Random: Medea goes to jail, not Madea. (Favorite books to read!)

Life itself is only a vision, a dream. Nothing exists save empty space, and you are but a thought.

Set the physical pleasures aside for a bit and let me discuss one of my favorite indulgences I have had since I was a kid, but have unfortunately given up on way too many times in my current time frame. Reading. No, not (fashion) magazines—although I am guilty of reading the Cosmopolitan and Elle almost every month since I was 13 (inquisitive ass kid w/ out Internet, what are you gonna do about it?)—but actual books. Hardcore literature. The stuff that is hard to swallow and takes ages to get through. Stories made up of sentences that you have to read at least twice to comprehend, and often change your outlook on life.

I used to read children's books (obviously), starting around the age of 7. I collected a chest full of them by the time I ended elementary school. Literally a chest, like a pirate's but stuffed w/ books instead of jewellery or gold. But ahwell knowledge is priceless and w/ out an expiration date compared to material—please do not start a discussion on outdated scientific books I beg of you, I mean knowledge in the most positive way. Occasionally, a book about King Tut's bio or a whole series of encyclopedia would find their way to my bookcase. But it was not until highschool that I discovered the good stuff. I actually re-read one of my favorite children's books (a Dutch book I believe), in which there was a very vague character named Dante. He owned a lot of cats, one named Malacoda, and created very disturbing paintings. I was curious about this Dante and decided to take a look on Google.com.

There, I discovered one of my favorite books up until now: La Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy). I have been reading this book over and over again since I was twelve (both in English and Dutch), and I will probably continue to do this. It takes complete attention, dedication, and time to finish this one though. Be warned. But if you are into metaphors and have a lively imagination like I do, do not hesitate to start your journey through hell w/ Dante and Virgil as your company...

Other favorite reads of mine are are evenly dark as Mr. Alighieri's. 

Sylvia Plath - The bell jar

Oh Esther... You are such a misunderstood soul. It still creeps the hell out of me though that Sylvia was evenly depressed as her main character and decided to end her life story so abruptly. 

Epicures - Medea

*Hint, hint* Epicures—Epicurean—Epicure (in case you did not catch the hint) My heart just bleeds everytime I watch Pasolini's adaption of this cruel love story. Why did you have to do her that dirty Jason? You blasted assh*le! I just cannot with this dude, that is your baby momma damnit. 

Mark Twain - The mysterious stranger

Lastly, but not least. "Who are you?" "An angel." "What is your name?" "Satan." This book is so deep! Really pessimistic though, regarding its view on the human race (Satan calls us a disgrace actually). But so worth your while reading! Do not be thrown off the by the fact that Satan is one of the main characters in this book, it is everything but creepy or satanic. Keep in mind that Satan was a fallen angel at first! The book is pretty funny to me as well, because every chapter I went all "Ain't that the truth" in my mind. 

The reason I quit reading in my sparetime is mainly because I am obligated to read so much for school already (which is really difficult most of the time, because it is just not as interesting if you are reading it because you were assigned to). Although my school literature mostly consists of tables, researches and numbers (darn you Master in business), they are all made up of written words. And how many of those can a person handle on one day? Exactly.

Are you as nerdy as I am when it comes to this indulgence, or am I still as loner-ish as I was ten years ago in this habit? Let me know your thoughts on the books if you have read them or any of your favorites you would recommend. Thank you for reading and comments are very much appreciated (even if they are not about books)!

XXX

Ruby H.