Jared’s Comments (group member since May 18, 2010)

Jared’s comments from the ALISS Book Discussion Group group.

I really hate that I have to miss a Vonnegut book club meeting, but I think it would be sort of unfair to my wife to skip out on our anniversary (our fifth if you can believe it). I think we may be going to the Jazz Kitchen, so we'll be in the area. We might pop in for a few if we get out early enough.

It's been a crazy couple of months, and I really hate to miss another meeting. However, I have once again failed to finish the book in time (I may just go the audio book route next time). So I probably will not be there tonight. I will try my hardest to be at the next one because I do enjoy the meetings.
I'm about halfway through Never Let Me Go, and it is pretty interesting. I like the sort of warped perspective it has on what it means to live by having the main characters be synthetic humans created solely for organ donations (at least that's what seems to be happening so far). The tone is really odd because the person telling the story (for some reason I can't remember her name...that always happens to me in real life and in fiction) only has a very limited view on what it means to be human.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be making it to the meeting this time. I've been so busy lately, I don't know that I'll even finish it in time. I'm about 2/3 through it. I'm surprised that Jane Eyre really hasn't even factored into the plot much yet. Unless I'm missing something. My classic literature knowledge isn't really up to snuff, but I'm glad the book is accessible.
There is SO much going on. Ambiguous wars, time travel, magic portals into literature, etc. I don't think I've been able to concentrate on it as much as it deserves, but I have enjoyed it so far.
Plus, I love Acheron Hades. A good villain makes everything better.

I have work/class Mondays and Thursdays from about 1:00pm to about 8:15pm. I also usually work on Sundays until about 5:00pm. My job is very unpredictable, but I can probably work around any other time besides the ones I mentioned as long as I know in advance.

I am Jared Harmon, and I'm starting my 2nd semester. I was not in the Reader's Advisory class (I'm in the Technology Management Specialization program, so my class choices are a bit more strict). I will definitely take it if I can fit it in, though, because it sounds like fun.

I have been an avid fiction reader since I was a child. I love a good story, and I think they are a vital part of humanity. My tastes are all over the place. In my younger days, I was obsessed with horror books/stories. I still have a fondness for H.P. Lovecraft, Poe, and Stephen King. I like the madcap comedy of Vonnegut and Christopher Moore. I have always liked Science Fiction as well, but I am not as well read as I should be in that genre. I'm working on that. I'm trying to balance catching up on classics like Philip K Dick and Bradbury with my guilty pleasure of Star Wars novels. I also like fantasy, not so much the wizards and dragons kind, but more the mythic fantasy stuff like Neil Gaiman or some of Rushdie's books.

Anyway, this will be the first book club I've ever had the chance to be in, and I'm excited about it.