I have been pretty lazy this week, and I haven’t done a lot of reading. I have been watching TV and videos, reading things on the Internet, playing games, and making soap, but I haven’t been reading much. I think the problem is that I am not really enthralled by the books I’m currently reading.
Bad English teacher confession time. Here goes. I am finding Walden to be quite a slog. I am going to finish it, and honestly, I’m trying, but it is not grabbing me. It’s one of those things I think I should read so I can say I read it (I know, I know… there is no such thing). I am an English teacher, though, and an American literature teacher at that. I have only ever read parts of Walden before, and those parts are good. I do find myself highlighting certain chapters heavily. But for the most part? It’s kind of boring. There, I said it. (Ducks and runs.) Seriously, though, I think we have a classic like that. We know we’re supposed to like it because it’s a classic, but we just don’t. I feel doubly bad, though, because Walden is one of the most iconic books about Massachusetts, and I have actually been there and found it to be what Thoreau did—a very special place. It was in the middle of February, and the pond was frozen over. I was actually standing on it.
My current paper book, I Always Loved You by Robin Oliveira is one of those slow starters. I can tell it’s about to get good. I can. But it isn’t there, yet. I am not giving up on it at this point, but if it doesn’t start showing itself pretty soon, I am. I will be sad to do so as I was looking forward to this book. I have stuff to read, however, and I don’t have a lot of time to waste on two books that aren’t doing it for me.
I am, however, enjoying All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, but it is an audio book, so it is taking me longer. On the other hand, you know it must be good if I just volunteered to do the dishes tonight so I can listen to the book while I work. I don’t do well just sitting and listening to an audio book, but if I’m busy—traveling somewhere, doing chores, making soap—I love listening to a book. I have about three hours left in that one.
In other news, all of my herbs are coming up in my herb garden!
The cilantro is especially fast. The parsley just started coming up, so it might be kind of hard to see, and the oregano is kind of tiny, so also hard to see. But those little leaves are there! I didn’t think they’d really be coming up this fast. I am pretty proud that I was able to get them to grow. I am terrible with plants. I mean really terrible.
So what is cooking in your reading life at the moment?
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I know the feeling! I’ve had an especially hard time reading YA since the beginning of last school year. I had a plan to read lots this summer, including All the Bright Places, but as you know, I need to prep for AP Lit and Comp. I finished Song of Solomen and love it but fear I can’t use it as a whole class novel. I’m reading All the Pretty Horses for AP and am confident I’ll be teaching it. It will appeal to my students. I’m also starting a book study w/ my mentor from the MTP. Our first book is On Writing Well. I just got a consulting gig that is going to take every spare minute this summer and fall, so the YA will contunue waiting.
I don’t know. I should get started on all of that, too. I am letting myself be a bit lazy for a little while, though. The end of the year was hard.
Dana recently posted…Sunday Post #22: Lazy
Walden IS boring. You don’t have to feel guilty about noticing that. Everyone has noticed. It’s incredibly boring. Moreover, Thoreau went home on weekends and had his mother do his laundry for him so sometimes when I am reading Walden I just really think that he should PIPE DOWN. You should read The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail instead; it makes Thoreau far more lovable.
Jenny @ Reading the End recently posted…Fic, Anne Jamison
I have! I taught that play one year. Thank goodness it isn’t just me!