The Great Gatsby

I just finished reading The Great Gatsby this morning, and I loved it. (Finally, a book I've finished AND enjoyed this year!) I thought the story line was perfectly simple, yet dramatic. Far more satisfactory than Wuthering Heights. I loved the setting... how much fun would it have been to have lived in 1920s New York City? One of my favourite quotes on this came from one of my favourite characters, Jordan Baker:

"I love New York on summer afternoons when everyone's away. There's something very sensuous about it - overripe, as if all sorts of funny fruits were going to fall into your hands."

I like Jordan because she's entirely cool and collected, no matter what. She also has a very independent nature, never working herself up into a frenzy. I found myself being annoyed while reading Wuthering Heights because I couldn't handle Catherine's attitude. Constantly whining and crying in the most selfish manner. Transitioning from her to Jordan as a female lead was like a breath of fresh air. Jordan, to me, has a bit of a Lauren Bacall air about her á la To Have And Have Not and The Big Sleep.

Now I'm looking for a new book to read. I searched Amazon for books similar to The Great Gatsby, and I saw that Hemingway was a common occurring recommendation. I think I'll stop at the Elgin library after school and check out The Sun Also Rises.

The Great Gatsby

I'd started reading Wuthering Heights and was enjoying it. Then I reached a point where, quite frankly, I couldn't handle Catherine's whining anymore. The constant dramatic aspect was stressing me out. I didn't really need that adding to my life at the moment.

So, I put it down and picked up The Great Gatsby. I'd been waiting quite awhile to read it, as it had been checked out from the library. I'm on about page 33 now, and I'm enjoying it. It looks promising thus far. I'm intrigued by the time period and the main character and I'm interested to see where it leads. I've heard lots of positive things about it.

Water For Elephants (Part 3)

I'm about halfway through the book now, or a little over. For awhile I wasn't sure if I'd end up finishing it but now I've decided to persevere with it. Jacob has developed a bit of an under-the-radar relationship with Marlena which appears to have potential to threaten his friendship with August (who is Jacob's boss and Marlena's husband). As usual, finding time to read is a bit of a challenge with everything I've got going on, but I'll just keep reading... even if it is at a slower pace than I'd prefer.

Also, we've started reading The Scarlet Letter in class, which so far has been interesting. It's been awhile since I've read a classically-worded book, and I kind of feel like I'm falling behind. I'm glad we're reading this in class and that we didn't decide to follow up To Kill A Mockingbird with something like Catcher In The Rye. I appreciate the variety of style; having a bit of "thee" and "thine" in with the more contemporary classics makes for a good mix.

Water For Elephants (Part 2)

I haven't had time to read very much lately, but I've reached the point where the main character has run away from his home town and landed on a circus train. He's just getting started with his work. The book is now officially late back to the Elgin Library, so I'll need to re-new it. That really peeves me: I owe them $5 from a book I had too long this summer. I gave it back, I don't understand why they're still charging me. I mean, not that many people even use the library anymore... I don't think I should be reprimanded for keeping a book too long. Whatever.

Water For Elephants

This weekend I started reading Water For Elephants after I finished To Kill A Mockingbird for Lit Classics. I'm only on chapter one or two, and so far I'm not sure what I think. The prologue was interesting, and now it's in a nursing home which I don't like. I'm sure it will flash back though and be better. I've heard a lot of good things about it.

To Kill A Mockingbird (Part 2)

The more I've been reading it the better it's been keeping my attention. I've come across a few parts I remember from the first time through. I'm actually looking forward to finishing it, because I never did find out what the deal was with Boo Radley, or what ends up happening with him. It will also be interesting to see what else happens with the trial.

To Kill A Mockingbird

I'm working my way through To Kill A Mockingbird for Lit Classics. Last time I read it I got just over half way and didn't finish, but this time I'll have to. I didn't hate it the first time... it just didn't draw me in and hold my attention. Perhaps discussing it along the way will help me keep my focus this time around.