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.