I'm now re-reading Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackery and published in 1847-48. I read it a few years ago, and the mid-19th century wording got to me, so I know I lost a lot of the nuance and great writing by Mr. Thackery. Therefore, I'm working on it again.

I've found over the years many things about books I enjoy reading. A, #1-- fiction. I've read a few non-fiction works that I do enjoy (Antonia Fraser's Marie Antoinette, for one) but mostly, I want a great story that's completely made up. #2-- I want to feel smart and different when reading it. This doesn't mean it has to be an old literature piece, but it means I'm usually pretty selective. So if anyone who has any suggestions on what I should read after Vanity Fair (which might be awhile) I'd love to hear them!

Like I've said elsewhere, I'm reading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, thanks to Tara. It's her favorite. It's way over a thousand pages, nearly 1200, I think, and I'm just a bit past page 400. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The back cover was pretty vague, which I like, 'cause I didn't want to know too much before I got started. Little did I know that I would learn a lot about business and the politics of business in America. Thanks to this book, I now am beginning to understand the value of capitalism, which completely influenced my vote two days ago.

The story in Atlas Shrugged is pretty unrealistic, but if you can suspend reality and enjoy it for what it is, it's also fascinating. And apparently I haven't even met the main character yet, after 400-plus pages, so I have plenty to look forward to!


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