Wednesday Reading Meme

[calissa]

It has been a while since I have done one of these. Recreational reading has been a bit on the slow side lately because I am swamped with editing work. I'm doing my best to eke out a little time here and there.

What I'm currently reading: Wanting to make friends with the local population of sulphur-crested cockatoos, I decided some research was in order. I borrowed Cockatoos by Matt Cameron from the local library. I'm only a couple of chapters in, but it has already been interesting reading. As part of my AODA studies (and also out of my own interest) this year I have been making an active effort to learn about my local environment. I have been finding the information in this book slotting neatly together with that learning and I'm starting to get a feel for the bigger patterns.

I'm also currently about halfway through Feather by Feather, a collection of short stories, novellas and poetry by lynnoconnacht. I am finding it delightfully varied.

Lastly, I continue to slowly make my way through Selected Poetry of W.B. Yeats. Either his poetry is not for me or I need more context to make sense of it because I find I am rather struggling with it. This surprises me a little.

What I just finished reading: Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan. It is a YA vampire romance that is half parody, half serious. I think it rather deftly manages the balance between them. I can't remember why I embarked upon this reread, but it was just as much fun the second time around.

What I plan to read next: Recently, a writing group I belong to put together a hard copy collection of our stories. This was what I was writing Children of the Crown Wars for. We printed just enough copies for contributors. The book arrived this week--just in time for Christmas. I am super excited about it (even though we are the only ones that will really ever see it) and am looking forward to diving into it... after I've finished off the library book.

What I'm currently watching: Having caught up on the long running anime series Naruto Shippuden, Sahaquiel and I are taking a break to rewatch another anime series called Trigun. It originally aired in the late 90s or early 00s, depending on your location. Either way, it has been a very long time since I saw it last. It focuses on a pair of women from an insurance company who have been tasked with following the infamous outlaw Vash the Stampede. Their job is to prevent him from causing any further damage that the insurance company has to pay for. Needless to say, Vash turns out to be rather different than they expected. It has a lighthearted setup that gradually grows darker. I shall be interested to see how the ending holds up now that I have watched significantly more anime.

Comments

[annarti]

VAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH <3 <3 <3 Trigun is my absolute favourite animé ever, and Vash was the start of my love of blond characters in long red coats, though I didn't realise it at the time X3 For me at least, the ending is still one of the most powerful I've seen in animé. (I still want to shoot the damn saxophonist, though. Sorry, Vash. He's just irritating as a fly where the Mortein can't reach.) I hope it still holds up for you :D

Vaaaaaash <3

[calissa]

Well, I can hardly blame you. Vash really is a sweetheart. :D

[lynnoconnacht]

I'm glad to hear you like the variety! I'd imagine it'll be a turn-off for some people, so I'm glad to know it's also appreciated by others. ^-^ It's a bit of a hodgepodge courtesy of the aims.

I'm sad, however, to hear that you're not getting along with Yeats. Are you struggling with all the poems or are some better than others? It's been a while since I read any Yeats, but I do find that I prefer annotated poetry in general. Guess I'm odd like that. ^-^

And I'm happy to hear Team Human holds up. I had so much fun with that when I read it earlier in the year. It'll be a treat to reread it sometime. ^-^

Yay book! I hope you'll enjoy reading through it. <3

[calissa]

I find that variety helps keep me interested. It is nice to break up some of the longer pieces with something shorter and I think you've done that well.

There are some poems of Yeats' that I find easier. To a degree, it depends on what stage of his career he is in. However, I would definitely prefer to have an annotated volume.

[lynnoconnacht]

<3 It means a lot to hear you say that. I found selecting the best order to be incredibly difficult. I didn't manage to find a lot of comments on how to go about it, so I just tried to balance everything based on length, genre and quality as well as I could. The ToC probably went through more drafts than the stories did!

Ooooh... I'm not as well-versed in Yeats' work as I'd like. The copy I've got is annotated, but it's a good 700 pages altogether. (It should, if I remember rightly, be a complete collection of his poetry.) I haven't read it yet and can't vouch for the quality, but I'd be happy to pass on the details of it in case you'd like to see if it suits your purposes and needs better than the copy you've got.

[calissa]

Putting together a ToC can certainly be challenging! I've just been through the experience again and there are so many factors to juggle. I think you've done a great job.

Details would be lovely! *pokes book*

[lynnoconnacht]

*blush* Thank you. <3

I've got this book. Probably easier if I link you to it.

[calissa]

Wooo... that does look good. My local library has a copy, but I don't think I could read it in the time allowed. Might have to add it to my wish list and get my own copy. Or perhaps try out the library copy and see if it's really what I want.

Anyway, thank you for the link. You have helped me to realise that it is completely daft just to keep struggling through my current copy when I have so many other lovely books of poems waiting for me.

[lynnoconnacht]

I'd recommend trying out the library copy if you're ever in the mood for more Yeats, but putting it aside seems the wisest choice to me. ^-^ It's Yeats, so the books'll be there if you want to try again later on anyhow.

I hope the next poetry collection you pick'll suit your tastes better! ^-^