What I'm Reading

1. Jane Eyre, By Charlotte Bronte

The first time I read this book I was about 12 years old. About half-way through it creeped me out so bad that I couldn't bring myself to finish it. Give me a break; what isn't creepy about strange laughter permeating throughout a mysterious mansion? Lucky, I was given another chance to read it for Women's Lit. I cannot describe to you how much I love this book. The depth of emotion, the struggle between heart and mind, the tension of moral uprightness in the darkest of circumstances, is incredibly heart wrenching and... brilliant. Read it. You MUST read it. And I dare you to not feel sorry for Mr. Rochester.

2. The Age of Innocence, By Edith Wharton, and A Room of One's Own, By Virginia Woolf

Both of these books were read in Women's Lit. The Age of Innocence gives a remarkable portrayal of Old New York; a topic that I had never read about and did not have much insight on. The descriptions are detailed, but not tedious and they make it easy to put yourself directly in the story; like you yourself are following Newland Archer through the parties, gossip, and scandal of the Countess. While the story-line is somewhat frustrating, the issues about society, class, and the way we perceive people is so timeless and applicable even today.

A Room of One's Own is an essay by Virginia Woolf about women in literature. It is interesting and she makes many solid arguments. In her essay, Woolf imagines that Shakespeare has a sister who has the same level of brilliance and talent, but who is never able to gain a creative outlet because of the constraints on women at the time. Good essay, not exactly leisurely.

3. Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare, and All for Love by John Dryden

What I am told is that All for Love was Dryden's attempt to "tidy up" Shakespeare's version of Antony and Cleopatra. It seems almost blasphemous to think that Shakespeare's work would need fixing, but I am human, so I appreciate the closure that Dryden gives in All for Love. He ties up a lot of loose ends and expounds on some of the issues that Shakespeare doesn't.

4. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

On top of all the assigned reading I have to do in Women's Lit, I have had to pick another book by a woman author and write a report on it. I picked this one because I started it this summer and I know I won't get a chance to finish it unless I make it a priority. If it is for a class, I can justify outside reading. Isn't that sad? Anyway, so far I am really enjoying it. It isn't a very difficult read and it is about a culture that I haven't read much about: China. The story is about two farmers who strive during the good years of harvest and make it through the difficult times of drought. I think I like it because crops and farming are things I can relate to; especially the feeling of having no rain. I haven't finished it yet, but so far I would recommend it.

A. Casperson Books

A couple weeks ago I went to a old/used/rare book store in Niles, MI. GOLD MINE. It was amazing how many books were squeezed into such a small shop. There were cookbooks, history books, children's literature, modern literature... everything. I was seriously overwhelmed, I didn't even know where to start looking. The most exciting part was when I found a book that I have wanted to get in hardcover for so long: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I was so excited because not only was it in hardcover and excellent condition, but it only cost $6.50! The cheapest I could ever find in such condition was around $30. This bookstore is amazing; I can't wait to go back!

What I'm Reading

This post should really be titled "What I Have Read in the Past Three Weeks." I haven't been able to keep up with posting this series because school has been so crazy! It picked right back up the second I got back from spring break. At least the next two weeks will slow down a bit, at least until finals week...

Montana 1948

By: Larry Watson

I loved this book. It isn't easy to read. It deals with a lot of difficult issues such as family loyalty and justice. The events that take place in this book are disturbing but I was pleased with the resolution at the end. The ending isn't very happy, but it's real and it gives really good insight to underlying truths within families and communities.

Lord of the Flies

By: William Golding

The general themes and insight into human nature makes this book great; along with the writing and imagery used. However, it was really hard for me to get through. A group of boys stranded on an island is bound to end poorly. Much the same is an earth occupied by sinful human beings. This book is sad, but not surprising.

As I Lay Dying

By William Faulkner

This book came very close to being the death of me. One might notice all the pink sticky-notes sticking out of the book. This is because I just turned in a 10 page paper about the way Southern Gothic is portrayed in the novel. I handed the paper to my professor this morning and instantly a wave of relief washing over me and took with it the weight that has been suppressing my shoulders for the past week and a half (haha, dramatic much?).

Anyway, this book is pretty out there; the Southern Gothic genre as a whole is pretty out there. However, Faulkner is pretty genius. He makes the most grotesque and morbid characters and situations... funny. You can't deny it! Even though it is grossly humorous, it is not a feel-good read (surprise, surprise, it was assigned for Modern Literature). I think I would have liked Faulkner.

P.S. Excuse the bags under my eyes. This research paper raped me of precious sleeping hours.

What I'm Reading

Long Day's Journey into Night

By Eugene O'Neill

Possibly the most depressing play I have read. It has some good insight on human nature, but lacks resolution (which I'm finding rather common in modern literature).

Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies

By June Casagrande

This book contains all those rules about grammar that everyone just assumes you know, but really you don't. I can now confidently use "lie" and "lay" correctly.

All My Sons

By Arthur Miller

This play is also pretty depressing, but it has more plot than Long Day's Journey into Night and the characters are much more likable.

What I'm Reading

Charlotte's Web
By E.B. White
This is the second book I've been reading for Children's Literature. I know that it is a classic, but I never read it as a child.

Mrs. Dalloway
By Virgina Woolf
When I started reading this book I had absolutely no idea what was going on. It's hard to follow because not only does this novel span the length of one day, but the whole thing is stream of consciousness. I got the hang of it by the second half and after discussing it in class I became a fan. So I recommend it! As you can see, this documentation took place during the first half of my reading.

One Memorable Day

"Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day. "
-Great Expectations

What I'm Reading

This semester my booklist is HUGE. I'm still deciding if this is good or bad. So far, so good. This is what I'm reading:

Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

This is what I'm not reading, but can't wait to read:

Autobiography of Mark Twain.

My 2010 Christmas List

Here it is; a (tentative) compilation of all the things I would be happy, nay thrilled to receive for Christmas this year (in no particular order). Feel free to add some of these items to your own. I know you'll want to.

1. I really love rice. I would love to make rice in my dorm room. This one is pretty and it's the perfect size!

2. So far, this is my favorite piece of Medieval Literature. As an English major, I feel the need to start collecting some great literature and I can't think of a better one to start with. What can I say, I'm a sucker for courtly romances.

3. I don't consider myself to be an environmental nut BUT I do think that plastic bottles are completely bogus; a waste of money and resources. I would love one of these water-bottles (can't decide which one) because they're stainless steel, so they won't taste like plastic, and they have a "big bite valve"... for some reason I hate open mouth water-bottles. Oh, and they look awesome.

4.This fluffy lil guy because honestly, who doesn't want to unwrap a puppy on Christmas morning?

5.The most epic way to drink coffee.6.Probably the prettiest computer I've ever seen, and the thought of being able to fit in my purse makes me smile inside.

7. I know it's bad to judge a book by its cover but how georgeous are these?! A classic book that looks this good is definately something I want sitting on my shelf.

6. Another book. But this one is truly magnificent; 10x better than the movie (and I really love the movie).

Back to School Bug

I'm getting the back to school bug. You'd think that after 14 years the excitement of a new school year would rub off; it has some, but the urge to buy school supplies has not. The sad part is that not nearly the same amount of supplies are needed for college. No crayons, markers, glue stick, finger paint. Now all I need to buy is clicky pencils, notebooks, and textbooks. This isn't to say that I won't buy the former anyway. I am excited about my English Literature textbook; it's massive. The most exciting thing about this textbook: I was able to get it used! (I bought mine too late last semester and had to get almost all new textbook. boo.)

I'm also excited about my desk. It's usually my favorite part of my dorm room, or maybe it's my bed... Sadly I don't see that as often as I would like.

Hungry for Change

I just finished watching Food Inc. It was sad, disturbing, sickening, and infuriating. It was shocking but not completely surprising. All I can say is watch this movie, read the book (I plan to) and know what you're eating. Here's some links to find out more.

http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-issues.php,
http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-film.php

Here are Ten Simple Things you can do to help change our food system

1.Stop drinking sodas and other sweetened beverages.

You can lose 25 lbs in a year by replacing one 20 oz soda a day with a no calorie beverage (preferably water).

2.Eat at home instead of eating out.

Children consume almost twice (1.8 times) as many calories when eating food prepared outside the home.

3.Support the passage of laws requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards.

Half of the leading chain restaurants provide no nutritional information to their customers.

4. Tell schools to stop selling sodas, junk food, and sports drinks.

Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have tripled in children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years.

5. Meatless Mondays—Go without meat one day a week.

An estimated 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States are given to farm animals.

6.Buy organic or sustainable food with little or no pesticides.

According to the EPA, over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the U.S.

7. Protect family farms; visit your local farmer's market.

Farmer's markets allow farmers to keep 80 to 90 cents of each dollar spent by the consumer.

8.Make a point to know where your food comes from—READ LABELS.

The average meal travels 1500 miles from the farm to your dinner plate.

9.Tell Congress that food safety is important to you.

Each year, contaminated food causes millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths in the U.S.

10. Demand job protections for farm workers and food processors, ensuring fair wages and

other protections.

Poverty among farm workers is more than twice that of all wage and salary employees.