Maybe I am lucky or perhaps I am really blessed.
When I was working as a student librarian back in college, I was assigned to this lovely section of the UST Library called Humanities, that’s where you find all those books on Philosophy, Ethics, Psychology, Literature, Fiction and all the lovely reading materials that encompass what humanities mean. Nowadays, some people might think that it is a boring subject and has nothing to do with Math or Science but it adds life to one’s existence. It allows you to see the beauty of how to feel and see the beauty of your thoughts and relate to such experiences by others in a world where it is undoubtedly dominated by science. I had a book buddy who used to say, nobody reads anymore. I don’t agree because some people couldn’t live without books, I am one of them.
I digress.
There was this Arts student who used to borrow books by Sylvia Plath. He would come to the library either to renew the due date of a book or borrow another one, all of Sylvia Plath. I got curious so I tried to read one of her books. I remember reading Ariel and learning that we had the same birthday. It’s sad though that her life has to end at a very young age of thirty. Such a tragic death for one so gifted. All these years, I looked for her most popular work called The Bell Jar. It’s been on my wish-list for quite sometime now. She is not exactly a favorite but I love her words. I was lucky to find a copy of her book, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath. I cannot wait to start reading it as soon as I finish the two chick lit books that I am enjoying at the moment. I am curious why she committed suicide at such an early age. I am curious why people still read her works until now. Here is a quote that garnered more than 10,000 likes in Goodreads.
“I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience possible in my life. And I am horribly limited.”
Maybe I am just lucky or perhaps I am really blessed to find her again.
That quote reminds me of you and your love for reading and inquisitive nature. 🙂
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I’ve scanned a few lines of her journal Kelly and it’s like she is talking about most of us, the way we feel, insecure about life sometimes, being happy with little things.
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That must be why so many relate to her. I’ve always wanted to read The Bell Jar as well.
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Hope you’ll find a copy. We don’t have it here 😦
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Why not?
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I’ll find it, don’t worry, it’s just that the last time I asked National Bookstore, they didn’t have it in stock.
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I hope so – if not, I will help you find it, so just let me know 🙂
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Thanks Kelly!
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Anytime!
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🙂
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I love reading as well. Throughout my youth, I lost myself in far away worlds that allowed me to be anything I wanted anywhere I wanted and in any time period I wished to visit. I love the quote but I must wonder why she did not recognize the freedom reading gave her? When you engage in a book, you are limitless.
God put you in the humanities section of that library as your spirit is so tuned into that facet of humanity. I am so grateful you had the experiences you had. I loved my campus library. I could spend all day, and did on occasion, doing historical research. It was my favorite place on campus.
I will look for the Bell Jar for you. If I find it then I will get your address and ship it to you.
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Those three years that I stayed in the library were the happiest days of my youth Tina. You can just imagine discovering something every day and filling your heart with such lovely words. And I totally agree with you…”when you engage in a book, you are limitless”. Such a lovely way to put it. I just didn’t have enough time to read all those classics that I found there because studying at the same time to get my degree was a bit hard.
Thanks for the thought, but there is no need for you to send me a copy, I’ll find it one of these days 🙂 Who knows, it might be hiding in some forsaken corner of a bookstore.
Hope you are doing well my friend. God bless.
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I know what you mean, there are so many classics and modern books I want to read and now I have the time so I should get busy! Looking for the book is no bother, if I find it, I will let you know. Be blessed in abundance this beautiful day.
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Thank you. I have found classic books, there are plenty in our bookstores here but I am having fun laughing and crying myself reading chick lit….for the moment. Thanks too for spending your time looking for one.
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Hi Arlene,
I did find that book on Amazon.com. Did you check that out or would you rather have the thrill of the hunt in your local book stores? Let me know, for I do not mind sending it your way.
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Will try to find it here one of these days Tina. It’s just still so hot outside,I am afraid to go out. I still have to read the journals. Who knows, that might be even better than The Bell Jar. Thanks again for the nice thought, I do appreciate it.
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If you can find it Arlene, you might enjoy this 2003 film about the relationship between poets Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_%282003_film%29
Best wishes from England. Pete.
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I will try one of these days Pete. Thank you so much for the link. I didn’t even know there was a film about them.
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