How much "bucking" is normal?

For as long as I can remember, my 97 Civic EX (140K) has bucked at low RPMs in the first two gears, and it fades out in the higher gears. For example, I'll start in first, let out the clutch, accellerate and it seems like there is some hesitation (bucking) as the engine winds up (up to about 2750RPM or so). I dunno how to describe this well, you can hear it in the transmission/engine, so maybe I could record the noise if necessary. Let's say I'm going slow, like 20MPH in my neighborhood in 2nd gear. If I let off the gas there is a significant amount of engine braking and it throws me forward (not at a high RPM either). And then when I give it a little gas again, it's very touchy and bucks a little when I initially add gas. I'm not sure if this is normal for this car or not. But like I said, it's fine in higher gears.

I've never driven a manual transmission car that bucks this much. I'm just not sure if it's normal.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.