This week, I've been trying to find a book to suit my mood, and I still haven't come across it. I just want something real, with some humor and some sadness, but not too much drama. I need a book about a single 30-something who is trying to figure out how to be an adult. But not the media version of a 30-something person. Nothing too contrived, nothing over the top, nothing with a serious moral or anything. A character who has some good moral standards, and isn't extreme in any obnoxious way. Just a normal person trying to figure out life. I want a book about someone like me, only better. (My life is too dramatic at the moment). Is there anything like that?
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Filler
This week, everyone seemed to ask me what I was reading, and I found myself wishing I had something more substantial to tell them. I was reading Maskerade, by Terry Pratchett. Which, I enjoyed immensely. I do enjoy Terry Pratchett. And when I say that his books are filler, I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean that they are reliable literature that I'm sure to enjoy. I actually picked it up because I was having a hard time making progress in the book I was reading. Anyway, it is good to have books you can fall back on when nothing is calling your name. I've also been falling back on Wodehouse, which is a new fun fall back. Agatha Christie is a fallback for me, too. And re-reading favorites is always a good option.
Anyway, I'm enjoying what I am reading, but I feel like there is something I'm craving--like a food craving, only with literature--and I can't figure out what it is. Nothing is striking my fancy. I just need to browse or figure out what it is. Hopefully I'll have more success at that than I've had with figuring out what I'm craving food-wise. I'll let you know.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
"Have you read" and other odds and ends
This week, my Google reader had a BBC story on the 100 books teachers recommend, which linked to this article that gives the actual 100 books: 100 Favourite Books (yeah, it's British). I will copy the list at the bottom, with my commentary, and you can read it if you want.
I know last week, I mentioned that article, about guns and Swiss gun culture. It's an article I really do want to discuss, but I don't want this to get so long that I lose your attention. But, if you'll notice, it is also a BBC article. So, yes, I'm going to confess: I prefer to get my news from the UK. I follow the BBC in Google Reader, and if I ever subscribe to a magazine, it's going to be The Economist. Why do I like British news so much? 1) They have a much better global perspective. They give worldwide coverage with a global perspective, if you know what I mean. 2) their coverage of American events is unbiased by political partyism, so even their American news is, in many ways, better, because you don't have to cut through the rhetoric. Just my opinions, though.
What all that has to do with reading, I don't know. Maybe, "expand your horizons" and "It's important to read a variety of materials, not just literature." But, I did read some literature, too. I've been enjoying P.G. Wodehouse of late. Today, I finished listening to Jeeves and the Mating Season, and I'm just going to say, delightful. My siblings and I used to play a game called "Doctor, Doctor," where one person would be the doctor and leave the room. The rest of us joined hands in a circle and tangled ourselves up as much as possible (step over linked hands, crawl underneath). Then we called "Doctor, doctor, we need help!" and the doctor had to come untangle us without anyone ever letting go of anyone else's hand. The goal was to have us in the original circle, holding hands. That basically describes the plot of this book. Read it and enjoy.
So, now, if you aren't interested in my opinionated commentary, you may depart and get on with your life. But, you are welcome to see the list of 100 and what I have to say, if you like.
I know last week, I mentioned that article, about guns and Swiss gun culture. It's an article I really do want to discuss, but I don't want this to get so long that I lose your attention. But, if you'll notice, it is also a BBC article. So, yes, I'm going to confess: I prefer to get my news from the UK. I follow the BBC in Google Reader, and if I ever subscribe to a magazine, it's going to be The Economist. Why do I like British news so much? 1) They have a much better global perspective. They give worldwide coverage with a global perspective, if you know what I mean. 2) their coverage of American events is unbiased by political partyism, so even their American news is, in many ways, better, because you don't have to cut through the rhetoric. Just my opinions, though.
What all that has to do with reading, I don't know. Maybe, "expand your horizons" and "It's important to read a variety of materials, not just literature." But, I did read some literature, too. I've been enjoying P.G. Wodehouse of late. Today, I finished listening to Jeeves and the Mating Season, and I'm just going to say, delightful. My siblings and I used to play a game called "Doctor, Doctor," where one person would be the doctor and leave the room. The rest of us joined hands in a circle and tangled ourselves up as much as possible (step over linked hands, crawl underneath). Then we called "Doctor, doctor, we need help!" and the doctor had to come untangle us without anyone ever letting go of anyone else's hand. The goal was to have us in the original circle, holding hands. That basically describes the plot of this book. Read it and enjoy.
So, now, if you aren't interested in my opinionated commentary, you may depart and get on with your life. But, you are welcome to see the list of 100 and what I have to say, if you like.
TEACHERS’ TOP 100 BOOKS
1. Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen
The first time I tried to read it, I got bored and quit. Picked it up later, and was so glad I did. It is excellent, and I particularly enjoy that it's not (at least to me) promoting one gender over another. In the end, they both make mistakes, and both are good enough to admit it.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
Love love LOVE this book! Atticus Finch is my hero.
3. Harry Potter (series) J.K. Rowling
I take great pride in the fact that I started these before the big fanatic frenzy broke loose. I do enjoy these books. They are really fun reading. I don't rate the characters on the level of Atticus Finch--in some ways, they are flawed, but I still love the books.
4. Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte
Haven't read it
5. Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte
I read it in high school, and haven't picked it up since. But I should probably read it again.
6. Nineteen Eighty-Four George Orwell
Haven't read it, but it's on my list
7. The Lord of the Rings (series) J.R.R. Tolkien
LOVE this trilogy. In my opinion, in terms of character, it is way better than Harry Potter. It is an incredible piece of literature.
8. The Book Thief Markus Zusak
I really like this book--I find the narrator to be an interesting and fascinating choice.
9. The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien
Love it--excellent use of language, terrific plot, super fun.
10. The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
I've read it twice, and I want to read it again. I still remember the fake books.
11. The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini
Haven't read it
12. The Hunger Games (series) Suzanne Collins
Took me a while to break down and read it--it seemed so gory. But, I really enjoyed the series, even the third book.
13. The Time Traveller’s Wife Audrey Niffenegger
Haven't read it, but I'm intrigued
14. The Chronicles of Narnia (series) C.S. Lewis
Excellent series, definitely one that deserves to be on the list
15. Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck
Haven't read it, but I feel like I should read some Steinbeck (I've never read anything by him).
16. Birdsong Sebastian Faulks
Haven't read it--is it incriminating to say I've never even heard of it?
17. His Dark Materials (series) Philip Pullman
Haven't read it. I did read his series about Sally whoever, his mystery series. I really enjoyed those books, and maybe at some point I'll read this series.
18. The Gruffalo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Lots of fun. Just so you know, it's a picture book series, but I really enjoy these books. Also, if you are a Whovian, in season 5, "The Hungry Earth."
19. The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger
Haven't read it
20. Life of Pi Yann Martel
Haven't read it, but I want to.
21. Tess of the d’Urbervilles Thomas Hardy
Read it, and it was super depressing. I don't even remember the plot details, I just know that it was one of those endings where everyone ends up miserable.
22. Rebecca Daphne du Maurier
I really liked this one. I seem to recall that I felt like I shouldn't like it, or like the lead male, but I did.
23. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mark Haddon
Haven't read it
24. Lord of the Flies William Golding
Read it, in high school, it is kind of gory. Has parallels to The Hunger Games.
25. Matilda Roald Dahl
Read it, it's a good one.
26. Catch-22 Joseph Heller
Haven't read it. I started it, but got halfway through and was tired of all the trash in it.
27. Millennium (series) Stieg Larsson
Haven't read it
28. Animal Farm George Orwell
Read it, I recall enjoying it, but it's been a while. It's one to read.
29. The Handmaid’s Tale Margaret Atwood
Read it, and I wrote about it I think. It's one that I liked, but I don't know that I'll read it again, and I'd be cautious who I recommend it to.
30. Persuasion Jane Austen
Another really good one.
31. One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Haven't read it. I started it, because every Spanish major should read it right? But, again--there was so much garbage in it (or else I really didn't understand my Spanish, but the dictionary was really expanding my do-not-use vocab) I tossed it.
32. Kensuke’s Kingdom Michael Morpurgo
Haven't read it
33. Goodnight Mister Tom Michelle Magorian
I really liked this book. It takes place during WWII, but is less about WWII and more about abuse and love.
34. The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck
Haven't read it
35. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl
I've read it. Not my favorite, but it is a classic and a good read.
36. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas John Boyne
Haven't read it. I watched the movie, and I don't know--if the book is like the movie, it is too tragic to read.
37. Little Women Louisa May Alcott
Classic. I do feel like it is very much fiction for females. Not because it's soap opera-ish. It is just one of those art-imitating-life stories.
38. One Day David Nicholls
Haven't read it (never heard of it!)
39. We Need to Talk About Kevin Lionel Shriver
Haven't read it, or even heard of it
40. The Twits Roald Dahl
Read it, not sure I'd put it on a must read list, but it's been a while, and so who knows.
41. Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel
Haven't read it or heard of it
42. A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini
Read it, and it was interesting, but in terms of gaining an understanding of what it's like to be a woman in the middle east, I'd recommend The Bookseller of Kabul.
43. The Wind in the Willows Kenneth Grahame
Haven't read it
44. Frankenstein Mary Shelley
Haven't read it
45. Great Expectations Charles Dickens
Haven't read it
46. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin Louis de Bernieres
Haven't read it
47. George’s Marvellous Medicine Roald Dahl
I read it, but I really don't remember it. It was one that I read decades ago (not many decades ago, but still).
48. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Adams
Really enjoyed this book. Whimsy, that's all I can say.
49. Room Emma Donoghue
Haven't read it, or heard of it
50. Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy
Haven't read it
51. Atonement Ian McEwan
Haven't read it.
52. Emma Jane Austen
One of my favorite Jane Austen books. Maybe my favorite. I don't really keep track.
53. Middlemarch George Eliot
Haven't read it
54. The Shadow of the Wind Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Haven't read it
55. The Color Purple Alice Walker
Haven't read it
56. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle
I have read it, and even had to read it from the Chinese version. I gained a better appreciation of it when I translated from the Chinese version.
57. Brave New World Aldous Huxley
I enjoyed this book, unexpectedly.
58. Sense and Sensibility Jane Austen
My least favorite Jane Austen book. Marianne drives me CRAZY.
59. The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath
Haven't read it
60. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Lewis Carroll
Haven't read it
61. Charlotte’s Web E.B. White
I've read it. Can't say it's my favorite book, but I'm also not 8, so it probably shouldn't be.
62. Dracula Bram Stoker
Haven't read it
63. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
Haven't read it, I don't think.
64. A Prayer for Owen Meany John Irving
Haven't read it
65. The Secret History Donna Tartt
Haven't read it
66. The Little Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This is one of those books that I wonder if I really got the story at all. I like it, but it's one I need to keep reading it over and over.
67. Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevsky
Haven't read it
68. The Poisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver
Haven't read it
69. Jude the Obscure Thomas Hardy
Haven't read it. Haven't been too interested in Hardy since Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
70. Skellig David Almond
Haven't read it
71. The Woman in White Wilkie Collins
Haven't read it
72. Gone with the Wind Margaret Mitchell
Haven't read it
73. Game of Thrones (series) George R.R. Martin
Haven't read it. Probably won't. I think he's basically trying to sex up fantasy, and I don't really need that in my life.
74. David Copperfield Charles Dickens
Haven't read it
75. Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro
Haven't read it
76. Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak
Read it, own it in Spanish.
77. Twilight (series) Stephenie Meyer
Haven't read it. I will NEVER read it. On principle.
78. Beloved Toni Morrison
Haven't read it
79. The Help Kathryn Stockett
I really liked this book. The pie story was a bit disgusting, but the book was fantastic. A really interesting perspective.
80. Sherlock Holmes (series) Arthur Conan Doyle
Haven't read it. Somehow, Sherlock Holmes has never been my thing. I love the new series, though.
81. Half of a Yellow Sun Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Haven't read it
82. Moneyball Michael Lewis
Haven't read it
83. My Family and Other Animals Gerald Durrell
Haven't read it. I started it, but was having a hard time getting into it. Not because it wasn't good, it just wasn't reeling me in.
84. Memoirs of a Geisha Arthur Golden
Haven't read it
85. On the Road Jack Kerouac
Haven't read it
86. Cloud Atlas David Mitchell
Haven't read it. Started it, then got into the George, Nicholas, and Wilhelm book. Cloud Atlas wasn't drawing me in. It was so slow. I may pick it up again eventually, but it's not on the top ten list.
87. Wild Swans Jung Chang
Haven't read it
88. Anne of Green Gables L.M. Montgomery
This is a good book. It isn't my favorite LM Montgomery book, and it isn't even my favorite Anne Shirley book. But, you have to read it to get the rest. (Just learn what parts of the poetic prose you can skim).
89. Les Miserables Victor Hugo
Haven't read it, but I really need to.
90. Room on the Broom Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Haven't read it
91. Private Peaceful Michael Morpurgo
Haven't read it
92. Noughts and Crosses Malorie Blackman
Haven't read it
93. Cider with Rosie Laurie Lee
Haven't read it
94. Danny the Champion of the World Roald Dahl
Read this one, during my Roald Dahl reading kick, years ago. If memory serves, this was one of my favorites from Dahl.
95. Down and Out in Paris and London George Orwell
Haven't read it
96. The Magic Faraway Tree Enid Blyton
Haven't read it
97. The Witches Roald Dahl
One of his creepier books. Good, but a little unnerving.
98. The God of Small Things Arundhati Roy
Haven't read it
99. Holes Louis Sachar
Terrific book. It's so cool how everything fits together at the end.
100. The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde.
Haven't read it. I should at some point, just haven't yet.
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