"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many--no--fifty things..."

“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.” 

~Anne Lamott

I caught myself wandering in the realm of 'being baffled', by questions coworkers were asking me yesterday. First off I'm the youngest employee where I work. I've worked here since graduating from high school, so the stigma of "Oh she's the 'baby'," sort of follows me wherever I go, especially as I've known my employer since I was 9 years old. At times it bothers me, but it can't be helped. Second, I'm inexperienced and have lots of learning and rocks to turn over in the world. Third, I'm typically conservative and quiet in nature . . . well amongst my acquaintances. The real deal folks are who see the real me, otherwise it is a waste of time, energy and vulnerability I have no desire to test any further.

Those observations aside . . . I was wondering why coworkers decided to ask me about 50 Shades of Grey. Oh 50 Shades, with all your delicate and gruesome subject matter, "Yes, let's ask Maddie, because I'm sure she will have the answers you are seeking. Either that or we'll get to see Maddie blush a thousand shades of crimson when we have her cornered." This is not subject matter for the work place folks . . . let alone ME. You try explaining what . . . yeah . . . is to your eager/waiting coworkers is and then wondering why you even know this stuff to begin with. I felt like a bumbling idiot and yes I blushed! :P

I have NOT read 50 Shades of . . . 'waste of my time'. I truly have no desire to do so for many reasons. However, I read and read and read until I'm a little grey faced myself, the numerous critical reviews, articles, funny parodies and whatnot. No, not because deep down I crave a torrent affair with the book. I crave knowledge, I own a used bookstore and obviously people find it necessary to ask me questions about books. I have to equip myself somehow, so I read everything there is to know about the book. Perhaps you view that as wrong. How can I form an opinion of a book without reading it? It is one of those cases; I don't need to taste shit to know it tastes bad. 

Anne Lamott says in the quote above, “For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth.” Maybe this is why people ask me, because they realize this is true about me. And maybe this is why I won’t read 50 Shades, but everything else about it.

Last Thoughts

I'm also intrigued by the comments from many people, complete with dazed expressions:

"I don't know why I read it. It was poorly written and basically bound for the trash, but I couldn't put it down. I loved it!"

What makes this book different from any other erotica book out there? Erotica and all the other sordid content that comes with 50 Shades didn't come on the scene when E.L. James penned her story. It has been around the block a time or two . . . so why now the sudden bump with popularity; the sudden acceptance of not only trashy content, but ill used synonyms and 'rip your hair out' worthy analogies? Why are people (notice I'm not singling out the women) so eager to be led to the slaughter?

Beat Generation? Try Let’s Beat My Brains Out

Okay here’s my one moment for being uncivilized in this post: “Oh my gosh, it’s over! It is FINALLY OVER, about bloody time!” Phew okay I’m glad I got that out of my system, now I will try to tackle this post in a professional attitude.

You might be asking “Maddie why did you decide to read On the Road by Jack Kerouac? What possibly could have provoked you to read such a book?” I might ask myself the same question if I didn’t already know. A couple of months ago a young man came into the shop and we talked and talked for near 2 hours about books. He couldn’t stop talking about books by these guys who started the Beat Generation. He said they were great and that I should read Kerouac’s On the Road. I’d never heard of the Beat Generation. Truth be told I pictured a group of men obsessed with the idea of beets. What’s so great about them? I don’t even like beets. Well because I admired his love and knowledge of books I thought what the heck why not read it. It wasn’t until I went to my favorite bookstore in Ohio in August that I was able to procure my copy. Lois, my friend at the bookstore, told me it was time for me to read Adult books.

I had no idea what this book was about and you know me I don’t read inside covers. Of course my brother A. David, forever knowing things I didn’t know he knows, knew exactly who Jack Kerouac was. In fact he said he wanted to read the book when I was finished.

I started to read and was slightly intrigued. Kerouac has an interesting way of writing. I could compare it to Steinbeck’s books; it has that same taste on the tongue only not boring. He knows so much of his surroundings and likes describing things in great detail.

That’s where it ends, my liking anything about it. Dean Moriarty enters the picture and I’m begging for the relative peace I found in the story without him. He is the type of person who sits around trying to talk about nothing and make it something. It doesn’t work on me it’s still nothing! Your deep theological thinking is only you thinking you’re a deep thinker Dean. You dig it?!? No! I don’t dig it nor will I ever dig things. My gosh, talk about the beginning of the end of intelligent conversation. The Beat Generation was the nurturer of the hippy generation, that blight of mankind. A time where looking back you think why? You (or at least I don’t) don’t want to claim it as part of your world’s history. Can you tell I don’t like Dean? He essentially is a corruptive and manipulative person that Sal, the main narrator of the book, never seems to see that way.

What can possibly be redeeming about a book that encourages and dwells on sex, drugs, and ditching responsibility to have fun and dig stuff? How can such a book be considered one of the greatest books of the 20th Century? What I can glean from this book that’s beneficial?

While reading this book I looked up Beat Generation and according to Wikipedia the Beat Generation was spontaneous, creativity, strongly positive. . . NOT! Spontaneous most definitely, creative or positive, I can think of a hundred other things that are. Is it any wonder people thought we were going to hell in a hand basket in the 60s? I can imagine looking around thinking everyone has lost their minds as I do when I’m reading about the Beat Generation. The loss of coherence and sense is too much to process. Quite possibly a waste of raw talent; they turned into the modern age of literature.

I’ll be reading up on the Beat Generation. I already have a book and plan to read it soon. I can’t form an honest or such a harsh opinion of that era without reading further.

Did I like On the Road? I think it’s obvious, I did not.

Quick Blurb

Last night I was up until 11:30, which is way past my bedtime. I know that is not very late, but because I get up early sleep unfortunately is precious. I was up late finishing the last book for the month of September. Did I make it to 15 books? Sadly no I did not, however I was close. I read 4 more books since the last list I posted, making for a total 12 books read for the month! This means next month I have to read 18 instead of only 15. Any quick good reads you want to recommend are very welcome. Last 4 books for the month listed below.

9. Better Than Life by Daniel Pennac
10. The Night Dance by Suzanne Weyn
11. Before Midnight by Cameron Dokey
12. Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey

The book Better Than Life was a great read for book lovers. It might even inspire a love of books where there was none before. I want to read it again, but I need to buy it first.

I can’t say the same for 10-12. I didn’t really like any of them. It may have had to do with the fact my mind was so set on finishing them fast that I didn’t take time to really enjoy reading them. I’m not sure. These 3 books were also part of the Once Upon A Time Series I mentioned previously.

How is this for a short post?

No quote of the day, instead scripture that was encouraging to me today.

Scripture of the day:

2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Boredom, Lately Late, and Making a Labor Day Live Up To Its Name

Isn't it ironic how on the days you find yourself reaching out from under your pillow, where your head is buried from the sun, to repeatedly push the snooze button that your not late to work? However, on the days that you force yourself to refrain from pushing that blessed snooze button over and over again that you are late. Why does this happen to me? This morning I didn't wake up until 7 am. I have to be at work by 8:30 and it takes about a half hour drive to get to work. Wouldn't know, I was on time this morning. The day before I woke up, no I dragged myself from blissful slumber :), at 6:30 am and I was late to work. I need to work how to get this getting to work on time thing down to a science.
Did you ever go to your mother when you were young and say, "I'm bored"? Then you found yourself with more than enough chores to last a lifetime. This somehow doesn't fit into the workplace world. All week I've had to search for things to do at work. I tell people "I'm bored. Is there anything I can help you with?” I even asked my boss. No one has things for me to help with and let me tell you being bored at work makes the day trail along like a snail leaving behind slim on the hot ground. Not fun. My day has picked up some today and I'm hoping I have anything, but a slow Friday tomorrow.
I'm in the midst of torturing myself with a book. I never thought I'd mention the two words in the same sentence, but there it is. It goes against the grain for me to not finish books. I've done it maybe twice and I haven't allowed myself to live it down quite yet. The book I'm reading is Fitcher's Brides by Gregory Frost. The end cannot come soon enough. I'm sure I am the only one who has felt this way about the book, at least I think. It just goes on and on. To be quite honest I don't enjoy the main plot subject of a religious movement during the mid 1800s. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The book WILL be finished before the end of the week that is a must.
My parents have informed me that the 3-day weekend holds much in store for the family. Much being chores. I know for sure there is a large fence with my name on it, to be painted. The house will probably need cleaning, as well as my bathroom. I hate bathrooms, at least having to clean them. I am crossing my fingers that this weekend will hold a few hours of relaxing peace.

Quote of the Day

Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all.

~Emily Dickinson