Monday, April 30, 2007

I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore, Todo...


You might think this is strange, but when I accepted the New Notions 5 reading challenge, it never occurred to me that the challenge would actually be well...a challenge. I spent a very difficult time in the bookstore this afternoon, trying to pick out a book that didn’t make my lip curl with distaste. It was a lot harder than I thought! It started off well-enough with a first stop over into the poetry section because I never read books of poetry. Poetry is wonderful and I understand why it’s a revered form of creative artistry, but I myself tend to prefer prose. I find that I often have the same impatient response to poetry that I have to English opera, which is, to quote one of my favorite comedians Jerry Seinfeld: “You got something to say, say it!”

But this is a challenge, so poetry it is, only…I don’t know the first thing about poetry. Alright, I know the first thing. I know the classics: Lowell, Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, etc. But I want to read something new, something fresh. I want to know what’s happening in the poetry world now. So I do what any well-informed, sophisticated reader does: I start pulling books off the shelves based purely on attractive spines. Soon enough, I come across Hoops: Poems by Major Jackson. A quick browse of what’s inside sounds cool and hip enough (and, really, how can you go wrong with a name like Major Jackson?). May pick, down.

Floating on the ease of my first pick, I glide over to the sci-fi section when suddenly reality comes barreling down like a malfunctioning space ship falling from the sky. A quick browse of the wild, unfamiliar titles has me whispering aloud, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore Todo.” For a minute, I’m standing in the middle of the aisle trying to remember exactly why I didn’t take John Otter up on his offer of a sci-fi recommendation (I seem to recall thinking, “Oh, it can’t be that hard! I’ll pop in, see something that strikes my fancy and pop back out!). I’ve read sci-fi before. Last year I read, Dune by Frank Herbert, a long time ago I read Tolkein’s The Hobbit, the entire Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, and half of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers before I gave up and decided that I’d rather watch the movies. And, for months, I’ve been in the middle of reading The Selected Stories of Philip K. Dick by Philip K. Dick.

So I’m not completely inexperienced, and there was that time when I was forced to read William Gibson’s Idoru for a class in communications. But peeking into the titles I pull from the shelf has my gut clinching in the same distress I experienced during the week of Idoru. I’m feeling literally repelled by this section of books. Just when did this section get so big? And why are all the books over 700 pages long? If I’m going to challenge myself with some sci-fi, must I be masochistic about it too? But finally, world of wonders, after I’ve decided upon Neil Gaiman’s Fragile Things, the light bulb goes off! There was this book I heard about months back called The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman...Ding! Why don’t I read that? And it’s located in the young adult section (another section you’ll never find me in) so I get to kill two birds with one stone! June pick, down...

This post has turned out to be entirely too long so I’ve decided to split it into two. Tune in later for the final installment of “I Don't Think We’re in Kansas Anymore Todo…”! Next up: choosing a graphic novel, needing help in the self-help section, and spending too much time in history.

26 comments:

Poem Reader said...

Great post! I'm not keen on science fiction either, but I'm thinking of giving it another try with David Anthony Durham's upcoming novel _Acacia_.

Anonymous said...

You're right about Sci-Fi novels all being lengthy, I don't know what it is about the genre that encourages length. I've heard a lot of good things about The Golden Compass so you should be good there.

I'm looking forward to the second half of your post, especially what you picked for a graphic novel. And I have no idea how you picked a Self-help book, I have no interest in those.

Anonymous said...

What a great resource!

Anonymous said...

You're so cool! I do not think I've truly read through a single thing like this before.
So wonderful to find someone with genuine thoughts on
this issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up.
This website is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
My webpage : Lexington Law

Anonymous said...

I visited various web sites however the audio quality for audio songs present at this site
is genuinely marvelous.
Feel free to visit my blog post - buy vietnam dong

Anonymous said...

What's up to every one, as I am actually keen of reading this web site's post to
be updated on a regular basis. It contains good
data.
Also visit my webpage : Go adult dating chat site

Anonymous said...

Malaysia & Singapore & brunei best internet blogshop for wholesale & supply korean add-ons,
earrings, earstuds, pendant, rings, hair, bracelet & bracelet accessories.
Deal 35 % wholesale markdown. Ship Worldwide
Here is my web page www.unemployment.ohio.gov

Anonymous said...

Hi, just wanted to tell you, I loved this blog post.
It was practical. Keep on posting!
Look at my webpage ... michigan unemployment benefits

Anonymous said...

I used to be able to find good info from your blog articles.
Review my web site : power boat brokerage ecommerce specialist

Anonymous said...

Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and
found that it is truly informative. I'm gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

Feel free to visit my blog - low carb recipes

Anonymous said...

Does your website have a contact page? I'm having trouble locating it but, I'd like to shoot you an email.

I've got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.

Feel free to surf to my site ... paläoernährung

Anonymous said...

Hi, I desire to subscribe for this website to get hottest updates, thus where can i do it please assist.


my webpage :: low carb laden

Anonymous said...

I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get setup? I'm assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I'm not very web smart so I'm not 100% sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

My web page; glutenfreie Lebensform

Anonymous said...

Currently it sounds like BlogEngine is the preferred blogging platform available right
now. (from what I've read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

Feel free to visit my homepage :: schnelle diäten

Anonymous said...

Hi there to every one, the contents present at this
web page are actually amazing for people experience, well, keep up the nice work fellows.


Here is my web-site mittagessen rezepte

Anonymous said...

We are a group of volunteers and starting
a brand new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with useful info to work on.
You have performed an impressive job and our entire
neighborhood will be grateful to you.

Here is my webpage; Thailändische
My website - traditionell

Anonymous said...

Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Thanks for supplying this info.


Here is my web page ... Love Bite
Also see my page :: .UTTVLzDqh8E

Anonymous said...

Attractive portion of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to
claim that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts.

Any way I will be subscribing for your feeds and even I success you get admission to persistently rapidly.



Here is my weblog: get more pinterest followers

Anonymous said...

This article will assist the internet viewers for setting up new weblog or even a blog from start to end.


Feel free to surf to my webpage: Best Home Based Businesses

Anonymous said...

Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the issues.
It was really informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Thanks for sharing!

Here is my web page - xxx Movies

Anonymous said...

Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written
and come with almost all vital infos. I would like to peer more posts like
this .

My blog post: teenporn

Anonymous said...

Post writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with afterward you can write otherwise it is complicated
to write.

Review my page ... www.babesflick.com

Anonymous said...

Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am
a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; we have developed some
nice methods and we are looking to exchange solutions with others, be sure to shoot
me an email if interested.

Also visit my blog ... summer internship

Anonymous said...

Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave
it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!


My web page; jnmassage.info

Anonymous said...

I am curious to find out what blog system you happen to be using?
I'm experiencing some small security problems with my latest website and I'd like to find something more
risk-free. Do you have any solutions?

My web site :: summer internship

Anonymous said...

Why visitors still use to read news papers when in this technological
globe everything is presented on web?

Also visit my web page; summer internship