Saturday, October 27

All Hallows' Evening

Around my campus, there's been plenty of Halloween related events this year; we've had movie nights, game nights, a haunted forest, and no shortage of costume parties. It's been fun! (minus the ill-timed essays and midterms this week and next). I thought I'd share a quick bookshelf update:

Just Finished:
Gilgamesh by Anonymous - I started this for English class a couple weeks ago. It's a very quick read, but I'd only recommend this if you have a keen interest in ancient history; it's not exactly a bed time story. I did, however, find parts of this story amusing. So many of Gilgamesh's superhuman acts are treated in a completely nonchalant fashion. Here's an excerpt:

"There is one more way we can cross the vast ocean. Take your axe, cut down three hundred punting poles, each a hundred feet long, strip them, make grips, and bring them to me. I will wait for you here."

You might expect that this would become Gilgamesh's new quest, that he would spend days and weeks working to accomplish this huge feat. But here's the next paragraph:

"Gilgamesh went deep into the forest, he cut down three hundred punting poles, each a hundred feet long, he stripped them, made grips, and brought them to Urshanadi the boatman. They boarded the boat and sailed away. "

No big deal guys, chopping down a few hundred trees to make a raft is just part of my morning routine.

Currently Reading:
The Diviners by Libba Bray - Thank you Ashley! I haven't yet gotten far enough in this that I feel like I should make any judgements yet, but as far as I'm concerned, historical fiction + New York City + mystery + fantasy + Libba Bray = awesome.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - This is a re-read, also for English class. I loved it the first time I read it, and I love it even more now. The detail and descriptions in this novel are very poetic, and Plath masterfully weaves together a beautiful, yet tragic story. Despite her severe depression, the novel's main character, Esther, never becomes annoying or whiney. Through every twist and turn, I was still rooting for her. This novel is draining, and definitely not for everyone, but if you're looking for a serious book, I would highly recommend it.

What have you guys been reading recently?

I told myself I wouldn't put another video in this post, but I just had to share this one. It's nothing like my other music recommendations, but I love cinemagraphs, and how bizarre the video is.

Summer Camp - Down (2011)


Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone! Here's how I celebrate the holiday:
someecards.com - In the interest of fighting the childhood obesity epidemic, I've decided to eat all the Halloween candy I bought

6 comments:

  1. I read the Nicholas Flammel series awhile back and they mentioned Gilgamesh. He was quite a character in that one as well.

    And that card at the very end. Haha. Too funny.

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    1. I love that card; it pretty much sums up every Halloween I've had since I stopped trick-or-treating :P

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  2. Now I have even more catchy songs to get addicted to!
    I've been listening to this one on repeat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkBeOisNM0, I don't know why some songs get so stuck in your head. Is the bell jar very depressing? I've always been curious to read it.
    I'm going to pull a Gilgames and go cut down a forest now :)

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  3. That's such an addictive song; I've been listening to it non-stop since I first opened the link!
    The Bell Jar certainly isn't a feel-good novel, but it's not entirely depressing, either. Although the plot involves the main character's struggle with depression, I found that the novel centred more around feminism in the 1950's and Esther's frustration with trying to figure out what to do with her life. The writing is very poetic, and so easy to get caught up in; I would recommend it if you're ever in the mood for a more serious novel.

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  4. SAAARRRAAAAAHHHHHH!! I MISSS YOUUUU!!

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    1. I'm BAAAAAACK! :D
      (and I missed you too!)

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