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Playing Catch Up

I'm trying to re-enter the stratosphere of reality without crashing and burning. So far, I'd say I'm barely squeaking through. Work is work, and I'm drowning in stuff already, but at least enjoying the week before the students descend.

I finally finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, and I'm trying to write up a review/reaction, but as usual, I have no idea what the hell Murakami is trying to say to me.

I started Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close in NY, and I feel like this book is violating me. I don't want to keep reading it, but I can't stop. It is soooooo sad, and I've cried about 4 times already. Additionally, it makes my stomach knot up with anxiety on a pretty continual basis while it also makes me miss my mom to a ridiculous degree. And yet, cannot put it down. I was further depressed by it today when I read that JSF was 28 when it came out. I'm 28, and I'm pretty sure I haven't created anything that makes peoples' stomachs knot up like that. Crap.

Finally, there are a ton of notes lying around from my NY trip that I hope to turn into something of interest later tonight. So much stuff to do before classes start next week!

Comments

Laura said…
i have read both of those and can definitely agree about HBWL. . . what??? i really enjoyed his other books, though. As for Extremely Loud, man that book is powerful. i read it on the plane to Sweden this summer and was mesmerized.
January 5, 2010 at 4:50 PM
Briana said…
don't measure yourself against one piece of person. most of the world hasn't even written a book by 28 (or 38) and never will, but they contribute in other ways. And for all you know - he might be a total jerk in person. The ability to create beauty does not necessarily require a beautiful soul for some reason (why IS that?) whereas others create nothing at all, but leave happiness in their wake. it's late - I shall stop before bad poetry begins to emerge.
January 5, 2010 at 11:16 PM
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