Thursday, August 27, 2009
Mind Calm
So, I left my book out in car. It's late. I don't want to get it. I'm going to bed with another book....hmmm...which one shall I pick...(I have 6 or so out)....yay, my candystore of books :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
AAAACKKK! They Are Ripping My Library Apart!!!
Ok, so they are apparently going under renos, but I feel almost physically affronted to find the returns bin next to the security guard (who also is not a huge fan of the renos which are already apparently 2 weeks late). Will it make it better??? According to him, he is a skeptic as the plans have changed 4 times over the last couple of weeks. We shall see.
Now, onto my next book. I picked up "Loving" by Henry Green, written about the life of domestic servants during WW2 in the English country side. It's got a corny 1980s movie cover of those actors, I suspect. This is number 89 on the board's list.\
There is then Erskine Caldwell's novel "Tobacco Road" about the Lesters, a white family in the early 1930s living around Augusta, Georgia who are destitutely poor, apparently occupied by hunger, sexual longings, and fear they will descend to equate with black families, to sum up the back of the novel. This one is number 91 on the board's list.
Hmmm...
I think it comes down to the first sentence of the book:
Loving: "Once upon a day and old butler called Eldon lay dying in his room attended by the head housemaid, Miss Agatha Burch."
Tobacco Road: "Lov Bensey trudged homeward through the deep white sand of the gully-washed tobacco road with a sack of winter turnips on his back".
Although hard to decided between whom has the best name, either Eldon or Lov, I think I'll go with the Tobacco Road. Lov seems like he belongs in Loving....
At the Liberry....
So, I'm done. Finished number 100 on the board list, The Maginficent Ambersons. Alas, due to a fantastic birthday dinner of Chinese for a friend, I am a little late returning the book, but, for a 30c fine, I'm ok with that.
Tonight, as the pool is closed early unexpectedly, I decided to come to the library early, pick up my hold, and enjoy a tea as I complete my blog on the last book. True, I do have 5 books at home, but that's my style - I like the comfort of the fact that if I happen to finish a book at 3 am, I can then start another one.
I know, I'm crazy.
I just love being surrounded by books. Ideally, I would buy every one of them so I can add them to the library of my future, where I have ladders, a fireplace, and a comfy chair! Alas, I'll go for the free route (until they are overdue, of course). In the meantime, I'll enjoy this massive glass building that sounds like you are in a vacuum...I have been amazed by this building ever since I moved down here. Such light, such erethral quality unlike any new building. I love the way the sunlight streams during the day, and how you can watch people on many floors above you - I like to imagine what they are reading.
The Magnificent Ambersons is a novel that ends with several lasting lessons that have are summarized quickly in the last several pages, as if Booth just couldn't handle ending the book without leaving his legacy of advice to all who would hopefully read his book.
It's telling of the author, when he writes in the last 5 pages, how he states:
"The Ambersons had passed, and the new people would pass, and the new people that came after them, and then the next new ones, and the next - and the next -......'There's nothing in this family business,' George told him confidentially. 'Even George Washington is only something in a book."
The ending is perhaps sad, a character that learns his lessons, but redeems himself some toward the end. Unrequited love and regret reigns supreme, but you go away with a little hope.
I would recommend reading this book for the protaganist, George Amberson Minafor, who is fantastically mocked by the author. The book, although written in 1918, draws many a parallel and offers view points shared by many today on the modern world, and the "pre-automobile" lifestyle. Short, and easy to read. Definitely a fantastic book.
Based on a coworker's suggestion the other day, I've decided to make my own top 100 out of the 400 I am reading. This would definitely be on it.
Tonight, as the pool is closed early unexpectedly, I decided to come to the library early, pick up my hold, and enjoy a tea as I complete my blog on the last book. True, I do have 5 books at home, but that's my style - I like the comfort of the fact that if I happen to finish a book at 3 am, I can then start another one.
I know, I'm crazy.
I just love being surrounded by books. Ideally, I would buy every one of them so I can add them to the library of my future, where I have ladders, a fireplace, and a comfy chair! Alas, I'll go for the free route (until they are overdue, of course). In the meantime, I'll enjoy this massive glass building that sounds like you are in a vacuum...I have been amazed by this building ever since I moved down here. Such light, such erethral quality unlike any new building. I love the way the sunlight streams during the day, and how you can watch people on many floors above you - I like to imagine what they are reading.
The Magnificent Ambersons is a novel that ends with several lasting lessons that have are summarized quickly in the last several pages, as if Booth just couldn't handle ending the book without leaving his legacy of advice to all who would hopefully read his book.
It's telling of the author, when he writes in the last 5 pages, how he states:
"The Ambersons had passed, and the new people would pass, and the new people that came after them, and then the next new ones, and the next - and the next -......'There's nothing in this family business,' George told him confidentially. 'Even George Washington is only something in a book."
The ending is perhaps sad, a character that learns his lessons, but redeems himself some toward the end. Unrequited love and regret reigns supreme, but you go away with a little hope.
I would recommend reading this book for the protaganist, George Amberson Minafor, who is fantastically mocked by the author. The book, although written in 1918, draws many a parallel and offers view points shared by many today on the modern world, and the "pre-automobile" lifestyle. Short, and easy to read. Definitely a fantastic book.
Based on a coworker's suggestion the other day, I've decided to make my own top 100 out of the 400 I am reading. This would definitely be on it.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Awww....do I have to?
Ok, so my first inclination when walking in the door after work today was: read. And never get up until I have finished this book. The MA is a short book, comprising of 263 pages of surprising wit, and I hate to put it down.
But alas, at 7:30 I decided to head on down to do my training swim. Beautfiul night, except for the policemen searching the water....
But alas, at 7:30 I decided to head on down to do my training swim. Beautfiul night, except for the policemen searching the water....
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Driving to Distraction....
Ok, so this book has me putting off other duties, chores, etc. that I should really be doing, just to read one more page. The Tuesday library deadline is looming closer...and I don't want to restart the book.
I did, however, manage to get to the library - my favorite place in the world (go figure), and get 4 of my next books. They are all very small, especially compared to Atlas Shrugged and Ulyssess.
There are also several books that the library does not even have (which, with the size of the collection, is hard for me to believe. So it looks like I'll have to do some training and hunting before getting to them.
As I've had such a "magnificent" time with this book so far, and it was no. 100, I have decided to go bottomish upwards in my search for the next book (that's me, always starting, never finishing before starting on a new project - in this case, it's all for the greater good). Some books with pretty covers, a couple of international themes which I am of course excited about, for anyone who knows me.
Getting a laptop and rid of my stuffy computer desk has really helped to up my blogging - and the b/f being away also helps. It's also a way to justify not doing my chores....
A couple of noteworthy notes....
Chapter VII
"Git a hoss! Git a hoss!" Shout the children as the "horseless carriage" goes through town - sceptics of the inventor of the first car...going around prior to rubber tires blown up with air. What they were using, it doesn't say....
Chapter IX
"In his bitterness, George uttered a significant monosyllable."
I love writing from early 1900's...Let's just say I have been known to utter a significant monosyllable.
Back to groceries :(
I did, however, manage to get to the library - my favorite place in the world (go figure), and get 4 of my next books. They are all very small, especially compared to Atlas Shrugged and Ulyssess.
There are also several books that the library does not even have (which, with the size of the collection, is hard for me to believe. So it looks like I'll have to do some training and hunting before getting to them.
As I've had such a "magnificent" time with this book so far, and it was no. 100, I have decided to go bottomish upwards in my search for the next book (that's me, always starting, never finishing before starting on a new project - in this case, it's all for the greater good). Some books with pretty covers, a couple of international themes which I am of course excited about, for anyone who knows me.
Getting a laptop and rid of my stuffy computer desk has really helped to up my blogging - and the b/f being away also helps. It's also a way to justify not doing my chores....
A couple of noteworthy notes....
Chapter VII
"Git a hoss! Git a hoss!" Shout the children as the "horseless carriage" goes through town - sceptics of the inventor of the first car...going around prior to rubber tires blown up with air. What they were using, it doesn't say....
Chapter IX
"In his bitterness, George uttered a significant monosyllable."
I love writing from early 1900's...Let's just say I have been known to utter a significant monosyllable.
Back to groceries :(
The Morning Affair - Reading When you are supposed to be doing chores on a Sunday morning....
I have to say - The first 42 pages of this book have been wildly more amusing than The Great Gatsby!
Chapter I:
When the narrator is describing the Amberson's mansion, how fabulous does this sound: "A ballroom occupied most of the third story, and at one end of it was a carved walnut gallery for the musicians." How I would love to play in there, with the ladies twirling in waltzes of colour.
When describing the Ambersons: "And they eat these olives, too:green things they are, something like a hard plum, but a friend of mine told me they tasted a good deal like a bad hickory-nut. My wife says she's going to buy some; you got to eat nine and then you get to like 'em, she says. Well, I wouldn't eat nine bad hickory-nuts to get to like them, and I'm going to let these olives alone. Kind of a woman's dish, anyway..."
Well, I can say that this woman ain't no fan of a bad hickory-nut! How materialism started in the U.S....keeping up with the Jones'.
Chapter II:
I love this word, spelled the old way.
Pompous little Georgie Amberson says to the ladies smothering him with adoration: "Oh, go hire a hall!"
Ooohhh...I should use that one on my sister, that would go over well :)
Chapter I:
When the narrator is describing the Amberson's mansion, how fabulous does this sound: "A ballroom occupied most of the third story, and at one end of it was a carved walnut gallery for the musicians." How I would love to play in there, with the ladies twirling in waltzes of colour.
When describing the Ambersons: "And they eat these olives, too:green things they are, something like a hard plum, but a friend of mine told me they tasted a good deal like a bad hickory-nut. My wife says she's going to buy some; you got to eat nine and then you get to like 'em, she says. Well, I wouldn't eat nine bad hickory-nuts to get to like them, and I'm going to let these olives alone. Kind of a woman's dish, anyway..."
Well, I can say that this woman ain't no fan of a bad hickory-nut! How materialism started in the U.S....keeping up with the Jones'.
Chapter II:
baresark
n another word for → berserk → 2
(C19: literally: bare shirt)
n another word for → berserk → 2
(C19: literally: bare shirt)
Pompous little Georgie Amberson says to the ladies smothering him with adoration: "Oh, go hire a hall!"
Ooohhh...I should use that one on my sister, that would go over well :)
And....the pressure
After watching Julia and Julie, or whatever, I feel that I should be writing more on this thing.
So, and update - apparently I have until Tuesday to finish the Magnificent Ambersons...apparently someone else would like to read it and therefore I cannot renew. Stupid library rules!
Hmmmm...I like challenges...dorky as it is. I have done a Twilight novel in a day (over 800 pages), I can certainly do this book (I believe approx. 200).
There is NO way I am incurring a fine over the last book on the Board`s List!
So, and update - apparently I have until Tuesday to finish the Magnificent Ambersons...apparently someone else would like to read it and therefore I cannot renew. Stupid library rules!
Hmmmm...I like challenges...dorky as it is. I have done a Twilight novel in a day (over 800 pages), I can certainly do this book (I believe approx. 200).
There is NO way I am incurring a fine over the last book on the Board`s List!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Book Number 100 - Is number 2
So, my next book (as it was the first to arrive at the library), is the The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington, which apparently won the Pulitzer Prize in 1918. No idea what it's about, but it's book 100 on the fiction Board list.
I'm going to start this when I'm done The Diplomat's Wife.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Great Gatsby...Not so Great??
So, it's over. Book number 1, the Great Gatsby, was, well, not so great, in my mind. Why this is at the top of the all time book list, I don't know.
Gatsby is supposed to be one of the greatest American characters of all-time, but all I can think is that we hardly end up knowing exactly who he is. Nick Carroway, his neighbor and narrator of the story, on the other hand - much more worthy of the title...
Apparently the title was chosen by the publisher, and not Fitzgerald - who wanted to call it, last minute, "Under the Red, White, and Blue"...a better name, but not best. Yes, it was set in America, yes, it was during boom-time 1920s, but Fitzgerald plays down the era besides the parties at Gatsby's house.
After all of it, it is amazing how a woman can crumble a great man. And that was it! Done...what makes Gatsby so great?
It was, however, an easy read, and pleasant to be able to finish on the ferry to Poet's Cove Resort this weekend.
On to book number 2. Although now I have been distracted by The Diplomat's Wife...chilling, romantic, with a swipe of history. What's not to love?
Gatsby is supposed to be one of the greatest American characters of all-time, but all I can think is that we hardly end up knowing exactly who he is. Nick Carroway, his neighbor and narrator of the story, on the other hand - much more worthy of the title...
Apparently the title was chosen by the publisher, and not Fitzgerald - who wanted to call it, last minute, "Under the Red, White, and Blue"...a better name, but not best. Yes, it was set in America, yes, it was during boom-time 1920s, but Fitzgerald plays down the era besides the parties at Gatsby's house.
After all of it, it is amazing how a woman can crumble a great man. And that was it! Done...what makes Gatsby so great?
It was, however, an easy read, and pleasant to be able to finish on the ferry to Poet's Cove Resort this weekend.
On to book number 2. Although now I have been distracted by The Diplomat's Wife...chilling, romantic, with a swipe of history. What's not to love?
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