Monday New Review Copies
Last week two books arrived in the mail. One is a review book and the other is a prize I won. It's kind of a good news, bad news situation. First the good news!
Now the bad news :(
Remember when everyone was clamouring to receive a free Penguin Classic to review on the UK website. Well, I managed to snag one, but was totally disappointed when I found out what book I'd be getting. The Confessions by John-Jacques Rousseau. If you've read my blog for long you may have read of my dislike (bordering on hatred) for anything concerning French history. I find it totally b.o.r.i.n.g! Yes, even Marie Antoinette bores me... On top of that I avoid historical books set in the 1700s like the plague. I'm not interested in either of the two revolutions or the time period... at all. So, they couldn't have randomly picked a worse book for me if they had tried! I've read the first page and, oh boy, I don't know if I'll get any further but I promise I will try to (somehow!) read a couple of sections. Maybe if I assign myself pages and make it into a school assignment I might fair better. Wish me luck!
Now the bad news :(
Remember when everyone was clamouring to receive a free Penguin Classic to review on the UK website. Well, I managed to snag one, but was totally disappointed when I found out what book I'd be getting. The Confessions by John-Jacques Rousseau. If you've read my blog for long you may have read of my dislike (bordering on hatred) for anything concerning French history. I find it totally b.o.r.i.n.g! Yes, even Marie Antoinette bores me... On top of that I avoid historical books set in the 1700s like the plague. I'm not interested in either of the two revolutions or the time period... at all. So, they couldn't have randomly picked a worse book for me if they had tried! I've read the first page and, oh boy, I don't know if I'll get any further but I promise I will try to (somehow!) read a couple of sections. Maybe if I assign myself pages and make it into a school assignment I might fair better. Wish me luck!
I was never quite convinced by that Penguin scheme. The idea of sending out the books randomly, on the off-chance that their recipients will want to read them, and then want (or be able) to talk constructively about them, seems kind of odd to me. A bit like a waste of books. I think a "your choice, but first come first served" system would have worked better. Then you'd have something you want, and somebody interested in Rousseau would have this. Ah well...
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree with you Rob.
ReplyDeleteOr at the least some radio button choices to fill in just to get a feel for the person's interests so they don't get something they'll never read.
I've never been one for French philosophy (or any enlightenment philosophy for that matter). Reminds me too much of boring English classes during undergrad. Good luck with the reading. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you recieved it (and enjoy it!)
ReplyDelete