Shelfari

I just posted this on Shelfari, thought I'd share. Top 10 reads of 2008. (Forged by Fire barely missed the cut).

After lots of thought and debate, this is the list I've come up with.

1984 – George Orwell
Tess of the D'Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy
Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen
When the Emperor was Divine – Julia Otsuka
Night – Eli Weisel
Blackboy – Richard Wright
Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin
Life of Pi – Yann Martel
The Book of Mormon

Reasoning: 1984 is my husbands favorite book so i finally broke down and read it. Usually we have differing taste, but this classic truly was mind boggling and wonderfully written.

Geisha and Tess were both beautifully romantic. The prose moved me. I loved the language and the metaphors. Both a must read for those who love a deep and real love story.

Water for Elephants . . . it's #1 in this race for a reason. Could not put it down.

The Emperor and Night were both books I'd read before, both about the woes of WWII. I could read them again and again. I love them. I really recommend When the Emperor Was Divine to anyone who wants to learn anything about the internment of Japanese Americans.

Students at my inner city school who NEVER read were really getting into Blackboy so I thought I'd see what the big deal was. The beginning really does pull you in. It is one of the best memoirs I've ever read, and I've read a lot of memoirs. My heart goes out to any African American of the time.

Three Cups of Tea is another memoir I would dub top five of all time. Mortenson is amazing. One man can change the world. Live your dreams.

And Life of Pi, I loved the beginning but the part on the boat just started to drag on and I lost interest. But boy am I glad I finished it. I've never encountered such a profound ending. It had me thinking for days. I mean, it was ALL I could think about.

Last but not least, The Book of Mormon. I read it every year, and it will always be on my list. It speaks comfort to my worried soul and eases the racing thoughts of my wandering mind. I love love love it.

And I ditto the big thanks to the admin of this group. It is so fun to see the compilation of our lists. I've gotten many "plan to read" ideas from this.

12 months of travel . . . 12 months to read.

It took like a full year to read through this novel but I finally finished it. I don't really remember the "Eat" part since I read it last February. But I do remember thinking, how awesome would it be to just vacation for four months in Italy, and get paid for it, just cause you are a good writer. That is the dream folks. Now, "Pray" was super annoying. I'm actually really surprised I kept reading the book. I was like, GET OVER YOURSELF! This portion of the book really made me never ever want to take up the practice of yoga or meditation. Yuck.

But then she takes us to Indonesia and I just can't put the book down. Memories of my Malaysia just come swarming back. I understand everything she is talking about. Motorcycles everywhere, with full families of 5 clinging on to each other as they swerve through the streets. There's the old Bali man who isn't sure if he's 65 or 105, cause who really knows when they were born? There's the family she wants to build a house for, so she raises the money and then the woman tries to swindle her out of more money. She struggles with the stereotypes that come with the citizens of third world countries, because she sees the beauty in each and every one of them. But the truth is, some of these traits just come from the basic need to survive in a world where your dollar can crash in minutes and corruption is the norm.

Overall, I guess I'll admit I liked the book. I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone. So don't go out and buy yourself a copy. But if you want to borrow mine I'll let you have it.

The End

I was disappointed, then into it, disappointed, then into it. Even in the last 50 pages I kept changing my mind. But despite what all the reviews say. I'm not bothered by the all too happy happy ending. Sure I think literature has greater value when someone dies or some sacrifice is made. And the movie would be better if they had fought the Volturi (which I'd about bet the movie does anyway). But this wasn't written as great literature, nor with the intent to be an action packed movie. So hats off to Meyers.

I'm excited to see the inner city black kids starting to get into this book. I love when they read anything, let alone 2,400 pages of anything.

I'm definitely not a die hard fan. But I won't be embarrassed to admit I read the series. And I definitely did not fall in love with Edward like so many readers did. Eh . . . is all I have to say about him and Bella. I like Bella and all but Jake and Nessie's love is the type I want. And Alice was probably my favorite character. I just really liked her. She seemed so upbeat and "cool." In this book I really liked the Romanian Vampires. They were funny.

There were a couple of holes in the plot, but even my beloved Friends has its errors. One complaint I will make though, some words were really over used. I noticed that in the second book (my personal favorite) and it didn't stop with the next two. But like I said, overall . . . kudos Meyers.

I grew up in a small village.

I don't think I've ever been so excited to finish a book. Not that it was bad, it just felt like I read three or four books because there were so many stories within the story. Some were more compelling than others. The ending was disturbing, even more so than Grapes of Wrath. Which says a lot. Although, I have to give Aureliano and Amanarta Ursula credit, they weren't 100% sure they were related, so they weren't fully aware of how disgusting their affair was. And I have to admit I saw it coming, since incest was Ursula's biggest fear.

I liked the story theme that history is forgotten, almost even erased. I still think the banana rebellion was a bit of a stretch. There's no way a town wouldn't notice the murder of 3,000 people. But I guess the point is that if a government is evil enough they can cover it up. Pretty amazing.

Overall, the book was a bit graphic for me. And I'm not excited to read his next one. But I do see why this was on my list of 50 greatest books. The sentences are flawless, even in translation. The story is compelling, even if it feels a bit rushed. I'd never want to teach this, not even in AP. I just felt like there was so much there that I didn't understand. Thank you sparknotes for helping me get through it.

Now about the title of this post. I do think this book was trying to prove something about the isolation of a small village, and I didn't really get what. Some people left the village and came back so it wasn't all that terribly isolated. Maybe it was trying to prove the crab bucket theory. Like I said, I'm just not sure I understood everything that was going on in this novel.

Three Down One to Go

I didn't like this one as much as New Moon. I didn't think the writing was as beautiful. The story line seemed like another version of the first book. Bella loves Edward, Edward's overprotective (kind of stalkerish), Vampires come after Bella, Edward saves Bella. Pretty much the exact same plot, just recycled. I feel like the only time Bella is truly herself is when she is with Jacob, and maybe Alice. When she's with Edward she's just a damsel in distress, waiting for her prince to save her. Like she has no existence without him. YUCK!!! It's just too much for me.

Plus, I'm a firm believer that your best friends should be the person you love and want to spend your life with. One more reason I'm a Jacob fan. No matter how much she loves Edward, she'll never admit he is her best friend and not Jacob. So you can imagine how excited I was when Jacob kissed her the first time. I shrieked. Even though Bella's instinct is to punch him. I loved it. And then I loved their second kiss ever more. I loved that Bella saw her life with him, with beautiful dark skinned babies. And I just can't imagine she'd pick life as a Vampire with Edward over a human life with her best friend.

I'm anxious to see how the series ends. But after reading 1,2500 pages of these books in less than a week, I think I need a break. I've been missing One Hundred Years of Solitude. So I'll have to go back and finish that before I wrap up this series.

One last thought. In the first book I liked the chase with James a lot better than the first 400 pages of character development, but in these last two books I've liked the character development better than the Vampire/Werewolf action. I think it's just another testament to the fact that Bella actually has a character when she is with Jacob, with Edward her character is so flat and it just bores me. But I was glad to see the Cullen's and the pack fight together. Saw it coming, but was still thrilled.

And gees, what about all the sexual frustration!?!? Another reason her 2nd kiss with Jake was so great, no worries he'd kill her. The way a kiss should be. No inhibitions.

Crap, now I'm hooked.

I wasn't sure if I was going to read the rest of the series after I finished the first one. But I already had this on my library wait list, so I picked it up Monday around noon and finished it around 11:00pm. I am officially hooked. The plot went places I totally didn't expect. I thought it would probably be a lot like the first one, cause I've heard Harry Potter is that way. But I was surprised by how different this book was. It was SO MUCH BETTER! And now I have to finish the series. Hopefully by the end of this week.

I love Bella's friendship with Jacob. I think if I were her I'd have to pick him. I feel like it's passion and romance v pleasure and friendship. And I would have to choose the later. I like that a good half of the book is pretty "normal." No werewolves or vampires. I hate how she treats Jacob at the end. I can't believe he would put up with it. But I guess we've probably all been in that kind of relationship before - so in love you put yourself through hell for the other person.

I felt like this book was much better written as well. I noticed some metaphors. Obvious ones like the comparison to Romeo and Juliet. I liked that this was an extended metaphor, present throughout the whole novel. But there were even smaller, more simple metaphors that just added to the writing. But I will admit I still have the tendency to only read the quotes. I don't know what it is about her descriptions of setting and Bella's thoughts that just turns me away.

Oh, one thing that really bugged me. Bella noticed Carlisle's car at her house, but Alice flew there. I can't believe Meyer or any of her editors didn't notice that. Especially since both the car and the flight were mentioned several times. One or the other people! She couldn't both fly and drive.

Life of Pi

It took me a while to finish this one. The argument for zoos at the beginning of the novel really drew me in. I found the narrator to be very thought provoking and reliable. The idea of living at sea with a 450 pound Bengal tiger wasn't hard for me to believe. Because I trusted the narrator. But then he goes blind, bumps into a french man in the middle of the Pacific and later finds a floating algae island. These two events turned the narrator into a very unreliable fellow. So I'm not surprised the two investigators at the end also find his story of survival hard to believe. I guess that's what makes it such a great work of fiction.

Interesting themes were the role of religion in Pi's life. I especially liked when the leaders of his three studied religions (Christianity, Islam and Hinduism) all told him he couldn't believe in all three. That he had to pick. Even then, Pi didn't choose one. And interesting that Pi is infinite (mathematically speaking) himself. But I didn't really get the "And so it is with God" quote at the end, when the two investigators tell him they like the story with animals better. I really doubt that the other story is what actually happened, and wouldn't have even thought that plausible if it weren't for the reading guide questions.

Overall I liked it, even though it took me a long time to get through. I don't think I'll ever bother to read it again. But I'd recommend it to some adolescent boy. Or a real serious fiction/adventure book lover.

Caved

So I'm torn. It only took 400 pages for it to get exciting. But even before that I couldn't put it down for some reason. I think it was just because it's so easy to read. The writing definitely wasn't great. I liked this one part on page 30(?) Shoot I can't find it. I thought I took note of the page so I could quote it. She describes the scenery of Phoenix, AZ. And of course I just grew melancholy for my lovely desert home. I was impressed with the use of big words. Glad to see it in a YA novel. The two main characters were well developed but everyone else was truly flat.

In the middle of the novel I was secretly hoping Edward would just give in and eat her, so it would all be over with. I thought that would be real comical. But I knew it wouldn't happen. Bet it does on the movie that makes fun of it. I'm curious to see how the series ends but I really don't want to read the other books. Maybe if I wait a month or two I'll change my mind.

I confess I didn't read a lot of it. I skimmed through parts where there was no dialog. You could pretty much keep up with the whole story if you just read everything in quotes. Which is what I did. Like I said at the beginning of this post, it did become thrilling around page 400. I was glad to finally see something actually happening.

Parts of the love story was LA-HAME! But in the end I was a little dreamy for Edward, just like everyone said I would be. But I definitely don't think I'll ever become obsessed with him like so many women are. I just didn't see what was so great about him. Ben's better.

Wish there had been more symbols or metaphors. There may have been and I just missed them. I tend to do that. Well, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this book. Since I know so many of my blogging buddies have read it.

Mr. Obama

Surprisingly enough I didn't love this book. I still love Mr. Obama. But the book wasn't as good as I was hoping for. The beginning really sucked me in. I read the first 100 pages in less than a day. It was so fascinating to learn about his life in Hawaii and Indonesia. I can't even imagine what it would be like to grow up black when everyone who is raising you is white. I found one particular story about his grandmother being afraid of a black homeless man very interesting. His grandfather was upset because he assumed she wouldn't have been afraid if the man was white. Which I find true for a lot of people. So even with a black grandson living in her house, she was a little bit racist. As for his grandfather. I think he went out of his way to be tolerant, and it sounds like it might have made for some uncomfortable situations. Which makes me wonder if my presence as an assistant coach for basketball ever causes these awkwardnesses.

It was the middle that really dragged on. I liked his experience in Chicago and found it very interesting. Similiar neighborhoods to what I teach in. Similiar attitudes, similiar dissapointments. But it was just a little too much for me.

Then he goes to Kenya, and I was once again fascinated. His family just embraces him with all their hearts. And though he had only met his older half brother and sister he seems to just fit right in. But he does mention the disappointment that must come to all Black Americans when they return to Africa. Because of colonialism much of Africa mimics the western world, and in there lies the disappointment. He tells this amazing story about his grandfather and how he conformed to the ways of the white man when they first entered his village. It reminded me of Achebe's Things Fall Apart. His grandmother tells him about the wars that were fought with the white men. How at first no one thought they would stay. They thought they'd leave like the Arabs did. But soon white men were forcing taxes on the people, and forcing the people to use the white man's money instead of their own goods for trade. They'd burn down the huts of anyone who refused to pay. It's just so sad.

While in Kenya he goes on a safari with his sister Aumua. She was reluctant at first, saying the conservations are a sign of colonialism, a sign that the white man cares more about a dead elephant than 100 black people. I found that statement really interesting. But still, his description of the animals of the grasslands made me want to go one my own African safari. Someday.

And even though it wasn't a five star book, I still hope that someday this great man is the leader of our country. I want it for his sincerity, his charism, his race, and our people. We need a man like this. We need Mr. Obama.

Authors of my 50 greatst novels

So I've been thinking a lot about how most the authors on my list of 50 greatest authors are native English speakers and it really disturbs me. So I've set out to read a lot more African novels. I looked for Asian ones but it was kind of hard. You might say it bias just cause I speak English but I figure any work of literature that is really considered great would have been translated into English. Which, about 12 of the authors are from countries where the most spoken language is not English, so I'm guessing those books were translated. Anyway, to let you know what the list looks like . . .
There are 14 British authors with 18 books
12 American authors with 14 books, two of which are African American
1 Columbian (the only S. American) with 2 books
2 Irish
1 Spanish
4 Russians, unless you count Ukraine, then there is 5, with 7 books
1 German
3 French
1 Japanese
1 Austrian

So there you have it, the many countries of my list. The list I come up with should be a lot more diverse. Keep your fingers crossed that I can finish all my reading by age 35. Maybe I'll give myself 5 years of "other country reading" and wait to publish my list at 40.

Wrapping up the series

I finished my last Nikoline book today. I'm sad it is over. They were so fun to read. I liked this one a lot. As you can tell from the title it is about Lena's career as a teacher. But what I enjoyed must was the love story. Lena battles back and forth between two men, Dick and Ray. I liked Ray a little better even though she seemed more herself around Dick. In the end they both propose (Ray early on in the book before he leaves on a five year mission to Hawaii and Dick near the books end before he leaves for Chicago). Well, when Dick proposes he mentions getting married at city hall. To which Lena realizes he doesn't really have a testimony in the gospel. She tells him she doesn't know how their marriage will work if they can't even agree on their wedding. She then realizes she'd rather be with Ray. And a couple months later he mentions his earlier proposal is still a good one. It was such a cute love story, I shouted out loud when they finally ended up together.

It's funny how different Nikoline's and my teaching careers are. She was roughly 17 when she was given a "frontier" school in what I think must be Spanish Fork whereabouts. She lived with a family that sent two children to her school. Of course it was a one roomer with grades 1 through 8 and ages about six through sixteen. How would it be!?!? But it was fun to read about her journey as a school ma'm.

It was fun to read about her little brother Peter, who I'm pretty sure is my great grandpa. He was quite the teaser when they roomed together at BYU, or the Academy. Like I said, I'm sad the series is over. They were fun to read and learn about my heritage. It was also fun to watch how women's rights were unfolding and Utah gained statehood. A real treasure

A little more ancestory

I finished another book today. Two in one day feels great! Nikoline's Academy really connected with me. I doubt I'll read it as a bed time story to my kids (see Nikoline's Choice). But I'll encourage my daughters to read it when they are teenagers. This book was all about Nikoline's journey through college. Things sure were different back then. It only took her one year to earn her teaching degree. You could get baptized every eight years. And you could get married in the temple just weeks after your baptism. They didn't bathe, horse and buggy were source of travel, to name a more obvious few. Anyway, I loved how anxious she was to become a teacher. I reminded me of myself. I guess a love of teaching has been in the family longer than I knew. Hearing of her teacher training reminded me of my own days in Cache County Schools. Those were very different from my current teaching status.

There was a literary focus on "if." Which I found interesting cause my dad always challenged us not to ask those "what if" questions. Maybe that's always been in the family too.

But the best part of course was the love story. I can't wait to read Nikoline's Career and see if she marries Ray Shumway, which I don't think she will. Cause I think his real life character is President Hinckley's Uncle or Dad or something. I'll have to research it and ask my dad. Anyway, the love story made me shrill out loud at the end of the book. And until that point I hadn't thought it was that great of a book. But me making noises out loud while I read is the sign of a good book. Well, Ray rides on his horse day and night to help Nikoline get her first job as a teacher. And he did it all without her even knowing. It was so sweet. And then when she was finally able to thank him he kissed her on the lips, twice. Which was a real big deal back then.

I love reading this series. I can dream about Mount Timpanogos while she describes its beauty. I can picture her and Ray canoeing across Lake Utah. I know what it's like to finally come home after being away for such a long time. And so much more. I love my roots!

The Shepherd of the Hills

I read this one for book club. It's a good story, not great, but good. It had a little twist at the end that tied everyone together which I enjoyed. I guess you can never know what kind of impact you may have on people, for good or bad. There was a cute little love story as well. A couple of the main characters pass on, which I always like about books. Good books always seem to have some sort of sad truth, unlike the movies which are always happily ever after. I think the sad elements make books more real and personable. It was a quick read. Worth it if you just want a simple, old fashioned story about the Ozarks.

Nikoline's Choice . . . A bit of Ancestory

So this picture isn't actually the cover of the book, but it's about a pioneer girl and her family (one of which happens to be a little sister). So I thought the picture was appropriate. The best part about this book is . . . drum roll please . . . it's about my ancestors! That's right. It's written by my great-great Aunt Margaret Maw, who I played in the wonderful musical In Our Lovely Deseret. I never knew I had a writer in the family. But I was given these books (it's a three part series) as a graduation gift when I left USU. What a fabulous gift. Possibly the best ever. The books are fictional but it's pretty obvious the Ma and Pa of the book are my great-great grandparents who migrated from Denmark when they joined the Church. In fact there's an inscription on the title page that reads "To Beulah, a grand daughter of the Ma and Pa of this book. Margaret Maw 1947." Beulah is my dad's mother.

It was such a fun easy read. And I already am planning on reading these stories to my children when they are little. I had the blessing of growing up just farms away from the setting of this story, Deseret, Utah; but my children won't be so lucky. So in order to give them an idea of what their ancestors had to do I'll have to read them these books. Then when we visit Delta it will be like putting a place to the story.

It just amazes me how much my great-great-grandpa Nels gave up for the Church. I always knew he had so much Faith and it breaks my heart that so many of his descendants have wondered. I remember a distinct moment on my mission when I thought of this great man and was sure I made him proud. Which is funny because Lena (the main character, Margaret) is always saying her father warns her not to be proud. But my favorite of his quotes was the idea that a bathtub is "the ways of Babylon creeping in." Too funny. Another laugh out loud moment was when he swore to give up coffee after President Taylor came to town and talked about the Word of Wisdom. But a couple weeks later ol' Pa was drinking his coffee again. Guess it's always ran in the family to battle the Word of Wisdom. Just amazes me that he can give up his family, his home, and his money for the Church but not his coffee! What a Petersen.

The story has it sad moments. Pa losses his first claim (or farm) when he forgets to pay the fee on the land. The family lends out their horses for the winter and losses over half of them. Their good friend dies shortly after his family finally joins him from Denmark. And every member of the family sacrifices all their earnings to send Lena to the Academy in Provo. That scene nearly brought tears to my eyes.

Overall it was a great read, but I might be prejudice. I'll have to admit the writing is nothing great. A good kids story, easy for an independent reader. My favorite part about it is I googled some of the titles and found out copies are up on Amazon for $85 to $110. I've got a real treasure on my hands. And I wouldn't give it up for a million bucks.

Couldn't put this one down

I love contemporary fiction. And this one caught my eye almost a year ago. I finally broke down and bought it when I saw my sister-in-law reading it over the holiday. And I'm so glad I did. What a great read. I just wish I could come up with a story so fascinating. I can't even count how many times I yipped and hollered out loud. Ben was getting a kick out of me. I just couldn't stop reading it all day. Every third page made me yelp or laugh. I really wonder how people come up with such compelling stories. I know the author must have done a lot of research about circus life in the 1930's. That's what stops me from being a writer, I just couldn't do all that research, and I'm not that creative either. I'd have to stick to non-fiction writing. And even that requires some research. Someday . . .

Anyway, about the book. Well, I don't even know what to say because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who wants to read it. Not that anyone really reads this blog anyway. As for a literary critique. Great narrator. The voice and tone of the book really pull you in as you read. Good mix of humor and suspense. And I really love that it's an old man telling a story, as he says "I remember it like it was yesterday, hell I remember it better than yesterday." Not only does this story pull you into the circus life, but the chapters where you sit in the nursing home with old man Jacob, you just really feel for the elderly. You realize they're people with great stories and large emotions.

I will say it's a little racy at times. Never for more than a page. Not that that makes it okay. I just wanted to give a fair warning to anyone interested in reading it. Deep down though Jacob's a classy guy. With a real good heart. As for the antagonist. I hate that they give him a mental disorder, as if to say that's the reason for his poor temperament. I know plenty of people with red hot tempers who aren't in need of psychiatric help. And I know plenty of stand up people in need of psychiatric help who are just plain delightful. So I guess in the end it shouldn't bother me. But it did just a little bit. I have nothing else to say. Other than it's a must read, super entertaining, delightfully thrilling; it just doesn't stop surprising you until you turn the last page.

My Dear Friend Tess

I finally finished Tess of the D'Urbervilles. I was almost done when I left my book at my friend Marie's house. I had to wait a whole week to finish the final chapters. When I turned the last page I think I said to myself (out loud, cause I do talk to myself) "Good job Mr. Hardy!" It was such a great read. I was told the basic plot before I began reading it. I knew it was about a girl who was raped, then fell in love, and when she told her new love about her past he left her. But there were still plenty of surprises. Parts that actually made me gasp, grunt, and laugh out loud. I only had about 15 pages left to read today, but those last 15 pages just totally shocked and thrilled me. I really think the story line is fabulous. And I can't help but wonder if it wasn't a little before it's time. It just seems like most Romantic/Victorian novels I've read in the past are nothing like this one. Yet the writing really puts it in its time. Easy to read, beautiful prose.

My favorite such prose is found on page 100 of Volume II, just after Angel St Clare finds out about her past. The narrator says, "With all his attempted independence of judgment this advanced and well-meaning young man, a sample product of the last five-and-twenty years, was yet the slave to custom and conventionality when surprised back into his early teachings. . . In considering what Tess was not, he overlooked what she was, and forgot that the defective can be more than the entire." It also goes on to say that no prophet had told him (or anyone for that matter) that Tess's rape was not her sin. It just kills me that during that time period rape really was considered the sin of an innocent woman. Just blows my mind. Especially because Angel confesses to having spent a night himself with another woman, this confession relieves Tess and so she tells him about the situation with her monstrous cousin, Alec D'Urberville, and Clare packs up and leaves her! It just flabbergasts me.

But the ending even flabbergasts me more than that. I love it. This one will definitely be on my list of the top 50. It may rank in the 40's, but it will be there. I wonder if Hardy has another classic I can read. I also wonder what his religious affiliations were. I would assume he was raised Christian, but deep down was rather atheist. Much like Angel Clare. I think it's really ironic that Tess runs into Alec years after the rape and he has become a devout Christian. Much to the thanks of Angel's father. When she meets him again I couldn't decide if I liked him or not. Forgiveness is a hard thing. When finishing this book, I tried to think of all the religious symbolism of this novel, but it wasn't until I looked up themes on Sparknotes.com (my professors would be ashamed) that I realized Justice is a huge underlying theme. And to think I over looked it, Justice has always been one of my favorite themes. It seems to appear in a lot of classic novels, Shakespeare, Dickens, they all used it. So why wouldn't Mr. Hardy. But the role Justice plays in his novel is quite different from other novels I've read. He seems to think Justice is a cruel joke the pagan gods seem to play on those that suffer. Christianity teaches that those who suffer will receive happiness in the life after this one, but Tess's family seems to have no happiness in sight, and for her punishments are large (even in the after life she will face a "Just" punishment). But I will say Alec gets what he deserves. And I love it! The D'Urbervilles really seem to have a family curse that follows them around.

Brilliantly Confusing

So I've come to conclude Toni Morrison is a little over my head. I read one of her books in a class at USU and I loved it, but I felt like I only got through it because I was reading it with a brilliant professor and a small group of students. Reading Beloved I was all on my own. Well, me and sparknotes.com. I think she is a very talented author, with a glorious collection of novels, short stories, and poems. I feel I have to expose my students to this gifted, modern day miracle of a writer, so we read her short story Rectatif. And they love it. And with a little help from me they really understood it. But I really was a little lost on this one. Thankfully, one of my colleagues saw me reading it, she is a middle aged black woman, and she too said Morrison is over her head. So I guess I'm not alone on this one.

I will definitely put Morrison on my list of top 50 books (when I finish this list I've created I plan to make up my own). But I think I will have to go with Paradise even though Beloved is suppose to be her greatest work. I just believe Morrison is most well known for her controversial depictions of race and Beloved didn't have as much as that. There was definitely an identity struggle happening among the ex-slaves. Which I think was probably pretty accurate of the time. It would be hard to figure out who you were if you were raised as a piece of property.

The story isn't really about that though. It's just one of the motifs running through the novel. It's really about a woman who kills her daughter, Beloved, because she thinks she will be safer dead - away from the grasp of White men. Well, Beloved comes back to haunt her mother. Causing her older brothers and her mothers boyfriend all to run away. The character who stays is her little sister Denver. I love this character. I don't think Denver got the credit she deserves. She was a very intriguing character. Maybe when I read it a second time (if I ever do) I'll understand it a little better.

W-O-W

This book really has me thinking about all the promises America has made to other countries. Promises we haven't kept. How many times have we convinced an impoverished country to engage in a war with us, while promising them schools, clean water, and all the simple things they need; just to end the war and move on to the next country? i.e Afghanistan to Iraq.

What Greg Mortenson does is truly amazing. I've learned so many wonderful things from him. First, one person can make a huge difference in the lives of thousands. Second, the best way to fight terrorism is education. Third, you can help a culture different from your own without threatening to change that culture. And so much more. He must be the most selfless man in the world. I can't believe the things he has gone through to help other people. He laid in the back of a truck and covered himself with dead goats (which might not sound bad when your life is on the line). He spent months at a time away from his wife and kids. He was practically homeless when he first toyed with the idea to build a school for poor kids in Pakistan. He has done so much to help so many. I can't imagine anyone who has lived a more exciting and rewarding life. What a guy.

I share in his love of Muslim people. I think it is one of the most pure cultures on Earth. The real teachings of Mohammad are love, peace, and a personal relationship with God. I think Islam is a beautiful religion and it's followers are truly prepared to meet God. They have so much faith and devotion. We could all learn so much from them. And they truly are some of the poorest people on Earth. I believe that is why they are so misunderstood. Mortenson points out that one can be easily persuaded to follow jihad if they are offering you the only bread and water you can find. All the more reason for America to keep its promises and help our Muslim brothers and sisters. If they could see us as their Savior's instead of their bullies they wouldn't fall so easily into the traps of radical thinking. This book makes it so clear.

Anyone who has ever equated terrorism with Islam needs to read this book. They need to spend a couple weeks in an Islamic country. If you watch closely, the way a Muslim family lives is no different from the way any family wishes to be. Close and loving, non-worldly.

I give this book five stars. Two thumbs way up. If I were rich I would donate all my money to the CAI. Someday. Maybe I'll be able to help build a school in Afghanistan, or another country America has failed to keep their promises with.

A True Classic

It seems likes its been a long time since I posted on this blog. I guess that's because I stopped reading my students' books and returned to the classics. I love the classics, and I especially love Dickens. I think he is the greatest writer of all time. Though I have to admit the beginning of this novel was a bit much for me. There were a couple of chapters that just blew me away with their beautiful literacy, but all the characters felt rushed and shallow. Except the Defarges. At all times I disliked Madame Defarge. She was so dark and evil. Such a contrast form some of the other characters. Doctor Manette seemed to be the only complex character at the beginning. Always returning to his work as a shoemaker. But by the end Mr Carton was definitely complex. Such a humble and heroic figure. I could not beleive what he did for Charles Darnay. I'd tell you but that would spoil it for you. Let's just say he made a huge sacrifice, with dignity.

There were a couple chapters that really painted a picture of the darkness of the revolution. People on the streets were gulping up spilled wine, as if it was their only hope of survival. An arrogant aristocrat runs down children on the streets of Paris with his carriage. That was so shocking. And as Ben said, probably true to the era. I just can't blieve that the world was in such a state just several hundred years ago. We've come a long way. But our troubles now are so different. We still have Defarges, Marquis and Manettes and Cartons. Heroes and heroines of all sizes.

I didn't think this book was as great as Bleak House. But that may be because I read Bleak House with a brilliant professor and I read this all on my own. I do look forward to more of Dickens classics. Brilliant man, absolutely brilliant.

Flight to Freedom

It was fun to read a book about the communist movement in an area other than Asia. I need to study South and Central America more than I do. This was a good start. It was a really easy Young Adult book. She writes in journal form and records the first year of her life in the US. I wish it had spent more time in Cuba, but it was interesting to read about the transition her family makes in their new country. I didn't realize how many Cubans live in Florida. She said thousands come each week. The other thing I found interesting was their desire to have the US step in and invade their country. Several times she mentions their want for us to leave Vietnam and enter Cuba. Overall, it was an alright book.

Love It

This book is fab-u-lous! I loved it. I totally see why it's won so many awards. It's all so true too. Very inner city. I love Maleeka and the journey she goes through. I totally recommend it. It only took me a couple hours to read. I wish I could write something this wonderful. All the stories that go on inside of this book are very touching. Especially the slave girl personna Maleeka takes on in her English class. Beautifully written. I think it would really reach and inspire the teenage girl. Great for middle schoolers to read.

A lot of thoughts on this one

I've always been really interested in the treatment of mental health patients. I have my reasons. I would even say that's why I selected Psychology as a minor. I've just always believed mental health is a real issue that needs more attention. So this book fascinated me. It brought out a lot of different emotions. First, it's hilarious. Then it's a bit dry and confusing. Next, it intrigues you. And finally it shocks you.

The theme of laughter really intrigued me. The idea that these hospital patients lost the ability to laugh was really interesting. I wonder what it would take to loose that. A lot of suffering and monotony. It was very rewarding to watch the men on the ward finally work up the gall to laugh at themselves. You just had to love McMurphy for that.

I found the characters in this novel fascinating. Nurse Ratched is such an evil witch. And I just know there are people in the medical field that are like this. There are people in all fields like this. So damaging and evil. Bromden, the narrator is also really interesting. I love that he acts deaf and dumb through the first half of the novel. And the night he finally begins to talk is wonderful. I love that he has to practice talking again. Then of course there's the McMurphy -- who I would claim didn't really need to be on the ward. I kept waiting for his great escape, but if I told you how he eventually got out I would ruin the shocking part of the novel.

Overall it is great book. But I don't know that it will end up on my list of the top 50. We'll see how the next 36 go. I'm curious to see who makes the cut.

Change of heart

So I changed my mind, I love One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The middle was a bit watery for me. At first I thought it was hysterical, then it got weird, and now it's great again. I'm not quiet finished so I'll give you an update when I turn the last page. Three Cups of Tea is still going well. Eat Love Pray has been brought to a halt. I 'll have to pick it up again.

I have a confession to make. I've started writing a memoir. It's about my memories of my father's hospitalization and my own time in the loony bin. We'll see how it goes. Wow, that feels nice to get that out. Now I need to get back to the grind and interview Jon about his memories. And I need to tell my Dad about this book. But who really knows what will come of it.

Currently Reading

Right now I am reading Three Cups of Tea and I love it. That's all I have to say. I'm also reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and I don't love that one so much.

My Honey's Favorite

1984 is Ben's favorite book, and I finally read it. Bonus points: it's the first of my "greatest 50" list. It feels like such an accomplishment. I have a lot of thoughts on this book. I love a thought provoking book. First let me quote "It is impossible to found a civilization on fear and hatred and cruelty. It would never endure."

"Why not.

"...It would commit suicide," (pg 221)

"Nonsense. You are under the impression that hatred is more exhausting than love. Why should it be? And if it were, what difference would that make?"

I wonder if that civilization has actually endured. I look at dictatorships in Africa, China's dark history, terror in South East Asia and I have to wonder if civilizations based on fear, hatred, and cruelty exist fluently in our world. Unfortunately I think fear is the root of all hatred, and the two are common denominators in all world wars, and even some countries starvation crisis. What else would drive a government to slave labor children? Fear and hatred. What else would cause thoughts of racism in a young American's mind? Fear and cruelty. Now the question is, how do we purge the world of these three evils? Is that possible?

Another thought that struck me as I neared the end of this book was the idea of betrayal. Winston struggles through starvation and brutal beatings while refusing to betray Julia. But in the end he collapses. When the fear of his life is thrown before him, he chooses to throw Julia infront of the rats. And likewise she confesses that "Sometimes they threaten you with something-something you can't stand up to, can't even think about. And then you say, 'Don't do it to me, do it somebody else, do it to so-and -so. . .you want it to happen to the other person. You don't give a damn what they suffer. All you care about is yourself," (pg 240). This may be true for most people. It may even be true for me, I've never been in such a situation. I hope I would have the courage to just die for someone I loved, but I don't really know that I would. However, I do know that the Savior did. When faced with the something most of us couldn't stand up to, He suffered for us. When faced with the cruelest sins of the world, He took them upon himself. When faced with the fear, hate and cruelty of the world, He suffered for us all. He is amazing. He is my Savior and my Friend.

Now, it takes a great book to exemplify the magnitude of the Saviors love. And for that reason, my Honey's favorite is also one of mine. Orwell is brilliant.

One of the best

This book was so amazing. I couldn't put it down. I want all my students to read it. It may make them realize how great their life is. Gerald was definitely forged by fire. His life is far from easy and it only gets harder when his step father molests his little sister. The love Gerald has for Angel is something all brothers should offer their sisters. He is such a strong heroic character. Nothing gets him down. I would truly recommend this book to anyone. It's heartbreaking.

A worth while read

Slam is full of life and teenage happenings. Especially for the inner city youth. He has to deal with his best friend dealing drugs, a dead beat father, and girl problems that toy with his head. Basketball is just about his only constant. And he's great at it. I really enjoyed this book. I thought the writing was very stylish and the story was fun to follow. I have a few students reading it as well and they all seem to love it. I'll have to read more Walter Dean Myers

Another Book bites the dust

I just finished the Alchemist. I am reading it for my relief society reading group. I found it very interesting, and I'm usually not for "magical" books. I don't think it is as great as "Le Petite Prince" but I can see why it is an international classic. I really liked the recurring thought that everything happens for a reason. And that everything happens at the right time for the right reason. I remember trying to decide if I was going to serve an LDS mission or not. Since I was a wee little girl I had wanted to go, but when the timing came and I turned 21 I just didn't feel it. After about four months of utter stress and pleading prayers I finally felt it was right to go. I learned that timing is everything. I had decided to go right at 21 when it didn't feel right I wouldn't have been companions with Aubri in the MTC. Nor would I have met the wonderful elders we studied with. I may not have served in Kuching with Sister Weldon, and we may not have taught Sister Ivy. That would have been tragic. More importantly I may have missed out on that third year of college, which was the most fun I've ever had away from home (but still in Utah).

Another important message the young boy in the Alchemist learns is that sometimes you have to travel an extensive journey just to find a treasure in the place from where you came. But the journey is more than worth it. What is learned in ones travels is a treasure of it's own. This book rings very true to the beauty and pleasure of life. And I hope one day to realize my own personal legend. I have a hunch at what it might be. I just need to work for it, which is usually what stops us from achieve our legend. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to think about life.

Speak

I finished this book about a month ago but I thought it deserved a comment. I tried reading it once over a year ago and just didn't think it was that great. Then, the teacher below me started teaching it and the kids loved it. One of the girls on the Basketball team told me it was her favorite book ever so I thought it deserved a second try. Again, it didn't really catch me at the beginning, but I think it has something in there that everyone can relate too. A goofy or arrogant teacher, a jerk jock, shyness, awkward stages, the whole gammit of teenage living. I can see why it appeals to young readers, but I still don't think it has as much literary merit as it leads on to having. Definitely an easy read.

Another YA book

So my classroom is hooked up with scholastic's Read 180 program. It is a reading intervention program that is designed to boost student's reading levels. I'm anxious to see how it works for my little hoodlums. Anyway, this new program has me reading a lot of Young Adult Lit. This last week I read Sweetgrass. It is a story about a young girls plight to save her family from smallpox. It really made me think about what the white man did to the natives when my ancestors first showed up on this great land. I know there were a lot of terrible things that happened (Ben is reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and he tells me all about the wars and massacres) but the smallpox virus sounds like it must have been one of the worst things to have helped wipe out our native people. Sweetgrass herself shows the courage it must have taken to survive this horror. Surprisingly enough the story has a happy ending. One of hope for a bright future - rich in culture and history.

Insight

I've been reading "Black Boy" the past few weeks. I love it. I think of my students often as I turn the pages. What must it be like to know that people think you are inferior, just because of your skin color. Life was hard for Richard Wright early in the 20th century. I keep looking forward to his breakthrough as a great American novelist. I'm more than half way through and he has just begun reading the works of famous white authors. Here is what he has to say about this new knowledge reading has given him, "I could endure the hunger. I had learned to live with hate. But to feel that there were feelings denied me, that the very breath of life itself was beyond my reach, that more than anything else hurt, wounded me. I had a new hunger" (Wright, 250). Have I ever had to hunger so for something? Was there every anything, a power of sorts, that I desired but was denied. I can't imagine being shunned from the light of knowledge and intelligence. What must it be like to feel as though you were banned from using your brain to its fullest capacity. I am so grateful I have never had to live in such horrific circumstances. I admire Mr. Wright for searching after that knowledge he was so wrongfully denied.

Since I've been working in an inner city school I have contemplated similar thoughts. I feel like my students are not given the same opportunities for learning as white middle class students back west, or in the private schools of the East. I believe the American government is doing a huge disservice to my students. I don't know if its right to blame the government, should I blame all American people. But no matter whose fault it is I wish the denial of knowledge would stop. Why would we want such a large group of people to stay uneducated. Is it so they can feel the meaningless jobs our society demands? Is is so we can continue to blame social problems on a group of Urban people? How many of my students hunger for knowledge as Wright did? I think the answer is many. We are cheating them. We are leaving them in a shattered system that denies them basic American rights, just because of the color of their skin.

Whirligig

I've been reading a lot of young adult lit lately, makes sense since I'm a High School English teacher. I recently finished Whirligig; it was pretty good, not the best, but good. I really liked the theme of penance running through the novel. I do believe that is something teenagers need to understand. There is forgiveness for our mistakes, no matter how great they are. Most of the time the challenging part is forgiving ourselves. Others are there to help with that, just as the artist helps Brent see the good in himself at the end of his cross country journey.

As I watch my students I just pray they could see the good in themselves. I don't think any of us realize our own greatness. And sometimes it does take a journey, or a sacrifice of some sorts, to truly forgive ourselves and love again.

50 greatest books of all time

1. 1984 George Orwell
2. Invisible Man Ralph Ellison
3. Middle March George Elliot
4. Great Expectations Charles Dickens
5. Great Gatsby F Scott Fitzergald
6. Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte
7. Ulysess James Joyce
8. One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Marquiez Garcia
9. Love in the Time of Cholera Gabriel Marquiez Garcia
10. Don Quixote Miguel De Cerantes
11. Absalom Absalom William Faulkner
12. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain
13. Crime and Punishment Fyodor M Dostoyevsky
14. War and Peace Leo Tolstoy
15. Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen
16. The Idiot Fyodor M Dostoyevsky
17. The Sound and The Fury William Faulkner
18. The Portrait of a Lady Henry James
19. To the Lighthouse Virginia Wolf
20. Bleak House Charles Dickens
21. Vanity Fair William Makepeace Thackeray
22. Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger
23. Nostromo Joseph Conrad
24. Tess of the d’Urvervilles Thomas Hard
25. The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorme
26. A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens
27. Frankenstein Mary Shelley
28. Animal Farm George Orwell
29. Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte
30. The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck
31. The Old Man and the Sea Ernest Hemingway
32. The Trial Franz Kafka
33. The Red and the Black Standhal
34. Lotlita Vladimir Nabokov
35. The Ambassadors Henry James
36. Beloved Toni Morrison
37. Emma Jane Austen
38. Moby Dick Herman Mellville
39. The Golden Notebook Dois Lessing
40. The Tale of Genji Shikibu Muraskai
41. Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe
42. Les Miseralbes Victor Hugo
43. Madame Bovary Gustave Flaubert
44. Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy
45. Fathers and Sons Ivan Turgenev
46. Dead Souls Nikolai Gogol
47. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest Ken Kesey
48. Oliver Twisr Charles Dickens
49. Uncle Tom’s Cabin Harriet Becher Stowe
50. Tilogoy: Molloy Malone Dies, The Unnamable Samuel Beckett
51. The Sun Also Rises Ernest Hemingway
52. Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad
53. The Man Without Qualiies Robert Musil
54. On the Road Jack Kerouac
55. Honorable Mention (Books I’ve already read that were on at least one list, but I think they should be on the list) A Brave New World Aldous Huxley, My Antonia Willa Cather, Lord of the Flies William Golding, Kite Runner Kaleid Houssien, Poisonwood Bible Barbra Kingsolver, To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee, and Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck)