Don't feel like I'm beating you. You are actually giving me a run for my money. I have a few times been worried you were going to zoom past me as you have stayed so close to my numbers.
So I will say this: even if I don't end up winning, the competition has been effective in helping me keep reading as a priority in my life. And for that I'm thankful!
~Kelly
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Book # 20: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
by Stephenie Meyer
This is a Twilight novella, which tells the story of a character briefly introduced in the novel Eclipse. It is not nearly as good as the Twilight series itself, but for those of us hooked on the world Stephenie created this book allows us another journey back into that realm. An easy read that I finished in two days as I basically read every second I could get. And I will say that if Stephanie decides to continue Fred's story (he was introduced in this book), I would be willing to read it.
This is a Twilight novella, which tells the story of a character briefly introduced in the novel Eclipse. It is not nearly as good as the Twilight series itself, but for those of us hooked on the world Stephenie created this book allows us another journey back into that realm. An easy read that I finished in two days as I basically read every second I could get. And I will say that if Stephanie decides to continue Fred's story (he was introduced in this book), I would be willing to read it.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Book # 19: Eat, Pray, Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert
This was another book that I chose to read because of the movie coming out. Afterall, the movie has Julia Roberts, and most any movie with Julia Roberts will be one that I see. And as the books are often better than the movies, I had to read the book first. Elizabeth spends four months in three places: in Italy to eat, in India to pray, and in Indonesia to love. I was skeptical to be honest. And it was hard to relate with Elizabeth. Afterall, she is the one jumping out of marriage at age 30 to roam the world and pursue writing, while I am the one at 28 who jumped out of teaching and am home, married, and raising three kids. Very different perspectives and priorities. However, she is such a person (and she admits it in telling why she is a good traveler) who makes friends easily, and this came across in her book, thus making it easier to see her side. I don't agree with a lot of what she wrote about or a lot of what she necessarily decides to do. But I found a surprisingly large amount of truth in her prayer journey to India. As an Orthodox Christian I would not agree with the general principles of her found religion, but some of the practices that she found are truth, such as fasting, praying constantly, and even the description of heaven and hell that she finds. So it was intriguing to see where truth could be found. I didn't love it, but I liked it enough to be seeking out the sequel.
This was another book that I chose to read because of the movie coming out. Afterall, the movie has Julia Roberts, and most any movie with Julia Roberts will be one that I see. And as the books are often better than the movies, I had to read the book first. Elizabeth spends four months in three places: in Italy to eat, in India to pray, and in Indonesia to love. I was skeptical to be honest. And it was hard to relate with Elizabeth. Afterall, she is the one jumping out of marriage at age 30 to roam the world and pursue writing, while I am the one at 28 who jumped out of teaching and am home, married, and raising three kids. Very different perspectives and priorities. However, she is such a person (and she admits it in telling why she is a good traveler) who makes friends easily, and this came across in her book, thus making it easier to see her side. I don't agree with a lot of what she wrote about or a lot of what she necessarily decides to do. But I found a surprisingly large amount of truth in her prayer journey to India. As an Orthodox Christian I would not agree with the general principles of her found religion, but some of the practices that she found are truth, such as fasting, praying constantly, and even the description of heaven and hell that she finds. So it was intriguing to see where truth could be found. I didn't love it, but I liked it enough to be seeking out the sequel.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Book # 18: Perfect Circles: Redefining Perfection
by John Michael Stuart, MSW
I started this book not realizing that it was meant to be a self-help book. Therefore, it was a bit of a struggle to read as my expectations for it were different than what it turned out to be. John Stuart has cerebral palsy which he was born with due to being deprived of oxygen for four minutes. He is therefore physically disabled, and faces all of the challenges that come with this. Throughout the book he intersperses stories and events from his life with inspirational messages and ways of thinking. I got the book looking to read the stories, and discovered that the inspirational messages were a bigger part of the book. At first I was annoyed; and frankly, almost stopped reading it, but then I decided as I was already 45 pages in to give it a shot and keep going. And I'm glad I did. It is a good book! A lot of the things he recommends to help you learn to accept yourself, move on, and be happy in life are things that I've discovered since becoming an Orthodox Christian. Just two quick examples are: 1. the power of your mind over your body; 2. the power of forgiveness to move you toward reconciliation. In Orthodoxy we fast to help us overcome our fallen bodies which are weak, and we are expected to forgive constantly. To demonstrate the forgiveness aspect we begin each Lenten period before Pascha (our Easter) by attending a Forgiveness Vespers where after the service we all line up and ask every member of the parish including our families for forgiveness. In which they reply, "God forgives, and I forgive". I'm not sure of John Stuart's religious beliefs or if he even has any, but a number of the truths he brings about in his book are "perfectly" stated.
I started this book not realizing that it was meant to be a self-help book. Therefore, it was a bit of a struggle to read as my expectations for it were different than what it turned out to be. John Stuart has cerebral palsy which he was born with due to being deprived of oxygen for four minutes. He is therefore physically disabled, and faces all of the challenges that come with this. Throughout the book he intersperses stories and events from his life with inspirational messages and ways of thinking. I got the book looking to read the stories, and discovered that the inspirational messages were a bigger part of the book. At first I was annoyed; and frankly, almost stopped reading it, but then I decided as I was already 45 pages in to give it a shot and keep going. And I'm glad I did. It is a good book! A lot of the things he recommends to help you learn to accept yourself, move on, and be happy in life are things that I've discovered since becoming an Orthodox Christian. Just two quick examples are: 1. the power of your mind over your body; 2. the power of forgiveness to move you toward reconciliation. In Orthodoxy we fast to help us overcome our fallen bodies which are weak, and we are expected to forgive constantly. To demonstrate the forgiveness aspect we begin each Lenten period before Pascha (our Easter) by attending a Forgiveness Vespers where after the service we all line up and ask every member of the parish including our families for forgiveness. In which they reply, "God forgives, and I forgive". I'm not sure of John Stuart's religious beliefs or if he even has any, but a number of the truths he brings about in his book are "perfectly" stated.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Book # 17: The Pillars of the Earth
by Ken Follett
I read this book in high school (eleventh grade) and have been claiming it was my favorite book ever since. It was interesting to reread it from my perspective now. A lot has changed since eleventh grade. I'm now an Orthodox Christian; I've graduated from college; I'm married; and I have three kids. So my perspective on life has definitely changed. The main thing that surprised me was how graphic the book was. Sorry to be blunt, but the sex and violence described in this book blew me away. I couldn't believe that I read it when I was 17, and then I couldn't believe that my parents let me, though in all honesty they probably had no idea what was described. The second surprise after I calmed down over the brutality and graphic nature of what was being described was that the book is just as good as I remembered. The story is extremely complex. The plot is interwoven through multiple characters' lives spectacularly. It is truly a masterpiece!
The overall concept of the book is following the building of the Kingsbridge Cathedral. In doing that we meet the Prior, who runs the monastery where the cathedral is to be built, two masons/builders and their families, and various Earls, Bishops, and Kings. All of their lives weave together to either fight for or against the building of this church. It's so complex and well researched that I honestly can tell you no more without writing for pages.
I'm not sure if I would still say it was my favorite book, though I can definitely see why I would have said that in 11th grade. It offered me an interesting look back at who I was and what I stood for. A bit of pride was definitely part of my claiming it as a favorite then--who else at that age claims a nine hundred and seventy three page book, much less one about building Gothic cathedrals in the 1100's. But now reading it, I struggle with the sexuality and brutality described. I have never been a reader of romance novels and head for the classics more often. I have read other books equally well written with less in your face violence. So I will say it is Ken Follett's masterpiece, and one that I would recommend with a warning to be prepared.
I read this book in high school (eleventh grade) and have been claiming it was my favorite book ever since. It was interesting to reread it from my perspective now. A lot has changed since eleventh grade. I'm now an Orthodox Christian; I've graduated from college; I'm married; and I have three kids. So my perspective on life has definitely changed. The main thing that surprised me was how graphic the book was. Sorry to be blunt, but the sex and violence described in this book blew me away. I couldn't believe that I read it when I was 17, and then I couldn't believe that my parents let me, though in all honesty they probably had no idea what was described. The second surprise after I calmed down over the brutality and graphic nature of what was being described was that the book is just as good as I remembered. The story is extremely complex. The plot is interwoven through multiple characters' lives spectacularly. It is truly a masterpiece!
The overall concept of the book is following the building of the Kingsbridge Cathedral. In doing that we meet the Prior, who runs the monastery where the cathedral is to be built, two masons/builders and their families, and various Earls, Bishops, and Kings. All of their lives weave together to either fight for or against the building of this church. It's so complex and well researched that I honestly can tell you no more without writing for pages.
I'm not sure if I would still say it was my favorite book, though I can definitely see why I would have said that in 11th grade. It offered me an interesting look back at who I was and what I stood for. A bit of pride was definitely part of my claiming it as a favorite then--who else at that age claims a nine hundred and seventy three page book, much less one about building Gothic cathedrals in the 1100's. But now reading it, I struggle with the sexuality and brutality described. I have never been a reader of romance novels and head for the classics more often. I have read other books equally well written with less in your face violence. So I will say it is Ken Follett's masterpiece, and one that I would recommend with a warning to be prepared.
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