. I love the build up as Hawthorne slowly lets you into the secret which Hester is keeping to herself and I really love the mounting tension as the main characters come to a head and must face the ties that bind them. Brilliant.
So, while nothing about Hawthorne's great classic has gotten any more action packed in the last ten years, I loved going back and re-experiencing the chill. You just feel so deliciously cold when you read this book! And I especially appreciated how much my growth in experience has allowed me an even deeper love of a previously enjoyed classic. Many thanks to to Uzma for the recommendation to return once again to Hawthorne's chilly pages!
Until next time!
Sarah
PS, the link I provide below on the classics is not necessarily the same copy I personally read. It is the first link that Amazon shows. As indicated above, though, they are essentially the same. If I recommend a particular copy, say, for especially helpful added notes, or something, I will let you know.
Getting into the classics
Well, it has been awhile again, but definitely do not equate my lack of posts with a lack of reading! Not sure if I will get all caught up today, but I have plenty of great stuff coming your way! And in a bit of a turn from my usual, I have taken the opportunity of a delightful summer environment (one free of required school reading, that is) to delve into some of the classics in a more relaxed fashion. Several of my upcoming posts will detail these.
Now, I note on these. Although I initially stated that my blog was going to be more a diary documenting the experience of trying to read 100 books this year (a goal which I can't say I am going to meet, but will not yet give up trying!) and less a critique of the books, I have somehow wound up writing reviews after all. Despite my initial misgivings about reviewing, I have indeed found this to be something I can get behind and might actually like doing on a semi-regular basis. That being said, it is one thing to review the latest in popular fiction on the must read aisle at Target, but it is an entirely different matter to "critique" Shakespeare. Obviously that would be a bit pretentious. Further, as I had previously insisted and once again reiterate, this is pleasure reading, not school reading. So just because it might be a work from the classical literature canon (no debates about the legitimacy of canons, please!), that does not mean I will be doing any sort of close reading or even really deep thinking. I am seeing if it is possible to read these for plot and pleasure only and then writing a few lines about what that feels like.
Oh, and there are still a few good and fresh reads in here too!
Ok, so that being said...
Now, I note on these. Although I initially stated that my blog was going to be more a diary documenting the experience of trying to read 100 books this year (a goal which I can't say I am going to meet, but will not yet give up trying!) and less a critique of the books, I have somehow wound up writing reviews after all. Despite my initial misgivings about reviewing, I have indeed found this to be something I can get behind and might actually like doing on a semi-regular basis. That being said, it is one thing to review the latest in popular fiction on the must read aisle at Target, but it is an entirely different matter to "critique" Shakespeare. Obviously that would be a bit pretentious. Further, as I had previously insisted and once again reiterate, this is pleasure reading, not school reading. So just because it might be a work from the classical literature canon (no debates about the legitimacy of canons, please!), that does not mean I will be doing any sort of close reading or even really deep thinking. I am seeing if it is possible to read these for plot and pleasure only and then writing a few lines about what that feels like.
Oh, and there are still a few good and fresh reads in here too!
Ok, so that being said...
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