Ragtime - E.L. Doctorow

When I started blogging about the Top 100 I promised myself that I would actually read every single book on this list. That even if I didn't like the book, or it was boring, or it didn't move me (how's that for sentimental?), I would read it from start to finish.

Well, I seem to have run in to a slight hitch in that giddy-up. Ragtime is probably one of the most boring books I've ever read in my life...and I've read some pretty boring books! It was written in 1975, not to mention that it's set in 1901!!! I thought it had hope when there was some naughty bedroom action around page 60, i.e. girl-on-girl with man watching from closet!!!!! Shocking, huh?! Unfortunately for myself, and Doctorow (I'm sure he's real torn up about it!) that it wasn't shocking enough. I literally found myself dreading having to pick this book up and read it.

Bleck!

The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

I finished this book with all the intention in the world to talk it up and tell everyone what a fantastic book it is...I can't even begin to put words on this page. FML!

I will say that I cried more while reading this book than I have reading any other book thus far on my journey of the Top 100. This poor girl had a horrid life, and she knew it.

On another note...I did read Virgin Suicides. If anyone has teenage daughters, might be depressed, knows anyone that has committed suicide or really doesn't feel like crying, I don't recommend reading this book. Don't get me wrong, it's a great book. But that's just it...it's almost too good. I felt like these girls were my friends and they slipped out from my grasp and left this world without my permission. ..