2012’s 24 Reads MARCH: Watership Down by Richard Adams It’s been a while since I posted one of my 24 reads. I think I’m already behind by one book last February. I’m still struggling with The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. I don’t have a special except to quote for this book unlike past posts. I guess the two things that attracted me to it were: (1) rabbits (what is that rabbit doing on the cover of the book anyway?), and (2) references taken from different works after every chapter. The first chapter actually begins with a reference to Aeschylus’ Agamemnon. Looks like I’ll be quoting a part of the book after all. Chorus: Why do you cry out thus, unless at some vision of horror?Cassandra: The house reeks of death and dripping blood.Chorus: How so? ‘Tis but the odour of the altar sacrifice.Cassandra: The stench is like a breath from the tomb. I guess I’m just a sucker for “classics” (like the Iliad, the Odyssey, Shakespeare). I love the devices these writers use. They reveal much of the expanse and power of language. I hope I won’t struggle with this one.
View Separately

2012’s 24 Reads

MARCH: Watership Down by Richard Adams

It’s been a while since I posted one of my 24 reads. I think I’m already behind by one book last February. I’m still struggling with The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.

I don’t have a special except to quote for this book unlike past posts. I guess the two things that attracted me to it were: (1) rabbits (what is that rabbit doing on the cover of the book anyway?), and (2) references taken from different works after every chapter. The first chapter actually begins with a reference to Aeschylus’ Agamemnon. Looks like I’ll be quoting a part of the book after all.

Chorus: Why do you cry out thus, unless at some vision of horror?
Cassandra: The house reeks of death and dripping blood.
Chorus: How so? ‘Tis but the odour of the altar sacrifice.
Cassandra: The stench is like a breath from the tomb.

I guess I’m just a sucker for “classics” (like the Iliad, the Odyssey, Shakespeare). I love the devices these writers use. They reveal much of the expanse and power of language.

I hope I won’t struggle with this one.

2012’s 24 Reads [At the rate I’m going, I can finish two books each month, so I’ll be doing 24 instead of 12 reads this 2012.] FEBRUARY: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom Here is an excerpt from the start of the novel: The End This is a story about a man named Eddie and it begins at the end, with Eddie dying in the sun. It might seem strange to start a story with an ending. But all endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time.
Pop-upView Separately

2012’s 24 Reads

[At the rate I’m going, I can finish two books each month, so I’ll be doing 24 instead of 12 reads this 2012.]

FEBRUARY: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Here is an excerpt from the start of the novel:

The End

This is a story about a man named Eddie and it begins at the end, with Eddie dying in the sun. It might seem strange to start a story with an ending. But all endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time.

Worked on this from afternoon to evening with my sister. :’) *tears of joy*
Pop-upView Separately

Worked on this from afternoon to evening with my sister. :’) *tears of joy*

40 intriguing questions.

  • 1. What’s a question you’re afraid to ask? To whom?
  • 2. What’s something you hide about your personality?
  • 3. What’s something other people think about you that you don’t agree with?
  • 4. How do you deal with criticism?
  • 5. What’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for you?
  • 6. What’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever done for someone?
  • 7. What’s something sweet you’d like someone to do for you?
  • 8. Describe your favourite texture.
  • 9. Which national or global tragedy were you closest to and how did it affect you?
  • 10. Post a photo/draw a picture/write a poem (pick one) of a moment of personal significance.
  • 11. Which fictional character would you most like to have lunch with and why?
  • 12. Who would you say is your “anti” role model? Someone who serves as a warning rather than an inspiration?
  • 13. What’s your least “politically correct” opinion?
  • 14. What kind of underwear do you imagine Sherlock Holmes wears?
  • 15. What’s one of the most difficult things you’ve ever had to do?
  • 16. If you were an element on the Periodic Table, which would you be and why?
  • 17. What’s the most infuriating thing your parents (or caregiver) do?
  • 18. Which Disney Princess do you most identify with and why? Which is your favourite and why? And yes- ANYONE can answer this question.
  • 19. You’re an Action Movie Hero. What’s your weapon of choice and the line you scream when defeating your arch enemy?
  • 20. What’s the silliest fan theory you’ve ever come up with?
  • 21. What did you think about before you fell asleep last night?
  • 22. What’s the oddest term of endearment you’ve ever used or that someone’s used for you?
  • 23. What motivates you in life?
  • 24. What was something you used to enjoy, but was ruined for you? What’s the story behind that?
  • 25. How do you think you will fare when the Zombie Apocalypse arrives?
  • 26. Which mythological creature are you most like? Why? And if you could be any mythological creature, which would you want to be? Why?
  • 27. Write a brief story about an actual adventure you’ve had.
  • 28. Describe one of the most awkward experiences of your life.
  • 29. What’s something that scares you about the future?
  • 30. List 5 quirky things about yourself.
  • 31. Describe your dream library.
  • 32. What’s the weirdest item you’ve ever mourned?
  • 33. If you could design an amusement park ride, what would it be like?
  • 34. Do you have any “rules” about food?
  • 35. What’s your opinion on age differences in relationships?
  • 36. What’s something you want to do that you’d be embarrassed to tell other people about?
  • 37. Describe a time/event in your life that you’re nostalgic for.
  • 38. How do you approach social situations?
  • 39. What is your ideal bed? Why?
  • 40. Post a short excerpt of your life.
  • Leave a number in my ask.
2012’s 24 Reads JANUARY: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Here is an excerpt: He saw himself in her eyes, suspended in two shining drops of bright water, himself dark and tiny, in fine detail, the lines about his mouth, everything there, as if her eyes were two miraculous bits of violet amber that might capture and hold him intact. Her face, turned to him now, was fragile milk crystal with a soft and constant light in it. It was not the hysterical light of electricity but—-what? But the strangely comfortable and rare and gently flattering light of the candle. One time, as a child, in a power failure, his mother had found and lit a last candle and there had been a brief hour of rediscovery, of such illumination that space lost its vast dimensions and drew comfortably around them, and they, mother and son, alone, transformed, hoping that the power might not come on again too soon… .
Pop-upView Separately

2012’s 24 Reads

JANUARY: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Here is an excerpt:

He saw himself in her eyes, suspended in two shining drops of bright water, himself dark and tiny, in fine detail, the lines about his mouth, everything there, as if her eyes were two miraculous bits of violet amber that might capture and hold him intact. Her face, turned to him now, was fragile milk crystal with a soft and constant light in it. It was not the hysterical light of electricity but—-what? But the strangely comfortable and rare and gently flattering light of the candle. One time, as a child, in a power failure, his mother had found and lit a last candle and there had been a brief hour of rediscovery, of such illumination that space lost its vast dimensions and drew comfortably around them, and they, mother and son, alone, transformed, hoping that the power might not come on again too soon… .