A Jar of Happy on the Shelf

[jackofallgeeks]

So, last night Anastasiya called me up and, at one point, gave me a hard time because I'd "had it bad for Suzannah" before I'd met her (Anastasiya). I knew this, but apparently she hadn't.

It never occurred to me that Anastasiya might have thought that I'd broken up with her because I met Suzannah and thought she was 'Better.' I thought of quite a number of things that she might think (for a while, Anastasiya had a bit of venom for me), but that never occurred to me because I'd known that situation from the beginning. I think maybe she's got a little more closure on that, now.

Anyways... I'm reading The Giver and I really like it. I read about 130 pages yesterday, and I'll most definitely finish it sometime today. It's given me a little bit more of a starting-off point for that story I keep saying I want to write. After The Giver, I plan on reading this book of short stories by H.P. Lovecraft, then Salem's Lot, then The Divine Comedy (which I'll need to get a copy of). Then I'll tag on more books to the list as I go.

I'm liking this. I've always wanted to read more, but this is probably the first time I've actively worked toward said goal. It's great because, at my uncle's, there's really nothing else to do *but* read. I just need to keep myself a little more disciplined with video games and the internet, and take more time to read. I think I'd be happier for it.

Similarly, I think I should take pains to get back to running regularly (*rimshot*). I think that would make me happier, too, and exercise is good.

And to come full-circle, I might as well finish with Suzannah. I think about her a lot. I hope her arm heals alright.

Comments

literature

[jeffe42.livejournal.com]

It makes me sick....all these folks that are so gung ho on S. King....he is such a lousy writer!! Great ideas, but terrible at his craft. I am starting to think this last few years will be known as the age of medicority.

Now H. P. Lovecraft is a writer. Talk about someone with command of the language and the human psyche! That's what good writing is all about....he grips your inner core and shakes the s--- out of it with but the right word correctly placed. A modern E. A. Poe. But don't stop with his short stories....I mean they are alright, but you must read the full length stuff....he's just great, a modern classic.

You want the best and most definitive of short stories, got to Herman Mellville....that's right, he wrote short stories, is the uncontested master of them as far as I"m concerned (oh, granted a much different venue than Lovecraft....).

good reading...:) Jeff

[sugarpoisonappl.livejournal.com]

more things you should read:

terry pratchett's discworld series ... absolutely fantastic combination of british humour and fantasy. he's one of my favorites. and his other books are good too, from what i hear.

terry brooks - i've read some of his magical kingdom of landover novels, and some of shannara, which i thoroughly enjoyed. he's written a lot that i haven't read yet ...

mercedes lackey is good as well ... i've read some of hers, though it was years ago.

frank peretti. he's a christian author, but his work isn't cheezy like some of the stuff that's out there ... i recommend "the oath" for starters if you're interested.

melanie rawn. i have her dragon prince trilogy, and it's very nice.

can't think of anything else off the top of my head ... i could ask my sister *lol* but she's read a lot of stuff i haven't, so i couldn't personally vouch for it.