Lolita- Vladimir Nabokov
As a heads up there may be spoilers!! This book being my first read of 2024 was an odd choice for some reasons. I wanted to get back in the groove of reading and I had no idea what to choose. I had started reading Lolita years back so I thought this would be a good choice. It was challenging because of the words used, they are a little more advanced than one is used to. (At least what I am used to). Another reason is obviously the content in Lolita that is a big red flag.
Overall, I give this book a 4/5. Sometimes I find it difficult to give it this rating because the content in it (age gap, sUPER AGE GAP) is disgusting and vile. But Nabokov's ability to write in the pov of a sinister abuser is just wild. It almost reminds me of a sort of Parasite vibe to it as Humbert Humber infiltrates this family and ultimately drains the life out of Lolita even as she grows up. When she grew up, I thought why doesn't she just run away. But that is part of abuse, no matter how bad she wanted to run away he manipulated her into thinking a life without him and her being alone would be much worse.
When discussing it with someone who had read it before, they had pointed out that Humbert Humbert is a downright pathological liar, manipulator, etc. With that information, as I was reading the book, I wondered that since it's written from his point of view if what he was actually saying all true. I mean in terms of situations like is his name actually Humbert Humber, did the mom actually die on her own or was their malice behind the reason for her death.
So, with that yes I give Lolita a 4/5.
2024 reading challenge complete!!
Well, last year (2023) I set a goal of reading 15 books. Out of those 15 I only reached 7 books, which, not too shabby but I didn't complete my goal.
This year I challenged myself with 20 books and actually finished with four months to spare!! I think I partly have my kindle to thank because it made it so much easier for reading and honestly i would recommend 100%. I definitely used to be an e-reader hater because I wanted to "feel the physical book." Though, having a physical copy of books will always be superior!! But anyways, here's my list for 2024!! These are in the order I read them, NOT in ranking.
1.) Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
2.) A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
3.) The Pearl by John Steinbeck
4.) Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
5.) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
6.) The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
7.) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
8.) Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
9.) A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck
10.) Tu lengua en mi boca by Luisa Reyes Retana
11.) Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
12.) Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk
13.) Heaven by Mieko Kawakami
14.) Liliana's Invincible Summer: A Sister's Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza
15.) Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin
16. The Stranger by Albert Camus
17.) The Price of Salt (Carol) by Patricia Highsmith
18.) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
19.) The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
20.) Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
Wow, so many books this year!!! I do wish to continue reading, and will see what new books I end up taking on. For this year I would have to say my number 1 pick is Liliana's Invincible Summer: A Sister's Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza. I will probably end up writing some thoughts of each book here in the future. I think I would like to transform my page as a place where I dump my thoughts about books into the void where people may (or most likely may not) stumble upon them and read my opinions.
Though, let me just say one thing, I did not major in English nor am I an expert in analyzing books. All of my thoughts are purely how I interpret these books and sometimes I've gotten other peoples thoughts about the books in question which makes me change my perspective!! I will say I'm not hard to please when it comes to books and am easily impressed I think most of these got 4 stars or higher (out of 5 stars). With some of these I will say I took in more than others (meaning I retained more from different ones) so I may have to say more about one book than I might another.
Okay, that's it for now!!