Wednesday, January 30, 2008

What I'm (not) reading

I always forget to tell y'all when I write a new book review. This time I could barely think of a book I read last month that was worth writing about. So I wrote about that.

I really do think that we should read what we like. Why? Because we like them--that ought to be reason enough. Once upon a time I would have said that I think good books can make you a better person, but I'm not sure I believe that now. A really well-written book in any genre is a joy, but I don't think I'm a better person because I've read a lot of books. In fact, I wish I could get a time refund on some.

The best book I have read in a long time: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. I don't know why I waited so long to read this. It's just...beautiful, and the most complex, nuanced portrayal of a Christian character I've ever read.

A book I started and decided to abandon: Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley. I've enjoyed a lot of her other novels, but couldn't get into the story of a teenage boy raising a dragon in secret. I'd think I've outgrown the teenage fantasy genre, but if something as good as Harry Potter came out, I'd be all over it.

Thus endeth the book talk.

3 comments:

  1. I've fallen down on the job reading too. I've finished 3 books in Jan which is a real dry spell for me. I've been reading too many blogs!

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  2. I just re-watched Lord of the Rings. I am going to make re-reading it and the hobbit my summer reading goal. Nerding out is awesome.

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  3. I'm currently reading my first Walter Mosley book... again. I tried him a long time ago and couldn't get into it, and I must admit I'm struggling to care about this one, too. Everyone sings his praises, so I feel like I should press on and see if I can discover what's so great. But I'm starting to think he just doesn't fall into my "great" category.

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