That's the one that caught my attention too. There have been times where I try to get into a book, and if I even get the hint the writer is filling up pages wi

That's the one that caught my attention too. There have been times where I try to get into a book, and if I even get the hint the writer is filling up pages with overly complex flowery prose; I immediately put the book down. I always assumed it was just because I wasen't a natural reader. I've actually stayed away from a lot of classical literature, because I just couldn't get into the books. I have been completely wrong though. I remember reading Nabrakov's Lolita years after I suffered through those English/Lit. courses. I do wish my instructors felt it was safe reading back then, or they weren't afraid of getting fired for assigning this book. That book really changed my view on lituraure. I remember reading the book, and every sentance, paragraph just flowed. I remember being shocked at the subject matter, and wondering if that was clouding my judgement, and honestly I'm still not sure. After that book, I bought all his books, and haven't completely finished one. I think it's more due to my unnatural reading ability though. I college, I saved up most of my required English/lit. classes for my last semester year in college--out of fear. I do know I felt traumatized by my English 101 instructor. He would rip apart my writing with that red pen. He would have me read my horrid papers in front of the class, and public speaking was my worst fear. He once, in a round about way, accused me of plagiarism--because he had to ask his wife what an amygdala was, and "How did You come up with that idea for a paper?" In the end, he did give me a B, but I was really affected by that class. I used to enjoy writing before his class. It's funny how one teacher can stifle a young student's enthusiasm. I had a girlfriend in a different English class, directly across from my classroom, at the same time of day. The doors were always open. I could hear her instructor because he had a loud voice. I would write down what that teacher had to say--stuff like funneling paragraphs, and not being to wordy, etc. I learned more about writing from her teacher than mine. And as usual, I rambled on to long, but if you don't quite get what's so great about seemingly dry old books, give Lotita a shot.