where are the miaos?

the miaos are too lazy to maintain a book blog, though occasionally we post about books on our otherwise catnap-focused miao chronicles.  the good thing about reading is that it is best done with a cat on your lap and possibly on your book.

I forbid you to turn the pages.

I forbid you to turn the pages., originally uploaded by littlemiao.

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I suddenly remembered that I have a book blog.

I also have a very large (and warm) paperweight that prevents me from getting any work done.

A delightful discovery

I realized that the local public library system has quite a collection of Chinese language literature. I've been meaning to read more in Chinese, but my old books just aren't catching my interest.

I googled contemporary Chinese fiction recommendations, and Serve the People by Yan Lianke was the first thing to catch my eye. "Serve the People" was one of Mao Zedong's favorite slogans, so I expected it to be political satire. I'm in the mood for some political satire. Amazingly enough, the library has it! It should be in my hands within a week.

After requesting the book, I read the wiki article (linked above), which has a synopsis of the novel. It should be interesting, though lacking in subtly (if you read the wikipedia description especially in regards to the depiction of Mao Zedong, you'll see what I mean). I haven't had good luck with choosing Chinese novels in the last few years, so I'm quite skeptical about this one, but I'm determined to read it from cover to cover nonetheless.

Other recent library acquisitions include Deep Wizardry by Diane Duane and "M" is for Magic by Neil Gaiman. Still working through the Saki collection... and I'm currently reading a Nero Wolfe mystery, The Final Deduction.

Funny how I usually blog more when I'm procrastinating the night before big exams. I'm quite pleased that despite being extraordinarily busy these past weeks, I've still managed to find time to read.

Reading Choices

Lotus and Book, originally uploaded by littlemiao.

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I'm having such trouble deciding what books to take along on my little spring break adventure. A hard-covered book might be too much of an effort to hold while I'm vacationing. A short book would be easier to hold, but not last as long. If I bring more than one book, I might not finish a single one and then I would have wasted valuable packing space. Ah, tough choices.

In other news, my camera case will most certainly not arrive in time. Perhaps I will have to wrap my precious camera in a fleecy pillowcase. It's only just shipping today or tomorrow.

little study nook

little study nook, originally uploaded by littlemiao.

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I miss little study nooks like this one. I miss being in a place where the library was open on Sundays during breaks.

Oooof, must get back to work.

Colorful poetry

Some of Saki's satirical poems are kind of funny. Like this one, composed by the recurring character Clovis - a color painting of "the dawn coming up over the Brahma-putra river":

"The amber dawn-drenched East with sun-shafts kissed,
Stained sanguine apricot and amethyst,
O'er the washed emerald of the mango groves
Hangs in a mist of opalescent mauves,
While painted parrot-flights impinge the haze
With scarlet, chalcedon and chrysoprase."

I did not know the hue of chrysoprase until I looked it up on wikipedia, though I had a vague suspicion that it was greenish.

And that is all I have to say. Though if I get my act together, there is one story I want to comment more extensively on... perhaps this weekend.

* "The Recessional" in The Complete Saki, p. 202

Thought for the day

"[W]hen once you have taken the Impossible into your calculations its possibilities become practically limitless."

Saki did not mean this in an inspirational, motivating sort of way.

* p. 189 The Complete Saki (Penguin)

The book is due back at the library soon. I am reading at such a languid pace, it may take me all year to finish. Only 700 pages to go.

Why am I not outside enjoying the beautiful weather and the late sunset? Because I am inside finding 1,001 ways to avoid studying for tomorrow's exam. My final final of the term. I just want to get it over with, but since I can't take it this instant, I am obligated to fill the intervening time with studying.