time fliesss

Hey everyone! I can’t believe that we’re wrapping up and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. First things I’ll say are that the books I’ve read in this class definitely challenged me and that the freedom we had in this class was refreshing. Not only were certain vocabulary or syntax challenging but I’d say this course was successful in reteaching or teaching me more about the skill of “truly” reading — to not just read words but to take the liberty in interpreting the text in your way and to be more comfortable in discussing your interpretations. I think what specifically assisted in refining this skill was actually any time Prof. Murray would say “I’m going to push back on that thought,” followed by something that goes against the majority’s opinion and makes you further ponder and open your perspectives. I really really enjoyed that aspect of his teaching and the class.

Now, for (I guess) the more fun part, stating my favourite and least favourite books I read. I’ll start off with my least favourite, which was Proust’s Combray. I actually still wonder why this was the first mandatory novel for us to read because it still feels like the book that gave me the biggest headache due to its ever-flowing thoughts and extreme EXTREME attention to detail. Maybe it was to help us feel better about the books that came after it or to scare people who couldn’t stick with the readings away LOL. As for my favourite novel — although I wouldn’t say it was a 10/10 but it was my favourite — it would be Money to Burn, mainly because it was the only thriller I read out of my selection and I really like thrillers. And I would also just like to point out that weirdly enough, so many of the novels I chose had similar or reoccurring themes of shitty or perverted men. So in some parts of my posts, I would feel like a broken record talking about them but anyways, it was just interesting how it would pop up often.

As for if I achieved my goals — and I don’t remember exactly what I wrote in my first post but I can recall some — I’d say that I’m proud of feeling more confident in my thoughts and opinions on books but I’m still working on getting out of a reading slump. I’m sure I will soon (hopefully in the summer) and I’m not saying that this course didn’t at least help a little, but I think my other courses still bombarded me with so much non-recreational reading that it’s still hard to get out of my slump.

Overall, this course has been unique and enjoyable. I hope I can take another course with as much freedom as this one in the future!