I Likes to Read :-)

Upon arriving at my NYU apartment, one of the things I was excited for was to use the NYU Library. It would be so much easier finding books in there, than at the public library since far fewer people are using it. So let me tell you I was very shocked to learn that I couldn't use the library because I'm not a student at NYU. WTF?!?! I'm paying for your fucking overpriced apartment, and I can't use the library?!?! NYU is a bitch. Case closed.

So after work, I stopped by one of the public libraries. I wasn't even sure if they would give me a card, but they did! The lady was so nice about it too. She should be employee of the month. Then I went searching for books. I figured all the ones I wanted would be gone. They were all there. New York Public Library you really made my day. Way to not let me down. I truly appreciate that.

What a fine way to segue into my summer reading list. I saw one of my pal's who blogs post his, so I thought it might be a good idea to put mine on here too. Who knows if I'll get to them all, but I'm going to try. I've already finished one yay :-)

Summer Reading List

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

My Fiction Workshop professor pretty much told us we had to read this book. We read a couple of short stories by García Márquez, which I really loved. According to my professor, García Márquez is the master of magical realism. I look forward to reading this one.

Arcadia by Thomas Stoppard

I wanted to make sure that I read a quality play this summer. A friend recommended this one, and I've heard raves about it. I picked this up at the library today, but instead of just getting Arcadia, I decided to get a collection of five plays by Stoppard. I hope I have time to read them all. I've seen Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are dead, and it was excellent. Apparently, Stoppard's stuff is top quality so I am very excited.

Ariel by Sylvia Plath

I also picked this one up today at the library. I needed some poetry on my list. From what I know about Plath, I feel like I would really like her. I guess I'll know pretty soon.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Wow more Sylvia Plath haha! I read this when I was younger, but I was too young to really understand it, so I'm coming back to it. I did that way too often as a kid, so now I have to backtrack and read them all over again. Whatever, I'm sure it will be worth it.

Dylan Thomas... anything by him

I haven't yet decided exactly what I'm going to read by him, but everyone loves Dylan Thomas, so his work can't be all bad. Plus, I needed more poetry on my list. The fact that part of Bob Dylan's pseudonym comes from this guy should be enough reason to read anything by him.

Ends and Means by Aldous Huxley

I have read both Brave New World and Brave New World Revisited. I liked them very much, but it was clear to me that he is an essayist at heart. This was confirmed when I saw the The Complete Essays of Aldous Huxley is 7 volumes! Anyway, I needed some non-fiction on my list, and I thought this might suffice.

The Fall by Albert Camus

Camus. He's French; he waxes philosophic. Need I ask for more? No. I've read The Stranger, The Plague and Caligula, as well as been a participant in a heated philosophical conversation touching upon The Myth of Sisyphus. Camus has not disappointed me thus far.

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

The only reason I think I might not like this is because Jodie on Daria doesn't like Ayn Rand. If I remember correctly, Jodie said she was vulgar and sensational. If there is any fictional character that is shares many of the same attributes as me, it is Jodie Langdon. She would never start to slack off like I did. Anyway, I've heard many mixed things about Rand. I thought it was time to I decide for myself how I feel about her work.

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

Murakami is know as one of Japan's finest contemporary novelists. As a lover of Japanese culture and good literature, this book seemed like the perfect addition to my summer reading list. Here is another guy who likes his magical realism, and I know I like magical realism, so this should turn out to be a good pick. Plus, I've heard this is a quintessential "thinking person's" book. I like to think I am a "thinking person".

New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton

I've got another Thomas on my list, but the two are nothing alike. This book will fulfill my need for something spiritual on my reading list. It was between this and St. Augustine's Confessions. I decided to go with this one because Merton is still alive.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

I picked this one up today too! Here's another big time Japanese writer (technically, he's British). To be perfectly honest, I stole this off of a friend's facebook page. I know they have good taste in books so it seemed logical. Is that creepy?

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

I actually have not read a lot of Vonnegut, which is surprising to me. I have read some of his short stories, and I really love his work, especially his voice and style as an author. I honestly don't know why I haven't read more of his stuff. Well, I've declared this summer the time to start!

The Wanderer by Alain-Fournier

I love France. I love the country, the language, the culture; I love everything about it. This is classic French literature so I had to put it on my list. I actually finished reading this one. Great read. I got through it so quick. I was hanging onto every word, so excited to see what would happen. It's a beautiful coming of age story that I highly recommend, especially for people who appreciate classic literature.

Thus concludes my Summer Reading List. I really hope I get to them all, but between internships, a part-time job, friends and my writing (currently working on 2 screenplays, 1 play, and 2 short stories), I don't know if it can be done. Wish me luck!

Peace,

Kim