Classic Literature

Hooray, I finally finished reading Dracula!

Why, you ask? Well, I had intended to read it as a "seasonal" selection for Halloween. I've read it once before in college for one of my favorite classes: Feasts of Blood and Gore--Varieties of the Gothic, if I remember the course name accurately. It didn't draw me in as quickly this time as it did then, though I suspect that is in part due to the fact that it wasn't required reading. I picked it up a few times, then the holidays came and went. No place for a vampire in Christmas celebrations!

But I'm back on a reading "kick," so I was determined to finish a book that's been basically gathering dust for 20 years. (To see what I've completed so far in my one-dollar book, you can check here and here.) I have to admit it was almost as if I were reading it for the first time. Sure, the characters and plot were familiar, but most of the details were virtually new to me. Of course, I remembered basically how the story ends. It was not, however, the way I had envisioned it. I definitely enjoyed it, though; and while it may not come off the shelf every Halloween as any sort of tradition, it was truly worth the time I spent on it.

What may be my favorite part, however, happened as I was in the home stretch. I came across a line that almost had me reaching for my highlighter. As our heroes are closing in on Dracula, they realize there were more clues waiting for them in their earlier notes and journals. Dr. Van Helsing remarks, "...when we can look back we see what we might have seen looking forward if we had been able to see what we might have seen! Alas! but that sentence is a puddle; is it not?"

That caught my attention for two reasons. In the grand scheme of things, it's true that sometimes we have to look to the past to understand and appreciate the present. It is said that hindsight is 20-20, and I know I've often found that to be true. You don't always know what you're looking for or what you can learn until that moment has passed.

On a smaller scale, however, I was so happy to see another example of how Stoker succeeds at showing us that English is clearly not Van Helsing's native language. Throughout the book, he speaks like someone who hasn't quite mastered all of the vocabulary and nuances of English. It's perfectly believable and natural sounding. What made me almost laugh out loud, however, was Van Helsing recognizing this in his own speech. He knows "that sentence is a puddle." It's a difficult concept to explain, made more difficult by him trying to find the best words.  He is editing himself, and that appeals to me.

Next time I proofread or edit a piece, perhaps I'll use the "puddle" line on a sentence that could use some clarity. On second thought, I don't want to risk being staked with my own red pen.

More Fun Reading

This has nothing to do with Valentine's Day, or the Olympics, or the nasty winter weather across the nation. So while this post may not be timely in terms of current events, it is timely in that I've finished reading two more stories. I promised myself I'd make note of what I thought about them.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've been trying to get back into the enjoyable habit of reading. Rather than fall back on the classic literature that I either read in college or have already opened multiple times, I spent a whopping dollar on a book of four horror novellas. Let's see what I can tell you about the two I finished this week.

First was "Pyre" by Christopher Golden. Right off the bat it felt like a Harlequin romance paperback. There were descriptions of hair and clothing...things seemed a bit melodramatic (though there was no mention of heaving bosoms and no sign of Fabio). The heroine is in her 20s, and there are some high-school flashbacks. But the story was easy enough to follow, and there were eerie moments and creepy scenes. I would have liked a few TV-movie sentences to wrap it all up at the end, but I suppose being left with some supernatural mystery is appropriate. I could see it as an episode of some sort of anthology series. Overall, not a bad tale.

Yesterday, I read "Jonah Arose" by Tom Piccirilli. I would have to describe it as...odd. It took me awhile to grasp the descriptions of the setting, but it was somewhat effective to reveal things bit by bit. The characters were definitely unique, each with certain well-defined traits. Throughout the piece, the imagery was detailed and specific. I had clear pictures in my head for every page. I did want to keep reading and see if the "hero" succeeded on his "quest," and I must admit to being surprised by the story's climax. The ending had me shaking my head, gagging just a little, and double checking to make sure I had read it correctly. I wouldn't classify it as "horror," but that's as good a label as any. Not really sci-fi, but not mainstream mystery, either. I might at some point even read this one again, perhaps looking more carefully at the symbolism the way a student might. (Secretly, I might also look for more typos. I recall two, and that was without consciously looking.)

Definitely worth the price I paid. In fact, these stories were worth more than that. Reading them meant there were times I was not watching TV or putzing online. For that, I am grateful. Will the last story in the book help me re-cement this as a mind-healthier habit?

As always, I'll let ya know.

Hyphen, Please

I can't even escape proofreading in the shower.

I'm going to "experience the health and vitality of" tea. No, of tea therapy. No, wait, tea therapy infused. I mean, no, wait...

Is this formula infused with tea? With therapy? With tea-therapy? Perhaps an "a" or "this" before "tea"? (That wouldn't really help much, would it?) Since "Tea Therapy" is the name of this brand's particular product line, capitalizing that name in the copy might have been a better choice. It's difficult to guess without being inside the collective heads of their team.

OK, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter to me what sort of infusion is in this formula. It was on sale and I liked the scent. But I have to wonder if anyone actually reads some packaging with the eyes of a consumer, rather than those of an employee, before it is printed.

Don't worry, I'll just let it go. It won't bother me in the long run. But this is the sort of thing that catches my eye, whether I want it to or not. I'll just have to let the chamomile calm me.

Reading is Fun!

I enjoy reading, really I do. My college liberal arts degree included lots of English literature. I did well, and most of my "textbooks" were actual works of fiction to keep in my personal library. 

But somewhere along the way I got out of the habit of reading on a regular basis. I suppose part of it was a subconscious "rebellion" against having to read for a class. At times, daily life gets in the way of relaxing leisure time. I admit, too, that Facebook, Twitter, and the internet in general tempt me away from the intimacy of a good book.

Usually when I want to get back into it, I'll pick up some Sherlock Holmes, Hitchhiker's Guide, The Hobbit, or Lake Wobegon Days. They're familiar, they hold my interest, and they ease the transition from computer or TV back to books. I can comfortably put them down and pick them back up again as I try to find a comfy chair with decent lighting.

This time, however, I figured I needed to venture into new territory. Sometimes it's overwhelming to walk into the public library and pick out a couple of random books that I can commit to reading before the due date. So last time I went to Dollar Tree, I browsed their small book section. The least I could do to redirect my brain was spend a dollar on a book! 

I "splurged" on Four Dark Nights. a collection of "horror" novellas. This was something a little different for me, but I was attracted to the fact that they were shorter stories by four separate authors. "Give it a shot," I said to myself.

The first selection was "The Circle" by Bentley Little. This was actually three separate yet connected stories. It read easily enough. I understood what was going on and what role the characters played. But I can't say I'm going to rush right out and see what else this man has written. There were plenty of mysterious events, which were resolved/explained...sort of. It had adult themes, but they seemed out of place to me. Two teens met their doom during sexual activities. I wouldn't call it graphic or gratuitous...not even really "gross." Just...odd. Parts of the story were creepy and in a longer form might have interested me more. I wouldn't say that I was ever scared, though. Perhaps I just don't "get" the modern horror genre.

Basically, I don't regret spending 25 cents for that story. At least I was reading. I'll have to let you know what I think of the other three...as soon as I can make myself walk away from the computer to read some more.