Thoughts on the Remaining 82 Books
I have a hard time remaning mentally idle. I haven't been able to keep the next book and the next book and the next book out of mind. Even thoroughly engrossed in the prose of Faulkner and Didion I couldn't help but to think, "I think I'll read The Sun Also Rises next, I can't wait". This list and all the unique challenges and joy I anticipate from it have had a monopoly on my waking thoughts since March. I've planned my reading list through the next ten books and I'm checking them out the library six at a time, I'm overcome with excitement.
Thrilled as I am to continue towards my goal there's a few entries on the list that intimidate to the point of night terrors. A few of the books on the list aren't books at all but multi-volume series generally collected as one. I'm an unabashed lover of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films but the thought of reading the trilogy, considered one entry on the list, has me a bit uneasy. A Dance to the Music of Time and Infinite Jest are among the longest works ever written in the English language; I've heard nothing but praise for Foster Wallace's footnote-rich opus but the very sight it has me wondering if I'll finish this list in the next decade.
Honestly though, I'm dreading one book on the list far more than any other. This dread has nothing to do with the book's length. If I hope to accomplish my goal of reading each book on the list I'm going to have to read Judy Blume's timeless classic Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. When my beffudlement at the idea of a book for ten-year-olds making this list over Brave New World finally began to subside (it took some time, trust me) it was replaced by legitamate concern for how I'd go about reading it. Assuming I finish the remaining 82 books by the time I graduate from college I will be reading Judy Blume's book, narrated by and intended for newly pubescent girls, when I'm between the ages of 18 and 22. Considering that my first period will be ten years behind me I don't see Blume having much to offer me. I can't even begin to imagine the myriad challenges that obtaining this book, let alone reading it will present. As of now I plan to read it last, a male college senior reading a book for middle school girls is just deliciously ironic. I'll be sure to post updates as I consider new ways to go about getting and reading the book, as of now I'm hoping its embedded online somwehere.
For now and for the near-future I'll be sticking to the mid-length and reasonably relatable books on the list. I'm halfway through Revolutionary Road and I plan to read American Pastoral next.
Honestly though, I'm dreading one book on the list far more than any other. This dread has nothing to do with the book's length. If I hope to accomplish my goal of reading each book on the list I'm going to have to read Judy Blume's timeless classic Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. When my beffudlement at the idea of a book for ten-year-olds making this list over Brave New World finally began to subside (it took some time, trust me) it was replaced by legitamate concern for how I'd go about reading it. Assuming I finish the remaining 82 books by the time I graduate from college I will be reading Judy Blume's book, narrated by and intended for newly pubescent girls, when I'm between the ages of 18 and 22. Considering that my first period will be ten years behind me I don't see Blume having much to offer me. I can't even begin to imagine the myriad challenges that obtaining this book, let alone reading it will present. As of now I plan to read it last, a male college senior reading a book for middle school girls is just deliciously ironic. I'll be sure to post updates as I consider new ways to go about getting and reading the book, as of now I'm hoping its embedded online somwehere.
For now and for the near-future I'll be sticking to the mid-length and reasonably relatable books on the list. I'm halfway through Revolutionary Road and I plan to read American Pastoral next.
I think you'll like Are You There God? way more than you think--I LOVED that book but I also read it as a female tween, but it was still one of my favorites. She's a great writer I really think you will actually like it!
ReplyDelete