So I've begun a blog. All the cool kids have one, so I thought I'd try it out. As I'm sure you know, I am enjoying my first summer off since 1998. It is awesome. As I'm sure you also know, I love to read. I love books more than I love most people. Possibly all people. So, I am starting a blog about books. It will be a way for me to record my musings on the things that I read, and help me start writing again.
So, without further ado.....
The first book I read this summer was Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I have to say, I was pretty disappointed. I had heard good things about it from students and from friends, and while it was definitely some fun one-night brain candy, it did not change my life as I anticipated. It was a cheesy young adult book, but not even the best cheesy young adult book I've read lately (which would have to be the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series). The characters seemed to lack motivation. She loved him because he was hot. He loved her because...he wanted to drink her blood? Maybe it's just my ambivalence towards anything involving vampires, but I just wasn't feeling this book. I bought the sequel when I bought this one, thinking I'd be so engrossed I'd HAVE to finish it. Now, I can't really decide if I want to even bother with it. I finished Twilight in less than 12 hours, so I can't imagine the sequel will take much longer. It might be a good beach book.
The second book I've finished since school ended was I Capture the Castle. This was definitely the kind of book I wanted to begin my summer with. It had a Jane Austen quality, with a narrator that I definitely loved. 17 year-old Cassandra Mortmain is keeping a journal of her and her family's everyday experiences in their run down castle during the 30s in England. Her voice was fantastic--a mix of Harriet the Spy and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice. I was disappointed, at first, because I wanted it to be a true, Bronte-esque love story. But it wasn't. I finished it this afternoon and couldn't decide how I felt about the ending. I've since decided that I loved it. Smith could have easily opted for the schmaltzy ending, but chose the realistic one. It was light, but thought provoking and made me want to read and write.
Now I've moved on to Mansfield Park. I've always wanted to read more Austen. As of right now, I've only read Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion completely. Definitely left me with a taste for some Austen or Jane Eyre, so I'm definitely looking forward to finishing this one.
Any recommendations?
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3 comments:
Well, for starters "The Story of a Marriage." Although I am probably biased and already had an affinity for author Andrew Sean Greer, I really enjoyed this book, but for many different reasons than I did for his other novel, "The Confessions of Max Tivoli." The story did start out a little slow. It has a great premise, but as Greer does from time to time, gets caught up in his own language and forgets a story is happening. But, his ending is suspenseful, captivating and revealing. It certainly redeemed the book from its tedious beginning. It is a quick read (under 200 pages), unless you do work in the summer like I do!
The book I am currently reading is by Virginia Senator Jim Webb entitled "A Time to Fight: Reclaiming a Fair and Just America." I am just starting this book, but am already enjoying his attempt at being a true moderate while also bringing clarity to the happenings in Washington, D.C. I will let you know how the book turns out. He is an excellent writer, having written other novels and having been a journalist so I am looking forward to peering into his own life as he is beginning to rise as a prominent figure on Capitol Hill.
a) you have a typo. i'm not telling you where.
b) you only started a blog because jeanine and i have them
c) jk rowling said the narrator in i captured the castle was the greatest narrator in modern literature. think on that.
yay now we all have blogs! I am adding you to my blogroll.
P.S. my sis will probably harrass you to create your banner.
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