Monday, October 28, 2013

Done!

Now that I've finished off Ender's Game, I can get back to my list.  Next up is Slaughterhouse Five by the inimitable Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.  The book was first published in 1969 and is one of the most-often banned books.  This is a re-read for me, and I am quite looking forward to it.  So it goes.

Slaughterhousefive.jpg

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Fast Read

Already a third of the way through Ender's Game - remembering why I liked it so much the other times I've read it.  Would be further along if I hadn't watched so many movies today, but that's been a lot of fun, too.  Matthew and I watched Much Ado about Nothing from 2012 - a Joss Whedon production, so we knew we'd love it.  Of course Nathan Fillian had a small part - he was definitely there for comic relief (especially since he was playing Dogberry).  If you've never experienced a Joss Whedon production, try this one (or Firefly or Serenity or...).  Okay - that's enough of that.  Back to my book.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Detour Ahead

I have to hold off starting on the next book on my list - "Ender's Game" is coming out next Friday, and I am going to reread the book before going.  I have been waiting for this movie for a LONG time - totally stoked.

Final Thoughts

Yes, you read that correctly - I am FINALLY done with Invisible Man.  It has taken me way too long to read this book, and it is certainly not because the book is not good.  Just life getting in the way.

Anyway, I really did enjoy the book, and the most important "truth" that I got out of it is to be true to yourself.  The protagonist spent most of the novel trying to become who everyone else thought he should be - it was only when he sloughed them off and listened to his own mind that he became comfortable in his own skin.  That was when he realized that "even an invisible man has a socially responsible role to play."  In other words, we must all contribute to the society in which we live, even if at times we feel like we are fighting an uphill battle.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Important concept

I really liked the part I just read - it shows just how selfish most people are:  "Everywhere I've turned, somebody has wanted to sacrifice me for my good--only they were the ones who benefited."  How many of us have felt like that scapegoat, certain that we are just pawns in the big chess game of life, put forth as sacrifices for "the greater good," and finding out that that good is meant for others than ourselves.  Such was the promise of Communism, which is of course what the majority of this novel is about, and who benefited from that?  Certainly not the ones who were making the real sacrifices.  Guess that's why it's pretty much dead as of now.  Even China, which is supposedly still a Communist country, spends most of its time trying to profit through the channels of capitalism.  Guess they're not completely stupid at least.

Home Stretch

Covered about 50 pages tonight.  It's actually going to happen - I'm going to find the end of this book.  Right?  You believe, me don't you?  I know - I'm trying to convince myself more that you, but I have faith.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Working on things

I spent the better part of yesterday evening at IHOP working on my presentation for the Gordimer book, and I think I've got some really good points to bring up.  That being said, as you can probably now guess, the Ellison novel was nowhere to be seen (or read).  Taking it with me tomorrow for my meetings downtown do I can read some on my down time.  Wish me luck!!

On a sadder note, today is the one year anniversary of my son's untimely death, and I am barely making it through.  The only things that keep me going are my other children and the fact that Garry would be so disappointed in me if I handled things any other way.

Friday, October 18, 2013

So disappointed...

...in myself for not having this book done  yet.  I'm getting on it any minute now.

But in the "good going" category for myself, I have finished reading None to Accompany Me, which is the book I have to do my presentation on in class in three weeks.  Plus I've already done my research for the presentation as well, so I should be able to whip up my part of it in a day or so.  That will leave me free to finish Ellison's masterpiece.  Which is definitely what I think it is - it's just long and I have no time.  Lame excuse, I know, but as the phrase goes, it is what it is.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

3/4 done

Really getting to the meat of the novel now - ideology has clashed with reality and our protagonist wil lnever be the same again.  It is time for him to shake off the names that everyone else has always given him and claim one for himself, even if that name is nonexistent.  No nmae is better than one forced upon you by someone else's issues.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Curiouser and curiouser

I find it so interesting how many times Ellison has his protagonist speak about how well known his name is becoming, how important his name is to so many people - yet the new name or any other name is never given.  I am not sure exactly what the symbolism is, what Ellison is trying to say.  I think I will look up some criticism on the book in order to better understand.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Inspiration

Not exactly what they said in the movie I'm watching - I adapted it to mean what I want it to:

Never let the fear of striking out keep you from stepping up to bat.

Let that be my motto from this day forth.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Running on empty

Haven't had any time to read - much less read what I want.  I swear I am going to finish Invisible Man this weekend!! Then I can get on with what I need to read and write for class.  Nadine Gordimer did win the Nobel Prize for Literature - it's hardly a chore to read her.  And the subject I've chosen for my paper - focusing on short stories written by Iraqi women - is highly interesting to me, so no chore there either.  It's just getting through this EXTREMELY long book that's kicking my butt.  But I have made a commitment, and I will persevere.  At least I know the next book is a much easier read (and a re-read, so there's that, too).  Wish me luck!

Monday, October 7, 2013

Opting for the Nobel

Had to stop reading Invisible Man for a while to start reading None to Accompany Me.  It's what I have to do my project on, and it is FANTASTIC.  She's such a wonderful writer, which, of course, is why she won a Nobel.  Such a strong feminist and advocate of human rights.  I'm a little over 1/3 of the way through the book, and I am anxiously awaiting what comes next.

Friday, October 4, 2013

ROAD TRIP!!!

Off to Dallas tomorrow to visit the State Fair for the first time ever - Matthew has a dance exhibition (actually four in the next two days), and I get to go along.  This is going to be FUN!!!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Inspiration

Watching NCIS tonight was very good.  There was a part that showed that when Zeva was a child, she wrote a list of things she was going to accomplish in her life.  This is something we should all do - and it shouldn't matter at what age.  So here goes:


I WILL:

Make it onto Jeopardy
Get a doctorate
Hear a song I wrote on the radio (not sung by me, of course!)
Do a stand up routine (yes, in public!)

These are the big ones for me, but I will add to the list whenever I feel strongly about something else.