Rereading

I do not like rereading books I have already read. On the one hand, the books are really good or the movie has come out so I want to refresh myself on the story. However, I expect a book to be just as good a second time and it usually is not. All the surprise of what is about to happen is taken away. The feeling of getting to know each character and watch as they build up their complexity throughout a novel is gone. I still like the book when I reread it, but I think the most important part of reading is learning something new, making discoveries and solving problems. However, when you reread you know how the problem was solved, you know the story line. I ma discover a few new details that I may have missed before or just forgotten, but I never seem to get the same joy out of the book as I did the first time. I wish I liked rereading. I want to get the same reaction I had before, but it is impossible to have the exact same reactions when you already know what happens. Someday I hope to find a book that I can reread over and over again, but I am not sure if I am that sort of reader. I do not read because the book is the best piece of literature. I like to marvel at how each writer writes and some are clearly better than others, but I do not read it again because it was good writing. It is the story that sticks in my head and characters that I remember. Knowing the quality of each writer only helps me to see if I want to read more books by them or move on to someone with a completely different style.

My Tragic Reading Funk

I have been reading The Fault in Our Stars and I cannot seem to get into it. Its is by no means a bad book, however I think I might have read it at the wrong time. I love the way John Greene writes. I also love the sophisticated voice that he gives to both Hazel and Augustus. I have a slight dilemma though. I have need to finish any book I start, even if it is really bad because I need to have closure. However, I am not sure if I will be able to finish this book. It has taken way too long and I am only a little over halfway done. Sometimes I like romance and I always love a little bit of tragedy, but I have to say I am more inclined towards books that describe a dystopian future. I loved Hunger Games, Divergent, and Never Let me Go. I think I am going to abandon The Fault in Our Stars and go for something similar to these books just to get me out of this reading funk I am in. I am getting slightly desperate for a good book; I have even resorted to Googling dystopian novels and looking on the Wikipedia pages to find them.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Li Mu Bai had such a strong desire to teach Jen. It was almost irritating because she would continually cross him Shu Lien and every time he would show her complete mercy. Jen had extreme trouble learning lessons, yet this challenge was highly appealing to Li Mu Bai. Part of the appeal must have came from her potential. After all, potential plus hard work and training could mean greatness. Jen had great natural skill. She was able to teach herself to become a great fighter. However, there is always more to learn. Li Mu Bai needed to teach her how to conduct herself, she was so reckless. Jen rarely followed the rules of a great warrior. She engaged in unnecessary fights and created destruction. Li Mu Bai needed to teach her what was important. She focused so much on the sword, Green Destiny, that she could not think of anything else but that sword. It was Li's sword, but he knew he did not need it. all he needed was his skill and Jen never understood that.  I think Li Mu Bai saw Jen as innocent. She did not know any better. He took pity on her. Innocence means that she lacks real experience and real training. Experience is the best way to learn. Li Mu Bai want to offer her a chance to experience fighting with real warriors. He wants to guide her along as she becomes mature in her fighting. Li Mu Bai had legitimate reasons to want to teach Jen, after all she has the potential to become one of the greatest fighters. However, Jen is a wild child and extremely tough to tame. His desire to train her meant nothing to Jen.