Books I’ve Read (in the Past): January 1998
I first started keeping track of the books that I read in 1997 when I was already in my ’40s. These early records are incomplete, and some of the brief comments are laughable. But, inspired by JoAnn of Lakeside Musing who has shared her older journals in a series that she has named Pages from the Past, I’d like to share my journals with you. Herewith, a small sample from January, 1998.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (Fiction, Semi-autobiographical)
Finally got around to reading this ‘classic’. Plath’s description of Esther’s descent into depression was so accurate a mirror of my own feelings, it was at once frightening and comforting. How far I could have fallen!
[2016 notes: I suffered from severe clinical depression for several years and read this while I was crawling out of that black hole.]
Away by Jane Urquhart (Fiction, Historical, Canadian)
Recommended by my daughter. My first Urquhart. Set between Ireland and Canada in the mid-1800s. Thought-provoking and enjoyable. Made me want more specific history.
[2016 notes: I still remember the complete break-down of the Irish peasant farmer’s food supply (which was much more than potatoes) when the potatoes failed. I’ve since read many more Urquhart novels; she is a favourite of mine.]
Box Socials by W.P. Kinsella (Fiction, Historical, Baseball, Canadian)
My first Kinsella. I had to reread the first chapter, since I was so busy paying attention to the run-on sentences the first time through that I lost their meaning. A look at life on the Prairies in the ‘40s – non-idealized, I think. Well worth the read.
[2016 notes: Amazon says “Here’s the story of how Truckbox Al McClintock, a small-town greaser whose claim to fame was hitting a baseball clean across the Pembina River, almost got a tryout with the genuine St. Louis Cardinals — but instead ended up batting against Bob Feller of Cleveland Indian Fame in Renfrew Park, Edmonton, Alberta.”
It’s odd I didn’t remark on the baseball in my notes because I love baseball!]
That’s all for January 1998. Does anything interest you?
P.S. The links are affiliate links so I will receive a small percentage of any purchase you make after clicking through from this blog.
I have an internet friend who is the niece of Bob Feller! Sylvia Plath isn’t fun reading for me. I read her poetry and this book in college but she never appealed to me at all. Sorry to hear about your depression. I wonder if it was good or not-so-good for you to read this??
I think that it was really good for me to have read the Plath when I did, Nan. It made me feel not so alone, and it also gave me hope that I hadn’t gone down as far she did, but was on the way up. Strengthening, as I recall.
The Web has made the world such a small place!
I like this idea of visiting the past. The only one I’ve read is Away, also a long time ago. Funnily, I haven’t read her since, but I do own many of her books, so hopefully I’ll get to one soon!
I’m still trying to catch up on my blog, Naomi, and I’m currently posting about my 2014 reads. I ask myself, “What’s the difference between 2014 and 1998; they’re both in the past?” But I answer back, “A world of difference, a world of difference.”
Welcome to Exurbanis!
“The Bell Jar” made a big impression on me when I read it in high school; I felt recognition and kinship, too, although I’ve never been diagnosed. Plath does a great job of explaining the feeling of disconnection.
I just ordered the Kinsella: I love baseball and am surprised I never heard of this book. Thanks for the tip! (I learn so many good things from you.)
I hope you enjoy the Kinsella, Jane – and I’m so glad that you find some interesting things here. I feel the same about your blog!
I’ve read and liked all of these; I’m not sure if Kinsella’s works would hold up on a reread, but I remember really enjoying them at the time. Older booklogs are so revealing, aren’t they? When one stores so many memories alongside one’s reading anyway.
I can often even what the weather was like when I was reading certain books, Marcie. So, yeah – memories!
I didn’t read The Bell Jar until after I turned 50 – wonder if I would have liked it more when I was younger….
I agree, JoAnn. If I read the Bell Jar for the first time now I might not relate – in fact, I might even be exasperated by Esther.
I read The bell jar – can’t recollect when – but found it really interesting. I’ve also read a Jane Urquhart, probably in the 1990s, and I remember enjoying it, so that one interests me!
I don’t think that Urquhart’s particularly widely read, even in Canada, Sue, so I’m glad you found one of hers. I enjoy her work very much.
Once again you had me looking back in my reading log. In January 1998, it appears that I only read two books! I wonder what else I was doing? My husband and I had made a trip to New Mexico to visit the newly opened Georgia O’Keefe museum (awesome!) and then took a hike through a state park containing ruins of the Pueblo Indian dwellings. I bought a book called The Delight Makers, about what caused the downfall of the tribe and read it in January. Then I read A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons. I will be reading The Bell Jar soon and was moved by your reaction to it.
What a wonderful month you had, Judy – I’d love to see the Georgia O’Keefe Museum!