Published by JPLand on 30 Mar 2010 at 02:07 pm
Does this make me look nerdy?
Before I started graduate school, I liked to read a little. When I say “a little” I mean “maybe a book a year.” As a matter of fact, I started a page about books that I read so that I could share them with the internets. But I got so bored with my lack of reading that I stopped updating the page. When graduate school started, I used that as an excuse to stop trying. There are some books that I feel that I should read, but I just don’t care for them. It’s kind of like the movie The Blind Side. Everyone is raving about how good it is, but I have no interest in seeing it. Does that make me a bad person? Probably. But I’m very content with being a bad person. The same applies to a lot of books out there. I want to be cool and be able to discuss stuff with all of my hip, book-lover friends, but I can’t bring myself to do the required reading.
I finally decided to forget about the books that I should read and start getting things that I want to read. Oh, the good stuff is so refreshing. I’ve been through a book and a half in the past month. That’s a record for me! Granted, I have had to ignore some of my grad school required reading in order to achieve this lightning-fast pace, but I gotta feed my brain some sweets to go along with the bland course requirements.
So what awesome books have captured my brain? Um….well…..
See, here’s the thing. You have to promise that you won’t laugh at me for this. I mean it.
PROMISE! OK, here they are:
So be honest. Does this selection make me look nerdy?
Alana on 31 Mar 2010 at 12:05 pm #
I haven’t seen The Blind Side, either, so I don’t think you’re a bad person. I think Avatar used up all of my tolerance for the white savior thing. I have to recharge before I can see that one. It’s a true story, so I’m interested, but I can’t help but think that the fact that the movie got made is in part contributing to this myth of the post racial society and whatnot. Just another film to make white people feel better about themselves and to avoid confronting the past (or the present, for that matter).
Oops. Sorry. That was maybe a bit too much deep thinking for a blog that is dedicated to shallow thinking.
Also, regarding reading, I’m no snob. I’m reading the Harry Potter books for, like, the 50th time. I don’t care. I need an escape right now, and they work. And before that? I read Stephen King. So what?
JPLand on 31 Mar 2010 at 8:17 pm #
I’m glad you have a good reason to not watch things. I’m just a stingy old miser that doesn’t care to spend money on movies. Actually, come to think of it, I’m not really a huge movie fan. We get them on Netflix and Kelley usually has to bribe me to make me watch movies with her. I don’t have any good reason for not watching stuff other than I just don’t wanna. (See, no matter how deep you get, my shallowness will always persist!)
Alana on 01 Apr 2010 at 4:33 pm #
Well, if you ever need to sound clever at a cocktail party, now you know how! Bringing up racial stereotyping is also a great way to shut up many annoying people. And if that doesn’t work, then there’s a good chance bringing up the Holocaust will. I usually alternate between the two.
Alana on 01 Apr 2010 at 4:34 pm #
Just to be clear, in this case I brought up racial stereotyping because it was relevant to the movie you mentioned your post, not because I think you are annoying.
Now, about the Holocaust…
Rainer on 02 Apr 2010 at 12:01 pm #
I don’t think you’re nerdy, but it does seem like you’re interested in something beyond engineering…a speaking or teaching career perhaps?
Queen Kelley on 05 Apr 2010 at 10:05 pm #
The Blind Side is a fantastic film. I don’t think white people need to be depicted as saviors, but I do think those of us who are more privileged need to get off our rears and do something about the difficulties faced by many people in our society. Sandra Bullock’s character was rich, materialistic, pampered, and completely ignorant…until she met Michael. The movie did a good job of showing how he saved her and how he changed her life. Michael was never stupid or incapable. He was, like so many, neglected and abused and tossed around and dismissed. It took a single act of bringing a stranger into her home for Bullock’s character to realize she was the one who needed the wake-up call. Really a beautiful, remarkable story. Let’s just hope the NFL doesn’t go to Michael’s head. (: Now I’ll shut up.
Queen Kelley on 05 Apr 2010 at 10:06 pm #
PS. The movie also emphasized the meaning of “family” as those who’ve “got your back,” so to speak. People who support you and love you and care for you and have your well-being as their highest priority. Okay, really shutting up now.