It's been a slow start to the extra-curricular reading this year. But
hey, school. Actually, if I can admit it, it's been a slow start to the
curricular reading too... Eep.
Anyway, here's what I've read so far:
The Stonecarvers by Jane Urquhart - I liked it quite a bit. I am really digging Canadian lit these days, pieces of my cultural heritage and place names that are familiar to me in reality as well as theory.I like the rhythm of Urquhart's writing, and found this historically enlightening as ell as engaging.
Open Secrets by Alice Munro - This collection of short stories was for the book club I'm in, and I love love love my book club. I also quite liked this book, and the overlapping but not-quite-interwoven storylines. Also, as I wrote in an email to the book club ladies, "So many creepy men, so many strong women."
Men in the Off Hours by Anne Carson - Meh. I am not familiar enough with classic Greek or 18th century Russian literature to understand 75% of these poems. But the book was redeemed by an essay entitled "Dirt and Desire" - on the "phenomenology of female pollution in antiquity," which you can read here if you're interested in the evolution of female portrayal in literature.
That's it. That's ALL I've read!!
BUT my to-read pile is growing, and that is exciting. AND I am open to suggestions from you, my dear friendly reader folks. I've had a few come in even yesterday, so please do post a comment or send me a note or suggest in some other fashion. And maybe I'll even return the favour :)
Anyway, here's what I've read so far:
The Stonecarvers by Jane Urquhart - I liked it quite a bit. I am really digging Canadian lit these days, pieces of my cultural heritage and place names that are familiar to me in reality as well as theory.I like the rhythm of Urquhart's writing, and found this historically enlightening as ell as engaging.
Open Secrets by Alice Munro - This collection of short stories was for the book club I'm in, and I love love love my book club. I also quite liked this book, and the overlapping but not-quite-interwoven storylines. Also, as I wrote in an email to the book club ladies, "So many creepy men, so many strong women."
Men in the Off Hours by Anne Carson - Meh. I am not familiar enough with classic Greek or 18th century Russian literature to understand 75% of these poems. But the book was redeemed by an essay entitled "Dirt and Desire" - on the "phenomenology of female pollution in antiquity," which you can read here if you're interested in the evolution of female portrayal in literature.
That's it. That's ALL I've read!!
BUT my to-read pile is growing, and that is exciting. AND I am open to suggestions from you, my dear friendly reader folks. I've had a few come in even yesterday, so please do post a comment or send me a note or suggest in some other fashion. And maybe I'll even return the favour :)
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