#awellreadman

Look, i’e been having fun posting things, unloading things, creating things and realizing new things about myself through you, but it’s a good idea at some point in every budding relationship to ask yourself, what’s the consequences or hopeful expectations here?

Tumblr, I haven't really shared you, so my concern comes from a non-logistical perspective. Maybe it’s pathological, I wan’t you to be great and have a greater purpose; change is good. But to what and why? Originally we were on a quest to document all the books I read. so far we’ve identified four main pillars topic, and three paradigms to view them through with the intention of inspiring, imagination and innovation within the reader (me...!). What should I measure, the topics?

The quality vs. quantity? The quantity of sub topics to topics? the entirety of a particular duration likened to a life time. (don’t sound so bad.. nope.) 

Does this stand to represent myself, and brand as a writer well? Should I produce alt. Social media representation? Twitter paired with this?

Why I read and still decided to major in English..

Reading is a dying activity with all the audio books and phones, so I like to think it sets me apart. Although I may go back to audio books, the physical quality of the books create a sense of ownership. A sense of pride and property resides. Value. Reading has also changed my perceptions of important life components for the better.  

What I’m reading now: I’m reading what’s been assigned. to me in class, and I’ve come across two stories I’ll share here shortly. The stories are written well, deal with some pretty captivating technique.. Verbal Irony. Me and words, gotta love them. Maybe poetry is something I should continue to look at and practice. Coltivo Una Rosa Blanca?  

What I’ve read: I’ve finished an article that talking about; contending and normalizing sex in literature. Article was written by a Cutis Sittenfeld. The two stories in question, one by the author of said Sittenfeld article. “The Prairie Wife” by Sittenfeld and “Where are you going, where have you been?” by Joyce Carol Oates. Both stories are full of dramatic irony, situational irony and just.. irony. I enjoyed stumbling upon the verbal irony after I defined a few words that stood out to me. I like the act of hiding something like that for prospective readers.. maybe My Dear Aunt Ida could use some. 

I wonder weather or not I will begin reading, recording and analyzing my Comic Book readings on here. I don’t see why not. It is literature, and art.. 

MBJ’s character Kill-monger posses’s a deep knowledge and understanding of military tactic.. knowledge like that I covet highly, and instead of getting it the traditional way.. years in servitude to the teaching of my country, I wonder if I can acquire the mental models and knowledge via books.. more reading.. FUCK

After finishing my latest book, I’m left with a literary appetite and a whiff of a particular theme. Just today I got the idea to point my nose in the direction of a book that could satisfy my curiosity with the mob. How did the god father become the godfather? what does it mean to be the godfather? Whats it like to be apart of the godfathers literal and metaphorical family? What objective benefits are seen in the lives of the ones that play this role in society? These are the questions I have and curiosities I recognize in everyday life. Can I find books to educate and satisfy the peculiar appetite? Can I satiate myself on this particular flavor of ‘vicarious-ity’?  

Id want to expose myself to any theories promoting the life or knowledge of a such a particular role. This I’d decide to judge a book by it’s cover and go with a book by one Louis Ferrante. Titled Mob Rules: What The Mafia Can Teach the Legitimate Businessman. I would then investigate the life of the author in hopes of validity. Lucky us, Louis has a book titled Unlocked: The Life and Crimes of A Mafia Insider. This book allows us to explore his credibility and get a sense of the Mobs sociological purposes. If still curious about the roles and images, I explore real and fictional text like the work and life of Mario Puzo author of The Godfather, the classic saga of the american crime family. The Sicilian and the works of Nicholas Pileggi author of Wise Guy, the true-crime drama responsible for another classic rendition of the American Crime Family. biographies of Al Capone and other famous american mobsters should be expected too.

I’ve finally finished it. A book that was always on my mind. That piqued my curiosity. I’m vaguely curious about the other works and may read those just to honor the author, but I’m not too eager to do so. Reading this book has been entertaining, saddening, and quite fulfilling. I’m attracted to the life and knowledge of a pimp. The lore surrounding the life, skills and abilities of a pimp rhymes with my own. Pimps get the girls, pimps make money; pimps also do hard time, get hooked on drugs, and quite often, lead to their own downfalls. I wonder about the psychology of a pimp, and how much of that is similar to mine. I related to Iceberg more and more as the story unfolded, you can credit the author with most of that. Reading this book allowed me to live vicariously as a pimp, to learn an almost esoteric wisdom of human nature. I cheered for ‘berg when he’d successfully set a bar, or rose to an occasion. I sulked with him when he’d fail, or suffer the consequences of his lifestyle. I flapped my horns whenever ‘berg would employ the help of a fellow pimp, or describe the details of any plan he would carry out.

I wonder now, what his life would have been like had he stayed in school and maybe became a shrink, or a lawyer. Two profession I’m sure he would have excelled in. I see so much of myself in ‘berg. My willingness to learn from others - friend or foe, my desire to be the top dog, my gifts of gab and guile. Had I lived during the time of Iceberg, I may have made a good pimp too, we could have even been partners. I read the book because I really wanted to know If i could have been a pimp. The answer to that question is yes, and no. I may not have been strong during those times of uncertainty or incarceration. I may not have been strong enough to kick a drug habit as notorious as heroin. I may not have been ballsy enough to beat a woman into submission, or wise enough to do it without taking it too far. 

What I’m Reading Now: Pimp, by Iceberg Slim. I’m more than halfway through this book, and I find it very entertaining. The language, the stories, the characters, all have me jerking my head away in laughter or bewilderment. Despite the over arching theme of pimping and crime, themes of independence, psychology, sociology, and childhood trauma exist here as well. The people in this book lived a hard life and continued to throughout their life. Experiencing these themes and stories second hand make me grateful for what I have, problems and all. To level with you all tho, pimping is one of the oldest professions known to man; maybe 2nd to prostitution itself. Despite all that you and I have heard about this err.. lewd profession, an illustrious quality exists. Iceberg himself was smitten somehow by the profession even after It derailed his childhood, In light of that fact, I don’t know whether ‘berg should be congratulated or shamed for his progressive part in this profession. Full disclosure, I find aspects of pimping admirable, but I know I live in a world that recognizes this kind of work as despicable and a crime.

What I’ve Read: Man’Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. Per my reaction post, the stories and lessons in the text are of great value. What was unfamiliar to me I found enlightening, what was familiar was quite refreshing, and validating. The stories in the book revolves around how, and why we as humans give meaning to things in life. Today however, I see more and more people choosing to subscribe and promote, a life built holistically on the believe that life has no meaning. I’ve personally struggled with the bleak feeling of freedom that can accompany nihilism, but this doesn’t beat the drive, and sense of purpose that can come with the act of giving meaning to the trials and tribulations of life. I also detected essences of stoicism in the stories. If you’re a fan or practitioner of stoicism or a believer in divinity then this book should satiate such an appetite. 

What I’m reading now: The Long awaited fiction novel Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankel. I remember the book being a source of motivation for other readers.  I think I can understand why. I’m a third into the book, and I love how introspective Frankl writes. Frankl was a trained psychiatrist so I really appreciate his analysis on the psychology of encampment. Once I start reading I can stop, and I can’t start reading if I know I won’t be able to give it my undivided attention. I really respect his writing. I believe what makes the story a motivation to some are the perspectives; or attitudes; of his, but mostly others in the camp. Despite the amount of suffering everyone goes through, they’re are others who still hold on to their humanity. and aren’t reduced to violent, desperate animals. The stories so far promote a strong frame of mind, that is useful in every situation. 

What I’ve read: Finishing The Art of Living was a mini milestone for me. It’s personally defeating for me when a book has lost its luster and finishing it becomes a chore. At some point in the cover to cover journey for me, I struggled with continuing on. Some chapters I read had no effect on me at the present moment, and I imagined would have later on in my lifetime. I’m done now though, and look forward to what calls me back to thumb through the pages for more stoic wisdom to remedy my day to day life. I wrote a review of the text that goes into greater details toward my feelings although colored by the fatigue of my patience at the time.