Tuesday, November 24
The Dark Divine
One of my roomates from BYU is getting published on Dec. 22nd! I can't wait for her book to come out! It is called The Dark Divine by Bree Despain and it is YA fiction, a paranormal Prodigal Son story. The publisher bought her first book and a sequel which she is currently writing(she's also already sold the rights in a couple other languages so it is obviously hitting the right notes with those who have read it). The Romantic Times is publishing the first 6 chapters(the first two chapters are already there in two separate posts on their blog) of the book online so you can go and check it out there and see if you want it for Christmas (I know I do! I keep trying to get my hands on an ARC but it hasn't happened yet!). Bree has an awesome giveaway on her blog right now too so you can try to get a hold of a copy of her book that way too. Thanks for checking it out!
Thursday, November 5
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
So now it's been awhile since I read the book but I loved it! I went to the library and got all of the Shannon Hale books I could get my hands on. They were all very fun reads. My sister had been recommending her books to me for awhile and I am glad I took her up on it.
Princess Academy is not sappy or sweet. It's about a tough, smart,and small girl, Miri, who grows up in the unappreciated mining town of Mt Eskel. They are the only ones who mine Linder, the best stone for building I imagine a granite or Marble like stone). Physical strength( for girls or boys) is highly valued in their community and everyone goes to work in the mines after they reach a certain age. Except Miri. Her father will not let her work in the mines. She struggles with self-esteem issues and shame because she feels worthless to her family and community since she is not working in the mines. Then one day a messenger comes from the capital city saying that the next princess will be chosen from the girls at Mt Eskel and all girls between the ages of 12 and 18 are taken from their families to attend the Princess Academy to learn how to be a Princess. This has serious consequences for each of the families as they struggle to mine enough Linder to trade fr food for their families and need each family member to work. The palace sends guards who threaten the town into letting their girls go. The experience at Princess Academy is not what they expected as they are put in fierce competition with each other and shut off from their families. Miri discovers her worth and the worth of her whole community through the Princess Academy. This is not your typical Princess story and it is wonderful! I highly recommend it for ages 8 and up up up! (though an 8 year old may need it read to them)
Princess Academy is not sappy or sweet. It's about a tough, smart,and small girl, Miri, who grows up in the unappreciated mining town of Mt Eskel. They are the only ones who mine Linder, the best stone for building I imagine a granite or Marble like stone). Physical strength( for girls or boys) is highly valued in their community and everyone goes to work in the mines after they reach a certain age. Except Miri. Her father will not let her work in the mines. She struggles with self-esteem issues and shame because she feels worthless to her family and community since she is not working in the mines. Then one day a messenger comes from the capital city saying that the next princess will be chosen from the girls at Mt Eskel and all girls between the ages of 12 and 18 are taken from their families to attend the Princess Academy to learn how to be a Princess. This has serious consequences for each of the families as they struggle to mine enough Linder to trade fr food for their families and need each family member to work. The palace sends guards who threaten the town into letting their girls go. The experience at Princess Academy is not what they expected as they are put in fierce competition with each other and shut off from their families. Miri discovers her worth and the worth of her whole community through the Princess Academy. This is not your typical Princess story and it is wonderful! I highly recommend it for ages 8 and up up up! (though an 8 year old may need it read to them)
Thursday, October 22
Little Bee and a bit about P&P&Z
Little Bee - Synopsis from the front flap... by Chris Cleave
"We don't want to tell you WHAT HAPPENS in this book. It is a truly SPECIAL STORY and we don't want to spoil it. NEVERTHELSS, you need to know enough to buy it, so we will just say: "THIS IS THE STORY OF TWO WOMEN. Their lives collide on fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice, the kind of choice we hope you never have to face. Two years later, they meet again - the story starts there...
"Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens. The magic is in how the story unfolds."
Little Bee - My take on the story... My sister gave me this book and told me that I had to read it. As it is well written, the story grabs you and not having all the information, sort of pulls you along. You are anxious to know why the characters are where they are and why they made the decisions they made. As the information is revealed you begin to ask yourself...What would I have done? How would I have handled the situation?
There is a statement that Sarah, one of the two women, makes. She says, "Little Bee had changed me, Lawrence. I can't look at her without thinking how shallow my life is." Interestingly they both took life changing steps and Little Bee felt just as insignificant. Upon self reflection, I have often thought that my struggles seemed so insignificant in my little life compared to some. I know that in reality, we all matter, but do you wonder sometimes if someone matters more than you? That your prayers aren't as important as others and that could be why you never seem to have those answers? Just a passing thought!!! Probably not one to dwell on, but rather, one to build from. We can then think, what can I do to make this world a better place? How can one little person help? I think, just day by day, doing one more thing better than we did yesterday, choosing differently, less selfishly and with real intent. Hopefully we won't have to make the decisions these people had to make.
I really liked this book but I don't want to give anything away. If you have a chance to read it, I would love to discuss more. Until then, a recommended read!
Now for those of you that are interested...I also read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and some other bloke. The book was P&P but made even more intense by the introduction of zombies. Apparently, this is the way the book was to originally have been published, but the original editors felt that there was too much violence and "reality." In fact, there was more risque verbage and high use of double entendre throughout. A funny and fascinating twist. Up next...Sense and Sensiblitiy and Seamonsters. I can hardly wait!!!
"We don't want to tell you WHAT HAPPENS in this book. It is a truly SPECIAL STORY and we don't want to spoil it. NEVERTHELSS, you need to know enough to buy it, so we will just say: "THIS IS THE STORY OF TWO WOMEN. Their lives collide on fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice, the kind of choice we hope you never have to face. Two years later, they meet again - the story starts there...
"Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens. The magic is in how the story unfolds."
Little Bee - My take on the story... My sister gave me this book and told me that I had to read it. As it is well written, the story grabs you and not having all the information, sort of pulls you along. You are anxious to know why the characters are where they are and why they made the decisions they made. As the information is revealed you begin to ask yourself...What would I have done? How would I have handled the situation?
There is a statement that Sarah, one of the two women, makes. She says, "Little Bee had changed me, Lawrence. I can't look at her without thinking how shallow my life is." Interestingly they both took life changing steps and Little Bee felt just as insignificant. Upon self reflection, I have often thought that my struggles seemed so insignificant in my little life compared to some. I know that in reality, we all matter, but do you wonder sometimes if someone matters more than you? That your prayers aren't as important as others and that could be why you never seem to have those answers? Just a passing thought!!! Probably not one to dwell on, but rather, one to build from. We can then think, what can I do to make this world a better place? How can one little person help? I think, just day by day, doing one more thing better than we did yesterday, choosing differently, less selfishly and with real intent. Hopefully we won't have to make the decisions these people had to make.
I really liked this book but I don't want to give anything away. If you have a chance to read it, I would love to discuss more. Until then, a recommended read!
Now for those of you that are interested...I also read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and some other bloke. The book was P&P but made even more intense by the introduction of zombies. Apparently, this is the way the book was to originally have been published, but the original editors felt that there was too much violence and "reality." In fact, there was more risque verbage and high use of double entendre throughout. A funny and fascinating twist. Up next...Sense and Sensiblitiy and Seamonsters. I can hardly wait!!!
Monday, October 19
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I’ll admit it; I bought the book almost for the title alone – the Potato Peel Pie Society? Sounded fascinating. And it didn’t disappoint.
The entire book is written as a collection of letters between the main character, author Juliet Ashton, and several other characters including: her publisher, her best friend and several different citizens of Guernsey. Guernsey is an island in the English Channel that was occupied by the Germans during World War II. I never knew that the Germans occupied territory so close to England.
I wasn’t quite sure how I would enjoy reading a book that was written solely as a series of letters, but as it turned out I really enjoyed it. It was a great way to write the book in first person for several different characters. At first it was difficult keeping the characters straight with the different letters going back and forth, but that can happen in any book, right? I felt like I got to know several characters on a quite close basis – and I really liked the characters – I became invested in their lives. I was sad to leave them at the end. There was also a lot of history embedded in these letters, and I found that fascinating.
I can’t remember how the people in Guernsey first made contact with Julia – I think a member of the Potato Peel Pie Society found her address in a used book and contacted her asking for more information about… a book, I think? But after that initial contact, it was amazing to watch the friendships blossom through simple letters.
Although the book was set in immediate post-war England, and several of the characters had their own “damaged” stories to share, I found the book to be warm and comforting (and educational), like sitting by a fire wrapped in a blanket… cozy. I read the book rather quickly, but loved every minute of it. I highly recommend it to all.
The entire book is written as a collection of letters between the main character, author Juliet Ashton, and several other characters including: her publisher, her best friend and several different citizens of Guernsey. Guernsey is an island in the English Channel that was occupied by the Germans during World War II. I never knew that the Germans occupied territory so close to England.
I wasn’t quite sure how I would enjoy reading a book that was written solely as a series of letters, but as it turned out I really enjoyed it. It was a great way to write the book in first person for several different characters. At first it was difficult keeping the characters straight with the different letters going back and forth, but that can happen in any book, right? I felt like I got to know several characters on a quite close basis – and I really liked the characters – I became invested in their lives. I was sad to leave them at the end. There was also a lot of history embedded in these letters, and I found that fascinating.
I can’t remember how the people in Guernsey first made contact with Julia – I think a member of the Potato Peel Pie Society found her address in a used book and contacted her asking for more information about… a book, I think? But after that initial contact, it was amazing to watch the friendships blossom through simple letters.
Although the book was set in immediate post-war England, and several of the characters had their own “damaged” stories to share, I found the book to be warm and comforting (and educational), like sitting by a fire wrapped in a blanket… cozy. I read the book rather quickly, but loved every minute of it. I highly recommend it to all.
Thursday, October 15
Take two: 'The Shack' and 'Columbine'
I read two very different books in the past weeks, and both are excellent in their own way. I'll start with The Shack since it's freshest in my mind.
Author Wm. Paul Young tells the story of a man hurting from the loss of his youngest daughter from a violent murder. One day, God writes the man — Mack — a note inviting him to a shack in the Oregon wilderness. There, Mack enters in conversations with "human" representations of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
That being said, this is not a book I would have chosen to read. My friend Patti recommended it to me (rather, she matter-of-factly placed it in my hands) one day this week after I spent part of the afternoon crying in her living room. I was grieving the loss of a relationship and the love it offered; this loss swiftly opened the floodgates to reveal the pain I'd hidden from the lack of love in my childhood, the lack of self love, the fear I have of sharing my true self with others. I've cried a lot in these last two weeks.
What makes The Shack excellent has nothing to do with what I normally admire in books. Is the story well-written? It's so-so. Are the characters real to me? They're pretty cookie-cutter. Is the dialogue peppy? Not really. Is it laced with evangelical themes? You betcha. Nevertheless, I've got about a dozen blue Post-It notes to mark the places that address what I've been facing on a deep, emotional level recently: feeling lost, unloved, confused.
First off, author Young portrays the Trinity in an accessible, lovable way. In this book, God is "played" by a large black woman named Papa. Jesus wears jeans and work boots, and he jokes about his looks being influenced by his Jewish heritage. Apart from their looks, it's what they have to say that makes this book worthwhile to me. The conversations touch on self worth, relationships (a lot about relationships), forgiveness, guilt and shame, religion and emotion.
Early on, Mack admits to Jesus that he feels "so lost."
Jesus replied: "I know, Mack. But it's not true. I am with you and I'm not lost. I'm sorry it feels that way, but hear me clearly; you are not lost." For me, reading those words gave me relief.
At another point, Mack expresses his fear about what might happen: "Well, I am afraid of looking like an idiot. I am afraid that you are making fun of me ... I imagine that ..."
"Exactly," Jesus interrupted. "You imagine. Such a powerful ability, the imagination! That power alone makes you to like us. But without wisdom, imagination is a cruel taskmaster." Jesus goes on to talk about living in the present, and how God does not accompany us into our fears about the future. How often have I worried about what might happen? All too often.
"Papa" on guilt: "...it's not about feeling guilty. Guilt'll never help you find freedom in me. The best it can do is make you try harder to conform to some ethic on the outside. I'm about the inside." This speaks to me about choosing actions based on what you believe to be right for you, not on what others think.
Finally, a conversation about emotions provides this: "[Emotions] are neither bad nor good; they just exist. Here is something that will help you sort this out in your mind, Mackenzie. Paradigms power perception and perceptions power emotions. Most emotions are responses to perceptions — what you think is true about a given situation. If your perception is false, then your emotional response to it will be false too. So check your paradigms, and beyond that check the truthfulness of your paradigms — what you believe.... The more you live in the truth, the more your emotions will help you see clearly."
This last one was especially important to me. I've recently come to realize one of my beliefs — one of my paradigms — is "I am not good enough." This distorts my perception of reality, and hence my emotional response. It probably has been playing a part in why my recent breakup has been so painful. The good news is I have been working to change that paradigm to "I am priceless, and I am loved." This book — along with some close friends — gives me faith that this is the case. I trust that I, too, will begin to see more clearly when this new belief becomes more of a reality than the old one.
So, should you run out and read The Shack? Not without a box of Kleenex.
I didn't mean to go on so much about The Shack but I do want to mention Dave Cullen's Columbine. A reporter who covered the story of the high school massacre, Cullen has spent years collecting information, police and FBI reports, interviews, and — most fascinating of all — the killers' own journals and recordings of their plans. I had a hard time putting this book down. Cullen clearly and concisely explains the massive amounts of information, so you don't get bogged down. The first part of the book walks the reader through that April afternoon in Colorado. The remaining pages attempt to answer Why. To learn more about Columbine, click here.
Author Wm. Paul Young tells the story of a man hurting from the loss of his youngest daughter from a violent murder. One day, God writes the man — Mack — a note inviting him to a shack in the Oregon wilderness. There, Mack enters in conversations with "human" representations of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
That being said, this is not a book I would have chosen to read. My friend Patti recommended it to me (rather, she matter-of-factly placed it in my hands) one day this week after I spent part of the afternoon crying in her living room. I was grieving the loss of a relationship and the love it offered; this loss swiftly opened the floodgates to reveal the pain I'd hidden from the lack of love in my childhood, the lack of self love, the fear I have of sharing my true self with others. I've cried a lot in these last two weeks.
What makes The Shack excellent has nothing to do with what I normally admire in books. Is the story well-written? It's so-so. Are the characters real to me? They're pretty cookie-cutter. Is the dialogue peppy? Not really. Is it laced with evangelical themes? You betcha. Nevertheless, I've got about a dozen blue Post-It notes to mark the places that address what I've been facing on a deep, emotional level recently: feeling lost, unloved, confused.
First off, author Young portrays the Trinity in an accessible, lovable way. In this book, God is "played" by a large black woman named Papa. Jesus wears jeans and work boots, and he jokes about his looks being influenced by his Jewish heritage. Apart from their looks, it's what they have to say that makes this book worthwhile to me. The conversations touch on self worth, relationships (a lot about relationships), forgiveness, guilt and shame, religion and emotion.
Early on, Mack admits to Jesus that he feels "so lost."
Jesus replied: "I know, Mack. But it's not true. I am with you and I'm not lost. I'm sorry it feels that way, but hear me clearly; you are not lost." For me, reading those words gave me relief.
At another point, Mack expresses his fear about what might happen: "Well, I am afraid of looking like an idiot. I am afraid that you are making fun of me ... I imagine that ..."
"Exactly," Jesus interrupted. "You imagine. Such a powerful ability, the imagination! That power alone makes you to like us. But without wisdom, imagination is a cruel taskmaster." Jesus goes on to talk about living in the present, and how God does not accompany us into our fears about the future. How often have I worried about what might happen? All too often.
"Papa" on guilt: "...it's not about feeling guilty. Guilt'll never help you find freedom in me. The best it can do is make you try harder to conform to some ethic on the outside. I'm about the inside." This speaks to me about choosing actions based on what you believe to be right for you, not on what others think.
Finally, a conversation about emotions provides this: "[Emotions] are neither bad nor good; they just exist. Here is something that will help you sort this out in your mind, Mackenzie. Paradigms power perception and perceptions power emotions. Most emotions are responses to perceptions — what you think is true about a given situation. If your perception is false, then your emotional response to it will be false too. So check your paradigms, and beyond that check the truthfulness of your paradigms — what you believe.... The more you live in the truth, the more your emotions will help you see clearly."
This last one was especially important to me. I've recently come to realize one of my beliefs — one of my paradigms — is "I am not good enough." This distorts my perception of reality, and hence my emotional response. It probably has been playing a part in why my recent breakup has been so painful. The good news is I have been working to change that paradigm to "I am priceless, and I am loved." This book — along with some close friends — gives me faith that this is the case. I trust that I, too, will begin to see more clearly when this new belief becomes more of a reality than the old one.
So, should you run out and read The Shack? Not without a box of Kleenex.
I didn't mean to go on so much about The Shack but I do want to mention Dave Cullen's Columbine. A reporter who covered the story of the high school massacre, Cullen has spent years collecting information, police and FBI reports, interviews, and — most fascinating of all — the killers' own journals and recordings of their plans. I had a hard time putting this book down. Cullen clearly and concisely explains the massive amounts of information, so you don't get bogged down. The first part of the book walks the reader through that April afternoon in Colorado. The remaining pages attempt to answer Why. To learn more about Columbine, click here.
Sunday, June 21
The Gospel According to Larry
I was disappointed reading this book for the second time. My memory of it was much better. This time it seemed cliched and "Larry" was just soooo full of himself. He was a typical teenager though so I cut him some slack. I did think the book brought up lots of interesting things to discuss still- the power of the media, consumerism, materialism (I definitely need to cut down on some possessions). Then there's the whole anti-popularity kind of thing... My brother-in-law (he's 16) likes to dress differently from other kids at school and be his own trend; the problem is that he makes it look cool so other kids start copying him. Can you be original and successful and not lose your originality? I also thought it was funny how excited Larry was about all the vendors who sold goods at cost at Larryfest. Talk about awesome free advertising! LOL!
I also loved the way Beth called him out on all of "his" brilliant ideas after she found out he was Larry. All of his work was really hers!
I also loved the way Beth called him out on all of "his" brilliant ideas after she found out he was Larry. All of his work was really hers!
Saturday, May 16
Accordingly
I’d read Janet Tashjian's Gospel According to Larry
weeks ago and needed a reminder about Larry, so I went to his blog .
The reminder came. I didn’t love Larry/Josh (I will later refer to him as just “Larry”). He didn’t feel real to me. His preachings sounded good on the surface, but I didn’t see any truths revealed further down. It seemed as if the author were piecing together a young adult novel out of Chinese fortune cookies or other snippets of wisdom, hoping that the audience was not discerning enough to see through her ploy.
Other “ploys” the author used that I actually liked were some of the hints Larry gave his readers, specifically the personal items he photographed and placed on the blog for identification. I also liked the idea in general, Larry’s having a secret persona in order to disseminate his ideas. It’s a little Shakespearean (Rosalind in As You Like It, for example). There was also the teen-age drama playing in the background, Larry hoping to get the girl. But I think the author would have had more success had she focused on her characters and their relationship more than the gimmicks.
weeks ago and needed a reminder about Larry, so I went to his blog .
The reminder came. I didn’t love Larry/Josh (I will later refer to him as just “Larry”). He didn’t feel real to me. His preachings sounded good on the surface, but I didn’t see any truths revealed further down. It seemed as if the author were piecing together a young adult novel out of Chinese fortune cookies or other snippets of wisdom, hoping that the audience was not discerning enough to see through her ploy.
Other “ploys” the author used that I actually liked were some of the hints Larry gave his readers, specifically the personal items he photographed and placed on the blog for identification. I also liked the idea in general, Larry’s having a secret persona in order to disseminate his ideas. It’s a little Shakespearean (Rosalind in As You Like It, for example). There was also the teen-age drama playing in the background, Larry hoping to get the girl. But I think the author would have had more success had she focused on her characters and their relationship more than the gimmicks.
Monday, May 11
The Gospel According to Larry
I LOVED this book! I loved the story, the author's style, and the message (or at least, what I got out of it)! First, the story. I am trying to teach my students that they can change the world! I think some of them are getting it. [It was one of my Korean students that introduced me to, "Pay It Forward" after one of my "you are the future" speeches.] I loved how the "Larry" site took on a life of its own and the change effect snowballed. Second, the author's style. I found out right away that I needed to READ the footnotes. (I rarely do.) I also loved the way the beginning "Note to the Reader" and "Epilogue" make the story seem real. Third, the message. Simplifying life . . . getting away from materialism and self-centeredness is a message for our time.
But, another reason I loved the book is that it raises a lot of questions and made me think. At the end of my copy of the book is a "Reader's Guide" with 12 discussion questions. The first asked what my 75 items would be. That is a question I want to answer (I just don't have time tonight). Question 8 was about "media frenzy" and reminded me of our discussion a while back of "Welcome to the World Baby Girl." Question 12 asked what I (and my friends) would want to change. My answer has to include the reality check, "one star fish at a time." And then there were questions about Josh. Why does he do it? Why doesn't he close the site down? What if he had told Beth how he felt early on? Would he have created the site?
I am looking forward to reading your reviews! I know I have barely scratched the surface on this one. :)
But, another reason I loved the book is that it raises a lot of questions and made me think. At the end of my copy of the book is a "Reader's Guide" with 12 discussion questions. The first asked what my 75 items would be. That is a question I want to answer (I just don't have time tonight). Question 8 was about "media frenzy" and reminded me of our discussion a while back of "Welcome to the World Baby Girl." Question 12 asked what I (and my friends) would want to change. My answer has to include the reality check, "one star fish at a time." And then there were questions about Josh. Why does he do it? Why doesn't he close the site down? What if he had told Beth how he felt early on? Would he have created the site?
I am looking forward to reading your reviews! I know I have barely scratched the surface on this one. :)
Saturday, April 18
A Beyond Late Comment About Wednesday Wars.
I finally found a copy of Wednesday Wars. I loved it! I loved it for all of the same reasons that you all did. I too laughed out loud. My husband read, it for that very reason. He wanted to know what was so funny. It was fun to read your reviews, and remember all of the great moments once more.
Thanks for choosing such a great story!
Thanks for choosing such a great story!
Really Late Post for "The Alchemist"
I really liked this book. I was interested in some of the comments that you all made in your reviews. My thought is, that having grown up in the church, many of the author's insights, seemed like common knowledge, or common sense to me. I've been spending a lot of time with my nonmember neighbor, and I'm realizing how much I take my upbringing for granted. I can see why this book would be life altering for people.
I was inspired by the authors introduction. In following our dreams, or finding our own legend, he says that we have 4 obstacles;
1. We're told that it's impossible.
2. Love.
3. Fear of defeat.
4. Fear of realizing our dream.
I can see how those obstacles have played out in my own life, and kept me from pursuing activities and interests that could have been very fulfilling for me.
It was a good pick. Thanks!
I was inspired by the authors introduction. In following our dreams, or finding our own legend, he says that we have 4 obstacles;
1. We're told that it's impossible.
2. Love.
3. Fear of defeat.
4. Fear of realizing our dream.
I can see how those obstacles have played out in my own life, and kept me from pursuing activities and interests that could have been very fulfilling for me.
It was a good pick. Thanks!
Thursday, April 9
The Alchemist, a little late
I am and have always been a detail-oriented person. I see grammatical errors and misspellings, misplaced books on library shelves, fallen strands of hair on sweaters. So when I first read Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, a few things bothered me.
First, the fact that it is a fable with an old-school, biblical feel. I don’t mean that the language was biblical; there were no thees, thous, or yeas. Some of the events, however seemed far-fetched, impossible, coincidental, and other-wordly, not the work of man at all. Things seemed to just drop out of the sky to further our hero Santiago’s goal, he seemed to be along for the ride. The explanation? The Universe was pushing Santiago toward his Personal Legend. For example, when Santiago began working for the owner of the faltering glass shop, business began to boom. The boy magically earned enough money to cross the desert. When Santiago looked into the eyes of the girl at the oasis, he fell in love immediately, without doubt or even conversation. When Santiago dreamed of an attack in the desert, his premonition turned out to be real. And, to top them all, when Santiago was challenged to turn himself into the wind, he did so.
What does this have to do with details? The fact that there were so few of them. The explanation for these events was the same: Santiago was fulfilling his Personal Legend, and the Universe was working with him to achieve this goal. It was his faith (like the bibical Jonah, David, and Noah) that allowed him to succeed.
What bothered me about this was that there was no step-by-step recipe telling me how exactly he did all these things. When I turn to the book for these answers, I read that Santiago had to learn to listen to his heart, that he had to come to a deeper understanding of his place in the Universe. But I still don’t l know how he did it.
I know this problem is mine. I have always wanted to know how things operate. I constantly ask “Why?” and “How?” But then I remember what a wise, wrinkled woman once told me: “When I enter a room and flip the light switch, the light turns on. I don’t need to know how it works. I just know that it does work.” She was illustrating her faith in the Universe. For me, detail-oriented person that I am, I struggle with not knowing the answers and have always had a hard time with faith. Santiago did not. He dove into his tasks with determination after being reminded of the treasure he was pursuing. While I admired his determination, I did not relate to it and craved something more. This frustrated me as I read.
Something important happened after I read this book that caused me to rethink the importance of those details: I lost my job. I, like Santiago, did not cause this to happen. I guess you could say the Universe stepped in to help me achieve my Personal Legend. You might also say it could have happened to anyone, and there was no Universe at work at all. It doesn’t matter. What matters is how I respond to this change. My father once told me, it doesn’t matter what college you go to; it’s what you do when you get there. And there is truth in that. What will I do next? Will I coddle my fear or will I see how I can use this change in my favor? What did the boy Santiago do? He, at each turn of his road, dove in and embraced change. He remembered his Personal Legend, and he continued his quest for treasure. The Universe may have just handed me a gift. Maybe this time, I can learn to lay aside my need for the details and trust that the switch will keep sending the light my way.
“...You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world...”
~The Desiderata
First, the fact that it is a fable with an old-school, biblical feel. I don’t mean that the language was biblical; there were no thees, thous, or yeas. Some of the events, however seemed far-fetched, impossible, coincidental, and other-wordly, not the work of man at all. Things seemed to just drop out of the sky to further our hero Santiago’s goal, he seemed to be along for the ride. The explanation? The Universe was pushing Santiago toward his Personal Legend. For example, when Santiago began working for the owner of the faltering glass shop, business began to boom. The boy magically earned enough money to cross the desert. When Santiago looked into the eyes of the girl at the oasis, he fell in love immediately, without doubt or even conversation. When Santiago dreamed of an attack in the desert, his premonition turned out to be real. And, to top them all, when Santiago was challenged to turn himself into the wind, he did so.
What does this have to do with details? The fact that there were so few of them. The explanation for these events was the same: Santiago was fulfilling his Personal Legend, and the Universe was working with him to achieve this goal. It was his faith (like the bibical Jonah, David, and Noah) that allowed him to succeed.
What bothered me about this was that there was no step-by-step recipe telling me how exactly he did all these things. When I turn to the book for these answers, I read that Santiago had to learn to listen to his heart, that he had to come to a deeper understanding of his place in the Universe. But I still don’t l know how he did it.
I know this problem is mine. I have always wanted to know how things operate. I constantly ask “Why?” and “How?” But then I remember what a wise, wrinkled woman once told me: “When I enter a room and flip the light switch, the light turns on. I don’t need to know how it works. I just know that it does work.” She was illustrating her faith in the Universe. For me, detail-oriented person that I am, I struggle with not knowing the answers and have always had a hard time with faith. Santiago did not. He dove into his tasks with determination after being reminded of the treasure he was pursuing. While I admired his determination, I did not relate to it and craved something more. This frustrated me as I read.
Something important happened after I read this book that caused me to rethink the importance of those details: I lost my job. I, like Santiago, did not cause this to happen. I guess you could say the Universe stepped in to help me achieve my Personal Legend. You might also say it could have happened to anyone, and there was no Universe at work at all. It doesn’t matter. What matters is how I respond to this change. My father once told me, it doesn’t matter what college you go to; it’s what you do when you get there. And there is truth in that. What will I do next? Will I coddle my fear or will I see how I can use this change in my favor? What did the boy Santiago do? He, at each turn of his road, dove in and embraced change. He remembered his Personal Legend, and he continued his quest for treasure. The Universe may have just handed me a gift. Maybe this time, I can learn to lay aside my need for the details and trust that the switch will keep sending the light my way.
“...You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world...”
~The Desiderata
Sunday, April 5
The Alchemist
There were several things that I liked about The Alchemist, but overall, I just couldn't give myself over to it and in the end, I just...well...it fell flat for me.
The Things I Liked:
1. I am constantly amazed at how authors come up with their stories. Seriously, the creativity is amazing and this book had me at times thinking, Wow. I didn't expect that turn, etc.
2. I love a happy ending, so I'm glad Santiago was able to find his Personal Legend
3. While there were many things that annoyed me about the book, I found myself sometimes teary-eyed thinking, *sniff* "That is so true!" There was a lot of wisdom and quotable things in the book.
The Things I Disliked:
1. My biggest bugaboo about the book was that it did indeed have a lot of truth in it...only to be mingled with the philosophies of men. And considering how popular this book is (my book touted that it was the most translated book on the planet!!), it only then continues to confuse people about the REAL reason we are here on this earth. So, my faith in what I feel to be true took umbrage with the book.
For example, after a certain point, this just sounded like one long promotion for "The Secret," about how "the universe" is working to do everything "it" can to help you succeed in getting your "Personal Legend." Whereas "the universe" is never defined as the Lord, He never gets the real credit for what takes place. See, I wanted Santiago to go back to the church and discover that the "real" treasure that he was unable to initially see WAS the Divinity of God, who is capable of giving prophetic dreams, or placing opposition in our path (ie: the soilder at the pyramids) or windstorms, etc. etc. But that didn't happen.
In fact, one of the quotes that I rolled my eyes at is this:
"...there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth."
Again, another example where it took elements of truth and then distorts the fact that "the soul of the universe" was something MORE. To me, that MORE is the knowledge that we lived premortally and first heard the plan of salvation. We KNEW then what our mission was on earth, but then we come to earth and the veil makes it so we have to "find our personal legend" again...but that legend isn't finding buried treasure in the literal sand, or fame or even wisdom or what we "really want" materially. It is learning the simple things like faith and repentance so that we can go back and live with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, which is what all of our souls truly cry for...a return to home, because that is where true happiness, where our true "Personal Legend" wants to lead us.
So, I guess the book for me was like having all the ingredients for a great and elegant dessert, but after a few bites, you realize that it wasn't as good as you wanted it to be. It probably also made me realize I need to do more member missionary work if I feel this strongly about it.
UPDATE: I just got done listening to the first session on Sunday of General Conference and all I can say is that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf talk basically said everything I wish I could have said without being so clumsy about it.
The Things I Liked:
1. I am constantly amazed at how authors come up with their stories. Seriously, the creativity is amazing and this book had me at times thinking, Wow. I didn't expect that turn, etc.
2. I love a happy ending, so I'm glad Santiago was able to find his Personal Legend
3. While there were many things that annoyed me about the book, I found myself sometimes teary-eyed thinking, *sniff* "That is so true!" There was a lot of wisdom and quotable things in the book.
The Things I Disliked:
1. My biggest bugaboo about the book was that it did indeed have a lot of truth in it...only to be mingled with the philosophies of men. And considering how popular this book is (my book touted that it was the most translated book on the planet!!), it only then continues to confuse people about the REAL reason we are here on this earth. So, my faith in what I feel to be true took umbrage with the book.
For example, after a certain point, this just sounded like one long promotion for "The Secret," about how "the universe" is working to do everything "it" can to help you succeed in getting your "Personal Legend." Whereas "the universe" is never defined as the Lord, He never gets the real credit for what takes place. See, I wanted Santiago to go back to the church and discover that the "real" treasure that he was unable to initially see WAS the Divinity of God, who is capable of giving prophetic dreams, or placing opposition in our path (ie: the soilder at the pyramids) or windstorms, etc. etc. But that didn't happen.
In fact, one of the quotes that I rolled my eyes at is this:
"...there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth."
Again, another example where it took elements of truth and then distorts the fact that "the soul of the universe" was something MORE. To me, that MORE is the knowledge that we lived premortally and first heard the plan of salvation. We KNEW then what our mission was on earth, but then we come to earth and the veil makes it so we have to "find our personal legend" again...but that legend isn't finding buried treasure in the literal sand, or fame or even wisdom or what we "really want" materially. It is learning the simple things like faith and repentance so that we can go back and live with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, which is what all of our souls truly cry for...a return to home, because that is where true happiness, where our true "Personal Legend" wants to lead us.
So, I guess the book for me was like having all the ingredients for a great and elegant dessert, but after a few bites, you realize that it wasn't as good as you wanted it to be. It probably also made me realize I need to do more member missionary work if I feel this strongly about it.
UPDATE: I just got done listening to the first session on Sunday of General Conference and all I can say is that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf talk basically said everything I wish I could have said without being so clumsy about it.
Wednesday, April 1
The Alchemist - loved it
I kept on pronouncing this book (in my mind) the achelmist before I found out what an Alchemist actually is. Now I'll never say it wrong in my head or out loud again. This was such a great read. You gotta love how short it was in length too. ;)
My friend recommended this book to me more than a year ago. I finally had a chance to read it, along with you all, and found that my dear friend could have written this book herself. All the advice she gives me and all the positive perspective she has on life, is portrayed in this simple story.
Some people know themselves early on. Some of us are still figuring out who we are and what we are striving for in life. Finding your purpose in life isn't the only key. One has to love them self enough to make good choices and feel content in any given situation. There have been many a time I have said, "It's just not supposed to be" or "I'm not good enough." This friend has said in those times, "Gina, you are acting like the world is against you and that isn't the case!" The universe isn't fighting us. The universe is actually cheering for us! If we want something badly enough, a higher power can help us achieve our goal.
This lesson is a great reminder no matter what your religion!
And here are a couple quotes that hit me very deeply as an LDS woman:
My friend recommended this book to me more than a year ago. I finally had a chance to read it, along with you all, and found that my dear friend could have written this book herself. All the advice she gives me and all the positive perspective she has on life, is portrayed in this simple story.
Some people know themselves early on. Some of us are still figuring out who we are and what we are striving for in life. Finding your purpose in life isn't the only key. One has to love them self enough to make good choices and feel content in any given situation. There have been many a time I have said, "It's just not supposed to be" or "I'm not good enough." This friend has said in those times, "Gina, you are acting like the world is against you and that isn't the case!" The universe isn't fighting us. The universe is actually cheering for us! If we want something badly enough, a higher power can help us achieve our goal.
This lesson is a great reminder no matter what your religion!
"When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there's no need at all to understand what's happening, because everything happens within you, and even men can turn themselves into the wind. As long as the wind helps, of course." pg. 147
And here are a couple quotes that hit me very deeply as an LDS woman:
"The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a guarantee that there exists a world that is perfect. God created the world so that, through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels of his wisdom. That's what I mean by action." pg 127
"Remember what I told you: the world is only the visible aspect of God. And that what alchemy does is to bring spiritual perfection into contact with the material plane." pg 142
Monday, March 30
The Alchemist
Ladies,
My initial reaction to The Alchemist was this is "psycho-babel," (not a particularly positive response). I felt like Coelho was "ever searching, but never coming to the truth." There were passages that sounded Christian/Mormon/Biblical (Urim & Thumim; Melchizedek; paying 1/10; where your treasure is, there will your heart be also, etc.) mixed in with ideas from ancient philosophers and cultures (the "ideal is created before the real," the pyramids of Egypt/Giza are miraculous, "beginner's luck and the victor's test," magic, true love conquers all, living in the "now," etc.). It was a fun plot line, but I didn't feel like reading it would lead me to truth, change my life, or give me deeply valuable or personally applicable insights.
Then I read the author's biography at the end of the book. I was stunned by the passion he had for writing and the great lengths he was willing to go to achieve his dream. I did additional research on Wikipedia just to see if his parents really put him in a mental institution where he underwent shock therapy for years because they couldn't accept that he wanted to be a writer. Rod suggested that perhaps he was gay and that's why his parents' reaction was so severe. However, that is not the case. He has been married to the same woman for over 20 years.
I have been trying to make some sense out of his parents' reaction. The understanding came through family. My husband, Rod, has a brother who is an artist. His life has been incredibly difficult. Rod's father once told us, "If any of your kids want to be an artist, hold their head under water until they change their minds." He was only half joking; he blamed being an artist for causing so much pain to his son. I can't believe how compassionate Coelho's response was to his parents. He said they weren't trying to hurt him; they were trying to SAVE him.
Coehlo was also kidnapped and tortured because of his political beliefs! With this background knowledge, "The Alchemist" becomes in many ways an autobiography. When I look at it this way, it becomes a much different experience. Survival/perserverance becomes the theme and the most significant part of the the story for me . . . continuing on against all odds; learning and growing from each experience. I'm glad I read it. :)
My initial reaction to The Alchemist was this is "psycho-babel," (not a particularly positive response). I felt like Coelho was "ever searching, but never coming to the truth." There were passages that sounded Christian/Mormon/Biblical (Urim & Thumim; Melchizedek; paying 1/10; where your treasure is, there will your heart be also, etc.) mixed in with ideas from ancient philosophers and cultures (the "ideal is created before the real," the pyramids of Egypt/Giza are miraculous, "beginner's luck and the victor's test," magic, true love conquers all, living in the "now," etc.). It was a fun plot line, but I didn't feel like reading it would lead me to truth, change my life, or give me deeply valuable or personally applicable insights.
Then I read the author's biography at the end of the book. I was stunned by the passion he had for writing and the great lengths he was willing to go to achieve his dream. I did additional research on Wikipedia just to see if his parents really put him in a mental institution where he underwent shock therapy for years because they couldn't accept that he wanted to be a writer. Rod suggested that perhaps he was gay and that's why his parents' reaction was so severe. However, that is not the case. He has been married to the same woman for over 20 years.
I have been trying to make some sense out of his parents' reaction. The understanding came through family. My husband, Rod, has a brother who is an artist. His life has been incredibly difficult. Rod's father once told us, "If any of your kids want to be an artist, hold their head under water until they change their minds." He was only half joking; he blamed being an artist for causing so much pain to his son. I can't believe how compassionate Coelho's response was to his parents. He said they weren't trying to hurt him; they were trying to SAVE him.
Coehlo was also kidnapped and tortured because of his political beliefs! With this background knowledge, "The Alchemist" becomes in many ways an autobiography. When I look at it this way, it becomes a much different experience. Survival/perserverance becomes the theme and the most significant part of the the story for me . . . continuing on against all odds; learning and growing from each experience. I'm glad I read it. :)
Monday, February 9
3 Bags
I was disappointed as well by the conclusion of the book. She set up that great discovery of the other man's body by Ham and George, and didn't tie up the loose ends. We heard about the video tape, but that was the end of that. She was also so vague about George, his relationship with the pious lady, his wife, the other woman, and his daughter. I suppose that since the sheep didn't understand the complexity of human relationships, that the author didn't feel the need to explain in more depth. I was also depressed by the lack of human happiness in the book. The book was full of unhappy marriage, drug abuse, unfulfilled dreams, etc. Where's "la joie de vivre"?
On the flip side, I did appreciate a lot of the humor. There were times that I laughed out loud over what one of the sheep said, or the conclusions that they came to. I was planning to quote a few examples, but I already passed the book along. It was a fun book to read, but not a real page turner for me.
I did have the little jumping sheep at the bottom of my page. Very cute.
On the flip side, I did appreciate a lot of the humor. There were times that I laughed out loud over what one of the sheep said, or the conclusions that they came to. I was planning to quote a few examples, but I already passed the book along. It was a fun book to read, but not a real page turner for me.
I did have the little jumping sheep at the bottom of my page. Very cute.
Saturday, February 7
Three Bags Full
It’s been awhile since I read the book as well, so I’ve forgotten many of the details. Three Bags Full had so much potential. I mean, a detective story where sheep are your detectives? How unique is that? However, I think it fell short. I’ll explain why later.
The names the author gave all the characters (both sheep and humans) were very interesting:
Miss Maple for the older, female sheep – quite the nod to Miss Marple…Agatha Christie’s famous detective.
Ham was an interesting name for a butcher.
Othello as the black ram. Interesting choices, just to list a few.
The author, by necessity, gave the sheep human attributes – like the need to be counted: “All the sheep were afraid of being missed out of the count, because then they might disappear,” pg. 67. I think it’s a human need to “count,” to matter, to be important to someone.
I think the book lost some steam somewhere in the middle – it was just too long. The novelty of the sheep detectives wore off with some of the minutiae in the book.
SPOILER ALERT
But here’s where I really think the book fell short. What started off as a murder mystery ended as a suicide. I think that was a cop out – rather than have the sheep actually uncover a murderer (which I think would have been very interesting. How would you feel as a murderer to be found out by a bunch of sheep), the victim killed himself. I just think it was too easy.
Anyway, did anyone else have the sheep drawings at the bottom corner of the right-hand page? When you thumb quickly through the book you get a jumping sheep? That was kind of fun.
The names the author gave all the characters (both sheep and humans) were very interesting:
Miss Maple for the older, female sheep – quite the nod to Miss Marple…Agatha Christie’s famous detective.
Ham was an interesting name for a butcher.
Othello as the black ram. Interesting choices, just to list a few.
The author, by necessity, gave the sheep human attributes – like the need to be counted: “All the sheep were afraid of being missed out of the count, because then they might disappear,” pg. 67. I think it’s a human need to “count,” to matter, to be important to someone.
I think the book lost some steam somewhere in the middle – it was just too long. The novelty of the sheep detectives wore off with some of the minutiae in the book.
SPOILER ALERT
But here’s where I really think the book fell short. What started off as a murder mystery ended as a suicide. I think that was a cop out – rather than have the sheep actually uncover a murderer (which I think would have been very interesting. How would you feel as a murderer to be found out by a bunch of sheep), the victim killed himself. I just think it was too easy.
Anyway, did anyone else have the sheep drawings at the bottom corner of the right-hand page? When you thumb quickly through the book you get a jumping sheep? That was kind of fun.
Tuesday, February 3
Three Bags full
Spoiler alert: don't read if you haven't finished the book.
I read it about a month ago sooo... I don't remember it well enough to do too indepth of a review. I enjoyed it. I liked the perspective of the sheep and their understanding of people. I thought the names were a nice twist - They lived in Glennkill and George Glenn was killed (not sure if those are the exact names but it was something similar). I wished for a little more background on the humans. Because we only heard things mostly through the sheep whole stories were missing. George and Ham fought over Kate- George won but stayed good friends with Ham and yet their seemed to be some tension there still... It didn't quite add up. Ham still pined over Kate. Kate was clueless about everything. George had a child with a married woman somewhere else? And Beth and George were really in love with each other but George couldn't take pining and stressing over the "Evil" in the village. Things didn't quite add up for me and the way he died took all of the mystery out of the novel for me. I would have liked it better if he had been murdered. (is that kind of sick and twisted? oh well...)
That being said it was a fun and interesting read. It went quickly and had some nice twists. I liked when Mopple was lost in the fog- that was an interesting part of the book. I liked the wolf in sheeps clothing (the sheep for food shepard). I liked the twin sheep that reappeared and the adopted sheep from the circus. Their were some cool analogies in the book. There was a good amount of suspense and the author had an interesting way of feeding us info.
Sorry I can't be more in depth. Maybe I will remember more as I read your reviews? Thanks for the fun read!
I read it about a month ago sooo... I don't remember it well enough to do too indepth of a review. I enjoyed it. I liked the perspective of the sheep and their understanding of people. I thought the names were a nice twist - They lived in Glennkill and George Glenn was killed (not sure if those are the exact names but it was something similar). I wished for a little more background on the humans. Because we only heard things mostly through the sheep whole stories were missing. George and Ham fought over Kate- George won but stayed good friends with Ham and yet their seemed to be some tension there still... It didn't quite add up. Ham still pined over Kate. Kate was clueless about everything. George had a child with a married woman somewhere else? And Beth and George were really in love with each other but George couldn't take pining and stressing over the "Evil" in the village. Things didn't quite add up for me and the way he died took all of the mystery out of the novel for me. I would have liked it better if he had been murdered. (is that kind of sick and twisted? oh well...)
That being said it was a fun and interesting read. It went quickly and had some nice twists. I liked when Mopple was lost in the fog- that was an interesting part of the book. I liked the wolf in sheeps clothing (the sheep for food shepard). I liked the twin sheep that reappeared and the adopted sheep from the circus. Their were some cool analogies in the book. There was a good amount of suspense and the author had an interesting way of feeding us info.
Sorry I can't be more in depth. Maybe I will remember more as I read your reviews? Thanks for the fun read!
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