Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Wow

That's all I can say is WOW.  Heller's command of the English language is phenomenal - he has such a way with the turn of a phrase.  Chapter 5 gave his definition of the title, and it's just convoluted enough to be brilliant.


Down Time

Haven't had a second all day - but I do now!  As soon as my husband leaves, I will actually be all alone in the house (which never happens!) and it will be time to get to reading.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Oops!

That's what I get for being in such a hurry to get out of work - forgot to take my book home, so I'm still on chapter five as of today.  Form the little I've read so far, Heller reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Kurt Vonnegut.  The humor and satire are going to keep me interested in this book.  Let's hope I remember my book today - I am really looking forward to getting deep into this novel.

Monday, July 29, 2013

First Impressions

I must say I am enjoying Catch-22 immensely.  The way that Heller plays with language is very amusing.  He makes you think about what we say to one another and how speaking precisely is a good practice.  Too often we speak inexactly and vaguely, causing all kinds of misunderstandings that could be avoided simply by saying exactly what we mean and meaning exactly what we say.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

One down...

Not the whole book; one chapter, that is.  I started Catch-22 last night, reading the first chapter before going to bed.  Something interesting to me is that I've always believed that "The first time Yossarian saw the chaplain he fell madly in love with him" was the first line in this book, but it's actually the second; "It was love at first sight" precedes it.  The first chapter doesn't explain that sentiment yet, so I'm looking forward to the explanation.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

This is going to be Heller on me

With a Bachelor's and an almost-completed Master's in English, I should be embarrassed at how many of the 26 books on my list I have never read.  The first book on the list fits this profile - tomorrow I will embark on Catch-22 by Joseph Heller.  It made it on 10 of the 11 "Top 100" lists that were looked at, so I know I won't be disappointed.


Friday, July 26, 2013

Reading Project

A librarian recently took a number of Top 100 Literature Lists and cross-referenced them to find out which books made multiple list.  This is the URL if you want to look at it:  http://lisnews.org/top_books_derived_from_11_top_100_lists. 

I looks at the lists she used, and I think to myself, "I should read all those books - that would be a good project for me (a la Julie Powell from "Julie and Julia" fame).  Then I get realistic.  100 books in a year is approximately one book every 3.5 days, which takes reality out of the picture.  I know, honestly, that that's just not going to happen.  What this librarian also did, however, is made a short list of the books that were on at least six of the eleven lists she looked at.  That list is only 26 books - one every two weeks, which seems much more reasonable and quite doable. 

Over the weekend, I will decide on a starting date, and then I will post my schedule.  I'm not sure how my posts will work, but I am really looking forward to reading and re-reading the ten I have already read at least once.  They are all true masterpieces (except the Faulkner entry, but that's just a personal opinion, and I will reread it for this project).  Wish me luck!!