The Way Of All Flesh

The Way Of All Flesh written by a Samuel Butler, what to say? It took Samuel Butler 15 years to write this book and it reads that way. There is a difficult line between lack of excitement and detail. The book is detailed and well written but any reader can sense an enthusiasm when a writer writes. It helps the reader feel the story, become sucked in and involved. I found this particular story written by Samuel Butler to read more like a reference text and less like a story or 15 year labor of love. Both the introduction and post script make references to things that were added or omitted after Samuel had passed so that this book could be completed and published. To this I say, some things maybe better left unfinished. Sometimes a great idea, or beginning of a great story is better than a completed mediocre project. But this is one humble persons opinion.

The Sound and the Fury

I hav been trying for days, since I finished The Great Gatsby, to read The Sound and the Fury. To my avail I have not been successful. It has taken me the last couple days to force myself to read through the first chapter and I call a loss, the book, the writer, William Faulkner wins. I suppose depending on how you look at it the writer looses. The book is written in short choppy sentences, reminiscent I am sure of the time frame in which the book takes place. The short choppy sentences make it difficult enough to read but then it seams as the writer moves around from times and scenes that leave you thinking wasn't I reading about this pages ago or where did this thought process come from. I am a succinct reader. I don't mind reading books where each chapter is a particular characters take on events, because they tend to be succinct with what is occurring. But, with this particular book I was having a difficult time following all of the changes through the choppy writing. This book maybe a good fit for some and not for others. For me it is a loss, so, with that being said I will give it two at of five books. What I could follow wasn't entirely awful, I good story somewhere in there I am thinking.

Ulysses

In the midst of the crazy that I have resigned to accepting as my life lately I have been trying to read through Ulysses. I had to renew the book with the library and now I am on week four. I climb into bed with the plan to read through at least a chapter and I make it through two or three pages before I find the back of my eyelids. So far I am finding that although writing is old fashioned (do to the time the book is written) it is easy to follow. Thus far I have to say that I do enjoy the book greatly, well what I have read without looking through my eyelids.

The Great Gatsby

I am a little behind . . . I finished The Great Gatsby several days ago, but got busy with life so I am just now getting to my blog. What can you say about The Great Gatsby. Each time I read it I think it is a wonderful book. F. Scott Fitzgerald did a great job of bringing the time frame to life to include the wonderful images of the summertime parties, the care free life styles, jealousy of lovers, the feelings we try but never can forget, and the doors that get opened when we truly get to know people. People are the mystery that they create within themselves, that mystery and a long lost love bring about an amazing turn of events. Written in a way that takes the reader back to an intriguing time in history. I will always give The Great Gatsby five books out of five.

I did it

I made it to the library and they had all three of my books waiting in the hold bin for me, a much more effective way to check out books, and brought my new adventures home. The great Gatsby is up first. I am a little more than half way done with the book and having it read before when I was younger there are definite parts of the book I am remembering and others that seem like I am reading for the first time but I suppose that is usual. Kind of like when you watch a movie as an adult that you loved as a kid and see things you didn't catch the first time around. I have always thought it was a good thing to get another perspective on something, as we get older or tastes change, and what we may or may not have liked when we were younger, we may or may not like now. You never know. Go forth and read.

Slacking

Lately I have been slacking on my top 100, well 200 list. I am hoping to fit in a trip to the library tomorrow to check out some more books and get myself back on track. The only problem is that finding available books is amazingly difficult. I would have thought with such a list it would be easier to find books with our many libraries in the area. The libraries do feed off each other and share books but is is still becoming a little bit of a treasure hunt. Hopefully tomorrows hunt will prove to show fruitful.

Alright, my next three books have been put on hold Ulysses, The great Gatsby, and The Sound and the Fury. The great Gatsby has to be transferred from another library, sooo, I may get started on the others while I wait . . .

Death of Kings

okay, so, I admit it. I strayed from my top 100 list and read a book that grabbed my attention at the library. It may throw my time line off but that is okay, the important thing I think is finishing. The book a strayed with is titled Death of Kings by Bernard Cornwall. The book is considered fiction but is based on the loose and unspecific work of priests and scribers during the anglo saxon rule of an early England. The story focuses on the battles of the country after King Alfred's death and his son Edwards fight to remain king. The book is written in the fashion of the time. By which, I mean that there is harsh language, battles, warriors, lords, misuse of women (to today's standards), and the everyday plotting for the right to be named king. With all of these things intertwined in to the plot the book is written well and even when there is nothing happening per say the book still reads quickly. I am going to give it four books out of five. I feel that it is a good read but for those who do not have a stomach for discussion of war and all the things that come with it this may not be the best choice.