Due to childcare issues, I wasn't able to attend the discussion for this book; unfortunately this was a meeting I really didn't want to miss because I wanted some feedback regarding readers' rights and how to combat book-hatred.
I believe I read this in high school well over 20+ years ago (long enough to have neither memory of how I felt nor what I thought of it), so this reading wasn't tainted by past opinion. I managed to get a copy of the 50th anniversary edition, which has 2 introductions and a forward; I always enjoy reading an authors' insights to their work, and I wish more authors currently publishing would include them. Reading bits about how Bradbury "fed on books," about being a passionate versus an intellectual writer, about how we don't have to literally burn books as long as we continue to "fill the world with nonreaders, nonlearners, nonknowers,"; well, these thoughts truly make me cling to my books and to my writing all the more happily, if desperately.
Unfortunately, I failed to create a quote-slip as I read this book. Finding my favorite passages would take another re-read, which I can't afford to do right now (aside from owing the library 2 bucks on the lateness of the book). That will have to wait for my own copy to find its way to me.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes to think about their reading material (given that there are many books which don't require that sort of effort... not that I'm knocking their entertainment value--I read plenty of that sort myself), to those who are committed to having personal libraries, an to those who compulsively share and foster a love of books to the next generation.
Showing posts with label Canon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canon. Show all posts
Friday, April 18, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger (Canon book group)
I’m sure we didn’t mean to do this, but our book group mananged to choose 2 in a row that dealt with upper-class culture. Not only did we read The Great Gatsby last month, but Catcher actually refers to it. The last time I read this book (mumbledy-something) years ago in high school, I found Holden to be quite the angst-monkey (although I’m sure I used some other term for it), and my opinion didn’t change this time around. At the time, I couldn’t dredge up much sympathy for someone whose family had the means for boarding school, not to mention leather suitcases. Holden’s heavy preoccupation with sex was also less-than-endearing.
Aside from the obvious changes in teenage slang, and the range of sexual behavior that more young people are doing (and at younger ages), and the falling age of when children lose their innocence (on one of many levels), the basic story and themes alienation and self-protection, growing-up pains, phony adults) still hold true for the youth of today.
There was one passage toward the end of the novel that I found noteworthy: “...educated and scholarly men, if they’re brilliant and creative to begin with--which, unfortunately is rarely the case--tend to leave infinitely more valuable records behind them than men do who are merely brilliant and creative. They tend to express themselves more clearly, and they usually have a passion for following their thoughts trough to the end.” [Holden’s former English teacher is trying to motivate Holden through the rest of his educational years]
This reminded me of the many self-help books (and some other non-fiction subjects) that are being published today--and they have readership--by people who are not necessarily experts in their field. Not to say that “home-grown” advice isn’t helpful, but I think that some authors put far too much credence in their claims.
[finished 2/17/08]
Aside from the obvious changes in teenage slang, and the range of sexual behavior that more young people are doing (and at younger ages), and the falling age of when children lose their innocence (on one of many levels), the basic story and themes alienation and self-protection, growing-up pains, phony adults) still hold true for the youth of today.
There was one passage toward the end of the novel that I found noteworthy: “...educated and scholarly men, if they’re brilliant and creative to begin with--which, unfortunately is rarely the case--tend to leave infinitely more valuable records behind them than men do who are merely brilliant and creative. They tend to express themselves more clearly, and they usually have a passion for following their thoughts trough to the end.” [Holden’s former English teacher is trying to motivate Holden through the rest of his educational years]
This reminded me of the many self-help books (and some other non-fiction subjects) that are being published today--and they have readership--by people who are not necessarily experts in their field. Not to say that “home-grown” advice isn’t helpful, but I think that some authors put far too much credence in their claims.
[finished 2/17/08]
A Wrinkle in Time, Madeline L’Engle (Canon book group)
I first read this book back in 1978 or9, when I’d received it for Christmas. When our Canon book group chose this for our December read (because who wants to read something too complicated during such a busy month?), I came to find that my original copy could not be found. There’s a slim chance that there’s a box of unpacked books hiding somewhere, but I knew I couldn’t count on that. So, I picked up a copy from my local library and took a few hours to read it.
I know that most people treat this as a purely science fiction work, but I found many elements of fantasy throughout: the 3 entities who come across very witch-like, Meg’s coming-of-age choice at the end, the “waking” of Meg’s father, and so on. Of course, the scientific and religious elements were very important, but it was the “fairy tale” that stood out for me (and don’t forget the romance between Meg and Calvin).
I’m pretty certain I didn’t pick up on this when I first read Wrinkle, but L’Engle certainly referenced quite a few notable authors within the story; I can’t help but wonder if she was purposefully introducing these to young readers before the current education system ruined Einstein, Shakespeare and Euclid for them. I do wish that the slang weren’t so outdated.
Noteworthy quotes:
“There hasn’t been anybody, anybody, in the world I could talk to. Sure, I could function on the same level as everybody else, I can hold myself down, but it isn’t me.”
“The only way to cope with something deadly serious is to try to treat it a little lightly.”
“... we can’t take credit for our talents. It’s how we use them that counts.”
“There will no longer be so many pleasant things to look at if responsible people do not do something about the unpleasant ones.”
“You’re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you.”
[finished 12/16/07]
I know that most people treat this as a purely science fiction work, but I found many elements of fantasy throughout: the 3 entities who come across very witch-like, Meg’s coming-of-age choice at the end, the “waking” of Meg’s father, and so on. Of course, the scientific and religious elements were very important, but it was the “fairy tale” that stood out for me (and don’t forget the romance between Meg and Calvin).
I’m pretty certain I didn’t pick up on this when I first read Wrinkle, but L’Engle certainly referenced quite a few notable authors within the story; I can’t help but wonder if she was purposefully introducing these to young readers before the current education system ruined Einstein, Shakespeare and Euclid for them. I do wish that the slang weren’t so outdated.
Noteworthy quotes:
“There hasn’t been anybody, anybody, in the world I could talk to. Sure, I could function on the same level as everybody else, I can hold myself down, but it isn’t me.”
“The only way to cope with something deadly serious is to try to treat it a little lightly.”
“... we can’t take credit for our talents. It’s how we use them that counts.”
“There will no longer be so many pleasant things to look at if responsible people do not do something about the unpleasant ones.”
“You’re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you.”
[finished 12/16/07]
Monday, November 19, 2007
Questioning the Canon Book Group
We've been meeting for well over a year now, and we're even getting the occasional new person. Tonight's selection was Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence, which seemed to go over pretty well with the group (two people had to leave early, unfortunately, for different reasons). It was, at least, a lively discussion! My review is pending.
I'm now 5 tracks away from finishing Puss 'n' Cahoots, not sure yet if I want to finish it off for bedtime, or during my son's video time tomorrow. I've some organizing and cleaning to do before our small crowd comes out on Friday, but I will try and get some more books finished soon.
I'm now 5 tracks away from finishing Puss 'n' Cahoots, not sure yet if I want to finish it off for bedtime, or during my son's video time tomorrow. I've some organizing and cleaning to do before our small crowd comes out on Friday, but I will try and get some more books finished soon.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
362/4=90.5?
That's how many pages I will have to read per day of Age of Innocence if I'm to have it done on Monday, in time for the Canon book group. It would appear that I have have my Sunday "back," as the FIL was not able to get the tickets for that celtic concert. Maybe I'll hire our BestBabysitter on one of the weekend days, so I can get the reading, some writing, and some cleanup on the homestead done.
Next Friday, we're having some friends out, so I have to overhaul the house, plan food-gathering, and think up something for a family ritual. Oh, and get something nice for Anthony's godmother's birthday. Hope this funk is gone really soon. I've no time for this!
Next Friday, we're having some friends out, so I have to overhaul the house, plan food-gathering, and think up something for a family ritual. Oh, and get something nice for Anthony's godmother's birthday. Hope this funk is gone really soon. I've no time for this!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
V. lazy day for books...
I only managed to listen to 3 chapters of my current audiobook, which I may have to set aside in favor of starting/finishing Age of Innocence on time for my book group on Monday. I've been invited by the MIL to attend a Celtic music concert in San Antonio, and Grandpa will watch my son so that DH can work on the homestead, so that actually kills Sunday for doing any reading whatsoever (well, maybe I can plug the iPod in for the way down and back, but the doesn't help with AOI). Oh--short note to self: remember to check in at SWA's blog to enter the contest to win her latest book in the Beatrix Potter series. I've a lot of housework to catch up with tomorrow, so I should make some decent headway with Puss 'n' Cahoots.
Called RB today to get them going with sending me another shipment, it sounds like they were not researching some missing cds after all. Am beginning to think I should give up on them and just do what I can through the library.
Called RB today to get them going with sending me another shipment, it sounds like they were not researching some missing cds after all. Am beginning to think I should give up on them and just do what I can through the library.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The latest book-crunching at Hearth Bookwoman
I'm going to Panera tonight for the BookCrossing meeting, and have (so far) registered 8 books (and hope to get through 7 more), and have pulled 3 others to release from my available shelf. So, if I can manage to get all of these distributed, that will be another month that I've cleared out 10+ books from my shelves. I never made it official, but I'm shooting for a goal of wild-releasing a minimum of 100 books this year; today's batch brings me to a grand total of 96. Maybe I should shoot for 200?
It looks as though I'm going to have a very hard time meeting my reading goal (100 books in 2007), even if I start filling time with books in the Chicken Soup series. I won't resort to counting Anthony's board books, I swear. I did manage to finish my "Canon" selection 3 whole days early.
Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck)=#35 for the year. It will be interesting to see if I'm the only one who thought that this was a pretty depressing story. If I can, I'll write up a review before I attend the discussion on Thursday.
In today's mail, I received a book I'd ordered last week: You Can Do It! The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls. For a buck, it was a great deal, and it's in fantastic shape. Not sure when I'll let myself dig into it, but I'm hoping it can provide some sort of framework within which I can work.
It looks as though I'm going to have a very hard time meeting my reading goal (100 books in 2007), even if I start filling time with books in the Chicken Soup series. I won't resort to counting Anthony's board books, I swear. I did manage to finish my "Canon" selection 3 whole days early.
Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck)=#35 for the year. It will be interesting to see if I'm the only one who thought that this was a pretty depressing story. If I can, I'll write up a review before I attend the discussion on Thursday.
In today's mail, I received a book I'd ordered last week: You Can Do It! The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls. For a buck, it was a great deal, and it's in fantastic shape. Not sure when I'll let myself dig into it, but I'm hoping it can provide some sort of framework within which I can work.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Red Harvest, by Dashiell Hammett
Our Canon book group decided to tackle a classic in the mystery genre for this month; we went with the "American hardboiled" style this time. I'm hoping we can read and discuss a title of its overseas cousin (the English cozy). This particular story is a fix-up (of several previously-published shorts) that Hammett collected and changed to make a smooth and fast-paced narrative for his novel (it's less than 200 pages, far smaller than most of today's standard paperbacks), published in 1929. I split this read into 3 short sittings (more by necessity than design), and only had a little trouble keeping the characters and their connections straight in my head. [A factor of age? dunno]
Hammett drew on his experiences as a Pinkerton agent for the narrator/character Continental Op and for the setting Person/Poisonville. The author does a good job of portraying the end of an era while including the experiences of both the power brokers and of the more common folk. I also found it interesting to read about Prohibition-era America and its accompanying batch of "criminals" who made their money from dealing alcohol.
This book reminded me of a much older genre--the Greek tragedy--in the sense that nearly everyone winds up dead by the end. Continental Op manipulated people and events to the overall but secondary goal, even though it put him at risk of having to ditch his identity or perhaps die. It certainly begs the question of whether the reader can consider C.O. to be on the side of "good." It seems to me that he's just as corrupt as the people he takes down. My bet is on the possibility that this was Hammett's point exactly. It must have seemed (back then) that the world was truly falling apart, that individuals could only live and act for themselves, and that there was no longer any real good in the world. Hammett captured that mood splendidly.
Hammett drew on his experiences as a Pinkerton agent for the narrator/character Continental Op and for the setting Person/Poisonville. The author does a good job of portraying the end of an era while including the experiences of both the power brokers and of the more common folk. I also found it interesting to read about Prohibition-era America and its accompanying batch of "criminals" who made their money from dealing alcohol.
This book reminded me of a much older genre--the Greek tragedy--in the sense that nearly everyone winds up dead by the end. Continental Op manipulated people and events to the overall but secondary goal, even though it put him at risk of having to ditch his identity or perhaps die. It certainly begs the question of whether the reader can consider C.O. to be on the side of "good." It seems to me that he's just as corrupt as the people he takes down. My bet is on the possibility that this was Hammett's point exactly. It must have seemed (back then) that the world was truly falling apart, that individuals could only live and act for themselves, and that there was no longer any real good in the world. Hammett captured that mood splendidly.
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