I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween. We had a great time dancing. Unfortunately my cat tail was well-behaved and didn’t whack anybody. But it is not likely that anyone would have noticed if it did. Some of the costumes were rather elaborate and planned to the detail. There were photos that might eventually end up on the dance studio website. I’ll let you know if they do.
Friday was the final day of the RIP Challenge. I only managed to finish two books in my “pool.” I am almost two-thirds of the way through a third book from the list, The Terror, and enjoying it very much. But I turned out to be too busy and the book too long to complete in time.
I picked up State by State from the library over the weekend. I had heard about it on NPR and there is also a short film (I haven’t seen it). I was really excited about the book but overall I am disappointed in it. I’m skipping around and not reading every essay. It is not that the essays are bad, it’s just that I was expecting a book like this to give me a sense of place, an idea about the culture of each state and the people who live there and what they value. But the essays are mostly memoir-type stories about the various author’s childhoods. The best essay in the book is the one on Illinois by Dave Eggers. It is about Abraham Lincoln and how the state has used his myth to define itself. And it is funny. The essay about Oklahoma by S.E. Hinton is also quite good as is the one about Georgia by Ha Jin. The one on Minnesota only made me sad since it was almost entirely about the decline of the quirky rural towns here.
I’ll peruse the essays I haven’t gotten to yet to see if they are worth reading before I return the book. I am glad I borrowed it from the library.
On a side note, if I don’t post anything tomorrow night it’s because I am glued to my TV and the election coverage. My Bookman and I will be walking over to our polling place early in the morning to stand in line. I live in a pretty Democratic leaning neighborhood so no doubt the mood will be jolly.
I want to read The Terror, too, but am a little put off by the length and the fact that I already have too many other books started, but I have heard it’s engrossing. Between work and school I think you managed pretty well in the challenge. And I’ll be voting after work–our polls are only open from 8-8 (not very convenient if you ask me as lots of people start at 8 or earlier!!), but that’s conservative NE for you. Ugh. I’m hoping that at least one NE electoral vote goes Democratic–it’s too depressing to think that in my entire lifetime NE has not gone Democratic even once! Ack. But I still keep voting!
I’m already glued to the TV! It’s been amazing to see people standing in line for hours to vote. Who says Americans are apathetic? Not any more! I think you are already starting to redeem yourselves in the world’s eyes. Keep up the good work!
All fingers and toes crossed from my side of the world. I hope the lines aren’t too long
I’m sure I’ll be up all night watching for results!
I’m watching from over here, even though I can’t do anything about anything. If you do come across a good book about America, Stefanie, I’d love to know. Ever since I started blogging, I’ve become increasingly interested in the country and would love to read more. Shame State by State isn’t quite working as otherwise it sounds perfect.
Maybe a state by state fiction reading challenge would give a deeper insight into each state and their uniqueness and difference. I wonder if anyone is doing one anywhere on the great web?
Well, State By State certainly had potential, didn’t it? It’s an interesting concept, but you would have to pick just the right writers, I suppose. I’ll be glued to my computer all day and night keeping up with the news — how exciting! I’m lucky and was able to vote this morning in less than 15 minutes.
The Terror is quite long, but it was a great read. Simmons is great at atmosphere. I was a little put off by the ending, so I’ll be curious to see what you think of it.
I was actually curious about “State by State” even though I’m not American, because Carrie Brownstein contributed to the soundtrack on the short film (if I recall correctly). I think she also did the piece on Washington (if I recall correctly)
But like you, it’s a book I prefer to borrow from the library instead.
I really want to read that essay by Carrie Brownstein though. Think you can scan it and email it over?
I’ve been glued to NPR all day!
That’s too bad State by State didn’t turn out as well as you hoped. Looking forward to hearing more about The Terror. I almost picked that up at the bargain section at B&N one time but put it back. So should I go back for it?
Good Lord, voting was fabulous yesterday. FABULOUS.
In other news, I read in the NYTimes that to really enjoy state by state it should be read chronologically…something about the essays are laid out in a specific way and while jumping around is fine it makes a deeper impact to read in order? I have no idea, just thought it might help!