There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry--
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll--
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul--

-Emily Dickinson


November, 2010. This is when I had an epiphany that I knew nothing about literature. What exactly prompted this revelation, I don't remember. But what I did after that was print off "BBC's Top 100 Books" list in order to expand my horizons. (Although I'm aware that there are plenty of books omitted from the list, as well as new books constantly being published, this is intended simply to help me be acquainted with literature.) I challenged myself to read all of the books on the list. One year later, I've realized it will take much longer than expected. With only 7 of the 100 books read, this task seems daunting and unrealistic. While some may think it's somewhat masochistic, some may think it's an admirable goal. I guess it depends on the book I'm reading. Frequently I'll read a book that is not on this long list. I used to apologize for it, but I'm assuming hardly anyone reads it anyways.

I started by critiquing the books and authors, but the purpose for writing has changed over the years. The purpose of this blog isn't necessarily to write reviews for the benefit of high school procrastinators or for eagerly researching book-readers or for really anyone besides me. It's a documentation of my own progress as a learner and a reader, as well as being wonderfully cathartic. Books elicit an emotional response, which allows me to explore my own beliefs about life and spirituality.

As of Sunday, June 21st, 2015, I have read twenty-six books on the list. This is hopefully subject to change, and will be updated regularly...or more accurately, as regularly as I finish a book, which isn't always regular.


Friday, December 23, 2011

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

Read Ninth on December 23, 2011.

I feel like this book was sort of ruined for me. I have heard so much about it and about the funniest parts that it didn't quite have the effect on me like I thought it would. I had already heard about the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything; the dolphins saying "So long, and thanks for all this fish."; and the miraculous rescue of the group on Magrathea after Marvin the Paranoid Android talked to the space ship powering the police's life support and eventually prompted  it to kill itself. And I unfortunately have seen the movie and thus have a vague idea of what was going to happen next.

So why didn't I read it before? Because the copy that I own has the entire six-book series compiled into one, intimidating volume. Little did I realize I could finish the first book in two days. I so wish that I would have learned of its hilariousness myself. 

This is not me saying that I did not enjoy the book. I did, but I think I would have if certain people would stop quoting it. Having experienced this, I will take a vow that I will not quote the book to anyone who has not read it for the sake of the preservation of its funniness. I am hoping, however, that the other five books will be less ruined and more funny for me. This may be one of the only times that I will ever read a book that is not on this list.
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