Author: Terry Pratchett
Genre: fiction, fantasy
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2004
Pages: 278
Eat your heart out, J. K. Rowling. This is fantasy I can really enjoy. I'm not saying this book is perfect—there are a few aspects I really don't like—but, unlike my experience with the Harry Potter books, I was not utterly relieved when it was over. Terry Pratchett is a talented and enjoyable writer, plain and simple.
I read this book on recommendation from my mom, whose opinion I usually trust. The novel is actually the second in a series, sequel to The Wee Free Men, which I'd never read nor heard of before this. That may be part of the reason behind what I didn't like about the book. Pratchett makes many jumps in logic and imagination and seems to expect the reader to fill in the gaps. I was unable to do so a lot of the time, and I think the reason is that I haven't read the first book. I hope that's the reason.
A Hat Full of Sky continues the story of a young witch named Tiffany Aching, who is going to be an apprentice to a witch named Miss Level. (Forget all you've learned about witches from Harry Potter.) Tiffany has already shown a lot of promise as a witch—so much, in fact, that she has caught the attention of a formless, dangerous being called a hiver. And when the hiver strikes, there is little Tiffany can do to save herself.
To her aid come the Nac Mac Feegle, or the Wee Free Men who appear to be the subject of the previous book. They are the best part of the story. Six-inch-tall, blue-skinned fairies who love to drink and fight, who speak in thick Scottish accents and have names like Daft Wullie and Awf'ly Wee Billy Bigchin—you can't get much better than that. Although their part in the book is big, I wish it could have been bigger. They don't figure in so much at the end, but their hijinks in the rest of the story had me laughing out loud quite often.
The only other thing I didn't like about the novel is that at times, especially at the end, it tries too hard to be deeply philosophical. The thoughts about life and death and fear and all that are interesting, but I'm more interested in the story itself. But the philosophy doesn't take up too much of the story, so I don't mind it all that much.
After reading this, I'm excited to read The Wee Free Men one of these days. Maybe I'm just bitter with Rowling, but given a choice between the two of them, I'd go with Pratchett any day.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Crime and Punishment
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Translators: Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky
Genre: fiction
Publication info: Everyman's Libary, 1993 (originally published in1866)
Pages: 564 (including notes)
It's more than a little daunting to write a review of a classic like this. I'm just happy that I've finally read it. I actually started it last year during the summer, but then school started, and I was forced to stop so I could keep up with an extraordinary amount of reading for school. One year and one change of major later, I was able to come back to this book and read it beginning to end.
And wow.
Now I can see why it's so famous. I find it interesting that it seems to break a lot of the "rules" modern fiction writers talk about. For example, I've heard that it's bad form to use more than one or two exclamation points in a story, but this novel has several on almost every page. It also uses ellipses (. . .) frequently. All this takes some getting used to, but if I've learned one thing about writing, it's that there are no absolute rules. All that matters is what works for the particular story. And these techniques work for this one.
Crime and Punishment is about, well, crime and punishment. It's the story of Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, who, for reasons that are hard to figure out, plans and carries out a rather atrocious murder. This occurs very close to the beginning, so I don't feel bad about revealing it to you. The book concerns the punishment more than the crime. Raskolnikov's crime begins a tangle of plots involving many characters (the large amount of characters is one aspect that makes this book a little difficult). These plots expose many cruelties of life. Innocent people suffer, ill-meaning people succeed, and people in general struggle to get through life.
As with The Castle, I'm not going to attempt any deep, interpretive criticism here. Countless books have been done by people much smarter than I for the same purpose. I will say this, though: this book had a profound impact on me. There are many things I don't understand in it, but reading this book was a deep experience for me.
There are parts that seemed to make me stop breathing. Other parts made me want to cheer out loud. Still others made me want to cry. According to the introduction to the edition I read, Dostoevsky received a lot of criticism for being too melodramatic. I can see where the critics are coming from, but I really don't mind the melodrama. I think it works for the story.
This treasure of a novel is not easy to read. It did take me two tries to finish it. But the experience it gives you is definitely worth the trouble.
Translators: Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky
Genre: fiction
Publication info: Everyman's Libary, 1993 (originally published in1866)
Pages: 564 (including notes)
It's more than a little daunting to write a review of a classic like this. I'm just happy that I've finally read it. I actually started it last year during the summer, but then school started, and I was forced to stop so I could keep up with an extraordinary amount of reading for school. One year and one change of major later, I was able to come back to this book and read it beginning to end.
And wow.
Now I can see why it's so famous. I find it interesting that it seems to break a lot of the "rules" modern fiction writers talk about. For example, I've heard that it's bad form to use more than one or two exclamation points in a story, but this novel has several on almost every page. It also uses ellipses (. . .) frequently. All this takes some getting used to, but if I've learned one thing about writing, it's that there are no absolute rules. All that matters is what works for the particular story. And these techniques work for this one.
Crime and Punishment is about, well, crime and punishment. It's the story of Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, who, for reasons that are hard to figure out, plans and carries out a rather atrocious murder. This occurs very close to the beginning, so I don't feel bad about revealing it to you. The book concerns the punishment more than the crime. Raskolnikov's crime begins a tangle of plots involving many characters (the large amount of characters is one aspect that makes this book a little difficult). These plots expose many cruelties of life. Innocent people suffer, ill-meaning people succeed, and people in general struggle to get through life.
As with The Castle, I'm not going to attempt any deep, interpretive criticism here. Countless books have been done by people much smarter than I for the same purpose. I will say this, though: this book had a profound impact on me. There are many things I don't understand in it, but reading this book was a deep experience for me.
There are parts that seemed to make me stop breathing. Other parts made me want to cheer out loud. Still others made me want to cry. According to the introduction to the edition I read, Dostoevsky received a lot of criticism for being too melodramatic. I can see where the critics are coming from, but I really don't mind the melodrama. I think it works for the story.
This treasure of a novel is not easy to read. It did take me two tries to finish it. But the experience it gives you is definitely worth the trouble.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Outlaws of Medieval Legend
Author: Maurice Keen
Genre: nonfiction, history
Publication info: Routledge, 2000 (originally published in 1961)
Pages: 235
I suppose this doesn't really count as pleasure reading because I read it for a class assignment. But I enjoyed it enough so that I feel like I ought to say something about it here. This book is fun and educational! There. Now this feels like a commercial.
Maurice Keen, a respected historian at Oxford, wrote this book in 1961, when he was fresh on the academic scene. Nearly forty years later, he came out with this edition, which is the same as the first but with a fair amount of introductory material. In one of the prefaces (I can't remember which), Keen states that much of what he said in 1961 about the historical significance of these outlaw stories was wrong. But because his historical interests have since gone in a different direction, he didn't feel like rewriting the book, so here it is, with all its errors.
So if you're looking to read something with accurate historical insights, this isn't the book for you. What I enjoyed about this book was the stories it told. The book summarizes medieval ballads that tell the tales of several English outlaws, many of whom I'd never heard of: Hereward the Wake, Eustace the Monk, Gamelyn, Fulk Fitzwarin. It also discusses the legends surrounding William Wallace. And, of course, what would a book about outlaws be without a discussion of Robin Hood? A fair amount of the book focuses on him.
The value of this book for me was the interesting stories about these characters, stories that proliferated during the Middle Ages. Many of these stories are strikingly similar. Many involve disguise. Many involve archery. Most have the outlaws living in the forest. Of course, these men who lived outside the law are portrayed as heroes, champions against injustice.
As a fiction writer, I found these stories very inspiring. I may one day take a couple of these stories and make something out of them. I'm sure it's been done before, especially with Robin Hood, but it would still be fun.
The point is that if you'd enjoy reading about some interesting medieval tales, I'd recommend this book.
Genre: nonfiction, history
Publication info: Routledge, 2000 (originally published in 1961)
Pages: 235
I suppose this doesn't really count as pleasure reading because I read it for a class assignment. But I enjoyed it enough so that I feel like I ought to say something about it here. This book is fun and educational! There. Now this feels like a commercial.
Maurice Keen, a respected historian at Oxford, wrote this book in 1961, when he was fresh on the academic scene. Nearly forty years later, he came out with this edition, which is the same as the first but with a fair amount of introductory material. In one of the prefaces (I can't remember which), Keen states that much of what he said in 1961 about the historical significance of these outlaw stories was wrong. But because his historical interests have since gone in a different direction, he didn't feel like rewriting the book, so here it is, with all its errors.
So if you're looking to read something with accurate historical insights, this isn't the book for you. What I enjoyed about this book was the stories it told. The book summarizes medieval ballads that tell the tales of several English outlaws, many of whom I'd never heard of: Hereward the Wake, Eustace the Monk, Gamelyn, Fulk Fitzwarin. It also discusses the legends surrounding William Wallace. And, of course, what would a book about outlaws be without a discussion of Robin Hood? A fair amount of the book focuses on him.
The value of this book for me was the interesting stories about these characters, stories that proliferated during the Middle Ages. Many of these stories are strikingly similar. Many involve disguise. Many involve archery. Most have the outlaws living in the forest. Of course, these men who lived outside the law are portrayed as heroes, champions against injustice.
As a fiction writer, I found these stories very inspiring. I may one day take a couple of these stories and make something out of them. I'm sure it's been done before, especially with Robin Hood, but it would still be fun.
The point is that if you'd enjoy reading about some interesting medieval tales, I'd recommend this book.
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Pearl
Author: John Steinbeck
Genre: fiction
Publication info: Penguin Books, 1992 (originally published in 1947)
Pages: 90
When you hear the name John Steinbeck, what comes to mind? I think of the Great Depression, dust bowls, poor farmers struggling to make a living, mice, men, grapes, and wrath. The Pearl has none of that, except for the poor people. Come to think of it, the book also has plenty of wrath.
The story reads like a fable or parable—because that's what it is. With a feeling altogether different from that of Steinbeck's normal gritty realism, this is a retelling of a Mexican folk tale. It is the story of Kino, a poor man who makes his living by diving for pearls in the sea. When his infant son, Coyotito, is stung by a scorpion, Kino and his wife, Juana, are desperate to have him cured, but the doctor won't even consider treating such poor people. Then, on what is supposed to be a routine dive for pearls, Kino finds the pearl, "the Pearl of the World." With this new treasure, the life of Kino's family changes abruptly. They soon discover that the pearl may be more trouble than it is worth.
I love this book primarily for its lyricism. Although the story quickly turns very dark, the narration is beautiful throughout. Usually I prefer a more straightforward story, but for some reason the style of this short novel gives me great pleasure.
I also have to say that the book ends in a less than pleasant way, but I like it. When a friend caught me reading this book, she warned me that the end is horrifying, but she didn't deter me. For one thing, I expect that from Steinbeck, and for another, the entire story is a setup for a horrifying ending. I'll say this: it doesn't let you down. Be prepared for a heartbreaker.
It had been a long time since I read Steinbeck last, and now I guess I like him more than I used to.
Genre: fiction
Publication info: Penguin Books, 1992 (originally published in 1947)
Pages: 90
When you hear the name John Steinbeck, what comes to mind? I think of the Great Depression, dust bowls, poor farmers struggling to make a living, mice, men, grapes, and wrath. The Pearl has none of that, except for the poor people. Come to think of it, the book also has plenty of wrath.
The story reads like a fable or parable—because that's what it is. With a feeling altogether different from that of Steinbeck's normal gritty realism, this is a retelling of a Mexican folk tale. It is the story of Kino, a poor man who makes his living by diving for pearls in the sea. When his infant son, Coyotito, is stung by a scorpion, Kino and his wife, Juana, are desperate to have him cured, but the doctor won't even consider treating such poor people. Then, on what is supposed to be a routine dive for pearls, Kino finds the pearl, "the Pearl of the World." With this new treasure, the life of Kino's family changes abruptly. They soon discover that the pearl may be more trouble than it is worth.
I love this book primarily for its lyricism. Although the story quickly turns very dark, the narration is beautiful throughout. Usually I prefer a more straightforward story, but for some reason the style of this short novel gives me great pleasure.
I also have to say that the book ends in a less than pleasant way, but I like it. When a friend caught me reading this book, she warned me that the end is horrifying, but she didn't deter me. For one thing, I expect that from Steinbeck, and for another, the entire story is a setup for a horrifying ending. I'll say this: it doesn't let you down. Be prepared for a heartbreaker.
It had been a long time since I read Steinbeck last, and now I guess I like him more than I used to.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Total Money Makeover
Author: Dave Ramsey
Genre: nonfiction, self-help
Publication info: Thomas Nelson, 2007 (originally published in 2003)
Pages: 223
You know what they say: the only thing better than a book on finances is a free book on finances. My sister and her husband sent copies of this book as gifts to everyone in my family. It had changed their life, and they were excited to see it change ours too. I think it has changed mine. Anybody surprised?
I think everyone should read this book and live by it. Now, Dave Ramsey isn't exactly the best writer. He uses the same expressions over and over again (I suppose with the aim of pounding them into the reader's head. He loves to use exclamation points! And once in a while he has some interesting mixed metaphors, which I can't help noticing after the last book I read.
Nevertheless, the principles Dave (everyone calls him Dave) gives in this book are wonderful. They are profound. They are simple. They are brilliant. They will change your life, if you let them. I haven't yet been able to put these principles into action, but I'm glad my sister gave me this book while I'm still young so I have the chance to make the most of it.
So what is this book about? It comes down to some basic things: get out of debt, become financially secure, invest for retirement, and build wealth. For none of these things does Dave give some magical formula or special trick. It's all common sense, which, in Dave's words, isn't so common anymore. It's all about dispelling myths about debt and wealth. It's all about investing for the long term. It all makes perfect sense.
I'm excited to get going on the things Dave talks about. It's never been a serious goal of mine to be rich, but I want to provide for my future family and be able to have a good retirement. However, it looks like anyone that really applies Dave's principles will eventually come off with a fair amount of money (emphasis on eventually). Toward the end of the book, Dave lists three things you can do with your money when you're wealthy. You have fun. Most people wouldn't have a problem with that. You invest. It's a little more work than the first thing, but by that time it should be a habit. And you give. That's the one that excites me the most. To be able to help other people substantially and not have to worry about my own well-being---I can't think of many things better.
Read this book. Yes, even you. No matter what your financial status is, you can benefit from this book. My sister told me I could read it all in one afternoon. It took me a little bit longer than that, but not by much. And all that time was worth it.
Genre: nonfiction, self-help
Publication info: Thomas Nelson, 2007 (originally published in 2003)
Pages: 223
You know what they say: the only thing better than a book on finances is a free book on finances. My sister and her husband sent copies of this book as gifts to everyone in my family. It had changed their life, and they were excited to see it change ours too. I think it has changed mine. Anybody surprised?
I think everyone should read this book and live by it. Now, Dave Ramsey isn't exactly the best writer. He uses the same expressions over and over again (I suppose with the aim of pounding them into the reader's head. He loves to use exclamation points! And once in a while he has some interesting mixed metaphors, which I can't help noticing after the last book I read.
Nevertheless, the principles Dave (everyone calls him Dave) gives in this book are wonderful. They are profound. They are simple. They are brilliant. They will change your life, if you let them. I haven't yet been able to put these principles into action, but I'm glad my sister gave me this book while I'm still young so I have the chance to make the most of it.
So what is this book about? It comes down to some basic things: get out of debt, become financially secure, invest for retirement, and build wealth. For none of these things does Dave give some magical formula or special trick. It's all common sense, which, in Dave's words, isn't so common anymore. It's all about dispelling myths about debt and wealth. It's all about investing for the long term. It all makes perfect sense.
I'm excited to get going on the things Dave talks about. It's never been a serious goal of mine to be rich, but I want to provide for my future family and be able to have a good retirement. However, it looks like anyone that really applies Dave's principles will eventually come off with a fair amount of money (emphasis on eventually). Toward the end of the book, Dave lists three things you can do with your money when you're wealthy. You have fun. Most people wouldn't have a problem with that. You invest. It's a little more work than the first thing, but by that time it should be a habit. And you give. That's the one that excites me the most. To be able to help other people substantially and not have to worry about my own well-being---I can't think of many things better.
Read this book. Yes, even you. No matter what your financial status is, you can benefit from this book. My sister told me I could read it all in one afternoon. It took me a little bit longer than that, but not by much. And all that time was worth it.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Metaphors We Live By
Author: George Lakoff and Mark Johnson
Genre: nonfiction
Publication info: University of Chicago Press, 2003 (originally published in 1980)
Pages: 276
I'm a nerd. I admit it. Reading this book began as an assignment for an English semantics class I'm taking. My professor asked us just to skim it; she had it on course reserve for us at the library. But I live a fair distance from campus and knew I wouldn't have much time to spend at the library, plus I was interested in the book, so, well, I bought it. And then, after reading the first few chapters in preparation for the class discussion, I went ahead and read the whole thing. And I liked it. There you go. I'm a nerd.
But seriously, this book provides some fascinating insights into our language and ways of thinking. Lakoff is a professor of linguistics and Johnson a professor of philosophy, and when they published this book, apparently they shook up their fields quite a bit. They caused people to take metaphor more seriously---not just as a feature of lyrical language but also as concepts by which we view the world.
The first several chapters are the most interesting. They talk about metaphors that are pervasive in our language and that I had no idea were actually metaphors. For example, many of us might use expressions like the following, under the general metaphor argument is war (and I quote):
Later on in the book the authors depart from specific metaphors and go on to discuss the role of metaphors in our understanding of truth. It gets philosophical and rather abstract, and thus it's a little harder to get through. Philosophy isn't really my thing because it tends to get so abstract, but that doesn't mean I think it's never worthwhile. However, this book is pretty dense reading, and by the end I was eager to move on to other things. If I had been more willing to to give it more time, I'm sure I would have gained a lot more from reading it.
If you're interested in linguistics, philosophy, or cognitive psychology (I think that's what it's called), give this book a shot. If anything, it makes you look at things a little differently---things that are part of your everyday life.
If you don't believe me, go back and see how many metaphors I've used in this review. I used at least one in the last sentence.
Genre: nonfiction
Publication info: University of Chicago Press, 2003 (originally published in 1980)
Pages: 276
I'm a nerd. I admit it. Reading this book began as an assignment for an English semantics class I'm taking. My professor asked us just to skim it; she had it on course reserve for us at the library. But I live a fair distance from campus and knew I wouldn't have much time to spend at the library, plus I was interested in the book, so, well, I bought it. And then, after reading the first few chapters in preparation for the class discussion, I went ahead and read the whole thing. And I liked it. There you go. I'm a nerd.
But seriously, this book provides some fascinating insights into our language and ways of thinking. Lakoff is a professor of linguistics and Johnson a professor of philosophy, and when they published this book, apparently they shook up their fields quite a bit. They caused people to take metaphor more seriously---not just as a feature of lyrical language but also as concepts by which we view the world.
The first several chapters are the most interesting. They talk about metaphors that are pervasive in our language and that I had no idea were actually metaphors. For example, many of us might use expressions like the following, under the general metaphor argument is war (and I quote):
- Your claims are indefensible.
- He attacked every weak point in my argument.
- Her criticisms were right on target.
- I demolished his argument.
- I've never won an argument with him.
- You disagree? Okay, shoot!
- If you use that strategy, he'll wipe you out.
- He shot down all of my arguments.
Later on in the book the authors depart from specific metaphors and go on to discuss the role of metaphors in our understanding of truth. It gets philosophical and rather abstract, and thus it's a little harder to get through. Philosophy isn't really my thing because it tends to get so abstract, but that doesn't mean I think it's never worthwhile. However, this book is pretty dense reading, and by the end I was eager to move on to other things. If I had been more willing to to give it more time, I'm sure I would have gained a lot more from reading it.
If you're interested in linguistics, philosophy, or cognitive psychology (I think that's what it's called), give this book a shot. If anything, it makes you look at things a little differently---things that are part of your everyday life.
If you don't believe me, go back and see how many metaphors I've used in this review. I used at least one in the last sentence.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tennis Shoes among the Nephites
Author: Chris Heimerdinger
Genre: fiction, young adult, historical fiction
Publication info: Covenant Communications, 1989
Pages: 229
You know, now that I think about it, tennis shoes don't have very much to do with the story. That's a shame.
This was another book that was recommended to me to help me get back into the reading lifestyle I had fallen out of. I admit I was hesitant about this one; I feared it would be too cheesy and unfulfilling. But, heck, I've written about The Two Princesses of Bamarre on this blog, so what did I have to lose?
Turns out that Tennis Shoes is pretty cheesy, but it's also pretty fun when you don't expect too much out of it. The premise is that Jim Hawkins (who bears no apparent connection to the protagonist of Treasure Island), who is initially a jerk, finds an unlikely friend in the "nerd" Garth Plimpton (who is not a country music fan). One day, while they, along with Jim's younger sister, Jennifer, are exploring in a strange cave, they are suddenly taken to a place and a time very different from their own---that of the Nephites.
The Nephites were an ancient American civilization whose history is chronicled in the Book of Mormon. The three children (who, I suppose, are sporting tennis shoes), find themselves in the time of the so-called war chapters in the book of Alma. Before they know it, they are directly involved in a great war between the Nephites and the Lamanites. In the process, they mingle with famous figures who used to be just names on a page.
The fun thing about this book is that it provides a close-up look at some of the great Book of Mormon stories, along with plausible interpretations of certain characters. I admit that Heimerdinger's portrayal of Teancum is quite different from what I imagine, but it is still very interesting. I suppose this book is a good way to get kids more interested in the Book of Mormon. At the beginning, Jim knows virtually nothing about that book of scripture, but by the end he is vitally interested, and hopefully the reader is as well.
Still, the writing has many weaknesses. For one thing, Jim seems too witty for the type of guy he is. He always has a clever thing to say about a situation. Also, the plot is rather predictable, and not just because I am familiar with the Book of Mormon. You can see conflicts from a mile away. And then they are resolved too neatly. It seems that there is always a helpful person in the right place at the right time to keep problems from becoming too serious. I don't think I ever believed that any real harm could come to the main characters. A lot of tension is lost this way.
This is apparently the first book in a series. Each installment depicts a different part of the Book of Mormon. This is all well and good, but I don't think I'll be reading the next book any time soon. One book is a fun ride, and I recommend it to anyone who is curious. As I said before, it might be a good way of getting kids excited about the Book of Mormon. But it is not a replacement. If you want the real thing, read the Book of Mormon. That's where the good stuff is. That's the book that will really change your life. You don't have to go back in time for that.
Genre: fiction, young adult, historical fiction
Publication info: Covenant Communications, 1989
Pages: 229
You know, now that I think about it, tennis shoes don't have very much to do with the story. That's a shame.
This was another book that was recommended to me to help me get back into the reading lifestyle I had fallen out of. I admit I was hesitant about this one; I feared it would be too cheesy and unfulfilling. But, heck, I've written about The Two Princesses of Bamarre on this blog, so what did I have to lose?
Turns out that Tennis Shoes is pretty cheesy, but it's also pretty fun when you don't expect too much out of it. The premise is that Jim Hawkins (who bears no apparent connection to the protagonist of Treasure Island), who is initially a jerk, finds an unlikely friend in the "nerd" Garth Plimpton (who is not a country music fan). One day, while they, along with Jim's younger sister, Jennifer, are exploring in a strange cave, they are suddenly taken to a place and a time very different from their own---that of the Nephites.
The Nephites were an ancient American civilization whose history is chronicled in the Book of Mormon. The three children (who, I suppose, are sporting tennis shoes), find themselves in the time of the so-called war chapters in the book of Alma. Before they know it, they are directly involved in a great war between the Nephites and the Lamanites. In the process, they mingle with famous figures who used to be just names on a page.
The fun thing about this book is that it provides a close-up look at some of the great Book of Mormon stories, along with plausible interpretations of certain characters. I admit that Heimerdinger's portrayal of Teancum is quite different from what I imagine, but it is still very interesting. I suppose this book is a good way to get kids more interested in the Book of Mormon. At the beginning, Jim knows virtually nothing about that book of scripture, but by the end he is vitally interested, and hopefully the reader is as well.
Still, the writing has many weaknesses. For one thing, Jim seems too witty for the type of guy he is. He always has a clever thing to say about a situation. Also, the plot is rather predictable, and not just because I am familiar with the Book of Mormon. You can see conflicts from a mile away. And then they are resolved too neatly. It seems that there is always a helpful person in the right place at the right time to keep problems from becoming too serious. I don't think I ever believed that any real harm could come to the main characters. A lot of tension is lost this way.
This is apparently the first book in a series. Each installment depicts a different part of the Book of Mormon. This is all well and good, but I don't think I'll be reading the next book any time soon. One book is a fun ride, and I recommend it to anyone who is curious. As I said before, it might be a good way of getting kids excited about the Book of Mormon. But it is not a replacement. If you want the real thing, read the Book of Mormon. That's where the good stuff is. That's the book that will really change your life. You don't have to go back in time for that.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Home to Harmony
Author: Philip Gulley
Genre: fiction
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2002
Pages: 220
I'm back! Finally. Not that I expect anybody to have missed me or to have missed reading this blog, but I have certainly missed writing it. Actually, I've missed reading for a while. Thanks to some factors not at all related to this blog, I haven't been able to do any recreational reading for quite a long time until just recently. It got so bad that one day I went to the library and had no idea (at all) what to read. I owe a lot to some loved ones who gave me recommendations and got me back on track.
The first of these is Home to Harmony, recommended by my mother and my girlfriend. The latter was especially vocal about how much she liked it, and now I know why. The fact is that you can't not like this book. Unless something is wrong with you, you simply must enjoy this book. It's just a delight. I might as well throw out another cliche while I'm at it: It's guaranteed to raise a smile.
Philip Gulley is an actual Quaker minister, and the narrator of his book, Sam Gardner, is also one. The first chapter of the book tells of how he returns to Harmony, the small town of his youth, and becomes the minister there. All the other chapters are basically vignettes about different inhabitants of the town, sometimes mildly poking fun at them (and not exempting himself from that treatment), sometimes using them to teach a powerful lesson (he is a minister, after all). I came to love each of the quirky characters and smiled at the strange situations they found themselves in. I really felt at home in this lovely little town.
Gulley is a talented writer, especially with his tone that feels light and easy but I'm sure took an awful lot of work to perfect. Of course, the book isn't perfect. Sometimes I wondered how the minister could know so much about the personal lives of these people. Granted, ministers probably know more than anything about their congregation, but sometimes it was a real stretch. Also, there were times when his end-of-chapter lessons felt a little excessive. I already got a profound message through the story, so I didn't need the narrator to explain to me what I should learn from it. That said, some of the lessons were very touching, especially the one in the final chapter.
I recommend this book to anyone. It's a feel-good tale, but not in an unrealistic way. It is a great escape from the pressures of life, but it is also a good teacher for how to deal with those pressures. Just as a minister's words should be.
Genre: fiction
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2002
Pages: 220
I'm back! Finally. Not that I expect anybody to have missed me or to have missed reading this blog, but I have certainly missed writing it. Actually, I've missed reading for a while. Thanks to some factors not at all related to this blog, I haven't been able to do any recreational reading for quite a long time until just recently. It got so bad that one day I went to the library and had no idea (at all) what to read. I owe a lot to some loved ones who gave me recommendations and got me back on track.
The first of these is Home to Harmony, recommended by my mother and my girlfriend. The latter was especially vocal about how much she liked it, and now I know why. The fact is that you can't not like this book. Unless something is wrong with you, you simply must enjoy this book. It's just a delight. I might as well throw out another cliche while I'm at it: It's guaranteed to raise a smile.
Philip Gulley is an actual Quaker minister, and the narrator of his book, Sam Gardner, is also one. The first chapter of the book tells of how he returns to Harmony, the small town of his youth, and becomes the minister there. All the other chapters are basically vignettes about different inhabitants of the town, sometimes mildly poking fun at them (and not exempting himself from that treatment), sometimes using them to teach a powerful lesson (he is a minister, after all). I came to love each of the quirky characters and smiled at the strange situations they found themselves in. I really felt at home in this lovely little town.
Gulley is a talented writer, especially with his tone that feels light and easy but I'm sure took an awful lot of work to perfect. Of course, the book isn't perfect. Sometimes I wondered how the minister could know so much about the personal lives of these people. Granted, ministers probably know more than anything about their congregation, but sometimes it was a real stretch. Also, there were times when his end-of-chapter lessons felt a little excessive. I already got a profound message through the story, so I didn't need the narrator to explain to me what I should learn from it. That said, some of the lessons were very touching, especially the one in the final chapter.
I recommend this book to anyone. It's a feel-good tale, but not in an unrealistic way. It is a great escape from the pressures of life, but it is also a good teacher for how to deal with those pressures. Just as a minister's words should be.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
No Contest: The Case Against Competition
Why We Lose in Our Race to Win
Author: Alfie Kohn
Genre: nonfiction
Publication info: Houghton Mifflin, 1986
Pages: 257 (including notes, bibliography, and index)
I have a problem with some nonfiction books. They tend to change the way I look at everything. Sometimes I call it corruption, but really most of the time I feel like they give me a more educated outlook and a broader perspective.
No Contest is an example of this. (That's partly the reason why I've taken so long to write this review, even though I finished the book a couple weeks ago. I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to say about it.) A friend at work recommended it to me, I read it, and it permanently altered the way I view many aspects of life. So I guess the book did its job.
The premise of the book is neatly summed up in the tagline on the cover: "Why we lose in our race to win." In short, competition, which is a pervasive and supposedly vital part of our society, is actually inherently destructive and unnecessary. Sounds pretty crazy, doesn't it? Most of us, especially in America, take competition for granted or at least assume that it is a fundamental part of civilization. We need it in our economy, in our recreation, in our education. But do we?
In the first part of the book, Alfie Kohn systematically debunks four major myths surrounding competition: that it is an inevitable part of human nature, that it leads us to be more productive, that it makes things more enjoyable, and that it builds character. He does a pretty good job of it, citing results of actual experiments. Of course, things like this dealing with human behavior is difficult to prove, but his arguments are pretty dang convincing. I especially liked the chapter on sports and games. Once he described a few examples of cooperative games, I became convinced that cooperation is the way to go---it's much more fun!
The part I didn't like so much was his discussion on how to create a more cooperative society. I guess I can't expect one man to have all the answers, but I didn't like how he suddenly turns ironic in a section called "How to Prevent Social Change." As he says, "It is much easier to describe how change can be blocked than how it can be furthered" (189). But why not just be straightforward and tell us what you think we should do? If I were to give the steps he lists but without the ironic tone, they might run something like this:
I have many thoughts on this issue, and I hope the few I have described here make sense. Mostly I just think everyone should read this book. I don't take it as absolute truth---there are things I don't necessarily agree with---but the basic principles are good. As my friend told me, competition is not an eternal principle. Competing with others will not bring us the kind of success that really matters. Cooperation, on the other hand, will.
Author: Alfie Kohn
Genre: nonfiction
Publication info: Houghton Mifflin, 1986
Pages: 257 (including notes, bibliography, and index)
I have a problem with some nonfiction books. They tend to change the way I look at everything. Sometimes I call it corruption, but really most of the time I feel like they give me a more educated outlook and a broader perspective.
No Contest is an example of this. (That's partly the reason why I've taken so long to write this review, even though I finished the book a couple weeks ago. I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to say about it.) A friend at work recommended it to me, I read it, and it permanently altered the way I view many aspects of life. So I guess the book did its job.
The premise of the book is neatly summed up in the tagline on the cover: "Why we lose in our race to win." In short, competition, which is a pervasive and supposedly vital part of our society, is actually inherently destructive and unnecessary. Sounds pretty crazy, doesn't it? Most of us, especially in America, take competition for granted or at least assume that it is a fundamental part of civilization. We need it in our economy, in our recreation, in our education. But do we?
In the first part of the book, Alfie Kohn systematically debunks four major myths surrounding competition: that it is an inevitable part of human nature, that it leads us to be more productive, that it makes things more enjoyable, and that it builds character. He does a pretty good job of it, citing results of actual experiments. Of course, things like this dealing with human behavior is difficult to prove, but his arguments are pretty dang convincing. I especially liked the chapter on sports and games. Once he described a few examples of cooperative games, I became convinced that cooperation is the way to go---it's much more fun!
The part I didn't like so much was his discussion on how to create a more cooperative society. I guess I can't expect one man to have all the answers, but I didn't like how he suddenly turns ironic in a section called "How to Prevent Social Change." As he says, "It is much easier to describe how change can be blocked than how it can be furthered" (189). But why not just be straightforward and tell us what you think we should do? If I were to give the steps he lists but without the ironic tone, they might run something like this:
- Expand your vision.
- Be firm.
- Think about others.
- Be optimistic.
- Don't rationalize.
I have many thoughts on this issue, and I hope the few I have described here make sense. Mostly I just think everyone should read this book. I don't take it as absolute truth---there are things I don't necessarily agree with---but the basic principles are good. As my friend told me, competition is not an eternal principle. Competing with others will not bring us the kind of success that really matters. Cooperation, on the other hand, will.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Author: Roald Dahl
Genre: fiction, young adult, fantasy
Publication info: Bantam, 1977 (originally published in 1964)
Pages: 160
Here's another one to add to my "why didn't I read this earlier?" category. It was always there on our bookshelf at home. My mom read it, my sisters read it, but for some reason I never picked it up until now. I can see now that I was missing out.
What prompted me to read this treasure of a book was finally seeing the recent film of the same title, the one starring Johnny Depp. I grew up on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the older musical with Gene Wilder (which I love), so I found the differences between the two movies striking. They told me the newer movie is closer to the book. I wanted to find out for myself.
My verdict: The newer movie probably is truer to the original story, but I read some things that only the older movie contained. Little bits of dialogue, features of the factory---stuff like that. Really, though, I should take the novel as a separate thing. It was a fun little adventure, very creative and very enjoyable to read, even for someone my age. I think it could go down as one of those timeless classics.
I find it interesting to compare the different Willy Wonkas from the book and films. The one from the book seems to be the nicest of the three. He's crazy, but he's also the most approachable. He reassures the group whenever a child gets "lost," something I don't remember the character doing in either movie. Gene Wilder's Wonka is eccentric and rather blunt, and Johnny Depp's portrayal seems almost sinister at times, so the character from the book feels friendly by comparison. The children and their families (except Charlie and Grandpa Joe) are the mean ones in the book. And they get what's coming to them.
One thing I particularly liked about the book was the songs the Oompa-Loompas sing every time a child messes up. There are great lessons to be learned from those. My favorite was the one about television. Not being a fan of TV myself, I thought this was a song that people today could do well to learn:
Genre: fiction, young adult, fantasy
Publication info: Bantam, 1977 (originally published in 1964)
Pages: 160
Here's another one to add to my "why didn't I read this earlier?" category. It was always there on our bookshelf at home. My mom read it, my sisters read it, but for some reason I never picked it up until now. I can see now that I was missing out.
What prompted me to read this treasure of a book was finally seeing the recent film of the same title, the one starring Johnny Depp. I grew up on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the older musical with Gene Wilder (which I love), so I found the differences between the two movies striking. They told me the newer movie is closer to the book. I wanted to find out for myself.
My verdict: The newer movie probably is truer to the original story, but I read some things that only the older movie contained. Little bits of dialogue, features of the factory---stuff like that. Really, though, I should take the novel as a separate thing. It was a fun little adventure, very creative and very enjoyable to read, even for someone my age. I think it could go down as one of those timeless classics.
I find it interesting to compare the different Willy Wonkas from the book and films. The one from the book seems to be the nicest of the three. He's crazy, but he's also the most approachable. He reassures the group whenever a child gets "lost," something I don't remember the character doing in either movie. Gene Wilder's Wonka is eccentric and rather blunt, and Johnny Depp's portrayal seems almost sinister at times, so the character from the book feels friendly by comparison. The children and their families (except Charlie and Grandpa Joe) are the mean ones in the book. And they get what's coming to them.
One thing I particularly liked about the book was the songs the Oompa-Loompas sing every time a child messes up. There are great lessons to be learned from those. My favorite was the one about television. Not being a fan of TV myself, I thought this was a song that people today could do well to learn:
The most important thing we've learned,Amen, I say!
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, never, NEVER let
Them near your television set---
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Coraline
Author: Neil Gaiman
Genre: fiction, young adult, fantasy
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2002
Pages: 162
Creeeeeeeeepy. That's the best way I know how to describe it. This is my first exposure to the work of Neil Gaiman (author of Stardust), and I must say, the man has a very twisted imagination. It's marketed as a young adult novel, and I suppose it would be a good book to give your children if you want them to come running to you late at night complaining of nightmares. Seriously, I'm glad I read this book in the middle of the day, and I'm a college student.
Coraline is the name of the story's protagonist, a young teenage girl who gets annoyed whenever someone mistakes her name for Caroline. She and her family have just moved into a home comprised of several flats (Gaiman is British, after all). It's summer vacation, and Coraline doesn't know what to do with herself, so she takes up exploring her new home and the grounds surrounding it.
Unfortunately, she finds nothing exciting until she comes across a locked door inside the house. Her mother assures her there is nothing to see behind the door---even shows her the wall that was put up there---but Coraline's tremendous curiosity leads her to look again when her parents are away. This time there is no wall, and beyond the door Coraline discovers a strange place indeed: a replica of the home she left behind, complete with "other parents"! At first it seems wonderful. Her other parents pay more attention to her, and she seems to have everything she wants. But Coralline quickly senses something sinister going on. And once she realizes that, her life is far from easy.
I liked this book because, for one thing, it engaged me. Young adult novels have a way of doing that. Once I got started, it was hard to put down. I've discovered that I usually enjoy unconventional fantasy. I'm not so much into the "sword and sorcery" stuff, but I like it when the author creates a truly unique world, such as in this book and also Everlost. My guess is this novel was based on a bad dream. The whole thing certainly feels like one.
My only complaint about the book is that there were a few places where Gaiman threw in things that seemed to serve no purpose other than to add to the creepiness of the story (I don't want to give too much away, but one example involved an abnormally large spider). They certainly did the trick---I shuddered several times---but I wonder how necessary they were. Maybe we can justify it by saying that the villain was deliberately trying to scare Coraline (again, I don't want to give too much away).
In all, though, I thought it was a heck of an enjoyable book. I'd recommend it to anybody. It's not just a kids' book. In fact, maybe I wouldn't recommend it to kids. If you'd like to give it a try, be warned: you may want to read it in broad daylight. And be sure to stay away from black buttons.
Genre: fiction, young adult, fantasy
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2002
Pages: 162
Creeeeeeeeepy. That's the best way I know how to describe it. This is my first exposure to the work of Neil Gaiman (author of Stardust), and I must say, the man has a very twisted imagination. It's marketed as a young adult novel, and I suppose it would be a good book to give your children if you want them to come running to you late at night complaining of nightmares. Seriously, I'm glad I read this book in the middle of the day, and I'm a college student.
Coraline is the name of the story's protagonist, a young teenage girl who gets annoyed whenever someone mistakes her name for Caroline. She and her family have just moved into a home comprised of several flats (Gaiman is British, after all). It's summer vacation, and Coraline doesn't know what to do with herself, so she takes up exploring her new home and the grounds surrounding it.
Unfortunately, she finds nothing exciting until she comes across a locked door inside the house. Her mother assures her there is nothing to see behind the door---even shows her the wall that was put up there---but Coraline's tremendous curiosity leads her to look again when her parents are away. This time there is no wall, and beyond the door Coraline discovers a strange place indeed: a replica of the home she left behind, complete with "other parents"! At first it seems wonderful. Her other parents pay more attention to her, and she seems to have everything she wants. But Coralline quickly senses something sinister going on. And once she realizes that, her life is far from easy.
I liked this book because, for one thing, it engaged me. Young adult novels have a way of doing that. Once I got started, it was hard to put down. I've discovered that I usually enjoy unconventional fantasy. I'm not so much into the "sword and sorcery" stuff, but I like it when the author creates a truly unique world, such as in this book and also Everlost. My guess is this novel was based on a bad dream. The whole thing certainly feels like one.
My only complaint about the book is that there were a few places where Gaiman threw in things that seemed to serve no purpose other than to add to the creepiness of the story (I don't want to give too much away, but one example involved an abnormally large spider). They certainly did the trick---I shuddered several times---but I wonder how necessary they were. Maybe we can justify it by saying that the villain was deliberately trying to scare Coraline (again, I don't want to give too much away).
In all, though, I thought it was a heck of an enjoyable book. I'd recommend it to anybody. It's not just a kids' book. In fact, maybe I wouldn't recommend it to kids. If you'd like to give it a try, be warned: you may want to read it in broad daylight. And be sure to stay away from black buttons.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Egri csillagok (Eclipse of the Crescent Moon)
Author: Gárdonyi Géza
Genre: historical fiction
Publication info: Puedlo Kiadó (my Hungarian edition; originally published in 1899)
Pages: 392
There's a reason why I haven't posted anything for over a month. You might gather why by taking a look at the title. I spent my reading efforts for the past few weeks on a Hungarian novel. I don't know if you have had any exposure to Hungarian, but it's not an easy language. I had thought I had it pretty well figured out, but this book proved me wrong. That's why it took me so long.
I bought this book while I was serving as a missionary in Hungary. I spent two years learning the language of that beautiful country, and by the end of those two years, I felt more or less fluent. I probably should have read this book right when I got home, but for one reason or another I waited until now. It proved to be a real challenge, especially with the vocabulary. I didn't learn a lot of sixteenth-century military terms while I was in Hungary.
The novel is a dramatization of the 1520 Siege of Eger, in which the Hungarians stave off an Ottoman invasion even when all the odds are against them. It mainly traces the life of Bornemissza Gergely, who ends up being a commander at Eger in the last part of the book. He seems at home in command of a portion of the castle's defense, but the Turks have a little surprise for him that makes him more involved than he would like to be.
Since I didn't really understand a good fraction of what I read, I can't give a good review of it, but I found it very interesting. It gave me a taste of the Hungarian spirit, which is something only a native Hungarian could fully understand. They were determined to defend that castle at all costs. And they did it for their country. I was amazed at how they kept at it. Although I didn't understand a lot of the battle, I did get the impression that the Turkish force was overwhelming and by all means should have won. But the Hungarians held out. It is a point of pride in Hungarian history.
I'm also in no position to criticize the book, but I will say that I found the first part of the story a little repetitive. Some people get captured by the Turks, they escape, they get captured again, they escape again . . . It wasn't as exciting the third time around. But maybe that's just how it happened. This is a historical novel, after all.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in Hungary and its history. It's especially good if you know the language, but if not, an English translation is available under the title Eclipse of the Crescent Moon. I think a literal translation of the title would have been better (Stars of Eger), but there's not much I can do about it. Maybe I could use that title when I do my own translation of the book. Someday.
Genre: historical fiction
Publication info: Puedlo Kiadó (my Hungarian edition; originally published in 1899)
Pages: 392
There's a reason why I haven't posted anything for over a month. You might gather why by taking a look at the title. I spent my reading efforts for the past few weeks on a Hungarian novel. I don't know if you have had any exposure to Hungarian, but it's not an easy language. I had thought I had it pretty well figured out, but this book proved me wrong. That's why it took me so long.
I bought this book while I was serving as a missionary in Hungary. I spent two years learning the language of that beautiful country, and by the end of those two years, I felt more or less fluent. I probably should have read this book right when I got home, but for one reason or another I waited until now. It proved to be a real challenge, especially with the vocabulary. I didn't learn a lot of sixteenth-century military terms while I was in Hungary.
The novel is a dramatization of the 1520 Siege of Eger, in which the Hungarians stave off an Ottoman invasion even when all the odds are against them. It mainly traces the life of Bornemissza Gergely, who ends up being a commander at Eger in the last part of the book. He seems at home in command of a portion of the castle's defense, but the Turks have a little surprise for him that makes him more involved than he would like to be.
Since I didn't really understand a good fraction of what I read, I can't give a good review of it, but I found it very interesting. It gave me a taste of the Hungarian spirit, which is something only a native Hungarian could fully understand. They were determined to defend that castle at all costs. And they did it for their country. I was amazed at how they kept at it. Although I didn't understand a lot of the battle, I did get the impression that the Turkish force was overwhelming and by all means should have won. But the Hungarians held out. It is a point of pride in Hungarian history.
I'm also in no position to criticize the book, but I will say that I found the first part of the story a little repetitive. Some people get captured by the Turks, they escape, they get captured again, they escape again . . . It wasn't as exciting the third time around. But maybe that's just how it happened. This is a historical novel, after all.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in Hungary and its history. It's especially good if you know the language, but if not, an English translation is available under the title Eclipse of the Crescent Moon. I think a literal translation of the title would have been better (Stars of Eger), but there's not much I can do about it. Maybe I could use that title when I do my own translation of the book. Someday.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Genre: fiction, young adult, fantasy
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2001
Pages: 241
This one may seem a little out of place among the other books I've reviewed so far, especially considering who I am: a twenty-something male college student. Throw into the mix the fact that I like to do much of my reading while I'm riding a stationary bike at the gym. Imagine, if you will, a tall young man striding into the weight room, dressed in gym clothes, a towel draped over his neck, with a water bottle in one hand and The Two Princesses of Bamarre in the other. Yeah. I had fun with this one.
In my defense, I picked this one up at my girlfriend's recommendation. I also had had some exposure to Levine's work before. In high school it seemed like all of my friends who were girls named Ella Enchanted as their favorite book, so I borrowed it from my sister and read it to see what the deal was. More recently, Levine came to my university for a science fiction and fantasy convention and read some of her latest work. I enjoyed both experiences, so I felt like I knew what I was getting into with this book.
And like Ella Enchanted, for the type of book that this is, it is pretty good. As you might guess, it tells the tale of two princesses in a place called Bamarre. Meryl, the older of the two, is the outgoing, adventurous type, always looking forward to the day when she can go on a quest and fight the monsters that constantly threaten their kingdom. Addie is her complete opposite---timid, introverted, and desiring only to live a safe and secure life. But when the mysterious and fatal illness called the Gray Death strikes, it's up to Addie to find the cure to save her sister and, incidentally, all of Bamarre.
It's a fun little story, but I have to admit it is rather predictable. From the first few pages I had a pretty good idea how the whole thing was going to play out. To Levine's credit, the author does a good job of preparing you so nothing seems to come out of nowhere, but maybe she's just a little too good at foreshadowing. On the other hand, the ending brings an unexpected twist.
I also had a problem with her sparseness of description. Now I myself am a fan of minimal description. The detail found in The Lord of the Rings is a little too much for me. Let the reader imagine as much as possible, I say. But in this book I didn't know how to imagine some things because the author doesn't describe them at all. As a reader not well versed in fantasy, I had only Shrek as an image of an ogre, which probably isn't what Levine had in mind. But she never really describes the monster. This isn't a huge hindrance to the story, but it might have been a little more alive to me had there been just a bit more description.
Still, I stand by what I said before: It's a fun little story. A nice escape from the humdrum of everyday life. And wouldn't some of those gifts Addie receives be nice? I would love to have a pair of those seven-league boots.
Genre: fiction, young adult, fantasy
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2001
Pages: 241
This one may seem a little out of place among the other books I've reviewed so far, especially considering who I am: a twenty-something male college student. Throw into the mix the fact that I like to do much of my reading while I'm riding a stationary bike at the gym. Imagine, if you will, a tall young man striding into the weight room, dressed in gym clothes, a towel draped over his neck, with a water bottle in one hand and The Two Princesses of Bamarre in the other. Yeah. I had fun with this one.
In my defense, I picked this one up at my girlfriend's recommendation. I also had had some exposure to Levine's work before. In high school it seemed like all of my friends who were girls named Ella Enchanted as their favorite book, so I borrowed it from my sister and read it to see what the deal was. More recently, Levine came to my university for a science fiction and fantasy convention and read some of her latest work. I enjoyed both experiences, so I felt like I knew what I was getting into with this book.
And like Ella Enchanted, for the type of book that this is, it is pretty good. As you might guess, it tells the tale of two princesses in a place called Bamarre. Meryl, the older of the two, is the outgoing, adventurous type, always looking forward to the day when she can go on a quest and fight the monsters that constantly threaten their kingdom. Addie is her complete opposite---timid, introverted, and desiring only to live a safe and secure life. But when the mysterious and fatal illness called the Gray Death strikes, it's up to Addie to find the cure to save her sister and, incidentally, all of Bamarre.
It's a fun little story, but I have to admit it is rather predictable. From the first few pages I had a pretty good idea how the whole thing was going to play out. To Levine's credit, the author does a good job of preparing you so nothing seems to come out of nowhere, but maybe she's just a little too good at foreshadowing. On the other hand, the ending brings an unexpected twist.
I also had a problem with her sparseness of description. Now I myself am a fan of minimal description. The detail found in The Lord of the Rings is a little too much for me. Let the reader imagine as much as possible, I say. But in this book I didn't know how to imagine some things because the author doesn't describe them at all. As a reader not well versed in fantasy, I had only Shrek as an image of an ogre, which probably isn't what Levine had in mind. But she never really describes the monster. This isn't a huge hindrance to the story, but it might have been a little more alive to me had there been just a bit more description.
Still, I stand by what I said before: It's a fun little story. A nice escape from the humdrum of everyday life. And wouldn't some of those gifts Addie receives be nice? I would love to have a pair of those seven-league boots.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Three Men in a Boat, to Say Nothing of the Dog
Author: Jerome K. Jerome
Genre: nonfiction (?), travel
Publication info: Time Incorporated, 1964 (originally published in 1889)
Pages: 211
Well, now I know where Connie Willis got a lot of her ideas. I picked up this book because of the many references to it in her To Say Nothing of the Dog (not the least of which is the title). The two books have a very similar tone; I can tell that this was a great inspiration for Willis.
The premise is very simple: Three men with a severe case of hypochondria decide that a boating trip up the Thames would do them good. So they rent out a boat and take their fourteen-day journey, of course bringing their dog, Montmorency, with them. The narrator describes in wonderful ironic wit all the troubles they come across on their journey, and all along the way he inserts little anecdotes that somehow relate to the present action.
It's a silly book, all in all---and I loved it. There isn't much of a plot, but it was very entertaining. What I think I liked most about it was the voice of the narrator. He is a fine example of the unreliable narrator with his subtle sarcasm and hypocrisy. For instance, at one point he talks about the fun of getting in the way of steam launches that think they own the river; a few chapters later, he complains about the ignorant boats that are in the way of the steam launch that is towing them. And he loves work---watching it, that is.
I recommend this to anyone looking for some fun, light reading, or to anyone looking for an escape. What better way to escape than taking a trip up the Thames? And even though it was written well over a hundred years ago, its humor can still be appreciated today.
Genre: nonfiction (?), travel
Publication info: Time Incorporated, 1964 (originally published in 1889)
Pages: 211
Well, now I know where Connie Willis got a lot of her ideas. I picked up this book because of the many references to it in her To Say Nothing of the Dog (not the least of which is the title). The two books have a very similar tone; I can tell that this was a great inspiration for Willis.
The premise is very simple: Three men with a severe case of hypochondria decide that a boating trip up the Thames would do them good. So they rent out a boat and take their fourteen-day journey, of course bringing their dog, Montmorency, with them. The narrator describes in wonderful ironic wit all the troubles they come across on their journey, and all along the way he inserts little anecdotes that somehow relate to the present action.
It's a silly book, all in all---and I loved it. There isn't much of a plot, but it was very entertaining. What I think I liked most about it was the voice of the narrator. He is a fine example of the unreliable narrator with his subtle sarcasm and hypocrisy. For instance, at one point he talks about the fun of getting in the way of steam launches that think they own the river; a few chapters later, he complains about the ignorant boats that are in the way of the steam launch that is towing them. And he loves work---watching it, that is.
I recommend this to anyone looking for some fun, light reading, or to anyone looking for an escape. What better way to escape than taking a trip up the Thames? And even though it was written well over a hundred years ago, its humor can still be appreciated today.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
To Say Nothing of the Dog
Author: Connie Willis
Genre: fiction, sf
Publication info: Bantam Books, 1998
Pages: 493
I loved this book. Connie Willis has not disappointed me yet. My first encounter with her work was several years ago when I read Doomsday Book. I don't know why it took me so long to come back to her because I loved that one as well. The two books actually take place in the same universe, so to speak, but whereas Doomsday Book has a more or less serious theme, To Say Nothing of the Dog is lighthearted most of the way through.
And not just lighthearted. It's downright hilarious. Imagine P. G. Wodehouse writing science fiction, and this book is what you get. Rarely does a book make me laugh out loud, but this one did many, many times. The narrator's dry and witty voice, the quirky characters, the very human-like animals---they all combined to make one heck of a funny story. I also really liked the "summaries" at the beginning of every chapter.
The premise is a little hard to explain, mainly because it is based on the most complex idea of time travel I have ever heard of in science fiction. Willis really has thought it through, which is nice, but it's also a little confusing because sometimes the plot turns on a concept I don't entirely understand (incongruities and slippage, for example). But I enjoyed the story so much that I trusted her and kept going.
Basically, a historian from 2057 named Ned Henry is on the hunt for something called the bishop's bird stump. He has to travel back to 1940 to find out what became of it. But trouble arises when another historian, Verity Kindle, brings through time a cat from 1888. Now Ned has to go back to Victorian England and together with Verity prevent history from changing---because it's amazing what difference a single cat can make.
Most of the action takes place in the Victorian Period, and Willis does a great job portraying that era, not to mention subtly making fun of it. Her style makes the book a lot of fun to read. She seems to know England very well, even though she herself is American.
What more can I say? I loved this book, and I highly recommend it anyone---even to those not terribly interested in science fiction. It's the story that makes it. The story makes it great.
Genre: fiction, sf
Publication info: Bantam Books, 1998
Pages: 493
I loved this book. Connie Willis has not disappointed me yet. My first encounter with her work was several years ago when I read Doomsday Book. I don't know why it took me so long to come back to her because I loved that one as well. The two books actually take place in the same universe, so to speak, but whereas Doomsday Book has a more or less serious theme, To Say Nothing of the Dog is lighthearted most of the way through.
And not just lighthearted. It's downright hilarious. Imagine P. G. Wodehouse writing science fiction, and this book is what you get. Rarely does a book make me laugh out loud, but this one did many, many times. The narrator's dry and witty voice, the quirky characters, the very human-like animals---they all combined to make one heck of a funny story. I also really liked the "summaries" at the beginning of every chapter.
The premise is a little hard to explain, mainly because it is based on the most complex idea of time travel I have ever heard of in science fiction. Willis really has thought it through, which is nice, but it's also a little confusing because sometimes the plot turns on a concept I don't entirely understand (incongruities and slippage, for example). But I enjoyed the story so much that I trusted her and kept going.
Basically, a historian from 2057 named Ned Henry is on the hunt for something called the bishop's bird stump. He has to travel back to 1940 to find out what became of it. But trouble arises when another historian, Verity Kindle, brings through time a cat from 1888. Now Ned has to go back to Victorian England and together with Verity prevent history from changing---because it's amazing what difference a single cat can make.
Most of the action takes place in the Victorian Period, and Willis does a great job portraying that era, not to mention subtly making fun of it. Her style makes the book a lot of fun to read. She seems to know England very well, even though she herself is American.
What more can I say? I loved this book, and I highly recommend it anyone---even to those not terribly interested in science fiction. It's the story that makes it. The story makes it great.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Writing and Selling Fillers and Short Humor
Editor: A. S. Burack
Genre: nonfiction, how-to
Publication info: The Writer, 1974
Pages: 115
This was the latest edition my library carries, which is a shame, but maybe it was the last one printed. I picked it up because I had heard that fillers can be a great way for a writer to break into the publishing industry, a way that is often overlooked. I thought it would be useful to learn a thing or two about it.
It's a collection of essays, which look like they were written expressly for this book, by a number of successful authors and editors in the wonderful field of fillers and short humor. Overall, it sounded like a lot of fun, and something very doable. It sounds like, basically, you need to be observant of everything around you; pay attention to things that make you laugh, or little things you know that might be useful to others. Write those things down as concisely as possible. Then send them in!
Of course, you have to have a talent for writing, and very compact writing too (a talent I obviously don't have yet), but I think it can be developed. The book was good in that it opened my eyes to a writing market I hadn't really considered before. I don't want magazine fillers to be my focus in writing, but it might be a good thing to do on the side if I ever come up with anything good.
The problem with a book this old, though, is that market preferences change, especially in magazines. If I were really serious about it I would have to look at what kinds of things magazines are publishing right now. The book includes a handy short market reference at the end, but I imagine it's next to worthless at this point. However, the book teaches some good basic principles of short writing that I think still hold true. I hope to try them out sometime.
Genre: nonfiction, how-to
Publication info: The Writer, 1974
Pages: 115
This was the latest edition my library carries, which is a shame, but maybe it was the last one printed. I picked it up because I had heard that fillers can be a great way for a writer to break into the publishing industry, a way that is often overlooked. I thought it would be useful to learn a thing or two about it.
It's a collection of essays, which look like they were written expressly for this book, by a number of successful authors and editors in the wonderful field of fillers and short humor. Overall, it sounded like a lot of fun, and something very doable. It sounds like, basically, you need to be observant of everything around you; pay attention to things that make you laugh, or little things you know that might be useful to others. Write those things down as concisely as possible. Then send them in!
Of course, you have to have a talent for writing, and very compact writing too (a talent I obviously don't have yet), but I think it can be developed. The book was good in that it opened my eyes to a writing market I hadn't really considered before. I don't want magazine fillers to be my focus in writing, but it might be a good thing to do on the side if I ever come up with anything good.
The problem with a book this old, though, is that market preferences change, especially in magazines. If I were really serious about it I would have to look at what kinds of things magazines are publishing right now. The book includes a handy short market reference at the end, but I imagine it's next to worthless at this point. However, the book teaches some good basic principles of short writing that I think still hold true. I hope to try them out sometime.
The Castle
Author: Franz Kafka
Genre: fiction
Publication info: Alfred A. Knopf, 1992 (the edition I read; it was originally published in 1930). Translated from German by Willa and Edwin Muir.
Pages: 378 (including additional material)
Some books pull you through them on their own, while others are the kind you have to push yourself through. The Castle is an example of the latter. I'm not saying it wasn't interesting, but the style in which it was written made it very difficult sometimes. This is definitely not light reading.
Most people are familiar with Kafka, if at all, through The Metamorphosis. I might be the only one I know who read it, liked it, and wanted to read more of Kafka's work because of it. I can't explain why. The dreamlike quality of the story, along with the matter-of-fact way the characters deal with it, somehow appealed to me.
The Castle has this same dreamlike quality, but in a different way. In it we find K. (that's the only name we get), who comes to a village to begin his supposed employment as a land surveyor. The only problem, K. soon discovers, is that he never actually was intended to be employed as such. And it all has something to do with the Castle, the mysterious, overpowering hub of authority that is ever-present in the lives of the villagers and yet somehow perpetually inaccessible to K.
Now I'm not a literary critic (thank goodness), so I don't intend to give an in-depth analysis of this novel. That's been done many times over already. But I did find the book interesting. The dreamlike quality I mentioned comes from the fact that the entire world seems to be working against K., and for no apparent reason. Most of the time he just wants to be able to talk to his employer face-to-face, but the harder he tries, the more the opposition forces him back. And it's not through any fault of his own. K. isn't necessarily the most virtuous man, but it certainly doesn't seem fair that everything he does ends up turning against him.
What does Kafka mean by all this? Many people have speculated. You might say it has a sort of religious (or anti-religious) meaning with the Castle that's respected and feared in the village but rarely seen. But I didn't get that feeling when I read it. Kafka expertly made the Castle into the most ridiculous bureaucracy ever imagined, and I don't think that can be compared to God.
No, I'm not going to guess at meanings. It's a fairly simple story, but it's too complex to be an allegory. I'll just take it for what it is---a work of fiction. It makes me think, but I have yet to figure out what it makes me think about.
Genre: fiction
Publication info: Alfred A. Knopf, 1992 (the edition I read; it was originally published in 1930). Translated from German by Willa and Edwin Muir.
Pages: 378 (including additional material)
Some books pull you through them on their own, while others are the kind you have to push yourself through. The Castle is an example of the latter. I'm not saying it wasn't interesting, but the style in which it was written made it very difficult sometimes. This is definitely not light reading.
Most people are familiar with Kafka, if at all, through The Metamorphosis. I might be the only one I know who read it, liked it, and wanted to read more of Kafka's work because of it. I can't explain why. The dreamlike quality of the story, along with the matter-of-fact way the characters deal with it, somehow appealed to me.
The Castle has this same dreamlike quality, but in a different way. In it we find K. (that's the only name we get), who comes to a village to begin his supposed employment as a land surveyor. The only problem, K. soon discovers, is that he never actually was intended to be employed as such. And it all has something to do with the Castle, the mysterious, overpowering hub of authority that is ever-present in the lives of the villagers and yet somehow perpetually inaccessible to K.
Now I'm not a literary critic (thank goodness), so I don't intend to give an in-depth analysis of this novel. That's been done many times over already. But I did find the book interesting. The dreamlike quality I mentioned comes from the fact that the entire world seems to be working against K., and for no apparent reason. Most of the time he just wants to be able to talk to his employer face-to-face, but the harder he tries, the more the opposition forces him back. And it's not through any fault of his own. K. isn't necessarily the most virtuous man, but it certainly doesn't seem fair that everything he does ends up turning against him.
What does Kafka mean by all this? Many people have speculated. You might say it has a sort of religious (or anti-religious) meaning with the Castle that's respected and feared in the village but rarely seen. But I didn't get that feeling when I read it. Kafka expertly made the Castle into the most ridiculous bureaucracy ever imagined, and I don't think that can be compared to God.
No, I'm not going to guess at meanings. It's a fairly simple story, but it's too complex to be an allegory. I'll just take it for what it is---a work of fiction. It makes me think, but I have yet to figure out what it makes me think about.
Friday, March 14, 2008
How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic
Author: Madsen Pirie
Genre: nonfiction
Publication info: Continuum, 2006
Pages: 182
This was one of those books where I hoped the circulation employee at the library wouldn't ask me any questions. The truth is I've been interested in logical fallacies for a while now, but especially in the past year. After a somewhat upsetting political conversation with a friend of mine, I decided I wanted to look into the topic more fully.
The title of the book is a little misleading. It's not really a how-to book as you would normally think of one. (I think the original title, The Book of Fallacy, fits better, although it probably doesn't grab your attention as well.) Don't look for step-by-step instructions or practice exercises in this book.
That said, I found this book very informative and also very entertaining. It's basically an extensive (sometimes so extensive that some entries are hard to tell apart), and very detailed, index of logical fallacies from several categories. In each entry, Madsen Pirie gives a clear, understandable definition. Then he gives a few examples (which he promptly makes fun of) and shows several ways the fallacy might appear. Last of all, he tells you how you can use the fallacy to your own advantage---to deceive people.
Because of that, I almost felt a little dirty when I started the book. He says right up front that one of the purposes of the book is to teach you to trick people. I wasn't interested in that. I just wanted to learn more about logical fallacies so I could recognize them in other people's arguments.
And I guess I did learn that. Instead of learning to create effective arguments, I learned how to pick apart others' arguments (I have an especially good time with letters to the editor). I became more of a critic than I already am. Ironically, the person I notice most often committing logical fallacies is me. But hopefully, now that I know more about them, I'll eventually learn to eliminate them from my arguments.
Or maybe I'll end up doing exactly what the book was supposed to teach me to do.
Genre: nonfiction
Publication info: Continuum, 2006
Pages: 182
This was one of those books where I hoped the circulation employee at the library wouldn't ask me any questions. The truth is I've been interested in logical fallacies for a while now, but especially in the past year. After a somewhat upsetting political conversation with a friend of mine, I decided I wanted to look into the topic more fully.
The title of the book is a little misleading. It's not really a how-to book as you would normally think of one. (I think the original title, The Book of Fallacy, fits better, although it probably doesn't grab your attention as well.) Don't look for step-by-step instructions or practice exercises in this book.
That said, I found this book very informative and also very entertaining. It's basically an extensive (sometimes so extensive that some entries are hard to tell apart), and very detailed, index of logical fallacies from several categories. In each entry, Madsen Pirie gives a clear, understandable definition. Then he gives a few examples (which he promptly makes fun of) and shows several ways the fallacy might appear. Last of all, he tells you how you can use the fallacy to your own advantage---to deceive people.
Because of that, I almost felt a little dirty when I started the book. He says right up front that one of the purposes of the book is to teach you to trick people. I wasn't interested in that. I just wanted to learn more about logical fallacies so I could recognize them in other people's arguments.
And I guess I did learn that. Instead of learning to create effective arguments, I learned how to pick apart others' arguments (I have an especially good time with letters to the editor). I became more of a critic than I already am. Ironically, the person I notice most often committing logical fallacies is me. But hopefully, now that I know more about them, I'll eventually learn to eliminate them from my arguments.
Or maybe I'll end up doing exactly what the book was supposed to teach me to do.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Everlost
Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: fiction, young adult, sf (?)
Publication info: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006
Pages: 313
This book is brilliant. It had me hooked very quickly, so much so that as I read I became pretty oblivious to my surroundings. Shusterman here has expertly created a new world, one that is totally foreign to ours, but one that soon became very real to me as I got lost in this story.
It's the story about two kids, Allie and Nick, who get killed in a car crash. But instead of "getting to where they were going," they wind up in Everlost, a kind of in-between place inhabited only by kids. They get to know the quirks of this world before long. If you stay in one place to long (unless it's a dead-spot), you begin sinking to the center of the Earth. You never know whom to trust. And beware, of course, the lurking threat of the monster known as the McGill.
Everlost is, simply put, a very engaging story. It convinced me that there are things far worse than death. I also applaud the character development. At first Allie bothered me a little, but I figured she had room to grow, and indeed she did. Both she and Nick had the chance to become heroes in their own way, in ways I didn't expect at first. And it is interesting who ends up being the "villains."
If you're looking for a book that's fun to read, that's not challenging but still makes you think, I highly recommend this one. Let Everlost become your world for a while. And then be grateful you're still alive.
Genre: fiction, young adult, sf (?)
Publication info: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006
Pages: 313
This book is brilliant. It had me hooked very quickly, so much so that as I read I became pretty oblivious to my surroundings. Shusterman here has expertly created a new world, one that is totally foreign to ours, but one that soon became very real to me as I got lost in this story.
It's the story about two kids, Allie and Nick, who get killed in a car crash. But instead of "getting to where they were going," they wind up in Everlost, a kind of in-between place inhabited only by kids. They get to know the quirks of this world before long. If you stay in one place to long (unless it's a dead-spot), you begin sinking to the center of the Earth. You never know whom to trust. And beware, of course, the lurking threat of the monster known as the McGill.
Everlost is, simply put, a very engaging story. It convinced me that there are things far worse than death. I also applaud the character development. At first Allie bothered me a little, but I figured she had room to grow, and indeed she did. Both she and Nick had the chance to become heroes in their own way, in ways I didn't expect at first. And it is interesting who ends up being the "villains."
If you're looking for a book that's fun to read, that's not challenging but still makes you think, I highly recommend this one. Let Everlost become your world for a while. And then be grateful you're still alive.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Introduction / On Recreational Reading
This is my first foray into the blogging world. I actually never expected myself to do this. As an aspiring writer, I constantly get frustrated at how little time I spend actually writing, so why should I add another writing task to my list? My personal journal doesn't even get enough attention.
What drove me to do this was my passion for reading. To love writing, you have to love reading, and I definitely do both. Especially lately, I have found myself totally drawn into books and always looking for the next book to read. I love it. The problem is when I come to the end of a book. When I finish, do I just return it to the library (or put it back on the shelf if I'm lucky enough to own it), and that's it? I felt like I needed a way to express my thoughts about what I've read. Even if nobody else would hear about it, I wanted a place to keep my memories of how I felt during my reading experiences.
After a little thought, I decided on this blog. For one thing, it minimizes the amount of work for me---all I have to do is write. For another, if out of the billions of people on Earth there is one person who might be curious about one of the books I've written about, I can help that person out a little bit.
So there you go. This is my log of book reviews---or reading experiences, if you will. I hope you enjoy it. Even if you don't, thanks for coming.
~~~~
As a college student, almost every time I talk to somebody about a great book I'm reading, I hear something like "I wish I had time to read for fun" or "Once summer comes I'm going to read a lot" or "I can't remember the last book I read just for kicks." We students are busy people. There is so much on our plate, so many responsibilities, that to take the time to read a book just for the pleasure of it is practically a sin. Or at least that's how a lot of people feel about it.
But a lot of them also wish things could be different. Now granted, I am probably not as busy as a lot of people around me. My own roommate definitely has a much heavier workload than I do. But I'm a full-time student with a part-time job, and I have plenty of other responsibilities on top of that, so a moment seldom passes by in which I'm not reminded of something I should be doing. Yet I've somehow found time to read---for fun!
I guess it comes down to a decision I made. Once we decide that we really want something and that it's important to us, chances are we're going to find a way to get it. In my case, I was sitting in a church meeting in which we talked about the priorities of things we do. One person suggested that reading novels is a good thing but probably not one of the best uses of our time. A few minutes later, someone else argued that it all depends. If someone wants to be a fiction writer, he said, reading novels is very important. That really spoke to me, since I myself want to be a fiction writer, and that's when it hit me: I hadn't read fiction in quite a while.
That's when I made the decision to make fiction a part of my daily life. And somehow I've managed it, as busy as I've been. As silly as it sounds, I feel like it's improved my life in several ways. It's rekindled a passion that I'd almost forgotten about. It's given my mind a new world, a new outlet, when it was getting tired of itself. The best part is that it's inspired me to write.
But recreational reading isn't just for writers. I think everyone should do it. I know everybody is busy, but we all need a little escape now and then. As for those people who keep wishing they had the time, I'll bet they could manage once they tried to make the time rather than find it. If they really want it.
Of course, it's up to you. But I'm going to keep reading.
What drove me to do this was my passion for reading. To love writing, you have to love reading, and I definitely do both. Especially lately, I have found myself totally drawn into books and always looking for the next book to read. I love it. The problem is when I come to the end of a book. When I finish, do I just return it to the library (or put it back on the shelf if I'm lucky enough to own it), and that's it? I felt like I needed a way to express my thoughts about what I've read. Even if nobody else would hear about it, I wanted a place to keep my memories of how I felt during my reading experiences.
After a little thought, I decided on this blog. For one thing, it minimizes the amount of work for me---all I have to do is write. For another, if out of the billions of people on Earth there is one person who might be curious about one of the books I've written about, I can help that person out a little bit.
So there you go. This is my log of book reviews---or reading experiences, if you will. I hope you enjoy it. Even if you don't, thanks for coming.
~~~~
As a college student, almost every time I talk to somebody about a great book I'm reading, I hear something like "I wish I had time to read for fun" or "Once summer comes I'm going to read a lot" or "I can't remember the last book I read just for kicks." We students are busy people. There is so much on our plate, so many responsibilities, that to take the time to read a book just for the pleasure of it is practically a sin. Or at least that's how a lot of people feel about it.
But a lot of them also wish things could be different. Now granted, I am probably not as busy as a lot of people around me. My own roommate definitely has a much heavier workload than I do. But I'm a full-time student with a part-time job, and I have plenty of other responsibilities on top of that, so a moment seldom passes by in which I'm not reminded of something I should be doing. Yet I've somehow found time to read---for fun!
I guess it comes down to a decision I made. Once we decide that we really want something and that it's important to us, chances are we're going to find a way to get it. In my case, I was sitting in a church meeting in which we talked about the priorities of things we do. One person suggested that reading novels is a good thing but probably not one of the best uses of our time. A few minutes later, someone else argued that it all depends. If someone wants to be a fiction writer, he said, reading novels is very important. That really spoke to me, since I myself want to be a fiction writer, and that's when it hit me: I hadn't read fiction in quite a while.
That's when I made the decision to make fiction a part of my daily life. And somehow I've managed it, as busy as I've been. As silly as it sounds, I feel like it's improved my life in several ways. It's rekindled a passion that I'd almost forgotten about. It's given my mind a new world, a new outlet, when it was getting tired of itself. The best part is that it's inspired me to write.
But recreational reading isn't just for writers. I think everyone should do it. I know everybody is busy, but we all need a little escape now and then. As for those people who keep wishing they had the time, I'll bet they could manage once they tried to make the time rather than find it. If they really want it.
Of course, it's up to you. But I'm going to keep reading.
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