Ernie's mid-year review…
I have really enjoyed our project so far. Even the books I didn’t enjoy that much have sparked some great discussions at home. One reoccurring theme is “How did this book get selected as a great book?” Considering the wealth of literature that came out of the 20th century, I would like more insight to the selection of these books and how they made the list.
Over the last year, I have paid attention to what other people are reading. Often I find they are reading a book on our list. Many of the folks I talk to have attempted similar projects to read classics or the books they were supposed to have read in school.
One side effect is that I am now much smarter than when I began. Well, maybe not. But occasionally there will be a Jeopardy clue from one of our recent reads which gives me a slightly superior feeling when I know the answer.
My top five favorite books range in subjects from murder to poverty, from greedy ambition to service and sacrifice, and from a priest who rides a burro to a toad who drives a car. At least I’m not fixed into one type of story that I prefer.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote gives us some of the best writing I have ever read and a story that kept me gripped from start to finish.
Bonfire of the Vanities
Some of the most memorable characters I have ever met. You can just feel the greed, desire and corruption coming off the pages. Plus it’s a very “New York” book.
Grapes of Wrath
I called this the most American novel I had read in the project. Up there with To Kill a Mockingbird, this book sums up a critical time in American history and introduces us to the people who lived it.
Death Comes for the Archbishop
A solid, simple book with true human drama. It has stayed with me longer than most books with more action or plot.
The Wind in the Willows
My absolute favorite book so far. The tales of friendship, duty, travel and adventure are sure to touch readers of all ages.
As I travel quite a bit, it has been a comfort on the road to carry a good book, or listen to an audio book while driving. It has made many a night on the road more bearable and beats the inane babble of cable TV in a hotel room.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of our selections…well, most of them.
Sandra: So, we started reading a little before the first of the year and so far I have managed to get through 14 of the books on my individual list and 13 on the list Ernie and I are both reading. [#14 on our joint list is On the Road. Ernie read it and will discuss next week. He recommended I not read it and I accepted. One more book I can continue to avoid and possibly all you need to know from him, but I digress....] We've looked at the remainder of the list and tweaked it a little. We decided we really didn't both need to read James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man so as an early Christmas present to ourselves we've knocked that one off the list. Although I've still got Ulysses staring me in the face and as the greatest book ever, apparently as it is #1 on the Modern Library list... I guess I really shouldn't avoid it any further. When the time comes, I'll read it!
What I've liked about this so far is mostly just the reading part, and reading with the aim of maybe broadening my knowledge of places I'll probably never visit and people I'll probably never come into contact with in my limited world experience. I doubt I'll ever navigate the Congo, explore the wilds of New Mexico or even see much of Europe. I don't run into too many people with "1400 pounds a year" (as the British say) who don't seem to do anything but have tea and "witty" conversations all day. Or a lot of talking animals. I've enjoyed many quiet evenings at home with a good book instead of settling for most of the drivel that passes for tv these days. I've also enjoyed the many discussions Ernie and I have had about these books. The downside is there have been one or two book clubs I've been invited to join and I know I don't have time to do that too. Plus I'd rather pick my own selections to read, as many of those clubs are reading more for pleasure than for any kind of elucidation on the complicated human race.
My top five books (in a pretty arbitrary order) for what I've read so far and I would recommend are:
1) The Maltese Falcon
2) Catch-22
3) The Wind in the Willows
4) A Clockwork Orange
5) Lolita
Next week: Ernie goes On the Road
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