Monday, November 28, 2011

so, that's why they call it classic literature

On our recent trip up to the farm I made a decision not to check out any books at the Bangor Public Library or to even walk through the door. The director's decision to invite the Occupy protestors to camp out in the park next to the children's entrance makes me furious. I don't want the kids to be exposed to the lies written on their signs or the violence and disease that these unwashed and uncivilized lay-abouts seem to produce (apparently that is isn't all they produce). 

Instead, I had to rely on the 3 bookcases full of books up in Tim's study to choose from. Mostly they are military, which I don't care for, and Catholic books, which I have already read and make me feel guilty for not being holier, but on a lower shelf is a leather-bound collection of classic books. Except for Pride and Prejudice I was turned off of the classics by a brief stint in Honors English in 8th grade because the class was reading one of the most boring books known to man; Silas Marner. But on Wednesday morning in the midst of a snowstorm and desperate for something to read, I pulled out Jane Eyre and found it riveting and then started in on The Complete Sherlock Holmes. 

Well, I think I can boycott the Bangor library far longer than the occupiers will stand a Maine winter living in a tent, so come spring likely I will be more educated and entertained and be able to venture back into the stacks and catch up on a 6 month backlog of new books. 

4 comments:

priest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd said...

love this! You also might be tempted to get a Kindle...

dstb said...

I read Jane Eyre about this time last year and loved it.

Earlier this year I decided to try Wuthering Heights. What a disappointment! But, at least I can say I have read it.

I wonder what my next classic will be.

Sarah

Stina said...

I once caught a part of a movie version of Jane Eyre and was not impressed. But I think it deserves another chance. This time in book form.

Kapten Clark said...

they're gone -- finally -- hurray!