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.


Monday, February 27, 2012

Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

Read Eleventh on February 27, 2012.

I know, I haven't posted any thing in a long time. The truth is that I haven't finished a book in a long time. I've been pretty busy, but that's life. I don't get the pleasure to read all day like I did over Christmas break. That was nice. I wish I appreciated it more because it truly was a luxury. Now on to the books.

I generally get excited when my English class forces me to read books. That means I have the excuse to knock another number off of that big ol' list you see on the right of your screen. The downside to this is that the long list of questions about which I suddenly remembered on Sunday night may have had a negative effect on the natural pleasure of reading the book. And this is what more or less happened with Heart of Darkness.

At first I dreaded it, but that's because I didn't understand it. The  questions would ask for deep and specific answers that I didn't know how to answer. No, of course I don't know the significance of the narrator repeating the name of the title within the story, or at least yet. (This is something that I normally enjoy and to which I look forward. I sometimes get rather disappointed when I end up reading a book that never says the title in the story.) I had a change of heart, though. At first, the late Sunday night mirrored the darkness within. (Heh...) Then, as I progressed through the book, the late Sunday nights weren't as droll as before. So  in case you're wondering, no, I never really read the book on any other day other than Sunday. The book is immensely profound. It makes you think. I found it rather enjoyable. Well, enjoyable may not be the mot juste. Perhaps captivating. Well. Quasi-captivating. Nevertheless, it was certainly thought provoking. It takes real talent to make a story about a story about a guy travelling down the Congo River in a steamboat and back interesting. Somehow, though, Conrad pulls it off. Kudos, dude.
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