5:08 pm I didn’t think I’d get much reading done today, but I have. My family and I went to the early church service and Cracker Barrel afterwards, then home to watch football. I don’t like commercials. We have a DVR, so during the pauses I read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I’m 150 pages into it, with the majority of that being read today. Is that not an oxymoron–watching football while simultaneously reading The Bell Jar?
Anyway, I was afraid I wouldn’t like this because I didn’t like Mrs. Dalloway. Why would I associate these books together other than the fact that they were both by female writers who committed suicide? They are not at all alike, and I am finding Plath’s book very intriguing so far. Though brilliant, her personal insecurities and her disappointments with men obviously plagued her. I’m already finding numerous quotes that are worth mentioning in a review. I hope to finish this tonight or at the latest tomorrow.
I finished The House at Riverton by Kate Morton and The Cloud of Unknowing by Thomas H. Cook this week, too, though the reviews are not yet written. I’m a little disappointed with all the books I’ve finished so far this year. These two along with Dreamers of the Day will all get no more than a 3.5 rating. It looks like The Bell Jar will be at least a 4 or more, and I’m very surprised at that. I’m also 155 pages into Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood. I love it! It’s supposed to be somewhat autobiographical, and it’s really fascinating so far. Right now it’s in the 4.5 range, but I’ll see how it goes. Does anyone else do that? Have a mental rating that adjusts itself with the progress of the book? I usually know how I’ll rate a book when I’m about 3/4 through with it.
As for football, I can’t stand the Chargers (because I’m a Broncos fan), so I really wanted Indy to win. Oh well. Now I’d just as soon see New England win the whole thing. Even though I don’t particularly like them, it’s kind of neat to have such a great season in the history books. I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Bret Favre winning one more Superbowl, either. Last time he was there was against the Broncos, so I obviously rooted against him. I wouldn’t mind seeing him win one more before his retirement. All in all, though, I’m just hoping for good draft picks for the Broncos and Bengals for next year.
9:51 pm Guess what else I did? While watching the Dallas-NY game with the sound down, I listened to the first two CDs of the first Harry Potter book. My kids and husband have listened to the first three books, and they’ve been after me to catch up. So far, it’s better than I thought it would be.
Have a good reading week, everyone!
LOL. My hubby is from San Diego and he doesn’t like the Broncos, but he hates the Raiders more. =) I think you’re right about Pats taking the whole thing (again)….
I too rate my book as I read it. It can fluctuate as I go, but I can usually tell after 50-75 pages how it’s going to fare for me.
I want to read more Atwood this year. I have only read The Blind Assassin and The Penelopiad. I will be curious to read your review!
Funny you should mention The Bell Jar.. a friend just read that and recommended it. Why is it I don’t hear of a book and all of a sudden that’s all I hear about? Maybe I’ll give it a try.
Oh, and I sure hope NE wins it all!! I’m a big fan
Oh this is a bummer! I’m going to begin The Cloud of Unknowing this week. I hope I like it more than a 3.5.
I read The Bell Jar eons ago – and can’t remember now what I thought of it!
Yes, I tend to rate as I go – usually I know what the rating will be by mid-way through the book…but, sometimes I get surprised and change my mind by the end
I finally read the Bell Jar two years ago. When I finished it all I could think of was what took me so long. Fabulous. And, yes, I definitely adjust those mental ratings as the book progresses.
‘The Bell Jar’ is definitely in my TBR pile somewhere. Maybe I’d better go and fish it out and move it up. The trouble is that if it’s as far down as I think it is I could well be buried under the avalanche that would then ensue!
The Handmaid’s Tale is one of my favorite books. I’m glad you are liking it so far, and I’m interested to see what you end up rating it.