I've been slacking A LOT lately. I've only read 3 books since my last post, and 2 of them were rereads. And in the spirit of slacking, this blog post is going to be brief.
I reread a Tale of Two Cities (plus read the sparknotes AND the cliffnotes AND the bookrag notes) to study for my English test. I got a 98% :) And I enjoyed the book a lot more the second time around. It's really funny, and I didn't notice that the first time. I still don't like Lucie, and I like Darnay even less than I did the first time I read it. But, I found that I still like Carton a ton, and I also think I like Dr. Mannette. I should give some more Dickens a try. I haven't read much of his work at all.
I also reread Hamlet (also to study for English). Technically, I reread it cover-to-cover twice (once on last Sunday night and once on last monday night). I got a 99% on the test (no idea what I got wrong...). I also enjoyed Hamlet more the second time around. I once again realized how funny it is, plus I was able to really understand everything. There are so many great lines in Hamlet! I think it's Shakespeare's most commonly quoted play.
I also read The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (the first book in the Bartimaeus Trilogy). It was really good. It was just really fun :) It reminded me quite a bit of Harry Potter (although, obviously, it wasn't as good). The entire thing has a lot of footnotes, which were cute :) I also thought it was ironic that there were several references to Faustus, which is what we're reading in English class right now. After I finish that, I plan on reading the next Dresden Files Book, the next Bartimaeus, The World According to Garp, and hopefully some NonFic, as my percentage is slipping.
This is such a mess. It's all smile-y faces and simple sentences. Oh well.
Total Book Count: 35
NonFic: 16 (45.7%)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Dresden Files
I've been slacking with reading, but I finally finished Summer Knight by Jim Butcher this afternoon. I read the first three books in the Dresden Files Series last November, and I've been meaning to continue reading them. The first three were good, but I definitely liked this one the best. It had fewer fight scenes and more character development.
I think Butcher is at his best when he is writing dialogue. I get bored by some of the longer action sequences, and I think that it sounds too contrived when the main character thinks aloud or talks to himself (it just screams "I didn't know how to fit in this information so I'm just going to have Harry tell you". I know. I was always tempted to make my main character in my book talk to himself so that I wouldn't have to explain things. But it doesn't work). With actual dialogue that involves more than 1 person, Butcher is able to actually advance the plot (without seeming to be trying to only advance the plot) while being funny.
I'm pretty sure Jim Butcher must be the extremely awkward and dorky irl. So many of his jokes are blatantly corny and random, and there are references to Peter Pan and Star Wars. I love it. Occasionally, during a relatively serious scene, there will suddenly be an out of place, cheesy joke. I can just imagine Butcher being in a solemn situation and saying something completely off-the-wall and inappropriate. He would certainly make an interesting party guest.
I'm reading another fantasy book now- the first of the Bartimaeus trilogy. I meant to get the next Dresden File book tonight, but I got distracted...
Total Book Count: 32
Total Nonfiction: 16 (50%)
I think Butcher is at his best when he is writing dialogue. I get bored by some of the longer action sequences, and I think that it sounds too contrived when the main character thinks aloud or talks to himself (it just screams "I didn't know how to fit in this information so I'm just going to have Harry tell you". I know. I was always tempted to make my main character in my book talk to himself so that I wouldn't have to explain things. But it doesn't work). With actual dialogue that involves more than 1 person, Butcher is able to actually advance the plot (without seeming to be trying to only advance the plot) while being funny.
I'm pretty sure Jim Butcher must be the extremely awkward and dorky irl. So many of his jokes are blatantly corny and random, and there are references to Peter Pan and Star Wars. I love it. Occasionally, during a relatively serious scene, there will suddenly be an out of place, cheesy joke. I can just imagine Butcher being in a solemn situation and saying something completely off-the-wall and inappropriate. He would certainly make an interesting party guest.
I'm reading another fantasy book now- the first of the Bartimaeus trilogy. I meant to get the next Dresden File book tonight, but I got distracted...
Total Book Count: 32
Total Nonfiction: 16 (50%)
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Franny and Zooey
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger was really good, though I didn't like it as much as Catcher. I'm not going to keep this organized at all. So here it goes:
One of the major themes addressed in Franny and Zooey is the presence of ego, and the pursuit of fame. Franny basically chooses to drop out of theater because she's sees it as a self-centered, "phony" persual of fame. I think that knowing how Salinger ended up spending his life (in hiding, hating his fame and wishing for solitude) makes the story more interesting. I kind of feel like the message of the book, however, was that having an ego does not make you a bad person. One of the major ideas presented in the conclusion of the book was that regardless of the fact that everyone has an "ego", everyone should be respected and loved solely because everyone is human. But, Salinger obviously began to shun contact with humans in later life. I sort of feel that he could learn the same lesson Zooey learned.
In relation to respecting everyone, the book touched on how you can't... put yourself above others because of intelligence. How you have to respect people, even if they're not smart. Probably a lesson I should learn.
The family relations were cool. My family has never been a talk-y family (and I suppose, neither is the Glass family- only the Glass children)., and I can't decide if that's a good thing or not.
Honestly, although the book is largely about religion, I wasn't very interested in that aspect. Which is weird, since I usually like to read about religion.
I loved the language of the book- it was just like Catcher. I really wish that Salinger hadn't been such a hermit. I want more books by him! Terrible though it is, I'm a little bit happy he died, because now, maybe some of his books will come out.
I'm trying out a new banner. I don't think I like it, but it works until I can make something better.
Total Book Count: 31
NonFic: 16 (51.6%)
One of the major themes addressed in Franny and Zooey is the presence of ego, and the pursuit of fame. Franny basically chooses to drop out of theater because she's sees it as a self-centered, "phony" persual of fame. I think that knowing how Salinger ended up spending his life (in hiding, hating his fame and wishing for solitude) makes the story more interesting. I kind of feel like the message of the book, however, was that having an ego does not make you a bad person. One of the major ideas presented in the conclusion of the book was that regardless of the fact that everyone has an "ego", everyone should be respected and loved solely because everyone is human. But, Salinger obviously began to shun contact with humans in later life. I sort of feel that he could learn the same lesson Zooey learned.
In relation to respecting everyone, the book touched on how you can't... put yourself above others because of intelligence. How you have to respect people, even if they're not smart. Probably a lesson I should learn.
The family relations were cool. My family has never been a talk-y family (and I suppose, neither is the Glass family- only the Glass children)., and I can't decide if that's a good thing or not.
Honestly, although the book is largely about religion, I wasn't very interested in that aspect. Which is weird, since I usually like to read about religion.
I loved the language of the book- it was just like Catcher. I really wish that Salinger hadn't been such a hermit. I want more books by him! Terrible though it is, I'm a little bit happy he died, because now, maybe some of his books will come out.
I'm trying out a new banner. I don't think I like it, but it works until I can make something better.
Total Book Count: 31
NonFic: 16 (51.6%)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Lovey, A Very Special Child
Lovey, A Very Special Child by Mary MacCracken was better than I expected it to be. It was something of an autobiography, but certainly wasn't overly self-indulgent and egotistical like some other autobiographies/memoirs that I've read this year.
MacCracken worked as a teacher at a school for children with emotional/mental issues. The book focused on her experiences with the four children in her class, Brian, Rufus, Jamie, and Hannah (Lovey). Although it didn't really teach me much, it was an interesting and moving story. My only complaint was that too much focus was put on Hannah, the most emotionally disturbed character, when I found Brian and Rufus to be just as (if not more) interesting.
It was interesting to see the change in perspective since 1976 (the year of publication) regarding mental illness. We've certainly come a long way- in the 1970s, there were far fewer resources available for mentally disabled kids, and competent teachers were nearly impossible to find. Now, every district has at least one school psychologist, IEPs are an option, and there are many different specialized schools.
It made me think a little bit more about what summer job I might take. I wanted to do something meaningful that would provide me with some useful knowledge for college/life in general (ie. not just a generic retail/food service job). My sister worked at a camp for kids with mental disorders over the summer, and I've been thinking that it might make sense for me to see if I could work with her this year. I would be able to see the various disabilities/disorders up close, so that I could really become familiar with them. I think that would be at least somewhat helpful when studying neurology in college.
Right now, I'm reading Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger. I'm only about 50 pages in, and I already love it. I'll probably finish it today, or at worst tomorrow.
Total Book Count: 30
Total NonFic: 16 (53.3%)
MacCracken worked as a teacher at a school for children with emotional/mental issues. The book focused on her experiences with the four children in her class, Brian, Rufus, Jamie, and Hannah (Lovey). Although it didn't really teach me much, it was an interesting and moving story. My only complaint was that too much focus was put on Hannah, the most emotionally disturbed character, when I found Brian and Rufus to be just as (if not more) interesting.
It was interesting to see the change in perspective since 1976 (the year of publication) regarding mental illness. We've certainly come a long way- in the 1970s, there were far fewer resources available for mentally disabled kids, and competent teachers were nearly impossible to find. Now, every district has at least one school psychologist, IEPs are an option, and there are many different specialized schools.
It made me think a little bit more about what summer job I might take. I wanted to do something meaningful that would provide me with some useful knowledge for college/life in general (ie. not just a generic retail/food service job). My sister worked at a camp for kids with mental disorders over the summer, and I've been thinking that it might make sense for me to see if I could work with her this year. I would be able to see the various disabilities/disorders up close, so that I could really become familiar with them. I think that would be at least somewhat helpful when studying neurology in college.
Right now, I'm reading Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger. I'm only about 50 pages in, and I already love it. I'll probably finish it today, or at worst tomorrow.
Total Book Count: 30
Total NonFic: 16 (53.3%)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ghost World and The Human Brain
I read my second graphic novel, Ghost World by Daniel Cloves, on February 1st. It was at least better than Black Hole, though still definitely not good. Do all graphic novels have to be about sex? Seriously. Though this one at least had a plot. It was kind of about the difficulties of youth/friendship/finding yourself. But it still sucked. And it was still too over-sexed.
At least this one had better drawings. And less nudity.
I think I'll take a break from graphic novels. My apologies to Tom Milsom, but they're not really my style.
I also read another brain book! While The Human Brain by Larry Kettelkamp was clear, organized, and helpful, it was obviously a bit out-dated (and a bit dry). It was written in 1986, and neuroscience has come a long way since then. The later chapters, which focused on "new" discoveries more, were kind of amusing, actually. There was a fairly substantial chunk dedicated to this new-fangled thing called genetic engineering. And, the author spent a bit of time talking about the possibility of artificial intelligence in computers. Haha.
I did learn some cool stuff though. Like how the seven major molecular shapes are correlated with different smells. And that one way to treat seizures is to cut the brain in two so that left and right are no longer connected.
But, for the most part, it was a lot of stuff that I already knew. Which is kind of cool- it means I know things. There were even a few times where I could elaborate on what the book talked about.
Also, I learned that Phineas Gage is really freaking famous. He's been mentioned in at least 4 of the books I read (possibly 5, I can't remember if he was mentioned in The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat). I'm a freaking Gage wiz by now.
Total Count: 29
NonFic: 15 (51.7%)
At least this one had better drawings. And less nudity.
I think I'll take a break from graphic novels. My apologies to Tom Milsom, but they're not really my style.
I also read another brain book! While The Human Brain by Larry Kettelkamp was clear, organized, and helpful, it was obviously a bit out-dated (and a bit dry). It was written in 1986, and neuroscience has come a long way since then. The later chapters, which focused on "new" discoveries more, were kind of amusing, actually. There was a fairly substantial chunk dedicated to this new-fangled thing called genetic engineering. And, the author spent a bit of time talking about the possibility of artificial intelligence in computers. Haha.
I did learn some cool stuff though. Like how the seven major molecular shapes are correlated with different smells. And that one way to treat seizures is to cut the brain in two so that left and right are no longer connected.
But, for the most part, it was a lot of stuff that I already knew. Which is kind of cool- it means I know things. There were even a few times where I could elaborate on what the book talked about.
Also, I learned that Phineas Gage is really freaking famous. He's been mentioned in at least 4 of the books I read (possibly 5, I can't remember if he was mentioned in The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat). I'm a freaking Gage wiz by now.
Total Count: 29
NonFic: 15 (51.7%)
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