James Joyce: The Dubliners

I have a 20 or 30 minute shuttle ride for my new job. I'm really enjoying it because it's the perfect opportunity to do a little reading. I stopped by the classics shelves the last time I was at the library and picked up this collection of short stories. I had never read it before and always heard good things.

I really liked this collection. They were lovely snippets of characters and little stories. I liked how each story was just a glimpse and didn't really have a beginning, middle, or end. I, as the reader, was left to make my own decisions and conclusions about the characters. The short stories were also perfect for my shuttle ride.

Have you read this collection? What do you think?

Reading Foundation

I went through a short stint where I wasn't reading anything other than blogs, twitter, and Facebook updates for a few weeks. I very quickly missed the regular time I spent reading novels and took a trip to the library as soon as I could. Occasionally I go through these phases when I read a lot all at once and then take a break and then jump right back in again.

I grew up reading the Bible with my family and my parents instilled a love of reading in me early on. My mom thinks that any leisure reading is a waste of time so I lean toward the belief that I got my love of reading from my Grandmother's genes. I enjoyed the assigned reading I had in Middle School and High School. I learned to love some of the classics, although I didn't read nearly as many as I would have liked. I also made time outside of school to read things that interested me.

I have found that this variety of reading has helped me with my writing. I have a more extensive vocabulary and more examples of different kinds of characters floating around in my mind. You learn something different from everything you read whether it is about characters, plot, relationships, or action sequences.

Juliet Marillier over at Writer Unboxed wrote a post about the importance of reading to enhance your writing back in July. "A writer’s language, vocabulary and storytelling style are loosely formed from childhood reading, then broaden and deepen with exposure to new and varied reading material as an adult."

She points out that you can find all sorts of material from the things you read. I am not one to keep up with the news generally, but Juliet points out that reading articles and news can give you great ideas. I'm seriously considering this advice.

Another point she made has got me thinking - foreign works. I think I'm pretty well versed in American and English classics, but I haven't a clue where to start in venturing into the classics of the other great cultures of our world. I'd gladly welcome any suggestions...

There sure are a lot of books out there, huh? Better get reading!!

Charles Dickens: Great Expectations

I didn't actually read the version pictured here, but I liked this cover best of all the ones I found online. I actually read Great Expectations online at Qwestia.com because I wanted to find out what that site was all about and this book had been on my list for a long time. I now wish that I had been more patient and read this Dickens classic in hard book form because it deserves the best reading experience possible. I wouldn't mind using an online site like Qwestia for re-reading books but for the first time around I think I'll stick with the library or bookstore.

I completely understand why this novel is considered a classic and I'm beginning to see why Dickens is listed among the great authors of his time. I have made a resolution to read more of his work this year. Great Expectations was delightful and interesting at the same time, a combination that I always enjoy. I love Pip with all his flaws and pride because he is so real and honest as a character. I must admit, though, he is far from my favorite of the lovely people who march through this book. Wemmick is my absolute favorite character - I love the idea of his double nature and philosophy of having two different lives that have nothing to do with each other. Herbert is a close second on my list of favorites. From the first time we meet him as a young boy who is anxious for adventure to the next time Pip meets him and finds a great friend, he is entertaining and endearing all the way through.

As I consider what I might point out as something I didn't like only one thing comes to mind. I don't really like how Pip becomes so proud and abandons all remnants of his former life. But as I think about this more, it is clear that this is kind of what the book is all about and, therefore, what makes it such a great commentary on human nature. It was the only way the story could have worked, so I really can't complain in the end.

I'm glad I finally got to read Great Expectations and I'm looking forward to experiencing more Dickens. I'm sure most have read this as well, so what are your thoughts? What do you remember most?

As a side note, I found another site that has the 'classics' available to read for free. ReadPrint.com has a much better layout and reader friendly format for long reading sessions. If you must, use ReadPrint instead of Qwestia.

The Beauty of Punctuation

One of my favorite gifts I received for Christmas this year is an illustrated copy of Eats, Shoots & Leaves. Sadly, I have never read this book and I am now coming to realize that it is one that everyone who loves the English language, words, reading, and writing should have conquered. I'm still on the first chapter and I absolutely love it so far. I will be sure and write a complete review when I finish the last page but I just had to post about it right now because I am just bursting with enthusiasm over the wit and tone of this book.

Read it now. I mean, seriously, go get it right this instant!

New Site: Questia.com

I was updating my GoodReads account today and saw a little ad on the right side for a site called Questia.com. It advertised full-text books, journals, and articles online and I figured I'd check it out. I discovered that they do indeed have full-text books, journals, and articles, but they are subscription based site. So I was about to abandon my new discovery when I saw a little link at the bottom right corner of the web page: "Free books." Yes! Just what I was looking for.

They have some of the classics available for free and the best part is that they aren't even 'checked out' when people are viewing them like with the library's downloadable content. And you don't have to download and install any software because it's all online. So now I am reading Great Expectations by Dickens online. Take a look and let me know what you think. I'm sure there are some drawbacks, but it's free, after all.

Joseph Heller: Catch-22

Eccentric - that's the perfect word to describe this book. Of course, I'm not really in any position to be describing this book because I didn't finish reading it before I had to return it to the library. I am ashamed to admit the fact, too, because I think I would really like it if I had made the time to read the whole thing. But my life right now demands a book that just draws me in with characters and action that I just can't put down. Catch-22 is one that you spend time enjoying, not devouring like a dinner you're starving for. So, I have put it aside for now to be resumed at a later date.

This much I can say; I was laughing out loud and I think the strange humor and impossible situations are something I can appreciate.

Most people have read this for some class or another - what did you think?

Charlotte Bronte: Jane Eyre

The first time I was introduced to the story of Jane Eyre was in Elementary School. I loved reading and it was my favorite part of English class. The school had these abridged versions of some of the classics that we got extra credit for reading. Jane Eyre was the one that no one wanted to read because it was the longest. So, naturally, I had to read it because no one else would. And I liked it. When I realized years later that the one I had read was abridged I decided I needed to read the complete version. But I didn't finish it at the time because it was too long for me when I was younger.

Now I can say that I've read the whole book and I enjoyed it for the most part. It reminds me a lot of Austen, probably because they were from the same era, but with some very noticeable differences. Bronte is way more didactic (preachy) with the first third of the book full of preaching and morality. Once the story got moving it was better. Jane Eyre is a strong character but not in the same sense as Elizabeth Bennett. However, she is still a great character that draws you into the book as you read her life and see how she falls in love. It's a romance all the way - definitely a chick read.

There's a reason it's considered a classic and I'm glad I took the challenge to read it even after all these years.

Banned Books

I came across this site through the Book and Reader Forums (see link on left). I glanced through it and was surprised by my reaction. Some of them I can understand the reasons, some of them I suddenly have the desire to read just because they're on the list, and some are ridiculous. I couldn't ignore the irony of this one especially considering I read it so recently:

Fahrenheit 451by Ray Bradbury
This book is about censorship and those who ban books for fear of creating too much individualism and independent thought. In late 1998, this book was removed from the required reading list of the West Marion High School in Foxworth, Mississippi. A parent complained of the use of the words "God damn" in the book. Subsequently, the superintendent instructed the the teacher to remove the book from the required reading list.

Your thoughts on this list? What do you think about banning books? Are there any that should be banned and which ones?

C.S. Lewis: Prince Caspian

I haven't actually finished reading this yet, but I've read it before. I don't know why, but I love reading the Chronicles of Narnia over and over. I know what's going to happen and I know the characters, but it's still fun to read them. And this time around I'm really enjoying the simplicity of Lewis's writing in this series. It's so beautiful and simple but there's also so much there to see. Really lovely.

Your thoughts?

Reading Reunions

I've been reading The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck the last little while and I was touched by a scene in the beginning of the book. Tom, the character we've been following, finds his family after being in prison for four years. It is a tender and joyful moment as we catch a glimpse of this reunion and meet more of the characters through the character's eyes. It reminded me of other such scenes that I've read and how it is always a moment I look forward to in a book when the characters have been apart for a long period of time. This prompted me to ask why - why do we like these scenes so much?

The best answer I can come up with is that it's because we can relate to these people and the feelings they are experiencing. We have all had times when we were away from loved ones and then felt the joy of being reunited with them after hardship and sadness. Family is the core of our society and the core of our lives so these reunions are something we all know something about.

Do you remember a reunion scene you read? How did it make you feel? Why do you think it evoked those feelings in you?

By the way, I've decided to put down The Grapes of Wrath because I'm having trouble getting into it as much as I want to. It could be because I so recently finished another hard read (A Tale of Two Cities) but I think I need a light break and I'll pick it up again sometime in the future.

The Best Fiction of the 20th Century

Stanford's list of the Best Fiction of the 20th Century is quite extensive. I'm sad to note that there are quite a few on here that I haven't read... yet. Some I know I read but remember nothing about (Invisible Man and The Good Earth) and some I remember and love (Fahrenheit 451 and Watership Down).

Which ones have you read? Are there any you think should have been included but weren't?

Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities

I was excited when my local book club decided to read this for our March novel. I remembered reading it my senior year of High School and that I liked it, but I didn't remember much about the actual book. So it was a great situation, I read a book that I already knew I would enjoy but didn't remember so it was like reading it for the first time. And it was fabulous.

I knew in the first chapter why I had enjoyed reading A Tale of Two Cities the first time. Dickens' wit is so fun and his voice is just wonderful. I will admit that it took me a while to get into the language again after not having read anything in this style for a long time, but I liked feeling that my mind was getting some exercise.

I remember discussing the book in my English class in High School and talking about the red wine flowing in the streets a foreshadowing of the blood that would flow from la Guillotine so I tried to be aware of other foreshadowing and symbolism as I read. This book is just full of those literary devices so I was well rewarded for my attention. Having this in mind as I read and then being able to pick out the symbols gave me a really satisfying experience. I would like to read it again in the future with some sort of guide or something so I can pick up even more of Dickens' hidden meanings.

All I can say in conclusion is that it is no wonder that A Tale of Two Cities is such a classic. I look forward to discussing it in my book club next week. Your thoughts?

Ray Bradbury: Fahrenheit 451

This was the last book I read in the year 2007 and I can say it was a good pick to end the year on. I have never read this before - I somehow missed it during all my years of High School and college. But since it's considered one of the classic science fiction books around, I thought I better have it under my belt.

This book is fantastic. I loved it and I really want to add it to my personal library some day soon. It's a short read, which was good for me because I was reading it during one of the busiest times of the year. But I can now see why so many people say it is a must for anyone even remotely interested in reading, and especially those into science fiction. If you haven't yet, if you're like me and somehow missed getting this during your educational years, please go get it at the library, bookstore, or your friend up the street. It won't take long to read and it is worth every minute.

Bradbury drew me right in with his simple descriptions and ordinary tone for a futuristic world, one where owning a book is illegal. The characters are so interesting because they are so conflicted and confused about right, wrong, good, and bad. The life Bradbury created in this book is scary, but he makes it seem so possible. And the ending totally shocked me, which I loved. I find it amazing that there was so much packed into just a little book.

Read it, today. That's all I can say.

And your thoughts? What did you think?