winter reading

. . . delay.

been reading some interesting literature this winter break as preparation for next semester's heavy load. the first on the list . . . jarhead.

as i began reading my partner's copy shortly before leaving for key west and then buffalo (opposing, yet complimentary climes), i posted a copy of jarhead and zinn's history of the people of the u.s. to my brother, stationed currently in iraq, along with some cd's . . . why? . . . so that he might find himself enjoying his own, altered form of escapism.

though thoroughly disturbed by the book, the text is quite interesting, particularly in the state of ambiguity in which the author often finds himself. the text is most appreciated for its own self-reflexive critical gaze, which comes as quite a surprise, though i found myself, at times, hung upon the instances in which a certain lack or failure continuously reappeared, often in the most expected misogynistic areas particular to warfare . . . a shame. though as i mentioned . . . most expected.

in preparing for the up and coming semester, i wish that i had assigned jarhead along with the other required course texts, specifically bagdad burning, a blog by an iraqi woman in her 20's that has been published in book form. with the material to be read at the end of the semester on the current "wars" (i learned my lesson placing it at the beginning of the course last semester, my first semester teaching freshman comp), each text could have supplemented my attempt to get the students looking at the world from varied, global perspectives . . . next time if i can find a way to add it without "bombarding" the students with "too much" work.

baghdad burning is particularly pointed and extremely smart. and it's anti-bush brash is complemented by the terror faced during the war (one of them), portrayed through everyday life experience in iraq, documented by one woman with whom, apparently, many people are already very familiar. it's a quick read and worth the time. the blog is being updated still: riverbendblog.blogspot.com

i'm considering sending a copy to B., my brother, who claims that he doesn't read. anything to keep in contact. anything he needs.