woefully bad pop music ahoy!
Because I am insane, and not nearly busy enough, I finally bit the bullet and signed up for NaNoWriMo. This will be my first year. I've always thought about doing it, but waited until a really low-key and stress-free time in my life before trying. [/sarcasm] Anyway, despite the fact that I will probably be ripping my hair out in one week's time, and also despite the fact that I haven't yet made a choice between three ideas I've had percolating for a few months, I am excited. One of my biggest problems as a writer is over-editing to the point of losing interest in what I'm working on (perhaps we can call that laziness?), and I think this will be a much-needed kick in the trousers.
Book #27
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Summary: After a difficult divorce, Elizabeth Gilbert travels to Italy, India and Indonesia to experience pleasure, divinity and balance, respectively.
My Thoughts: Honestly, I know exactly why Oprah picked this book. It’s your typical privileged-but-unhappy white woman seeks enlightenment and balance in Exotic Foreign Lands, yadda yadda, etc. Yawn. If the book had been well-written then I may have been able to stomach it, but Gilbert is a self-centered and selfish narrator, often coming out with one-liners like, “I discovered the secret to the universe” or similar. Skip it.
Book #28
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler
Summary: Michael and Pauline are wrong for each other, but they marry anyway during WWII, and their unstable marriage has consequences for their children and grandchildren.
My Thoughts: This is my first Tyler novel and I found myself oddly affected by her writing style. It’s quite utilitarian - occasionally a beautiful phrase or metaphor creeps in - but sticks with you for so long. She is able to get at each of her characters’ thoughts so easily; as a writer, I have difficulty with that, so she is to be praised. Honestly, the premise of this novel might sound a bit Oprah’s Book Club to you, but it’s almost haunting - the beauty and possibility and mistakes present in everyday life. It spans three generations as well, which I always love in a novel. I was nearing tears at the end and I don’t even know why: the sign of a book worth re-reading.
I am woefully, woefully behind schedule on my reading goal. It's supposed to be 60 by New Year's. With this next month full of NaNo and term papers looming, I doubt much reading will get done. But I always have Christmas holidays to make a mad dash to the finish, yes?
So I doubt I will be on here or commenting much. Blog posts may be sporadic - just like they have been since I started that thing. No one seems to read it anyway, so I can take my sweet time until I actually have some energy to put effort into promotion and whatever else. See you when November's over, kids!
Book #27
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Summary: After a difficult divorce, Elizabeth Gilbert travels to Italy, India and Indonesia to experience pleasure, divinity and balance, respectively.
My Thoughts: Honestly, I know exactly why Oprah picked this book. It’s your typical privileged-but-unhappy white woman seeks enlightenment and balance in Exotic Foreign Lands, yadda yadda, etc. Yawn. If the book had been well-written then I may have been able to stomach it, but Gilbert is a self-centered and selfish narrator, often coming out with one-liners like, “I discovered the secret to the universe” or similar. Skip it.
Book #28
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler
Summary: Michael and Pauline are wrong for each other, but they marry anyway during WWII, and their unstable marriage has consequences for their children and grandchildren.
My Thoughts: This is my first Tyler novel and I found myself oddly affected by her writing style. It’s quite utilitarian - occasionally a beautiful phrase or metaphor creeps in - but sticks with you for so long. She is able to get at each of her characters’ thoughts so easily; as a writer, I have difficulty with that, so she is to be praised. Honestly, the premise of this novel might sound a bit Oprah’s Book Club to you, but it’s almost haunting - the beauty and possibility and mistakes present in everyday life. It spans three generations as well, which I always love in a novel. I was nearing tears at the end and I don’t even know why: the sign of a book worth re-reading.
I am woefully, woefully behind schedule on my reading goal. It's supposed to be 60 by New Year's. With this next month full of NaNo and term papers looming, I doubt much reading will get done. But I always have Christmas holidays to make a mad dash to the finish, yes?
So I doubt I will be on here or commenting much. Blog posts may be sporadic - just like they have been since I started that thing. No one seems to read it anyway, so I can take my sweet time until I actually have some energy to put effort into promotion and whatever else. See you when November's over, kids!