I just finished Exodus today, so I'm alive and still reading. Definitely not a fast read like some of the other books I'd typically pick, but I'm learning a lot. It's interesting to read this from a mother's perspective as most of these Old Testament books I read previously while in high school or college. It is also interesting looking at it from an Orthodox Christian perspective, and I'm loving their edition of the study Bible.
That's it for now. Still alive... Still reading... It could be awhile...
Monday, February 7, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Book # 1: Nicholas Nickelby
by Charles Dickens
I have long memories of reading David Copperfield over the summer preparing for freshman year of high school honors English, and painstakingly writing a paragraph response after every chapter. Needless to say, I have this dread of Dickens.
Well, did I miss out! Dickens actually has a sense of humor in a subdued sort of way. I really enjoyed reading this, even if it was a little predictable, but hey, even Pride and Prejudice is predictable. I will definitely check out some of his other books in the future, especially as I can access them for free on my Googlebooks app for my iPhone. Makes reading in bed when the hubby is asleep a whole lot easier than messing with a book light!
So now it is on to my resolution of the year--the Bible. I'll keep you posted as I'm going from front cover to back cover just like a novel, and if I didn't give you updates, you'd never hear from me.
I have long memories of reading David Copperfield over the summer preparing for freshman year of high school honors English, and painstakingly writing a paragraph response after every chapter. Needless to say, I have this dread of Dickens.
Well, did I miss out! Dickens actually has a sense of humor in a subdued sort of way. I really enjoyed reading this, even if it was a little predictable, but hey, even Pride and Prejudice is predictable. I will definitely check out some of his other books in the future, especially as I can access them for free on my Googlebooks app for my iPhone. Makes reading in bed when the hubby is asleep a whole lot easier than messing with a book light!
So now it is on to my resolution of the year--the Bible. I'll keep you posted as I'm going from front cover to back cover just like a novel, and if I didn't give you updates, you'd never hear from me.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy New Year!
So my book counts holds at 26! I'll wait to declare victory in case Mommy Meg is speeding through five more books in the wee-hours before the New Year.
And in keeping with the spirit of the new year, here is my resolution: (Besides beating Mommy Meg in my book count....again...)
I am going to read The Bible from front cover to back.
I have never read it entirely. I have read chapters and parts here and there. But I got to thinking that as an Orthodox Christian who puts so much into her reading (ummm... I blog about), it's pretty ludicrous that I haven't read the entire Bible. And besides, as Mommy Meg discovered that she is expecting again (due in June), so she'll have the reading disadvantage of four small kids, I thought I'd give her the head start of me reading a book thousands of pages long.
So Happy New Year! And if you don't hear from me until March, you'll know what I'm reading.
And in keeping with the spirit of the new year, here is my resolution: (Besides beating Mommy Meg in my book count....again...)
I am going to read The Bible from front cover to back.
I have never read it entirely. I have read chapters and parts here and there. But I got to thinking that as an Orthodox Christian who puts so much into her reading (ummm... I blog about), it's pretty ludicrous that I haven't read the entire Bible. And besides, as Mommy Meg discovered that she is expecting again (due in June), so she'll have the reading disadvantage of four small kids, I thought I'd give her the head start of me reading a book thousands of pages long.
So Happy New Year! And if you don't hear from me until March, you'll know what I'm reading.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Book # 26: Skippy Dies
by Paul Murray
Don't read it. It's one I would have stopped reading 150 pages in if I wasn't trying to compete with finishing books. It tells the story of a teenage boy who overdoses on drugs after having multiple traumatic experiences at his Catholic boarding school. Way too much teenage boy humor talking about girls and puberty, and the adult role models were soo clueless and depressing. Pointless and meaningless sexual experiences, bullying, teachers misbehaving, fights, drugs, gangs, schools covering up problems, it's all in here. I must say that if this is really how the author views the world, then we live in a pretty depressing place, or he does. I think I was most disappointed in the parents and teachers he displayed. While I understand that no one is perfect, these people were above and beyond not caring. Everyone in the book, ultimately, was looking out for themselves. Definitely not a Christian outlook on life. So don't waste your time.
Don't read it. It's one I would have stopped reading 150 pages in if I wasn't trying to compete with finishing books. It tells the story of a teenage boy who overdoses on drugs after having multiple traumatic experiences at his Catholic boarding school. Way too much teenage boy humor talking about girls and puberty, and the adult role models were soo clueless and depressing. Pointless and meaningless sexual experiences, bullying, teachers misbehaving, fights, drugs, gangs, schools covering up problems, it's all in here. I must say that if this is really how the author views the world, then we live in a pretty depressing place, or he does. I think I was most disappointed in the parents and teachers he displayed. While I understand that no one is perfect, these people were above and beyond not caring. Everyone in the book, ultimately, was looking out for themselves. Definitely not a Christian outlook on life. So don't waste your time.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
A Challenge
I was looking back over my blog from last year and my book list from then. Last year I read 33 books. I'm at 25 currently. That leaves me with 8 books to read before 2011. That would mean four in November and four in December. I'm curious to see if I can do it, but to be practical, as I usually am, I don't see it happening. There are so many other things to complete by Christmas, such as cards, pictures of the kids, Christmas shopping, making Christmas gifts, wrapping those gifts, etc. So my challenge to myself is to read 5 more books, thus putting me at 30 books for the year. I think this is a doable challenge. I'll keep you posted. And Mommy Meg, don't use this insider information to pull a fast one and zoom by me. :)
Book # 25: Spaceheadz
By Jon Scieszka & Francesco Sedita
Being an elementary education major, I've read Jon Scieszka's other books, so when I noticed this one, I just had to see what it was about. A great option for incorporating energy wave information into a classroom in a fun way. A little out there as all of his books are, and perhaps difficult to understand depending on the reading level of the child. I could definitely see sequels and a website playing off of his Spaceheadz theme.
Being an elementary education major, I've read Jon Scieszka's other books, so when I noticed this one, I just had to see what it was about. A great option for incorporating energy wave information into a classroom in a fun way. A little out there as all of his books are, and perhaps difficult to understand depending on the reading level of the child. I could definitely see sequels and a website playing off of his Spaceheadz theme.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Book # 24: The Host
by Stephenie Meyer
An intriguing science fiction tale of an alien species that inserts itself into other species in order to live. They begin to colonize Earth, but realize that Earthlings are able to retain a presence in their brain. Sounds strange and far-fetched, but was truly well written. It was one of those books that you can't put down, read straight through, and then are sad to be done with. I was amazed by Stephenie's ability to have you sympathize with both the alien species and us as a decidedly strange love triangle occurs. A tad predictable and not a book that requires a ton of thought, but still one I'd highly recommend.
An intriguing science fiction tale of an alien species that inserts itself into other species in order to live. They begin to colonize Earth, but realize that Earthlings are able to retain a presence in their brain. Sounds strange and far-fetched, but was truly well written. It was one of those books that you can't put down, read straight through, and then are sad to be done with. I was amazed by Stephenie's ability to have you sympathize with both the alien species and us as a decidedly strange love triangle occurs. A tad predictable and not a book that requires a ton of thought, but still one I'd highly recommend.
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