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, December 28, 2015

The Bassoon King - Rainn Wilson

Read on December 20th, 2015.

Rainn Wilson, congratulations on writing the first nonfiction book to grace my blog. You should be very honored. 

I don't usually read biographies, or really any kind of nonfiction. I think that my past experiences have been laced with boredom and uninterest. But I love Dwight Schrute, I played the bassoon, and The Bassoon King was a free audiobook, so why not? It turns out that Rainn Wilson has a lot to say about this hellhole (a.k.a. life) that was very inspiring to me. Not only did I bond over our similar adeptness at playing the bassoon, I've found that I can connect to some of his experiences as a human being.

I tend to view celebrities as self-centered and egotistical and narcissistic. But I was truly touched by his struggle in acting school to find his "voice" in a career that he was passionate about. After years of trying to be someone else while acting, and doing a mediocre job at it, it wasn't until he gained self-confidence as a person and as a professional actor that he blossomed in his role as Dwight Schrute. He encourages the reader to go through a similar journey: a journey of self-discovering, of building confidence, of finding "voice". While listening to his story, I realized in myself that I want to write. I told myself and others previously that I wanted to be an editor because "I'm not creative enough to write anything." Well, I just don't believe that anymore. I want to share my ideas and create art. Listening to Rainn's story of becoming an individual (and conveniently becoming a celebrity) was inspiring and formative in my decision to follow my own creative path.
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