I just finished Reading in the Dark. No the power isn’t out. That’s the book…Reading in the Dark. And I don’t know what to say about it. Other than Fool, which I totally blasted this week, I’ve been pretty ambivalent about writing reviews lately. Maybe it’s because most of the books I’ve been reading have just been mediocre? Which is a bummer, because I’m definitely not inspired to gush about them. Or tear them apart. Books that fall into this category of mediocrity include Mrs. Dalloway (and I don’t care who the author is, you can’t make me like her), Giovanni’s Room (actually, I liked this one, but I still don’t know what to say) and a boy of good breeding (although I do have thoughts about what would have made this one more interesting…hmmm, maybe I should write that review after all).
Back to Giovanni’s Room, a book by James Baldwin. This is a book I had never heard of until I stumbled across it on a Black History table at B&N earlier this month. Did you know February is Black History Month? Of course, you could argue that Black History is a huge portion of American History, and that if American History was actually taught in a more comprehensive, less “America is just peachy” style, we wouldn’t need a Black History Month. Or a Women’s History Month.
So. Giovanni’s Room. It has a white protagonist. In fact, all of the characters are white. Seems an odd choice, then, for a table meant to celebrate black history. Maybe they were too afraid to make a table for GLBTQI (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex) history? Because Giovanni’s Room focuses on the narrator’s struggles with sexuality and alienation.
As usual, I’m rambling. Maybe I should just go and attempt to finish some of these write-ups? It’s either that, or stare at the bookshelves hoping that the next book that I pick up will knock my socks off.
Women’s History Month is next month! I’ve been reading quite a few books for Black History month, but I should definitely make more of an effort the rest of the year, you know?
I think writing reviews about ‘meh’ books is the hardest of all, so I totally sympathise with you. I’m way behind on reviews. *sigh*
This post cracked me up–and I so agree with you about Black History Month. The good news is, B&N wasn't out of their minds. James Baldwin could write about whatever he wanted to and still belong on the Black History Month table.
LOL! You are too funny. And I do agree with you on ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ and not caring who the author is. I actually never liked Woolfe.
I loved Mrs. Dalloway and hope to re-read it someday. And I never re-read stuff. Which means either that I’ll never get around to it or I’ll hate it the second time.
I don’t even think I got through Mrs. Dalloway—not my thing that one. I’m having a crappy reading month. I just can’t seem to concentrate long enough to get anywhere in what I’m reading and the books I have started are actually good. That makes me kind of pathetic-lol.
LOL! Woolf is very hit or miss with me but I completely understand you’re comment about “you can’t make me like her.” Hope your reading month is better in March!
You’re post made me smile – thank you for that! I hate when I have a run on books which just do not excite me…I’m reading Chocolat right now and although the writing is pretty, the story is just so-so for me right now. And I wanted to love it. Oh well…
Ugh, nothing… well almost nothing worse than slogging through a review on a “meh” book