Gone With the Wind - Halfway Through

Wow. I know its been awhile since I started this book but its not for lack of trying. Its over a thousand pages and I'm happy to report that I am as enthralled at page 502 as I was at 12. After falling asleep during the movie about a million times, its a great surprise that this book is so interesting. I am so in love with Scarlett and want to be just like her. I am surprised that she is not madly in love with Rhett Butler because of the way he is described. I know I would be all about him if I were her.

I'm pretty sick of the Civil War and I'm not actually sure what exactly everyone is fighting about, slaves maybe? I guess I'm just not a fan or war in any capacity and the details of it are educational but also really hard to digest.

I liked the part on page 429 that described Gerald's love for Ellen:
   He never would be any different and now Scarlett realized the truth and accepted it without emotion -     that until he died Gerald would always be waiting for Ellen, always listening for her. He was in some dim borderline country where time was standing still and Ellen was always in the next room. The mainspring of his existence was taken away when she died and with it had gone his bounding assurance, his impudence and his restless vitality. Ellen was the audience before which the blustering drama of Gerald O'Hara had been played. Now the curtain had been rung down forever, the footlights dimmed and the audience suddenly vanished, while the stunned old actor remained on his empty stage, waiting for his cues.
So beautiful.

Cool word: TEMERITY - unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger or opposition

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

This is a novel that I have been so pumped to read every since it was recommended to me by my very smart friend Julie. She read it while in China and said that it became on of those books that she couldn't stop talking to everyone she met about. I really trust her judgement in books so I trust that this will be a new favorite!

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

Such a cute little novel! I love the idea of a a woman being in her prime and especially since it wasn't only for a couple of years, but for nearly 20! I am considering myself now in my prime. And forever more.

My only issue with this book was the sheer number of characters. I wish that there had been fewer so that there could have been more character development. However, if that were the case it wouldn't have been the Brodie gang, just a few followers which would have made Brodie's mission much less successful.

This is one of the prized thrift store purchases that had some thoughtful person's insights into the book which made it quite interesting to read.

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

Time for a short novel by a female author, a sure fire mix to get me PUMPED UP after a snooze fest! (PUMPED UP is meant to be read with an Arnold accent).

Another unknown, could be a treasure, could be trash, only I will know the answer and in ONLY 127 pages! Show me what you're made of Jeanie!

Sons and Lovers - Finished!

FINALLY!

This last part seemed to drag on and on and on and on...... It came down to the last ten pages that took about three days to read. They were three party nights and three hung over days, but still, I can usually power through.

Cool word: DESULTORY, meaning lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm. Ironic, considering that is my feeling towards the novel.

Don't get me wrong, I sure its a lovely book and that the way in which Lawrence writes is correct and proper, it was just that the story didn't grab me. Maybe I've been dating too many guys with mommy issues or I can't relate because I am a female and know in my heart that I would never treat my child that way. Regardless, I am happy to be moving on! (Something Miriam should have done a HELL of a long time ago!)

On the upside, the relationship between Mother and Son never got sexual! Boo-ya!

Sons and Lovers - Part One

So far this is an interesting tale that has kept my attention. I am thankful that 'lovers' is not literally what Mrs. Morel has made of her sons but the close attachment is still pretty creepy.

I think that what she is doing is overstepping her boundaries but I can see how she got to that point. To be in a horrible marriage such as her must be a living hell. Its unfortunate that in those days, divorce was not an option and she was completely stuck living with a man she despised leaving no option but to turn to her children for love and companionship. It makes a strong case for being sure of the person that you are going to marry because it is the biggest decision in one's life (Hear that Kim Kardashian??).

I can't believe William died! Not only has Paul lost his brother but he is likely going to be more controlled and coveted by his mother than ever. I hope he is strong enough to rise above it.

Why is she not spending any of her energy on her daughter? That seems like it would be a good choice for female companionship but apparently that's not what Mrs. Morel is after. I really hope this doesn't get creepier as I read on...

Anthem by Ayn Rand

True to most Monday mornings in my house, I was scrambling to get out of the door in one piece and in my haste I forgot to bring my latest read with me. Any other day this would not be an issue but Mondays leave me a two hour gap to fill between work and trapeze school that I like to spend reading. Rather than scrap the plan I hit up Chapters and bought Anthem by Ayn Rand. It seemed short enough to finish quickly so that I could carry on with Sons and Lovers.

Five hours after purchasing the book, I have completed it, not only because its only 105 pages, but because it is awesome. A total cross between The Fountainhead (also an Ayn Rand classic) and Brave New World. The perfect union of my two favorite books so far.

True to Rand's style it was a story based around the concept of individualism and collectivism. Only Rand could weave such a pointed and meaningful take in only 105 pages.

Its a story of Equality 7-2521's break from a mundane and predetermined life into a would where 'we' becomes 'I' and individuality is celebrated. I loved the premise and the strong willed characters. Once again she has left me questioning my own path in life and whether or not I am living to my highest potential.

Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence

Well, I suppose it's time to attempt a novel that I have never heard of before and the winner is Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence. I have nothing to write so far, as I am completely clueless about the author or the plot. I guess time and pages will tell....

To Kill a Mockingbird - Finished!

The fact that this post comes only 24 hours since the last should be a clear indicator of how fascinated I became with this book. Or how low key my weekend has been.... I'm going to go with the former.

It was one of the those novels that kept me up until 2 am and have me reading again at 8 in the morning. 'Just one more chapter, just one more chapter, and so on.

I am madly in love with Atticus. Although I have zero complaints on the parents I was blessed with, I can't help but wish that I could have had him as a parental figure growing up. His pride and steadiness are what makes him such a role model in my eyes. I kind of think that it was Boo that killed Mr. Ewell in the end and I have no ill feelings towards him if that is true.

A beautiful part of the book was when Atticus told Scout that most people are nice when you finally see them. It shows that we should all give people the benefit of the doubt and not judge them until we truly know who they are and when they are coming from.

I'm sad that the last page has been turned, however now I have no excuse not to tend to the dust tumble weeds that are blowing around my home. No more chapters.

To Kill a Mockingbird - Part One

From the first page alone I was terrified that this book contained way too many characters for me to keep straight and that I would be hooped. Thankfully it slowed down a notch and took its time explaining each of them. Also thankfully, each character is so relevant and interesting that they are actually quite easy to keep straight. I love how the author took as much time as she did on character development. It gave me a chance to get a good understanding of everyone and to have a genuine soft spot for dear Scout.

It seems to me that the moral of this whole story is based on one sentence from page 30, 'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view'. That is such a strong statement and something to keep in mind when dealing with anyone. It is definitely something that I will think of next time I am wondering why the hell people around me are acting in a strange and difficult way. Of course this statement comes from Atticus, who in my opinion is the voice of reason so far in this novel. I really admire his stance on many issues as well as his parenting style.

Looks like the title of the book is also owed to the words of Atticus when he explains to Jem that to kill a mockingbird is a sin.

Cool word from part one would have to be assuage. Defined as to make milder or less severe; relieve; ease. Great word!

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This one was chosen because Calgary Theatre is putting it on and I am going on November 6th and would love to have read the book ahead of time. Its a race against time and if its as good as the reviews, I'm sure I wont have any trouble finishing it by then. Better hurry!!!

Lord of the Flies - Finished....finally

Well, contrary to most reviews of this novel, I did not particularly enjoy it. Right from the beginning I felt no connection to the characters or the plot. Maybe it was because there was no love story, maybe because it felt unrealistic, or maybe because it was shoved down my throat as an uninterested middle school student. Every page that I read I was very aware that I was reading words as opposed the many novels in the project that swept me away. Of course I felt the obvious emotions (disgusted by Simon's murder, sad when Piggy died, and relieved when they were rescued) but I never felt like I was enthralled in the least. Parts of it reminded me of A High Wind Over Jamaica but I actually liked that book. I'm just glad that its over for good now, or at least until I have to help my future children with their homework down the road. I hope for their sake that the school system will have picked a better novel to study by then that may actually spark a love for reading.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

An old reliable from the middle school days! I'm sure I've read this and most likely done a book report or two on it but time to hit it one more time!

The Great Gatsby - Finished!

Such a fun read! I was excited to have a shorter novel to dive into and ended up wishing that the story had gone on longer. I love the glitz and elegance of the 1920s and cant wait to see how they bring that glamour to the movie version.

I don't really have too much to say about this book. I'm sure if I read it slower and took time to analyze I would find themes and motifs but I was interested primarily in being entertained.

On to the next!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

This book was chosen for two silly reasons. First, I really want to knock more off the list quickly and this one only has 189 pages. Secondly, it is being made into a movie in which my future boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio is playing Gatsby. I have no idea what this one is about and I'm going to change things up and not research it before I start reading, see if it perhaps makes any difference at all in comprehension.

The Fountainhead - Finished!

I'm sad that this one had to end but at least it ended with everyone I care about being happy. I good go on and on about how much I've loved every sentence but then I would never get around to reading another book, ever.

The best part of the book for me was part four, chapter eleven. I have to remember to reread that every time I am feeling lost or that I am not being my true self.

Of course I am happy that Roark and Dominique are together in the end, I was getting worried that a love like theirs could never become an actual relationship. The calculated way that Roark waited for her to be ready to become his wife seems almost mathematical. Both of them had such self control that they were able to wait for as long as they did to come together as a united force. 

This book has really made me take a look at my own life and my own views of the world. I feel that Rand has unlocked a door for me into a new world of politics and theories that I have never been interested in before. Prior to this book I thought that such things were only for highly intellectual and highly annoying people but I can see the benefit now in having a strong opinion. Although I haven't taken the time yet research and ponder what I believe in, I know that it is something that I will do now, having read this book. Its a daunting task to solidify a viewpoint on an issue that I can respect myself for and defend but I think that it will also help me become the person I'm meant to be.  So thank you Ayn.

The Fountainhead - First Half

Wow, I dont even know where to begin. Had I been smart I would have decided to write after each few chapters because this book has given me so many thoughts. As it is, I was too enthralled to stop reading long enough to write about it.

I think that the reason I had a tough time on my first go around with The Fountainhead was that Rand packs so much punch into each sentence. Every word is important, each sentence has meaning. Its hard to feel like I've gotten everything that the book has to offer because my brain just isn't big enough to handle all of it at once, nor fast enough to analyze every thought of hers. I have never been the type of person to read a book more than once, but I can see that happening in this case and getting more from it each time.

I love Roark so much. It was so difficult for me to read about his hard times when he would not accept work because that is not something I could ever do but I admire him so much for it. Having Keating in the novel only makes it more clear that Roark is so full of integrity and passion. I am scared that I might be more like Keating but at least this novel has allowed me to recognize that and hopefully change me into someone more similar to Roark.

I could go on and on about my thoughts on The Fountainhead but it seems like that would be very Keating of me. Instead I will enjoy the remainder of the pages in quiet amusement much like Roark would.

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Ok, here goes the second attempt.

I am choosing to read this one now because a man that I really admire has told me that this is his favorite book of all times. In an effort to secure his admiration I am going to power through. This time I'm going to start with research on the author and the plot line so that I can read with a better sense of understanding. I am hoping to realize that I was just being lazy before and that this is actually a book that I will someday be able to call one of my favorites as well.

A Clockwork Orange - Finished!

I was looking back at my first entry about this book, particularly the last sentence: I hope that the rest of the book is dedicated to his torture. Turns out it was, just not the way I had imagined at the time. To be unable to carry out your basic instincts or to enjoy what you are passionate about (the music) would be torturous. I don't feel bad for Alex at all, I just think its interesting that the torture came in a different form.

Alex asking for help from the man whose wife he had killed was a unique twist. Although understandable, I thought it was very hypocritical for F. Alexander to be committed to helping the poor 'victim' Alex and wanting the Government to cease reforming criminal youth until he realized that he himself was a victim of Alex. People can have a strong, steadfast opinion on a matter but once if directly affects their lives, the opinion can change drastically.

A quote that I liked was when F. Alexander said, 'A man that cannot choose ceases to be a man'. Although this was meant quite literally in that situation, it can also cross over to everyday life choices that we as people have the ability to make.
My plan was to watch the movie after I'd finished reading the book but I think the plan has changed. It was disturbing enough to read about the violence, I can only assume that the visual would be all the more awful. I loved reading this book so I will keep it at that.

A Clockwork Orange - Part 2

As disturbing as the second part of this book has been, I am becoming even more seduced by it than I was before. The method of reforming Alex is brutal and radical but it seems to be working. I guess the question is whether or not it is ethical.

The issue of choice comes into play. It is not his choice to be non-violent, so is he actually a changed man?  If it were up to him he would still act out violently but he is not capable of it anymore, his core is still evil. Although I do not sympathize with him, it must be constant torture to be physically helpless of committing the acts that he desires. I am curious to see how this pans out after he is released.

I don't really know where I stand on this issue. They are still putting a person back on the streets that wants to terrorize others. All I can say is that I am happy this is fiction.

A Clockwork Orange - Part One

I suspected freaky and I got freakier. This book has scared more than any of the others, much to my surprise, even Dracula. I will definitely be double checking on my locked doors tonight.

Much to my happiness, this book is divided into 3 parts, seven chapters each. For some reason I love when books are in equals. This first part was clearly designed to set in the minds of readers what a disturbed world it takes place in. There have been so many disgusting events of violence that my mind is spinning. To maintain my sense of security I am choosing to believe that evil such as this is only created in the mind of Anthony Burgess and is in no way a reality of the world I am living in. It is too evil for me to grasp.

The author of this book has created a language of his own that I have never encountered before. A new set of slang that is unique to this book. At first this rattled me and made me feel like this was just a book that I was merely going to endure but as I read on, I feel as though I have been successful in learning another language. The first couple of times that I understood what he was talking about (ei: rot = mouth, glazzies = eyes) I felt like I was in a world that I had never been before. I think that the way that he chose to write this is extremely intelligent and has that purpose of transforming the reader into a creepy, alter universe that they should not be in.

Despite the anger and evil that Alex, the main character, possesses, I can appreciate that he is a human like the rest of us. His taste in music suggests that he does have some intelligence, which may be his only redeeming quality. As it stands now, I hate his guts and I hope that the rest of the book is dedicated to his torture.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

This is apparently going to be one of the freakier books on the list.  I watched the movie preview for it and almost switched to another book. However, it must be finished at some point so why not now? Plus, its one of the books that is on all three lists.

A vicious 15 year old droog is the central character of this 1963 classic. In Anthony Burgess's nightmare version of the future, where the criminals take over after dark, the story is told by the central character, Alex, who talks in a brutal invented slang that brilliantly renders his and his friends' social pathology. A Clockwork Orange is a frightening fable about good and evil, and the meaning of human freedom. And when the State undertakes to reform Alex to 'redeem' him, the novels asks, "At what cost?"

Excited!

Pride and Prejudice - Finished!

Bittersweet to me, the last page has turned. This is one of those reads where I could feel myself slowing down as the pages became fewer, not wanting it to be over, reminding me of a Farewell to Arms. However, it is over and the Bennett girls are happy and mostly married so therefore I am happy too.

The chief of my happiness goes to Lizzy, for she married the richest of men, not for his riches but for his strong character and their amazing connection. Secondly, I am happy for Jane, she got what she was destined for, a man of equal manners and heart. Thirdly, I am happy for Kitty because after being removed from Lydia's company she is on the road to becoming a well rounded, proper young lady, deserving of a husband. Fourthly, Mary always had a piece of my heart because she marches to her own overly intelligent drum. I have no doubt that she will remain unmarried and quite accomplished. Lastly, I am far from being a fan of Lydia, both before and after she disgraced her family by eloping with that scoundrel Mr. Wickham. The is greedy and lazy and I have no use for her.

I love how this book brought me back in time. I was in awe of the self control (minus Lydia) that all of the young men and women displayed. It must be such a buildup for them before they even get to kiss on the lips. Nothing like it is today, everyone falling into each other, begging to feel something. I really admire their way of conducting themselves.

A couple of words I enjoyed:
ALACRITY: Noun: Brisk and cheerful readiness
OBSTINATE: Adjective: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.

As much as I'd love to pick another Jane Austen for my next book, I think I will wait til I lose steam for this project because I know I can rely on her beautiful words to get me back on track!

Pride and Prejudice - Volume Two

Here's to making up for lost time! The book keeps getting better and better and possesses the magical power of keeping me home on a Saturday night and up early reading on Sunday. I am getting a little bit frustrated with Lizzy not realizing that she may be in love with Darcy and upset that Darcy doesn't try just a little harder. Also, it seems like back in the day, people had much more self control over what they shared with others and the timing of it. If this story had taken place in 2011, Lizzy would have Facebooked Jane about Darcy's meddling and the tweeted about how assholes like Darcy never come out on top. I would not have been able to wait two weeks to give over any information if I had a sister, but that could just be a sign of the times.

Words that I liked the sounds of:
AVARICE: Noun: Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
DUPLICITY: deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter.
I actually knew what duplicity was but have always had a hard time using it in a real life sentence.

I had some quotes marked out but accidentally pulled the sticky notes... not happy. As much as I'd like to go back and find them so that I can remember them always, I am too excited for this last volume to move backwards.

Pride and Prejudice - Volume One

Well that was a long break! I never intended to have such a long pause in this project, but things just happen. My best explanation to myself is that reading from the list began to feel more like a chore than the exciting literary adventure it had started out as. I feel like I've wasted nine months of page turners that matter but I am set on just moving forward from here. Luckily I was able to read some amazing books that are not on the list as well as finish a couple of University courses, so I suppose that saying it was time wasted is not entirely accurate.

So I reread the first of the three volumes of Pride and Prejudice and was hooked once again. I love Lizzy and aspire to be like her. As it stands, things are not looking positive for the Bennett family. So far no daughters are married and Jane looks to have lost the man she loved.

A word that caught my attention is OSTENTATIOUS meaning 'characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others'. I will make certain that I use it in the next couple of days.

Back on track!