Friday, April 01, 2011

A, B, C

Many, many, many, many moons ago I wrote a post about a trip to the library and a corresponding goal.

I know have been DYING to know what became of that goal (to read a book by an author whose last name started with A, followed by one whose last name started with B, etc. and etc.).

"What letter is she on?" you may have asked yourself over the last few years. "Has she made it through the alphabet? What on earth did she read for X? Did she even make it past A?"

The questions are endless and I have left you hanging. For that I apologize and offer these hope-filled words: "Hang no more."

(Don't worry, this is not an April Fool's joke!)

Yes I have continued on. No I did not read through the entire alphabet.

YET.

I have in fact only made it through the letter C (but I have letter D sitting on my living room table; I WAS going to start it but another book came in the mail which I will be sharing with you next week, THEN comes D).

I'm sure every. single. one. of you are dying with curiosity at this point. Hanging on every. single. word that I type....

WHAT, by golly, did she read AND DID she like them?

Lucky you, that's what comes next!

Author A: Jane Austin. I read Mansfield Park. As this was 2.5 years ago, I don't remember a ton. It was not one of my favorite Austin books (I liked Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice much better). I remember it being a little hard to get through, but enjoyable.

Author B: Pearl S. Buck. This was a very pleasant find. If you've never read Ms. Buck's words before, she writes predominately about China (an obvious interest of mine). For this little project I read Peony, which I loved. The main character is a Chinese servant girl living in a Jewish household in China, one of the last Jewish households in the city (which is in Henan province where Suhn is from!!). The book does a great job showcasing the struggle between culture and heritage. I have read more of Ms. Buck's novels as a result of reading this one and plan to read more in the future.

Author C: Willa Cather. I chose O Pioneers! I LOVED the first sentence in this book, "One January day, thirty years ago, the little town of Hanover, anchored on a windy Nebraska tableland, was trying not to be blown away." I thought the book was beautifully written, and the entire time I read it I felt like I knew the story (I think it was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie years and years ago and that I watched it.). I did not like the ending, but thoroughly enjoyed Willa's writing style and would like to read My Antonia which is considered by many to be her masterpiece.

So there you have it... A, B, and C.

Curious what D is?

My previous hope-filled words do not apply anymore...

Here is where I leave you hanging!

2 comments:

Emily said...

that is just wrong. plain wrong.
i need to read at least one jane austin. i am reading the good earth now-- oh how i love that one!
i will read peony now that you rec it and the C one sounds great too! what a fun project!!!! when you get to "S" read "Snow flower and the secret Fan" by Lisa See!
For D read "Bound by Love" the CCAI story:)

Holly said...

I love Willa Cather! I really think you'll enjoy O Pioneers!