“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” – C.S. Lewis
A self-declared ‘book nerd,’ I have always been obsessed with literature – especially classic literature. I can remember many a night where I have stayed up past my bedtime with a flashlight in hand for the sole purpose of getting through the next chapter.
However, when I started university, I found it hard to work in time for ‘pleasure reading.’ Between studying, socializing, and getting involved around campus, it was easy to overlook one of my favourite pastimes – to simply push my reading list off until the summer when I would “have more time.” Luckily, sometime during my sophomore year I came to my senses and made a plan.
I decided to read 30 minutes every night before bed at a minimum. There are obviously nights where this doesn’t happen and there are nights where I end up reading 2 hours after getting carried away. Overall though, I have more or less been able to stick to my commitment and it has vastly improved my daily life. Not only am I better at getting through my (seemingly unending) reading list and venturing into previously unknown areas of knowledge, but I also clear my head and sleep much better than I did before. It’s so easy to allocate 30 minutes – especially given most of us can easily take up this time perusing our phones – and there’s so much to gain from it. I highly recommend it.
One of the best parts of traveling is having even more time to read…whether it be during the 30 minutes between flights, or on a long train ride, or snuggled up under a mountain of covers when the weather in Copenhagen gets too cold. Since my travels have allowed me to get through quite a few books, I’ve decided to share the books that have been my recent and current companions.
If you have any book suggestions, I am more than happy to take them!
Currently Reading:
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
This book’s style is really intriguing to me. Murakami writes in a straightforward way that, as my dad pointed out, is very unusual for someone who is Japanese (maybe one of the reasons my mom doesn’t like his writing). Despite his straightforwardness, there is so much meaning that only develops over time and I’ve found myself on my toes for the entire time. I can’t seem to put this book down – I’ve finished half the book in less than a week – and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Favourite Quote (so far): “‘According to Chekhov…once a gun appears in a story, it has to be fired.'”
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights has been one of my favourite books since I first read it and has continued to be through my many re-reads. I’ll never get tired of the wildness of the moors or the tragic and terrible romance that is Heathcliff and Cathy. Who doesn’t love a book where the characters don’t conform to rules of ‘right and wrong.’ This current re-read is for my book club with my friend Megan – I’m enjoying it just as much as the first time I read it!
Favourite Quote: “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
Recently Read:
The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
What a mesmerizing read. Ellison’s book is as relevant now as when it was published. Understanding the perspective of a black man in a white society (as portrayed by an anonymous narrator) is incredibly enlightening and fascinating. As a person of colour I found myself sympathizing with, marveling in and appreciating the narrative. I think this is an important read for everyone given the struggles for race currently being brought to light
Favourite Quote: “Must I strive toward colorlessness? But seriously, and without snobbery, think of what the world would lose if that should happen. America is woven of many strands, I would recognize them and let it so remain.”
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
I read this book after seeing a Facebook post from a former teacher (sharing an opinion article) that suggested that Trump’s views and the mindset supporting them may make a Handmaid’s Tale-esque world a reality. Once I started reading, I didn’t stop until I’d read the entire book – nevermind that it was 4am in the morning. This alternate, misogynistic reality is a future that Atwood herself speculated would happen (i.e. it’s classification as ‘speculative fiction’) and I myself can’t say it would be an impossibility. I won’t give away the context, or the ending, but I can say that if you haven’t already read it, you should put The Handmaid’s Tale at the top of your reading list.
Favourite Quote: “Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.”
“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.” – Lemony Snicket