I can’t believe June passed by so quickly. I only finished two books and didn’t really make progress on the several that wait for me half-read.
Great with Child: Reflections on Faith, Fullness and Becoming a Mother – Debra Rienstra
I’m not sure I liked this book. As a professor, Rienstra’s book is more scholarly than some, connecting her experiences to myths and stories from history, but not as seamless as it could be. Her story doesn’t cast the most positive light on becoming a mother, though the title is misleading–the book chronicles her third pregnancy, not her first. Her experience makes pregnancy and parenthood sound daunting, overwhelming, and unbearable. But maybe some people can relate. I hope for a better experience.
Girl with Curious Hair – David Foster Wallace
A fantastic collection. I had read a few of the stories years ago, then started reading through the collection a few years ago, so I just finished the last half this year. Some of my favorites include “My Appearance,” “Say Never,” and “Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way.” The latter might classify as a novella, though. These stories remind me that a story can inspire, relate to life, provide new perspective, etc. and take an innovative shape. Lately I’ve been torn between traditional and experimental stories. The traditional ones don’t do much in the way of form though they do capture beauty. But I’m left wondering a lot of times, why this story, what makes this one any different or better than the next. And then the experimental ones show that they’re different but I don’t always enjoy them and they don’t resonate with me as much. So this collection seems to bring the meaning and beauty of traditional stories to new forms.
I’m still not finished with 2666. I lack the motivation to finish it, but there’s no way I’m going to read 700 pages and not finish the last 200. And I’ve started (once again) Infinite Jest, but I’m behind in the reading schedule for Infinite Summer. I’ve felt too panicked by all the work I need to do by the end of this month to concentrate much on reading. I hope that will change.
My mother claims the transition from 2 to 3 kids was the most difficult. It was akin to switching from man-to-man to zone defense. So to me, it’s interesting that she chronicled that pregnancy. What difference(s) are you hoping for?
My Appearance perfectly encapsulates the wild world of late night television.
Comment by steph — 1 July 2009 @ 4:17 pm
Well, Rienstra worked a lot, suffered insomnia (more so than might be common), and depression (again, more so than postpartum depression). It just sounded like an awful time.
I guess I’m hoping for more balance.
Comment by kristynwinters — 2 July 2009 @ 10:48 am
Ugh, that sounds about right to me. Unbearable. Children. Synonymous.
Comment by Laura — 2 July 2009 @ 9:16 pm
Oh, Laura. Maybe synonymous in some cases, but let’s hope not in all.
I’m convinced there are too many factors that make children or raising them unpleasant, which must mean that the right factors would make them pleasant. Right? Hopefully.
Comment by kristynwinters — 3 July 2009 @ 12:04 pm