Wild by Cheryl Strayed
The only reason I gave this book two stars was because my least favorite book of all time is designated for the one star.
There were some good qualities to the book. The author's voice is easy and interesting to listen to. The book is a quick read. Her stories about her mother were very inspiring. You also appreciate how she portrays her ex-husband in a continuous positive light, especially after what she does to him.
But for me, that was pretty much it. She uses a tragedy to justify some horrible personal decisions and then decides she's going to forgive herself of these things because she feels she is on the right path. She doesn't really seem to care at all about any of the people she hurt along the way. She never acts out of remorse for wrongs committed. No one else seems to really matter to her as long as she feels good about herself. She mentions her abortion with such casualty, and then decides to equate her hike to a pregnancy. That alone was enough to turn me off. The story is pretty much an ongoing picture of being self-centered. The only thing that really upsets her is when someone calls her a hobo. The only time she felt really good about herself was when she was after she had relations with a guy she knew she didn't want to see again. Nothing really mattered to her except her own feelings.
Most memoirs give you some feeling of self-realization and desire for change. I never really saw that. I was just disappointed when I got to the end. I wanted to feel that I had learned something, but I wasn't able to because she didn't really learn anything about herself.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
5 of 5 stars
In a world in which we are constantly hearing of parents finding out their children have Asperger syndrome, autism, etc. this book gives outsiders a glimpse into the mind of someone experiencing the world through this lens. The book never specifies exactly what the main character has, but it is definitely something in the autism spectrum.
I gave this book five stars because I consider it a piece of good writing. I consider something good writing if it is writing that affects how I perceive the world. When you first start reading this book, I will admit it is difficult. The voice we hear is not one we are used to. It was the voice of someone wholly different from me. However, as you delve into the life of Christopher and experience how he interacts with the world, it actually begins to make sense. Even someone like me, who has never particularly enjoyed mathematics, can understand why he uses the order and rationale of math to calm himself in a chaotic world. You appreciate the sheer depth of his genius.
Now, I would never claim that I understand what it is like to be autistic, but this book gave me a better appreciation for the struggles families of people with autism experience in everyday life. It also made me think about ways that I could improve the world around me for someone who falls in the autistic spectrum.
I would consider this a modern classic and would recommend it to anyone, especially people who are interested in finding more out about the autism spectrum.
5 of 5 stars
In a world in which we are constantly hearing of parents finding out their children have Asperger syndrome, autism, etc. this book gives outsiders a glimpse into the mind of someone experiencing the world through this lens. The book never specifies exactly what the main character has, but it is definitely something in the autism spectrum.
I gave this book five stars because I consider it a piece of good writing. I consider something good writing if it is writing that affects how I perceive the world. When you first start reading this book, I will admit it is difficult. The voice we hear is not one we are used to. It was the voice of someone wholly different from me. However, as you delve into the life of Christopher and experience how he interacts with the world, it actually begins to make sense. Even someone like me, who has never particularly enjoyed mathematics, can understand why he uses the order and rationale of math to calm himself in a chaotic world. You appreciate the sheer depth of his genius.
Now, I would never claim that I understand what it is like to be autistic, but this book gave me a better appreciation for the struggles families of people with autism experience in everyday life. It also made me think about ways that I could improve the world around me for someone who falls in the autistic spectrum.
I would consider this a modern classic and would recommend it to anyone, especially people who are interested in finding more out about the autism spectrum.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Dead Man (September 4, 2014)
No one can tell you how it feels to see a dead body for the first time.
Other than funerals and being with my best friend as her mom passed away, I have never seen a dead body. Today I saw one on the side of the road in Haiti. Trucks continued to whiz by. People didn't stop. You can't stop for a body in a world like this. If you stop for a dead body like that the police will arrest you, especially if you are an American. They will say you killed the poor bloke, even if they know you didn't. They want bribes to get you out of jail. You must carry on as if nothing happened. You can call the police and report it and the police will call their family if they decide to take the time to figure out who it is. But you can't stick around. Most bodies are found down here by family members who are out searching because they haven't seen their kin in a few days.
This dead body was a man in his late twenties. He looked like he was sleeping on his side except for the red pillow spilling out from under his head. Someone had marked the body like you mark a broken down vehicle in this country, using tree branches. It was as if that person wanted to believe that the man was just broken down. Someone could fix him up just right with the correct tools.
As we drove by David told me why we couldn't stop. I understood. I did. He said you have to harden yourself, make yourself callous. We can't risk getting involved and getting thrown in prison for a crime we didn't commit. Prison isn't a good place here. It's a very dangerous place. You are almost guaranteed to contract a disease you can't get rid of in prison if you don't starve or get shanked first.
When I thought about the body laying there, my inner cultural respect for the dead was shrieking, "This is wrong! This should not happen. Someone should care for him. For his family's sake." I could feel my heart pounding in my neck. I was suddenly conscious of all the blood pulsing through my own body, and how much I don't want any of it to come out. The tears pressed behind my eyes, yearning to escape, but I didn't let them. I don't cry. I cannot cry. I must become callous. I laugh and make jokes but I know the smiles don't make it to my eyes. David knows. He always knows I'm upset when my eyes don't smile with my face. He kisses my head and talks to me about anything else so that I can slowly forget the pounding in my body.
Eventually the pressures in my body fade but the image of the man doesn't. It's raining now. I hope someone moved his corpse out of the rain. Unless I'm to believe that idea that every child thinks about, the one that rain is GOD crying. If that's the case, let Him cry. Let Him cry for the son he just lost and for His nearby children that are showing great apathy. Let Him cry for the soul of the person who just left him on the side of the road after killing him. I couldn't let myself do it, so let The Lord cry over his remains. The man needs someone to cry for him.
Book Review: Tuesdays with Morrie
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Tuesdays with Morrie was a book I read for a class in college at Abilene Christian University. It was especially resonant with me because my best friend's mom had suffered and recently died from ALS, the disease that Morrie died from as well. As someone who strives for wisdom, I loved getting to hear all that Morrie had to say as he was facing the end of his life. This book is a tear jerker and a fantastic reminder of all the difficulties surrounding someone dealing with this tragically fatal disease.
Tuesdays with Morrie was a book I read for a class in college at Abilene Christian University. It was especially resonant with me because my best friend's mom had suffered and recently died from ALS, the disease that Morrie died from as well. As someone who strives for wisdom, I loved getting to hear all that Morrie had to say as he was facing the end of his life. This book is a tear jerker and a fantastic reminder of all the difficulties surrounding someone dealing with this tragically fatal disease.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
The Window
This is an assignment for my class with the prompt: the window. If you know who this is about I ask that you protect the family's privacy and not comment about them. But feel free to comment about the work itself.
for Becky
Someone once said that the eyes are the window to one’s soul. That feels…right, especially now. My body has deteriorated like a run-down house, boarded up and sealed shut. It was once lovely to gaze upon and enchanting to explore, but over the past year, it has closed, little by little, until all I was left with were these windows. ALS does that to you. I’ve been entombed within this frame that refuses to work. But I have these windows.
I communicate using my windows, blinking once for yes, twice for no. It’s all I’m capable of now, towards the end. I use them to say when I’m hungry, thirsty, or need the restroom. But most of the time I just watch from my blue-eyed panes as life passes me by.
When my daughter visits, I press myself against my windows urgently. I must convey my love to her, give her advice, be her mother through the windows that enclose me. Tears cloud my eyes as my frustration swells. Curse these windows! Let me be free! Release me from this translucent prison! Let me hold her one last time!
My emotions are all squeezed through two panes. How does a glance portray the depths of my emotions? How do I show all my love, heartache, joy, and fear with so small a canvas?
When my husband was still here I hid myself. I locked myself away and drew the curtains distancing myself from his abuse. “Why aren’t you normal? Why did you have to get ALS and ruin my life?” He left, along with the rest of my existence, and I couldn’t fight it. I didn’t want to. There is nothing left of me to fight for anyway.
My parents care for me now, since he abandoned me. I hate that they have to watch me decay and die. No parent should have to experience that. And I have to see them watch me suffer. I can’t comfort them. I can’t affirm them, I can’t…anything. I can only gaze out of my windows because they are all I have.
A house with only two windows is dark. Gloom closes in around you until you can’t breathe, just like this disease. I will die of suffocation. I know that. My lungs will congest with fluid. Emptiness will saturate me as I lose my mind. Death will consume me from behind my windows and no one can break through and release the flood. At least I will finally be free then. Free to soar to Paradise away from my disease-riddled jail cell.
I wonder, though, as I sit here. Did I do enough when I could move? Could I have done more to serve others? Could I have pushed myself any farther? I know that won’t save me but, oh, how regrets consume me.
The air is stale in here with just me and my thoughts. All I have are echoes of the past. I peer out of my windows and scream, “I’m here! I want to do more! I want to live and be alive with you!”
But people don’t listen to windows.
Book Review: Mark of the Lion series
Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers
Books: A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure as the Dawn
I don't think I post a review that glows with enough adoration and appreciation to do this series justice. This is one of my all-time favorite book series. I am seriously considering reading this book every year because of the profound impact it has had on the person that I am and desire to be. Many readers of Christian fiction appreciated Rivers other book Redeeming Love, but I found that this work of historical fiction far surpasses that in quality. Not to say that Redeeming Love was bad, this was just so much better.
I would recommend this book to anyone. I think Christians and non-Christians alike could enjoy this series. Following the endeavors of Hadassah just made me want to be a better person. For Christians, this book is a reminder of how we should serve others through prayer, complete devotion, and unfailing love. For non-Christians, this book is a picture of what Christianity is supposed to look like when lived out, not what modern, hipster Christians actually do.
Many readers completely despise Julia but I found that her character was integral to this book. She is a reminder that there is always a chance to find something good in each person, no matter what happened in the past. While Hadassah is what I strive to be, Marius and Rizpah were the more relatable characters to me personally. Their questions and their faults depicted the way that most people struggle with God. I think that Atretes was a character to which people who come back from military tours could more easily relate.
She did a fantastic job researching for this book. There were times when I just felt disheartened because I could never do such great research. I loved how she included the apostle John with such vivacity. The lifestyles of the wealthy Romans reminded me of modern Americans, and led me to ponder the fate of our nation considering the disaster that followed the fall of Rome. Her ability to depict the trade industry in the Mediterranean was an impressive feat. My only critique of this book, as a history nerd, was that when talking about the slaves in the colosseum, she mentioned corn, which was only found in the New World at this time and had not yet made it to Europe or Asia. Only after trade began with the Mexican Aztec and Mayan civilizations did corn appear in that area. There might have been one other similar mistake but they would only distract you if you had extensive knowledge on the subject.
All in all, a fantastic work that is worth anyone's time.
Books: A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure as the Dawn
I don't think I post a review that glows with enough adoration and appreciation to do this series justice. This is one of my all-time favorite book series. I am seriously considering reading this book every year because of the profound impact it has had on the person that I am and desire to be. Many readers of Christian fiction appreciated Rivers other book Redeeming Love, but I found that this work of historical fiction far surpasses that in quality. Not to say that Redeeming Love was bad, this was just so much better.
I would recommend this book to anyone. I think Christians and non-Christians alike could enjoy this series. Following the endeavors of Hadassah just made me want to be a better person. For Christians, this book is a reminder of how we should serve others through prayer, complete devotion, and unfailing love. For non-Christians, this book is a picture of what Christianity is supposed to look like when lived out, not what modern, hipster Christians actually do.
Many readers completely despise Julia but I found that her character was integral to this book. She is a reminder that there is always a chance to find something good in each person, no matter what happened in the past. While Hadassah is what I strive to be, Marius and Rizpah were the more relatable characters to me personally. Their questions and their faults depicted the way that most people struggle with God. I think that Atretes was a character to which people who come back from military tours could more easily relate.
She did a fantastic job researching for this book. There were times when I just felt disheartened because I could never do such great research. I loved how she included the apostle John with such vivacity. The lifestyles of the wealthy Romans reminded me of modern Americans, and led me to ponder the fate of our nation considering the disaster that followed the fall of Rome. Her ability to depict the trade industry in the Mediterranean was an impressive feat. My only critique of this book, as a history nerd, was that when talking about the slaves in the colosseum, she mentioned corn, which was only found in the New World at this time and had not yet made it to Europe or Asia. Only after trade began with the Mexican Aztec and Mayan civilizations did corn appear in that area. There might have been one other similar mistake but they would only distract you if you had extensive knowledge on the subject.
All in all, a fantastic work that is worth anyone's time.
Book Review: A Song of Ice and Fire (books 1 through 5)
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
Books: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons
*Spoiler Alert* If you have read at least most of the series you are safe. A few points I make may reveal the fate of some characters.
I have to approach this book series very carefully. There are aspects of this book series that are absolutely fantastic, and then there are parts of this book series that made me want to throw up after reading.
This is an extremely well written series. Martin shows a depth in his characters that most authors will never achieve. While reading A Game of Thrones, you develop certain opinions about different characters (Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister, for example). But once you make it to A Clash of Kings, you realize that his characters are not just one-dimensional. Each character (except maybe Petyr Baelish) has aspects that you love about him/her and aspects that you hate. Even the despicable Cersei Lannister has a love for her children that every parent would understand.
There are certain characters that you love more than any other, however. Daenerys, Jon Snow, and Tyrion are by far my favorite characters in the series. It is obvious that Martin thoroughly enjoys writing from Tyrion's perspective. He should, by all accounts, be dead, but he continues to sweet-talk himself back into the world of the living with hilarious flourish and promises of Lannister wealth.
The plot line complexities are astounding. The number of characters and the way that he twists them into such a dynamic story is impressive. When I think about how he is going to write the last two books, I can't imagine what kind of notes he must have to keep all of the different story lines straight in his head. Even just how he keeps you wondering about the identity of Jon Snow's mother throughout the series is enough to convince you to keep reading.
However, this is definitely adult fiction. I do not recommend children or teenagers read this series. The violence in the fantasy realm is to be expected, for the most part, (the Bolton family is a truly disturbing character group to consider), but many of the sexual encounters had me skipping entire sections. It was difficult as a Christian to read because of the filth he includes. There were many times I put it down and refused to read it for days or weeks because of its content. The only reason I picked it back up was because I plan on one day writing a fantasy novel and I felt I needed to read his work to appreciate the contemporaries in the genre. My only theories are that he wants to point out the abuses women suffer in male-dominated society...or that Martin is just a perverted old man intent on marketing this as ADULT fiction. Either way, I warn strongly against the sexual content in this book series. If, however, you can skip passages without qualms and ignore the occasional offhand sexual comment, this book may still be worth reading.
Another issue I had with this book was that it doesn't have much of a purpose. It is a fun story to read, and you never know where the next page might take you, but I didn't feel particularly challenged in my views about anything. Good writing is supposed to make you think about things in a different light and wrestle with issues. This book series has thus far not challenged or made me question my beliefs on anything great or small. Other than pointing out that men, all men, are fallible, there isn't much to think about, even with the inclusion of subjects like slavery and religion. I prefer to read books that make me want to change, and this book series just didn't do that.
I think one of the greatest absurdities of this series was the title given to Martin as "the Tolkien of America." Whoever said that had absolutely no appreciation of Tolkien, especially of the fact that he wrote Christian fantasy. Martin is a great writer, but I think even he was insulted by this comment because although they both write/wrote fantasy, their goals and intentions with their books as well as their writing styles are completely different, to the point of almost being opposite.
My biggest question about the series: Where is Rickon? And Shaggydog? I feel that they will be an integral part of the twists and turns of the plot in the end of this Game of Thrones.
Books: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons
*Spoiler Alert* If you have read at least most of the series you are safe. A few points I make may reveal the fate of some characters.
I have to approach this book series very carefully. There are aspects of this book series that are absolutely fantastic, and then there are parts of this book series that made me want to throw up after reading.
This is an extremely well written series. Martin shows a depth in his characters that most authors will never achieve. While reading A Game of Thrones, you develop certain opinions about different characters (Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister, for example). But once you make it to A Clash of Kings, you realize that his characters are not just one-dimensional. Each character (except maybe Petyr Baelish) has aspects that you love about him/her and aspects that you hate. Even the despicable Cersei Lannister has a love for her children that every parent would understand.
There are certain characters that you love more than any other, however. Daenerys, Jon Snow, and Tyrion are by far my favorite characters in the series. It is obvious that Martin thoroughly enjoys writing from Tyrion's perspective. He should, by all accounts, be dead, but he continues to sweet-talk himself back into the world of the living with hilarious flourish and promises of Lannister wealth.
The plot line complexities are astounding. The number of characters and the way that he twists them into such a dynamic story is impressive. When I think about how he is going to write the last two books, I can't imagine what kind of notes he must have to keep all of the different story lines straight in his head. Even just how he keeps you wondering about the identity of Jon Snow's mother throughout the series is enough to convince you to keep reading.
However, this is definitely adult fiction. I do not recommend children or teenagers read this series. The violence in the fantasy realm is to be expected, for the most part, (the Bolton family is a truly disturbing character group to consider), but many of the sexual encounters had me skipping entire sections. It was difficult as a Christian to read because of the filth he includes. There were many times I put it down and refused to read it for days or weeks because of its content. The only reason I picked it back up was because I plan on one day writing a fantasy novel and I felt I needed to read his work to appreciate the contemporaries in the genre. My only theories are that he wants to point out the abuses women suffer in male-dominated society...or that Martin is just a perverted old man intent on marketing this as ADULT fiction. Either way, I warn strongly against the sexual content in this book series. If, however, you can skip passages without qualms and ignore the occasional offhand sexual comment, this book may still be worth reading.
Another issue I had with this book was that it doesn't have much of a purpose. It is a fun story to read, and you never know where the next page might take you, but I didn't feel particularly challenged in my views about anything. Good writing is supposed to make you think about things in a different light and wrestle with issues. This book series has thus far not challenged or made me question my beliefs on anything great or small. Other than pointing out that men, all men, are fallible, there isn't much to think about, even with the inclusion of subjects like slavery and religion. I prefer to read books that make me want to change, and this book series just didn't do that.
I think one of the greatest absurdities of this series was the title given to Martin as "the Tolkien of America." Whoever said that had absolutely no appreciation of Tolkien, especially of the fact that he wrote Christian fantasy. Martin is a great writer, but I think even he was insulted by this comment because although they both write/wrote fantasy, their goals and intentions with their books as well as their writing styles are completely different, to the point of almost being opposite.
My biggest question about the series: Where is Rickon? And Shaggydog? I feel that they will be an integral part of the twists and turns of the plot in the end of this Game of Thrones.
Book Review: Les Miserables
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
This classic is well worth the extensive amount of time it takes to read it (especially if you read the unabridged version). On the one hand, the book is so very long because Victor Hugo takes extreme liberties with his writing and with the reader’s patience by fully exploring long tangents of his personal opinion. For example, Hugo uses nineteen chapters describing the Battle of Waterloo and numerous chapters describing the lifestyle in a particular convent. This is not important to his story in the least bit, but if you are interested in the historical background, this is a great place to find that. Hugo is notorious for doing this in his other books as well, and I think he got to do it, simply because he was Victor Freaking Hugo.
Les Miserables is one of the most beautiful, poetic stories ever written. There are so many passages that I highlighted on my tablet because they were some of the most lovely words I have ever read. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"To love another person is to see the face of God."
"It is nothing to die; it is frightful not to live."
"Not being heard is no reason for silence."
"He is fond of books, for they are cool and sure friends."
On love: “When love has fused and mingled two beings in a sacred and angelic unity, the secret of life has been discovered so far as they are concerned; they are no longer anything more than the two boundaries of the same destiny; they are no longer anything but the two wings of the same spirit. Love, soar.”
On Javert: "Before him he saw two roads, both equally straight; but he did see two; and that terrified him--he who had never in his life known anything but one straight line. And, bitter anguish, these two roads were contradictory.”
You could write an entirely separate book on his passages on the subject of love. All in all, it is a magical masterpiece with a satisfying plot line, vivid and lovable characters, and the best love story of all: that of Jean for his dear Cozette, a father and his daughter. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to cry uncontrollably after reading a book for a few months.
Blogging and how I intend to use it.
I have a negative connotation associated with blogging and bloggers. I get that it is a great way to raise discussions, express individuality, etc., but usually what I see from blogs and bloggers is a whole lot of talking and not much doing. I do not ever want to be this type of person. There are so many Christian and civil rights bloggers out there that make me sick. They talk about the changes they want to see in the world...but never get around to doing anything but talking. Talking doesn't get you there. It can accomplish many things but it will never be the entire answer to anything. You need both talking and action.
That being said, I am going to start using my blog more actively. I am confident in the amount of action I perform to make the world a better place (although I am always striving for more), but I intend to blog more just for me. As an aspiring writer, I intend to write some of the pieces I am working on as well as book reviews on my blog. I hope I can use it to discuss with fellow writers about different books, ideas, etc. to constantly improve my writing. I am taking classes with Gotham Writers on writing, so when I feel confident about different pieces I have worked on or I wish to free-write, etc. for writing practice, I will post on here. So, here it goes...
If you are interested in what I have to say, I am very interested in what you have to say. Please comment!!!!
That being said, I am going to start using my blog more actively. I am confident in the amount of action I perform to make the world a better place (although I am always striving for more), but I intend to blog more just for me. As an aspiring writer, I intend to write some of the pieces I am working on as well as book reviews on my blog. I hope I can use it to discuss with fellow writers about different books, ideas, etc. to constantly improve my writing. I am taking classes with Gotham Writers on writing, so when I feel confident about different pieces I have worked on or I wish to free-write, etc. for writing practice, I will post on here. So, here it goes...
If you are interested in what I have to say, I am very interested in what you have to say. Please comment!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)