Laura > Recent Status Updates

You guys, the feeling I’m feeling right now.

“You know and understand things about the heart of God that only YOU can teach”

Every book has its own rhythm, and it usually takes several chapters to get in sync with a book (more if the setting or style is unfamiliar). I think I'm finally there, loping along at the slow pace of long days in the hot sun where the only prospect for tomorrow is more of the same mediocre biscuits and mild complaints. It's a pace of life where you study the moon's phases and speculate idly on the future.

Does this get less boring

JESSIE BUCKLEY READS IT?

Can't believe I almost quit on this...

When I feel done with a book, I like to look at reviews to see if it is worth pushing through and finishing. I look at the 1 star reviews to see people's complaints; I look at the 4-5 star reviews to see their celebrations. If I'm still intrigued, I reread the beginning to see if I missed something. Then, if I really decide I'm in, I dedicate a solid hour to just reading it. I did all that and decided I'm all in!

Is this my George Eliot (Mary Ann Evan’s) era?

What a great story! And it’s filled with Eliot’s incisive comments on the human condition and great character building.

The list of characters I don’t like is a lot longer than the list of the ones I do like….

Ding Dong, the witch is dead! (Finally)

This book oversimplifies plots and begs questions it doesn’t answer… and yet there is something to it that is really profound. He’s attempting to organize the history of literature around the benefits it offers to the human heart. Ambitious and fascinating, even when I disagree with him.

Entering the world of a classic book requires patience. I have to ask what the book wants me to pay attention to, and I admit I was paying attention to the wrong things at first. I thought the sisterly relationship important and missed the subtle set up to a very foolish marriage. I’ve been back and forth through this book a bit and I’m finally feeling connected to the characters.

Every story needs a storyteller. How lucky are we to have Daniel Nayeri to tell us the stories of Persian culture? I learn so much from each of his books.

The pacing is remarkable… not a dull moment!

I’m deeply invested in the central questions. I’ve been waiting all summer for a book like this.

Reading>sleeping

Sheepishly admitting that I've never read Stephen King (beyond some short stories and his impeccable On Writing) and I didn't realize what I was missing. The pacing is incredible.

How has no one told me about this book before?

As engrossing as a good deep-dive podcast…upsetting but fascinating.

Is this book tedious or am I just ruined for anything less than Moby Dick?

To finish this book you must be as single-minded as Captain Ahab.

Stopped in my tracks by an unexpected paragraph on the interplay between free will, determinism, and chance. Exceeding my expectations in every way.

Did not anticipate enjoying this as much as I am…

I am starting Moby Dick, a book I have feared, avoided, been drawn to, been fascinated by, been intimidated by, and taken for granted. I cannot quite understand the forces that compel me to take on challenges like this except that momentum has gathered to a point where I feel helpless to resist.