Day 6, or, Return of the Mondays

So today was a busy one. Actually, I take that back; this entire weekend was busy and it carried over into today. That's why I didn't post anything over the weekend, even though I had intended to do so.

It's probably just as well, seeing as I didn't have much to talk about, anyway.

1) The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. Progress: 164/265 pages.

If you're paying attention, you might realize that I only read 20 pages today. And that's true, although I did read the full hour. I just couldn't get into the story today for whatever reason. And that is truly weird, considering that the big scene at the end of my reading was one that I illustrated in the eighth grade, and I have fond memories of it.

Just a note: The Hobbit is a strange pick for summer reading in the eighth grade. Then again, so is being required to create a travel brochure for Middle Earth (see illustration mentioned above). I think my English teacher in middle school was just a whole lot nerdier than I gave her credit for at the time.

2) The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams. Progress: 179/309 pages.

But Victoria, you are surely saying to yourself, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe doesn't even have 179 pages, let alone 309! Also, how the heck did you read that much in an hour?

It doesn't, and I didn't.

I mentioned in the intro post to this whole big blog that I was given an omnibus of the whole trilogy a while back, and that is what I'm using for this project. And so I am listing the page I am on in the volume out of the page number where the current book ends. Did that make sense?

Not much to say about the book right now, as I'm not that far into it. However, I am looking forward to great things from this one.

3) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Progress: 186/324 pages.

So Ender is a commander! Surprise, surprise. Also, a few more of my questions were answered. To wit, commanders are usually promoted at the age of eleven or sometimes twelve, and graduate at thirteen. That doesn't make much sense given what that one kid said to Ender at the beginning, but oh well.

Also, how are we supposed to know that Ender wasn't supposed to use the commanders' mess until he won his first game? It's fine, of course, but it was never mentioned before, unless I've forgotten something, and I don't think I have.

4) Dune by Frank Herbert. Progress: 194/762 pages.

Ta-da! I don't have much negative stuff to say today. The scene in the desert was good, both sloooowly moving the plot forward and revealing more about Duke Leto and Arrakis. Hurrah! There's something to be said for actually enjoying what I'm reading.

But that huge amount of talking about the inevitable betrayal? Well, it still hasn't happened yet. I'm still waiting. And I still say it can't live up to the hype.