Deep-dark-rich-chocolate

6/18/2014

Hello from Morgantown! It's good to be back at my alma mater.

This stack of books, both freebies from this week's AP training and not, is what I'm reading and picking through right now. I actually just finished TFIOS (Because I couldn't stand it anymore, and turns out everybody's right about it, ok?! It's a weeper and sort of beautiful. And who has the time to hear me wax philosophical about it, when so much is already being said?)

In my sessions this week, there has been some discussion about what you students ought to be reading in AP Lit (Divergent? Gatsby? Shakespeare other than Hamlet?), and what's considered literary merit (hello, summer reading task). My instructor this week has referred to "literature" (you know, written stuff that is ambiguous, provocative, complex, and personally and emotionally challenging (if that doesn't sound familiar, you should definitely review the summer reading task)) as deep-dark-rich-chocolate, and I kind of love the analogy...

So, let us assume that deep-dark-rich-chocolate has nuanced flavor profiles and subtle hints of sea salt or orange zest or bacon or whatever else that can only be fully appreciated by savoring the deep-dark-rich-chocolate ounce by ounce and with our full attention to its magnificent and other-worldly detail that could make a grown man cry. And let us also assume that the best deep-dark-rich-choclate can only be crafted and produced by the best, most creative chocolatiers in the world, those who have been blessed by the chocolate gods, or those who have honed their craft through years of methodical work and fine-tuning. I mean, my instructor didn't actually say all of that, but she did call lit deep, dark, rich chocolate, so you know, let your imaginations run wild.

Sorry, sorry. Long day.

So, what are YOU reading? Are you stuck in the middle of The Road? Are you trying to navigate the narrators' sound and fury in The Sound and the Fury? Did you also just hole yourself up in a nice room and weep with wild abandon through The Fault in Our Stars? Is what you're reading deep-dark-rich-chocolate? Or is it just watered down chocolate milk?

If you're participating in this discussion, please do so by Monday, June 23.

2 Comments

Travis Krauch

6/22/2014 01:18:10 pm

Hello, Mrs. Hilliard. (and anyone else who may stumble upon this in the next day or so) I enjoyed your description of literature--it helped me to finally decide on which book to read for the one I'll pick on my own.

At first, I wanted to read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. I disagree with her philosophy, but I was interested to read the story that is often said to embody it. However, after only 14 pages of tiny print had gone by in the time I'd usually read about three times that, I realized that it was too large to read along with two other books and everything else I need to do this summer. I decided to read Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls instead. I've already read A Farewell to Arms, and enjoyed it immensely--until the end, that is--but this work has already shown itself to be a better display of Hemingway's mastery of writing.

Over the past few days, I visited North Carolina State University in Raleigh. I read quite a bit in my free time, especially on the road. As we passed through the rolling country of Fauquier County, Virginia, I was instantly reminded of Hemingway's description of the Spanish mountain slopes. I could imagine plots of bridge-destruction being hatched in the forests lining the road, transporting myself thousands of miles east.

My opinion of "literature" is that the label encompasses fictional works which are engrossing, thought provoking (for better or worse), and, most importantly, immersive. The best literature is that which makes you while away the hours without realizing, losing yourself in the world the author creates, and leaves a lasting societal impact. For Whom the Bell Tolls certainly falls under this banner, in my humble opinion, and I believe the definition is broad enough to include more works that are not considered by "snobs" to be literature, but also not too broad so as to invite just any work into its illustrious category.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on literature. Thanks for setting this up for us to use!

-Travis Krauch

Mrs. H

6/24/2014 02:55:12 am

Travis:

What a lovely reply! Thanks for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment on how you've decided what to read and how you're considering literature. (Sidebar: Last week, I met a teacher who assigns Atlas Shrugged for his students' summer reading. Intense, eh?)

I like your point about how literature can live in both worlds -- those of the critics and intellectuals and of the common person and reader. Gives me some more to chew on, so thanks. :)

Since you're the only reply, how about we try another discussion question in July when folks have a bit more reading under their belts? If nothing else, for those who stop by and only read this blog, hearing what a fellow student has to say about his book selection process and parameters of literary merit should help to further deepen and develop their own "stuff."

Happy reading & enjoy the sunshine! More in July...

KH

Deep-dark-rich-chocolate

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