Currently Reading

I like to think of myself as an avid reader. But then my sister asked me for a book recommendation and I realized the only thing I have read in a long while are books for school.

Thankfully, that’s not entirely a bad thing.

I stacked the classes for my degree so that I left almost all of my elective classes for these last couple of semesters (I’m graduating in December). For many of my electives I’ve been taking literature classes. I’ve taken a children’s literature class, British literature, contemporary literature, and this semester I’m taking a class called ‘The Cultural Politics of Beauty’.

I’ve read and enjoyed Frankenstein, the Grimm Brothers, Beloved, White Noise, and I just finished The House of Mirth.

Currently I’m reading Salome of the Tenements. So far, so good.

The contemporary literature class was really fantastic because aside from reading books we also read editorial pieces from critics debating what makes a book ‘good’. It’s hard to put into words, but I remember distinctly that one of the critics said that to quantify a book as good it should be one that demands re-reading. I whole-heartedly agreed. While there are lots of enjoyable books, there is a difference between that and a book that is really great. I like a book that stays with me long after I’ve finished it. Something that makes me think. Of course I also like an easy read once in awhile, too.

One of the reasons I took the children’s literature class was to get idea’s of books to read with my kids. So far I’ve had Oldest Twin read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, he just finished it this week. I think we will do some fairy tales next. I’d like for him to see the difference between the cartoon versions he’s been exposed to and what the originals were.

Littlest is crazy about his Blue Hat, Green Hat book. He likes it because he can ‘read’ it all by himself. I love encouraging him. I think we’ll work on Brown Bear next.

What books have you been reading lately? Any recommendations?