Christmas Movies - 11/23 - 11/29

I'm in school full time and work full time. The only time I can watch Christmas movies is on the weekends.

Week 1

1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

2. A Christmas Snow

6th Annual Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

http://truexmasspirit.blogspot.com/

This Challenge will run from November 23, 2014 through Wednesday, January 6, 2014

These are the challenges I will be doing 

-Christmas Tree:  read 5 or 6 books 

       

            --Fa La La La Films:  watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!

Winter Respite Read-A-Thon

This week, January 26 - February 1 is A Winter's Respite Read-A-Thon.  We are about to be snowed in, so at least I'll be able to read a bit tomorrow.  With school this week, I may not be able to make all my goals, but I will try.

The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline 
I'm more than half way through this book. I hope to finish this by the end of this Read-A-Thon.


Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
I'm more than half way through this book as well. This will be finished by Friday for sure.


Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow: Discovering Your Right Livelihood by Marsha Sinetar
This is a school book, I will be reading this, but not finishing it. I don't want to get too far ahead.


The Creative Writing MFA Handbook, Revised and Updated Edition: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students by Tome Kealy
I'm almost done with this one, so I might as well finish it.


The Violent Bear it Away by Flannery O'Connor
Continuing to work on my Classics Reading, this one will be at least started, but hopefully finished.

Classic Books 4 and 5

#4 The Lover by Marguerite Duras
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fictionalized first person account of a pubescent female french girl who takes an older Chinese lover.  Marguerite Duras said that this was semi-autobiographical.

I enjoyed it, it wasn't my favorite.  This book was released in 1984, but the story takes place in the 1920s.



#5
Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have one word for this book.  URGH!
What torture.  Almost as bad as James Joyce's Ulysses.  I had high hopes for this book, I enjoyed Siddhartha, but this was not as interesting.  It was said to be a self analytical look at Hesse's life as a middle aged divorced man.  I also read (online) that each character is an aspect of Hesse.  This is an existential novel that was way above my head. I also listened to this in audio format.  Peter Weller (actor) was the narrator, and although I like him and enjoy his voice, he read this monotone which led to monotony and me falling asleep while he droned on.

Working through a big book

The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu


View all my reviews
I'm only on page 65 of this 1,182 page epic novel from the 11th century. But to be honest, I'm reading it slowly.  I have my regular books that I'm reading and making a dent in. But this is a book that can only be read in small doses.  I am giving myself 6 months to finish it.  

It is on my 'classic book' list.  I have no opinion so far.  It isn't a bad story, it actually has no story really. Not yet.  

Read-A-Thon Time

From January 26 through February 1 there will be a Read-A-Thon hosted by Michelle @ The True Book Addict and Castle Macabre. 
#WintersRespite

I have no specific books I will read, whatever I land on will be what I will read.  I figure I can finish 2 books for this Read-A-Thon.

Since school has started, I will be in class for 3 nights, so it will take away from my reading time, but I will give it the good old "college" try.

My Classic Book Journey continues!!

#2

Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor

"Wise Blood: An idea that one has innate, worldly knowledge of what direction to take in life, and requires no spiritual or emotional guidance.

Hazel Motes is a simpleton from Tennessee who leaves home and travels by train to Taulkinham where he spreads his gospel of anti-religion and the church of No Jesus.   Motes meets several interesting characters along the way, all of them over the top.  But this is OK, because this exaggerated treatment of these characters makes for an interesting and compelling story.

Flannery O’Connor loves mixing religion with her beloved American South. And because it is Flannery, don’t expect rainbows and unicorns.

Two favorite quotes:

“Rat Colored Car”

“Eyes the color of clear fresh ice”

 5 / 5 Stars

#3

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Inspired by Conrad’s journey to the Congo in 1890.

I don’t know what to say. I didn’t enjoy this book.  I can’t say I cared that the main character Marlow was on a ship traveling to Africa for Ivory trading. 

This is the problem with some classics, they are not relatable. I’m not in for high adventure. Perhaps when this was written (before TV) it served its purpose, but today’s reader can’t connect to this.

I did enjoy some of the language, especially the quotes below.

“The germs of empires”

“Like a running blaze on a plain, like a flash of lightning in the clouds. We live in the flicker.”

“Free as air and nearly as thin.”

“We live as we dream, alone.”

“I should be loyal to the nightmare of my choice.”

3 / 5  Stars