Book 30: Finished.

If I told you that I had to make myself finish this book would you hate me?

I just didn't like it.

I really tried to read it with an open mind...and not get angry or upset by the horrid writing, and the confusing narrative, but I still just don't like it.

I can "Get" why it is taught so often, and why it is an important piece of literature. And by all means, I should have liked it since I usually like novels like this. But I found it to be boring. And when the tragedies and violence finally struck, I wasn't even moved by it.

It was more of a "that sucks" kind of reaction.

But I tried, I really did. I attempted to like the characters, but the only ones I enjoyed were Piggy and Simon. They were the only two with any sense and the only two I didn't cringe at when they spoke.

So yeah. You could say I am not a fan of Golding's masterpiece. It happens and there is no harm done.

I will say that I liked the idea of the book. A group of schoolboys alone on an island and forced to survive. Kids will obviously handle such a tragedy different than adults will, so it was interesting to see how they tried to set up leadership and what their priorities were for survival.

As I pointed out before I began the book, I read this in part for the LOST Books Challenge and yes, there were a ton of similarities:

• The struggle between two leaders (Jack and Locke) that threatens to tear apart a group of survivors)
• Being lost on and island and forced to survive
• The savagery of certain individuals vs. those who want to survive and be rescued
• The plans for eventual rescue by different individuals vs. the needs of the group to survive
• The hunting of the wild boar
• Violence between individuals in the groups

There is more, but those are the biggies.

Anyway, I'm glad to be done with this and not have it hanging over my head any longer. On to something more interesting....


*I'm sorry about the "downer" way this post seems. I just really didn't enjoy the book and I really just don't enjoy writing about it. It happens and I hope to have better things to say about my next book.*

Book 30: Lord of the Flies.

I think most young adults in the United States were forced to read Lord of the Flies sometime in their school career. I feel for them, because I never had to. For some unknown reason, I never "had" to read this book and I never felt any real desire to pick it up on my own in high school either.

With that being said, I know the jist of the story fairly well. After all, since most American teens are forced to read this (Yes, I am using the word "force"), I was the minority all throughout college when the book was referenced, just like I was when Of Mice and Men was talked about (nope, never read that either). Thus, I felt like I had to at least acquaint myself with the book so I at least knew the story. I even went out and bought a copy.

Then I started reading. I got 30 pages in, determined it was stupid, threw it at the wall, and moved on with my life.

I still have my copy. One corner is bent pretty badly from hitting the wall.

While I do believe that we should be reading more of the classics in general, I hate that certain titles are thrown down the throats of American high schoolers. As an educator, I am a big proponent of choices in the classroom. When it came time for me to assign projects during my student teaching and when I taught history last year, I always offered options. I personally don't think it is right to assume that every student will like everything I do, so I try and vary assignments accordingly. I have always said that when I do have my own classroom and I am teaching English, I will most certainly offer choices. Taking into account that there is a specific canon I need to teach, I will do while offering my students choices about the books they are expected to read.

I am sure that most of us can remember a time when we were told to read a book that we absolutely hated. I can also go on a rant here about finding suitable books for age groups. For example, I read Great Expectations when I was 13 for school. Even though I was in the advanced English class, I had no idea what the book was about and hated that it was forced down my throat. I was too young to understand it.

Lord of the Flies is commonly taught at that same age, or a year older. Do you think it is really possible for every 13 and 14 year old to understand the significance of this book? Sure, I bet a handful will "Get it," but most won't. Especially since in most districts you don't learn about the fear of the Cold War and the threat of nuclear holocaust until a year or two after that. It doesn't make sense.

Anyway, I suppose I am trying to say that even though I haven't read this book from cover to cover yet, we already have a lot of history together. It should be interesting, and hopefully eye-opening to finally read it. Perhaps my opinions will change...

Book 30: Book Stats.

Title: Lord of the Flies
Author: William Golding (1911-1993)
First Published: 1954

My Edition: Perigee
Pages: 208

Other Works Include: The Inheritors (1955), Free Fall (1959), The Pyramid (1967), Rites of Passage (1980)

While most children growing up in America have to read Lord of the Flies in middle or high school, I never had to. It was not on any of our school's reading lists when I was in school, so I was never forced to read it. By the time I got to college, it was simply assumed we all knew the story and I can recall countless professors referencing it in class to make points.

However, I have never read Lord of the Flies. I attempted to read it in college when I was sick of not understanding the references, but I made it only a few pages in before I determined I hated it. So, needless to say, this will be my first reading of it.

I am also counting this towards the Lost Books Challenge as one of the five books I am reading.

Sunday Salon: March 14, 2010.

I am so glad that it is Sunday night and I am home at last! The last 4 days have been extremely busy for me. I finally got notice that my substitute teaching paperwork was finished and I was free to get sub jobs!

I managed to get a job for Thursday and Friday in a district a little north of where I live. It was for the same teacher both days. It also happened to be for ninth graders in U.S. History! I was pretty excited and had a great time both days. We got to talk about the 1950's, which is such a fun era. It was also nice to be back in a classroom and it solidified that I just need my own classroom.

I miss teaching.

I also worked Thursday night for the parks. We're going back to full-time hours starting on the 29th, which I am excited for, and I go back to being a supervisor (yay for more pay!). I am hoping I can maintain a balance between subbing as much as possible while still working for the parks as much as possible.

Yesterday I traveled to Battle Creek, Michigan (on the west side) for my best friend's wedding shower. It was a long drive (2 1/2 hours), but I had a blast. I then had to hurry back since Matt, Kyla, and I went to a concert!

It has been a long time since I have been to a live concert, and since it was our all-time favorite band, we had to go! And Muse didn't disappoint! They were amazing live! Matt and I saw them about 6 years ago while I was up at Michigan State. That was LONG before they were ever well-known and that concert had maybe 1000 people there. They were awesome then, but it was cooler to see them in such a large venue last night! The lights were amazing and the energy of the crowd was insane!

Muse is one of those bands that is better live than on record. If you are a fan, I highly suggest you try and catch their show. You will never forget it!

I also worked today for the parks and we tore down some walls at one of the shelters in preparation for the upcoming summer. It is getting warmer and our patrons are getting the springtime itch to have everything up and running again. The park goes back to being open 7 days a week tomorrow and I know everyone will be happy about that. I just can't wait till our other employees come back and summer goes into full swing.

So, to say I am tired is an understatement. I have been on the go since very early Thursday morning, so I cannot wait to go to bed tonight. Especially after losing an hour with the time change. However, I have a book to finish and brackets for March Madness to fill out. Matt told me I have to do them since in the pool he enters, a woman wins every year, and she is usually a wife or fiance of one of the guys. He told me that this year is our turn. So I told him I am going to pick my teams based on literary references.

This has been a great reading week. I finished Wuthering Heights and read all of Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. I also started Lord of the Flies by William Golding and am thisclose to finishing it. I told Matt I am not going to bed until I finish it.

I'm not sure what I am going to pick up next. A few weeks ago I attempted to pick out the next 25 or so books to read to give myself some direction, but I already derailed from it. Both O Pioneers and Alias Grace weren't on that list. I'm almost thinking I might read a play (not Shakespeare) for something different, but I am not sure.

Any suggestions?

I will leave you now with a video of a Muse performance of "Time is Running Out," one of my favorite Muse songs! Enjoy!

Sunday Salon: February 14, 2010.

First I just want to say, "Happy Valentine's Day!" to everyone! I hope you are able to spend some time with your loved ones today. Even if some say that V-Day is just a Hallmark holiday, I still think it is a special and wonderful day that gives you an excuse to be with your family and that someone special.

I am working today, so I will be spending time at the park in the cold. Unlike some other regions of the United States, Michigan really hasn't gotten a great deal of snow this winter. Usually we are the ones digging ourselves out, but we managed to miss the big storms. We did get about 5" on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, so it is great to finally have snow on the ground and the sled hill open at the park! I love working during the winter and seeing everyone coming out to enjoy the snow.

After work I'll probably be cooking Matt and I some dinner so we can spend the evening together. We don't have any special plans, but I assume after dinner we'll sit down and watch a movie, or better yet "Lost." I am still catching up, but I am getting there! Promise! And now that I am doing the LOST book challenge, I NEED to catch up to make more connections!

I had a good reading week this week. I finished up Washington Square by Henry James, which I found to be a pretty deceiving little book. I have a lot to say about in my posts, which will go up sometime this coming week.

I also signed up for two challenges in addition to reading 100+. The first is the LOST challenge I mentioned, and I think I picked some great things to read for it. I only have until May 23, but that seems to be plenty enough time.

The second challenge was the Chunkster Challenge, where I am going to read 6 of the Chunkster type novels on my list in the come year. It wasn't really hard to find 6 (I mean, I'm reading the CLASSICS for goodness sakes!), but I narrowed it down to 6 with 2 alternates. I decided to be proactive and start one this week. I'm now in the middle of The Mill on the Floss, which is one of two novels I haven't read by George Eliot (the other being Daniel Deronda, which is not on my list). It is a bigger book than what I have been flying through at 608 pages, so it might take me a little longer.

Anyway, goals for this week:

• Have all my Washington Square posts up by the end of the week
• Finish The Mill on the Floss
• Start reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding (for the LOST challenge).

It should be a good week.

Happy Reading everyone!