Ok, so I thought this book was getting better, but that was a lie. Freedman's writing style is engaging but for some reason, he thought smut was a good idea. Why do people write when they only write junk? Oh well...back to the library.
0
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Mere Christianity
Alright, so this will be my first short post. If you haven't noticed, I am a little long-winded, so feel free to skim my postings for the main topics.
The first book I jumped into was Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. This book only took me a few hours of reading, but mostly because I didn't finish it. I got about half-way through and was completely bored.
Here is the problem, as a Christian it is difficult to have somebody try and convince me of how wonderful it is to be a Christian. It is like having somebody try and convince you that it is important to wear clothing in public. I am aware of the need for clothing and why I should wear it, so stop telling me what I already know. This is different than taking an apologetics class because it is not written to teach other Christians. The book is written for seekers and those Christians who may be having a crisis in faith. I own the book now and I think it will be useful if I ever have a crisis in faith myself. However, until that point it is just difficult to push myself through the book
I think the book is well written and Lewis is brilliant and witty. It is a must read for those unsure of what they are looking for in faith or why Christians are such an odd lot. I highly recommend it to those individuals. I also highly recommend that Christians all own a copy to loan to people to whom they are witnessing. This book is a great resource and gives the basics of the faith. The seeker can read the book and gain an understanding of Christianity and the book will leave them with many questions that they will need to seek out Christians to answer.
The first book I jumped into was Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. This book only took me a few hours of reading, but mostly because I didn't finish it. I got about half-way through and was completely bored.
Here is the problem, as a Christian it is difficult to have somebody try and convince me of how wonderful it is to be a Christian. It is like having somebody try and convince you that it is important to wear clothing in public. I am aware of the need for clothing and why I should wear it, so stop telling me what I already know. This is different than taking an apologetics class because it is not written to teach other Christians. The book is written for seekers and those Christians who may be having a crisis in faith. I own the book now and I think it will be useful if I ever have a crisis in faith myself. However, until that point it is just difficult to push myself through the book
I think the book is well written and Lewis is brilliant and witty. It is a must read for those unsure of what they are looking for in faith or why Christians are such an odd lot. I highly recommend it to those individuals. I also highly recommend that Christians all own a copy to loan to people to whom they are witnessing. This book is a great resource and gives the basics of the faith. The seeker can read the book and gain an understanding of Christianity and the book will leave them with many questions that they will need to seek out Christians to answer.
Points and Clarifications
So, I believe it was Mark Twain that said, "The classics are books that everybody wants to have read, but nobody wants to read." The truth to that is the reason that my list is not made up entirely of classical literature but also of good books that deserve to be noted, books of historical significance, and books that just simply look interesting. Terry Pratchett's books are a great example of this as his books are well written and incredibly entertaining. He was knighted for contributions to literature and is a standard for study in secondary schools and universities in the U.K. and thus deserves a spot on the list. Furthermore, there are books that are not on the list for that very reason. The best example is The Grapes of Wrath. I was subjected to having to read this for an English class in high school and just couldn't get through it. If a book is going to be painful for me, I don't see that there is much point in reading it. Reading should be fun and not any more of a chore than absolutely necessary.
You may notice that my Lifetime Reading List is on the page. I must make a clarification about my rules that I stated earlier regarding the books on this list. You are more than welcome to make any comments about these books that you like. You may give all the reasons in the world as to why you do not feel they deserve to be on the list. If you make a good enough case I might take your suggestions under advisement. However, simply not liking a book will not get it off the list and scolding me for putting any book on there isn't going to gain you any brownie points. Scholarly discussion is more than welcome. I only close the door to additions to the list because this list is going to take me long enough. And now.................. on with the reading.
You may notice that my Lifetime Reading List is on the page. I must make a clarification about my rules that I stated earlier regarding the books on this list. You are more than welcome to make any comments about these books that you like. You may give all the reasons in the world as to why you do not feel they deserve to be on the list. If you make a good enough case I might take your suggestions under advisement. However, simply not liking a book will not get it off the list and scolding me for putting any book on there isn't going to gain you any brownie points. Scholarly discussion is more than welcome. I only close the door to additions to the list because this list is going to take me long enough. And now.................. on with the reading.
Above the Law
I'm not so sure about this one yet. There are a few books by this title, this novel being by J.F. Freedman. Freedman is the New York Times bestselling author of The Disappearance, but so far, this book seems nothing more than a John Grisham wanna-be. I've only read the first two chapters so far, and it's not enough for me to tell if this book will be worth it or not.
Friday, November 27, 2009
In the Begining
So, an introduction. My name is Tyler and since I will not post frequently enough to justify my own blog and because blogging is against my religion, I am posting on Bekah's which has a similar theme. Bekah is going to read about ten million books and I am going to read 165, probably in the same amount of time. But first, a few ground rules:
1) You are more than welcome to post comments, but under no circumstances are you allowed to suggest books for me to read or inform me of why whatever book or author I am reading should not be on the list. As soon as I figure out how, I will post a copy of the list on the blog. You are welcome to use it and start your own blogging empire if you like. The list is long enough and I made it so I get to decide what is worth reading. YAY, ME!!
2) No criticizing my reading speed. As a history, I had not read a novel front to back until after I was out of high school. I am not dumb, just lazy. So, I read slow because I am not very good at it. I am significantly better than I was, but I still only moderately faster than I am able to out loud. So, shut it.
3) You are welcome to make any other comments that you like.
That is it. I started reading seriously about 5 years ago with the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. I love the book and a few of them are on the list. I will read the books in whatever order I can buy them in because I am also attempting to build a library. Not to worry, I already own several of them to get started with. I hope you find this as interesting as I do. Since you don't, however, feel free to bore yourself with my wiley charms.
1) You are more than welcome to post comments, but under no circumstances are you allowed to suggest books for me to read or inform me of why whatever book or author I am reading should not be on the list. As soon as I figure out how, I will post a copy of the list on the blog. You are welcome to use it and start your own blogging empire if you like. The list is long enough and I made it so I get to decide what is worth reading. YAY, ME!!
2) No criticizing my reading speed. As a history, I had not read a novel front to back until after I was out of high school. I am not dumb, just lazy. So, I read slow because I am not very good at it. I am significantly better than I was, but I still only moderately faster than I am able to out loud. So, shut it.
3) You are welcome to make any other comments that you like.
That is it. I started reading seriously about 5 years ago with the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. I love the book and a few of them are on the list. I will read the books in whatever order I can buy them in because I am also attempting to build a library. Not to worry, I already own several of them to get started with. I hope you find this as interesting as I do. Since you don't, however, feel free to bore yourself with my wiley charms.
Above Suspicion finale
Well this book doesn't seem to fit in with the murder mystery category considering the reader knows who done it the whole time. Other than that, the book is unrealistic but do-able. Our author couldn't resist throwing in a very girly infatuation between two of our main characters, but if you go for that kind of thing, feel free to read Above Suspicion. I give it a 2.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Above Suspicion
If you can get past the first page, Above Suspicion by Linda La Plante isn't too bad. The first few paragraphs give the impression that she just isn't trying to write decent literature. The exposition is lazy and it's difficult to get into the characters.
I'm halfway through this murder mystery. As mysteries go, it's....so so. Doesn't come close to the mastery of an Agatha Christie, but we'll see how it ends.
I'm halfway through this murder mystery. As mysteries go, it's....so so. Doesn't come close to the mastery of an Agatha Christie, but we'll see how it ends.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Above Chicago
Yay, an easy one! Above Chicago is a coffee table book of photographs by Robert Cameron. They are all aerial shots of Chicago and some pages compare photos from decades past to show the city's development.
While I think Chicago is a great city and includes many beautiful elements, having a whole book of only aerial shots starts getting dull. After seeing building after building, I became less able to take interest in subtleties of architectural design. The photos themselves are well done, but the finished product could have been better.
This one gets a 2
While I think Chicago is a great city and includes many beautiful elements, having a whole book of only aerial shots starts getting dull. After seeing building after building, I became less able to take interest in subtleties of architectural design. The photos themselves are well done, but the finished product could have been better.
This one gets a 2
Above All, Be Kind conclusion
This book has been the highlight reading of the month. Yeah, I'm generally a cynic about parenting books, but Weil puts out some great ideas to give your children a real sense of their own responsibility and purpose.
At the end of the book, she includes a questionnaire for parents revolving around the statement, "My life is my message" showing people just how well their life reflects their goals and ideals. GRANTED! Weil does have a certain bent toward issues of animal cruelty, consumerism, sweatshop labor, etc., but whether or not your ideas match with hers, this book is an excellent tool not only in helping raise children, but also in helping us raise ourselves.
I'll definitely read this again, though can't be bothered purchasing it. This one's a 4.
At the end of the book, she includes a questionnaire for parents revolving around the statement, "My life is my message" showing people just how well their life reflects their goals and ideals. GRANTED! Weil does have a certain bent toward issues of animal cruelty, consumerism, sweatshop labor, etc., but whether or not your ideas match with hers, this book is an excellent tool not only in helping raise children, but also in helping us raise ourselves.
I'll definitely read this again, though can't be bothered purchasing it. This one's a 4.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Above All Be Kind
At first glance, I thought I'd be putting this book down soon into the first chapter, but I'm pleasantly surprised. Above All, Be Kind by Zoe Weil is a book about how to raise humane children in a difficult society. I know, sounds a bit scary, right?
It's based on what she calls the best qualities of human beings, BUT she's willing to admit that her list is not a complete one. The qualities she focuses on in the book are
1. Willingness to choose and change
2. Kindness
3. Compassion
4. Honesty and trustworthiness
5. Generosity
6. Courage
7. Perseverance, self-discipline and restraint
8. Humor and playfulness
9. Wisdom
10. Integrity
The best thing about this book is that it's not based on some parenting styles that say "Here's how to get what you want out of your kid." Rather, it inspires adults to expect nothing more from their children than they are willing to exemplify. Simple concept, I know.
But along the way...we get some great greeting card, Oprah bookclub-esque, life lessons in the form of quotes.
"The people you have to lie to, own you. The things you have to lie about, own you. When your children see you owned, then they are not your children anymore, they are the children of what owns you. If money owns you, they are the children of money. If your need for pretense and illusion owns you, they are the children of pretense and illusion. If your fear of loneliness owns you, they are the children of loneliness. If your fear of the truth owns you, they are the children of the fear of the truth."
- Michael Venture
"Americans aren't starving for what they don't have but rather for what they won't give." - Marianne Williamson
"To see what is good and not to do it is want of courage." - Confucious
"If we did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas Edison
"I want peace; a quietness for my soul. And ease for my thoughts and a rest for my heart...I want faith. To possess the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen..." - Elisa, age 14
It's based on what she calls the best qualities of human beings, BUT she's willing to admit that her list is not a complete one. The qualities she focuses on in the book are
1. Willingness to choose and change
2. Kindness
3. Compassion
4. Honesty and trustworthiness
5. Generosity
6. Courage
7. Perseverance, self-discipline and restraint
8. Humor and playfulness
9. Wisdom
10. Integrity
The best thing about this book is that it's not based on some parenting styles that say "Here's how to get what you want out of your kid." Rather, it inspires adults to expect nothing more from their children than they are willing to exemplify. Simple concept, I know.
But along the way...we get some great greeting card, Oprah bookclub-esque, life lessons in the form of quotes.
"The people you have to lie to, own you. The things you have to lie about, own you. When your children see you owned, then they are not your children anymore, they are the children of what owns you. If money owns you, they are the children of money. If your need for pretense and illusion owns you, they are the children of pretense and illusion. If your fear of loneliness owns you, they are the children of loneliness. If your fear of the truth owns you, they are the children of the fear of the truth."
- Michael Venture
"Americans aren't starving for what they don't have but rather for what they won't give." - Marianne Williamson
"To see what is good and not to do it is want of courage." - Confucious
"If we did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas Edison
"I want peace; a quietness for my soul. And ease for my thoughts and a rest for my heart...I want faith. To possess the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen..." - Elisa, age 14
Friday, November 13, 2009
About Your House
This is it! I'm done with the "About"s. Very yay!
Well this book is a book companion to the PBS show by the same name, hosted by Bob Yapp. This book appeals to the creative type like me, AND it gets an automatic bonus because Yapp is from Des Moines.
Great advice from his mother, “Don’t worry about ‘the money’; if you do what you love, you will make a living.”
The purpose of this book is to give home owners good ideas on how to preserve old houses, what to consider when making repairs, and overall, how to enjoy the beauty and history of American homes.
Between a lack of universal usage and great pictures, About Your House gets a 2.
----------------
Now playing: Beauty And The Beast (Original Broadway Cast) - Something There
via FoxyTunes
Well this book is a book companion to the PBS show by the same name, hosted by Bob Yapp. This book appeals to the creative type like me, AND it gets an automatic bonus because Yapp is from Des Moines.
Great advice from his mother, “Don’t worry about ‘the money’; if you do what you love, you will make a living.”
The purpose of this book is to give home owners good ideas on how to preserve old houses, what to consider when making repairs, and overall, how to enjoy the beauty and history of American homes.
Between a lack of universal usage and great pictures, About Your House gets a 2.
----------------
Now playing: Beauty And The Beast (Original Broadway Cast) - Something There
via FoxyTunes
About This Life conclusion
Maybe I enjoy this book because the author is so different than I. He writes a whole chapter about how he likes to stop along the road and carry dead animals off the pavement to a proper burial. Very not me. And yet I enjoyed reading about it.
The section on his travels in THIS country are still other-worldly enough to entertain and intrigue me. The end of the book gets a bit dark toward the end, but in a chilling, suspenseful way.
In a surprising finish, this book get a very high 3.
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Now playing: Michael Buble - Fever
via FoxyTunes
The section on his travels in THIS country are still other-worldly enough to entertain and intrigue me. The end of the book gets a bit dark toward the end, but in a chilling, suspenseful way.
In a surprising finish, this book get a very high 3.
----------------
Now playing: Michael Buble - Fever
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Out of Country
I finished the first (and longest) section of About This Life. I especially love Lopez's chapter on Flight. My boyfriend has been an aircraft maintainer and I've done a bit of traveling myself, so seeing his perspective on flying was an enjoyment. The next section is about memories in the States and I'm a bit skeptical. Patriotic stories don't usually resonate with me, but Lopez comes across not as anti-American, but not particularly loyal.
We'll see. I should have this book finished in a couple days. I'm working full-time now, so I don't have as much time to read as before, and I've been dedicating more time to learning Estonian.
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Now playing: Blue Man Group - Rods and Cones
via FoxyTunes
We'll see. I should have this book finished in a couple days. I'm working full-time now, so I don't have as much time to read as before, and I've been dedicating more time to learning Estonian.
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Now playing: Blue Man Group - Rods and Cones
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
About This Life
Finally! A book worth reading!
About This Life by Barry Lopez is difficult to categorize. It is somewhat autobiographical, but it is not really the story of his life. It deals with moments from his life, but is not a memoir. He's a creative storyteller, but it's not a novel of any kind. This book is simply described as "journeys on the threshold of memory." These memories could belong to anyone, but they are truthfully his own.
The first section of the book (which I'm completing) deals with his "Out of Country" memories. The chapters are short enough to be taken in small doses, and they don't need to be read in succession or in any particular space of time.
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Now playing: Sara Bareilles - Gravity (Acoustic)
via FoxyTunes
About This Life by Barry Lopez is difficult to categorize. It is somewhat autobiographical, but it is not really the story of his life. It deals with moments from his life, but is not a memoir. He's a creative storyteller, but it's not a novel of any kind. This book is simply described as "journeys on the threshold of memory." These memories could belong to anyone, but they are truthfully his own.
The first section of the book (which I'm completing) deals with his "Out of Country" memories. The chapters are short enough to be taken in small doses, and they don't need to be read in succession or in any particular space of time.
----------------
Now playing: Sara Bareilles - Gravity (Acoustic)
via FoxyTunes
Friday, November 6, 2009
More Authors
I finished About the Author by Alfred and Emily Glossbrenner tonight. If I didn't already have a huge list of books to read, I would be more eager to utilize the suggestions in this one. It definitely needs updating. It was published in 2000, so quite a bit has changed in the world of literature since then.
It's not the kind of book you really "read" more than once. Consult perhaps, but not read. Because of this, I give it a 3
It's not the kind of book you really "read" more than once. Consult perhaps, but not read. Because of this, I give it a 3
Thursday, November 5, 2009
About the Author take 2
Be still my beating heart! This book by Alfred and Emily Glossebrenner serves as a guide to various well-loved authors. And they’re all listed in ALPHABETICAL ORDER!!! Okay, it’s not really that exciting. I just draw pleasure from strange things. Repackaged, this would make a great coffee table book.
As a bibliophile, I am rather impressed by the layout. Each two-page spread includes a photo, brief bio, best works, as well as suggestions on what book to read first if you’re interested in trying the author out.
Some fun little tidbits I picked up tonight:
1.Isaac Asimov was a major P.G. Wodehouse fan and loved Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
2.Jane Austen wrote anonymously and wasn’t known as the author until after her death.
3.T. C. Boyle entered the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop because it was the only one he’d heard of.
4.William S. Burroughs was kicked out of the army for purposefully chopping off part of his finger and once sold his typewriter for heroin.
5.Lewis Carroll invented the idea of the dust jacket.
6.Michael Crichton is 6’9”.
As a bibliophile, I am rather impressed by the layout. Each two-page spread includes a photo, brief bio, best works, as well as suggestions on what book to read first if you’re interested in trying the author out.
Some fun little tidbits I picked up tonight:
1.Isaac Asimov was a major P.G. Wodehouse fan and loved Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
2.Jane Austen wrote anonymously and wasn’t known as the author until after her death.
3.T. C. Boyle entered the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop because it was the only one he’d heard of.
4.William S. Burroughs was kicked out of the army for purposefully chopping off part of his finger and once sold his typewriter for heroin.
5.Lewis Carroll invented the idea of the dust jacket.
6.Michael Crichton is 6’9”.
About the Author
It really helps to read the afterword sometimes. This novel by John Colapinto was painful from start to almost finish. The title itself made me nervous that this would be yet another set of memoirs in disguise. Luckily, it wasn't.
If you don't mind sex and drug references, this book is do-able. The closer and closer I got to the end, the more I wanted to line up the three main characters and give them one giant slap.
The plot consists of a wanna-be author who steals his dead roomate's manuscript and publishes it as his own. The book becomes an instant success, but his fear of being discovered as the fraud he is leads him to marry his dead roomate's sweetheart and be conned into drug trafficking by a former (brief) sexual partner.
The fact that none of these people wants to tell the truth just makes me wanna punch them all, and some of the coincidences are just too far-fetched for me to latch onto.
BUT! The final chapter and afterword make all the difference. The cleverness of Colapinto at this point redeemed any violent tendencies I had. If you can't think of anything else to read, I can suggest it. I give this one a 3.
If you don't mind sex and drug references, this book is do-able. The closer and closer I got to the end, the more I wanted to line up the three main characters and give them one giant slap.
The plot consists of a wanna-be author who steals his dead roomate's manuscript and publishes it as his own. The book becomes an instant success, but his fear of being discovered as the fraud he is leads him to marry his dead roomate's sweetheart and be conned into drug trafficking by a former (brief) sexual partner.
The fact that none of these people wants to tell the truth just makes me wanna punch them all, and some of the coincidences are just too far-fetched for me to latch onto.
BUT! The final chapter and afterword make all the difference. The cleverness of Colapinto at this point redeemed any violent tendencies I had. If you can't think of anything else to read, I can suggest it. I give this one a 3.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Philosophy FIN
I completely About Philosophy by Robert Paul Wolff. The last two chapters were the philosophy of Art and Religion. "Art" dealt mainly with whether art has any value, while "Religion" compared views of different philosophers, discussing whether truth is subjective or objective. Freud argued that religious impulse is just an infantile expression of fantasies.
Obviously this book was meant to accompany a philosophy class, so as such I find it difficult to rate outside its intended environment. I'm very impressed with Wolff's ability to make such a vague topic so accessible to a novice as myself. Because of that, I have to give this book a 3. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning about philosophy.
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Now playing: Kylie Minogue - Like A Drug
via FoxyTunes
Obviously this book was meant to accompany a philosophy class, so as such I find it difficult to rate outside its intended environment. I'm very impressed with Wolff's ability to make such a vague topic so accessible to a novice as myself. Because of that, I have to give this book a 3. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning about philosophy.
----------------
Now playing: Kylie Minogue - Like A Drug
via FoxyTunes
Monday, November 2, 2009
Science....boring
Science can be interesting...but the PHILOSOPHY of science??!! Couldn't handle it. But I trudged on despite the fact that I've had a severe head cold the last 48 hours. Just a couple chapters left.
In other news....I started reading About Schmidt and thought it'd be exciting, but I have to admit, I put it down. I got through the second chapter and wanted to pull my eyeballs out! How this was made into a major motion picture, I'm not sure, but I couldn't force myself to care a bit about any of the characters. This bad boy got a 0.
----------------
Now playing: Israel 'IZ' Kamakawiwo'ole - Over The Rainbow
via FoxyTunes
In other news....I started reading About Schmidt and thought it'd be exciting, but I have to admit, I put it down. I got through the second chapter and wanted to pull my eyeballs out! How this was made into a major motion picture, I'm not sure, but I couldn't force myself to care a bit about any of the characters. This bad boy got a 0.
----------------
Now playing: Israel 'IZ' Kamakawiwo'ole - Over The Rainbow
via FoxyTunes
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