The Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka

"As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect."

This is the first sentence of The Metamorphosis of Gregor Samsa. The next few pages casually account that he notices the overcast weather, examines the appendages of his new body, and considers how he will get to work now that he is changed... Immediately his fate is accepted. Nothing is done. No one screams. All of which drive the reader mad. How many pages can you hold your breath before you realize the story will keep on like this? Will no one worry or investigate how or why he has transformed? His family quietly and courteously charge to feed and water and clean up after their insect son. This acceptance and alteration of the family dynamic becomes more bizarre than the occurrence itself. It is frustrating. The redefinition of humanity is the true metamorphosis.

But I will not tell you how it ends. You must ask Kafka himself what lies behind that closed bedroom door.

Fifty Shades of Grey - E.L. James

Well, it's complicated...




On one hand, you have a porno. Let me be clear, this book is extremely, graphically, bizarrely sexual.
On the other hand, you have an interesting, believable story that demonstrates how a sweet, naive girl can get sucked into the dark, dangerous, alluring world of S&M with the promise of saving the lost and tortured soul of the man she loves. So... Complicated.

I'm undecided as to whether or not I can recommend this book. Aside from the ethical/porno debate, I found myself skipping and skimming, trying to outread my boredom with repetitive sex scenes. How many times will the ill-fated lovers hitch their breaths with the sudden realization that they must consume one another yet again? I'm not sure why it was at the top of New York Time's book list. But yet, I did just stay up until 3am to finish it... It is worth noting that this story began as Vampire fan fiction.

So... Read it if it doesn't offend you. It may provide insight into a new, sexy, freaky culture... Or maybe open up a few interesting conversations. Because even though I've never experienced anything close to this, I do relate to the characters. I understand the desire to make a relationship work when you see the evidence stacked up in the cons column. And I empathize with characters who lose themselves and have to find their own way (much like real life relationships). Regardless, I don't think I'll start reading fan ficts.

Journey to the Center of the Earth - Jules Verne

Wherever fortune clears a way, Thither our ready footsteps stray.

If you somehow missed reading this classic piece of literature when you were growing up (like I did), then you might go your whole life never knowing its mystery and adventure. Happily, fortune has a way of finding you. And so began my trek through the layers of the Earth's crust. Immediately, I discovered that this book is surprisingly readable, despite the usage of seven-syllable words which frequently digress from English. What I mean is this: you can pick up where you left off, even a chapter at a time at lunch or between errands, and quickly get sucked into the drama, surprise, and sense of adventure again and again. It takes you away from the waiting room you're sitting in and throws you into a topsyturvy wonderwhirl of escape. Unpredictable! Risky! Creative... A must read.