Outside Reading #5: The Minutes Keep Getting Bigger

Hello English classes,

This past week and over the weekend I haven't just been reading my outside reading book, Mockingjay. Actually, I've hardly read it since last week, because I've had so many other outside reading books to study, annotate, you name it! One in particular is the new post-colonial novel that came in the mail on Thursday. Yeah, that's right, I'm actually reading the sequel to Nervous Conditions, called The Book of Not, both by Tsitsi Dangarembga. From the way I see it, I think Dangarembga has left the meaning of sexism and prejudice against women, because it is all a continuation of Tambu's journey at Sacred Heart. I'm not that far into it, so I can't really agree or disagree with the dark content of the novel. Yes, we all know that the beginning is a little gory in the language because, who wants to read about someone's legs getting blown off, right?

After that it deals with the aftermath of Tambu's sister, Nestai, and her missing leg (except that it isn't that big of a conflict after she goes to the hospital). Along with the current plot, I've noticed a lot of characters expanding; some stayed the same personally, but others have evolved since Nervous Conditions. For example, I see that Tambu has changed since she feels more silenced after the accident with her sister. I also get a hint of jealousy from her as she aspires to be the best, but there's one thing that hasn't changed about her: the guilt she feels for things out of control. I'll keep reading and analyzing the book (until I present), but I'll keep y'all updated on the things going on, and I know I have to finish it so I'll have to get through it all somehow! Hopefully after reading Nervous Conditions, I'll be able to apply all the themes, conflicts, and continued social aspects to my partners and my expansion project next week.

Reading times (these aren't really accurate because I haven't kept track of them all, but this is a rough guess-timation):
Monday 3/19 - about 15 minutes reading Mockingjay (in class)
Monday 3/19 - 15 minutes reading vocabulary connections article for English
Tuesday 3/20 - about 40 minutes reading first section of Biology
Wednesday 3/21 - about 20 minutes reading next two sections of Biology
Thursday 3/22 - 30 minutes reading Ch. 1 of The Book of Not
Sunday 3/25 - 30 minutes reading Ch. 2 of The Book of Not
Monday 3/26 - 60 minutes finishing Ch. 2 and Ch. 3 of The Book of Not

Pages Read: 48 from The Book of Not, pp. 1-47