to be continued

I didn't finish the list.

I haven't changed my mind, though.

Anna Karenina has been following me around lately, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I even choose it over knitting some evenings.

My timeline has been pushed back, but I still plan to read these books and more classics. Odds are the personal picks will win more often, though.

Thanks to everyone that helped me get this project going in January. It opened my eyes to books that others love, and helped me be bolder in starting conversations that are book-related.

Happy reading, and happy new year!

Goodbye, Tolstoy?

I pretend this blog isn't here.

Easily distracted. Not a secret, not a surprise.

The classics list was a good plan. It wasn't a good time for it. A new hobby, a new job, things change.

I still love to read. I still want to read these books. I still go into bookstores and gently touch the books, dreaming of the words they contain, the worlds they hide. I sneak a look at a few pages, a few of them follow me home to join their brethren in my book stash, most of them are left behind with a sigh knowing I'll never hear their story. (and...ohmy...that was a HORRIBLE sentence. The grammar police won't know where to begin.)

Maybe I need to accept that the classics list isn't going to work out right now. I want to drown in books again, maybe they just need to be the random ones that beckon.

Anna Karenina is on the nightstand....
just in case.

off to Hogwarts!

quick update:
started Harry Potter yesterday, woohoo! Book started off slow, but I'm getting drawn in....(on p. 80 now.)

Also have worked on Sherlock Holmes a bit this past week. Not sure what I think...I expected edge of the seat mysteries, not just little tales. Reserving thoughts until done, tho!

I'm regretting the classics project because I'm sure it's making me avoid reading (what time is left after the true culprit of knitting.) I'm not disliking the books on the list, but I think I need to just choose books as they call to me. I'm planning to keep working on the goal since I think it's good discipline for me. Next year, tho.... :-)

Now...Off to the land of wizards!

4 and 6

almost halfway, almost half a year...

will I finish the project?

I'm flighty with 'loves.' That's not news to those that know me. I don't dabble when I'm interested in something...I immerse. Totally. Over the head drownded. This year has had 2 things catch my interest. I don't want to let either go, and I'm not getting bored with either one. Amazing. So, I've had to learn to balance reading and knitting. The past few weeks have been encouraging; I'm starting to get into a groove of going between the 2.

I finished Huck Finn this morning. It was definitely my favorite of the classics so far. I love that the story was written in dialect, and I think I enjoy reading from a child's perspective (same sensation in TKAM.) An author can throw in social/political views more subtly when they're merely a child's upbringing or observation. Huck was a good summer read, too. Lazy days floating down the river, summertime antics of young boys...the mood was just right. I'd seen the musical "big river" several times, so the story of the slave Jim's fate was already familiar.

I liked Twain's writing style/voice. After reading Huck Finn and TKAM this year, I think I should explore more books in the South (AFTER this year.) We all know I'm a southern girl wannabe at heart anyway!
---
Next up will be finishing Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, I think. Study in Scarlet was the assigned book, but I found a teensy copy of the casebook that was just irresistably cute and will easily journey along with me in the purse (or....um...knitting bag.) I'm shooting for finishing it by the end of June to split the list and the year down the middle!

happy knitting reading, all!

3 and 7

Dorian Gray landed in finished pile a few weeks ago. I'm glad to have read it for the classical slant, but can't really say I liked most of it. I'm ready to get thru my 'chores' reading and back to fun stuff....that being books I pick in the moment because they sound good. I'm still chugging away on "if a winter's night a traveler" here and there. It's an interesting writing style and I like that aspect. But...again...it's not a lazy Nevada Barr read. :-)

Started Huck Finn on Monday. I think it will be much more fun than Dorian. It was nice to just sit on the porch swing tonite getting lost in Huck's adventures.

and, well....yeah. I'm still knitting more than reading!

3 down. 7 to go.

The Sea, an Old Man, and Me (2 done)

It seemed appropriate. I had several hours to spare between Georgia and the South Carolina coast while in the car with my parents. Gently reading Dad's first edition copy of The Old Man and the Sea...the hours flew by. The next few days at the beach made the words feel even more real. A perfectly timed read...and 2 classics completed.

...8 to go.

sloooooooowly

Nope.
Haven't finished a book in eons. Sticks and yarn are a dangerous obsession. I did see a bookclub for knitters online yesterday, so the two can be balanced, I see! I think the knitting has just had favor lately for a few reasons. First off, it's more sociable. I've been going to knitting groups, and knitters are always eager to gab about the yarn/patterns/life. Also, it's more of a multi-task activity. I can knit while watching tv/movies. I can knit while the lunch crowd jabbers. I think 'focus' is another reason knitting has had priority. When I read, I want to fall into a book and stay there. While there is definitely a meditative aspect to knitting that's delightful to melt into, I don't need nearly as much commited headspace for the sticks 'n yarn. So, it's easier to do while waiting on the mechanic, etc.

regardless,
I am going to get back the reading groove. I've been chugging away on Dorian Gray the past week, sloooowly. (and found an adorable tiny 'casebook of sherlock holmes' that fits in a pocket!)

Um,
I think that's the other catch.

The classic reading list is intellectually noble. It's something I want on my internal resume. The IDEA of it excites me. but...so far...the books really don't. I want to go back to my 'candy' books. Knitting is candy. Classics are homework. hmmmmmmm.

I'm going on vacation for a week soon, and will have oodles of free time (including MANY hours in the backseat of a car.) Hopefully it will be a good time to play catch-up on the books. And, yeah....I'll be knitting, too!

sidetracked, not lost

I admit it. I haven't been reading much lately.
Well, that's not really true.

I haven't been reading literature.

Cute knitting projects were appearing around work, and the urge to be creative and play with yarn was just too tempting. I tore out my last attempt at a scarf (last year,) and spent a weekend studying stitches and playing. I'm hooked. OH SO hooked.
A scarf, purse, another scarf, and a cat toy mouse later......

Anyway, the books I've been reading are Stitch 'n Bitch Nation and the first SnB Knitter's Handbook. (forever foreword called SnB...the name of the books/groups grates on my nerves.) Not really READING... I know. But, ever so entertaining.

I dusted off a Book and read a few pages this morning. I'll be back in the literature game soon, I promise.

...as soon as I finish the tail on this mouse.

1 done.

Polished off To Kill a Mockingbird before the first cup of coffee this morning. (of course, that's not crack of dawn 'round here....)

I can see why it's a favorite of so many. It's very readable. I flew through it in a few days while Morte D'Arthur sulked in its neglect. I think TKAM is a good book for its universal appeal...the story of childhood, the image of the south during that time, the feelings and issues the characters deal with, and plenty of animated dialog. What makes TKAM a great book, tho, is the craft of the storytelling. I've read too many books the past few years that have good elements, but I walk away disappointed in the story. TKAM nailed that. :-)

Thanks for recommending it!

...9 to go.

[I was looking at the booklist and think I need to expand the geography for the last few choices. Something French, Asian, or non-southern U.S., perhaps. Possibly more ancient or contemporary as well]

Old Man and the Sea

Dad...thought you'd appreciate this story since you put the book on my list!

quote worth a smirk

a chuckle knowing there are days I hide or flaunt the book cover....

"Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it." P.J. O'Rourke

thanks for the advice

I know I've twisted arms, begged, and whined.

Just wanted to say...Thank you.

Getting the opinions about books from people that I know has meant a lot to me. Waking up to new suggestions from you has brought many grins. I still welcome ideas from anyone that happens by here.

I thought about why I didn't just set up my own classics reading program. The books are there. The popularity can be looked up in lists all over. I wanted an element of the unexpected, I think. Instead of choosing my own reading, it has been exciting to be given 'homework.' This weekend I started To Kill a Mockingbird because it has been the overwhelming choice (I'm not sure if that's because it really is the favorite, or because it's triggered after being mentioned, but....) I know I read this book in high school. Somehow, I seem to have forgotten the story...it's feeling all new. These moments of discovery, of talking to people I love about books they love, of talking to strangers in bookstores explaining this crazy quest and getting their input.....has been a blast.

THANK YOU.

---
Rob....got the new suggestions. I've already read the Salinger choices. Frannie and Zooey is probably just about my favorite book (as far as things I've read a zillion times, anyway.) F451 was wonderful, any booklover has to go for that one. The rest will have to go on my list for future ref, tho! Picked up Kav/Clay this weekend...when i can get to it...
B...added Scarlet to the list. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. Hope you heal as quickly/painlessly as possible!!!!

he's a muddle-headed fool, with frequent lucid intervals. cervantes

happy 400th birthday, Don Quixote!
In my year of classics, worthy of a grin and respectful bow.

Slightly less than 400 years ago, I wrote my high school senior thesis on D.Q. and the musical 'Man of La Mancha.' Still have the battered copy that spent a year haunting and inspiring me from Japan to the midwest.

And the world will be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star. the Impossible Dream, Man of La Mancha

---
still need more booklist suggestions!

a quick chuckle (and hug a book)

for those (like me) that quirk a baffled eyebrow over readers' obsession with Da Vinci Code....this made me chuckle. An interesting post all around. I agree...it's good to know books are being toted about and loved...whatever the book may be.

---
If you haven't already...please read Book Club post and add your choices!

Book Club for 1 (and "camaraderie" doesn't have an O.)

This year's reading goal is slowly coming together.

It sort of started with Atlas Shrugged. The book was a running joke with my mom. I tried to read it back in college days, and kept abandoning it after getting bogged down in the early pages. By the time I'd pick it up again, the story was forgotten and I'd have to start over. It became the symbol of my (many) unfinished projects.

In 2000, I decided to shrug Atlas. I stayed up half the night of December 30th..and the book was done. (I had loved it, too.) Though the next few years drifted through authors/styles, the idea of the reading goal was in place.

2003 belonged to Tolkien. I won't see a movie without reading the book it's based on, so the Hobbit that I avoided in grade school became my companion. Christmas day brought the LOTR trilogy to a close, and I got to have my movie marathon.

I decided to go for quantity in 2004. I've kept track of my reading for 7 years, and noticed each year had a longer list. Deciding to add 26 titles (1 every 2 weeks) to the Completed list was a fun way to push myself to pull the book from the purse at lunch, to stay up an extra 1/2 hour at bedtime. Yelled "finished!!" on 12/26/04.

I started 2005 knowing I had to set a reading goal. Non-fiction? (my weakest area.) Higher quantities? Particular authors/series? A discussion at work caused War and Peace to be mentioned. I admitted I'd never opened it...or any other Russian epics, for that matter. When I look at recommended reading lists (classics, English classes, etc.,) I'm surprised by how many classics I've skipped (so far.)

So.

2005.

The goal is going to involve classics. Hopefully you, yes YOU (collective readers,) will help me decide details. I either want to finish 3 of the "biggies" (War, Crime/Pun., Anna K., Les Miz, Hunchback, etc.) or 10 'general' classics.

I know most of those that come here by choice, not chance, are READERS. We talk about books. Anyone else that comes along is quite welcome to jump in as well. Even though I know getting feedback is a Longshot...I'm using that FAITH that you'll play along...
Here's my idea:
I'd be really really really (really.) excited if every visitor would leave me a comment with 2 titles.

• One - list the classic you'd most recommend (if you've read any yourself. If not...hey...you should be joining me on this project!)


• Two - tell me what your favorite (or most recommended right
  now) book is.

If this works....if I actually get some suggestions...
I promise to make selections of the classics by the end of January

AND

I'll try to read all of the personal favorites.

(unless...unless...this proves unprecedentedly comment-worthy, and I have too many choices to handle in a year.....) (did i really just type a 6 syllable word?!?!) (IS that a word!??!)

The extension of my fantasy life here is that after I get suggestions and compile a list....my book club might have more than 1 member (me.) I've told pals before that I've never joined a club because I can't see saying much more than "yup. liked that." or "eww. that sucked." Perhaps knowing others are reading the same books, tho, would help me come up with better descriptors. If not, even the camaraderie of a mutual Yup or Eww would be festive.

Mull it for a second.
Pick two books and hit the comment button!
Make my year of reading have a purpose!!!
:-)

p.s. If you Anonymous comment, that's fine..just leave a nickname or such for me to reference in booklist. thanks!

Finding Neverland

Even the men were crying.

In the words of Peter, "it was magical."

I sat in the last row of the theater watching genius create a fantasy that celebrates reality. There were fairies and broken hearts, laughing children and rainy days. The audience giggled its way to Neverland and left wiping a tear. A wonderful cast, a wonderful story, a wonderful way to spend a gray afternoon.

Finding Neverland.
"The story of J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan."

new beginnings

Not sure what comes next.

Thanks to those that were a part of muZings. Writing was a lifesaver, teacher, joy. Hopefully I'll return to blogland with something new.

Happy New Year.