As the 4th quarter starts on October 1st, it seems appropriate that I start with:
#22. A book that scares you.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The monster in the book did not scare me....
The creator of the monster, however, did.
I had to let go of my preconceived notions of what this book was about due to the movies that have been named after it. The book begins with a series of letters from a sea captain to his sister about his adventures and a man his crew rescues. The man, Frankenstein, begins to tell his story to the captain and we are drawn into a story in which what scared me the most the idea of just because we can, does it mean we should....
#39. A book with magic.
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
I continued the October theme and finished another trilogy with this book with magic in it by reading 'The Book of Life'. The series combines witches, vampires, daemons, oh my!, which means magic is a major plot line. I enjoyed this series, but here's a bit of a tip, if you do take this trilogy on, read them back to back to back, as the third book brings back EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER ever mentioned...it got a bit confusing until I remember them and placed them in the context of the story.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
On the surface, it is a light and funny read, but go a little deeper and you quickly realize this is a book written by a MASTER of satire and then it gets even better! I love Mark Twain, but had never read this and now I am lamenting this fact. A single line singes a entire problem as seen by Twain and it is perfection.
#33. A book from your childhood.
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Sometimes you just need to read about a sweet, somewhat high strung, pig and a wise and kind spider, and if it takes you back to your childhood and the remembrance of your beginning of a lifelong love of reading, it's all the better. I love this book! I love this book! Have I mentioned that I love this book. Reread it if you have a chance and fall in love all over again....
#20. A book at the bottom of your to-read list
Middlemarch by George Eliot
You are dropped into Middlemarch, a quaint English countryside village, and I have to be honest for the first 100 or so pages, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue. It dragged for me and I really did not like it, but then something happened, it flew! I don't know if it was the colloquial english that threw me for a loop or the set up of the story, but I struggled in the beginning. At its heart, this book is about change.. how we deal with unexpected change, how we deal with change we wanted but does not turn out how we thought, how we deal with technological changes, and any other possible type of change. It is an interesting character study of people and yes even the town they inhabit.
You are dropped into Middlemarch, a quaint English countryside village, and I have to be honest for the first 100 or so pages, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue. It dragged for me and I really did not like it, but then something happened, it flew! I don't know if it was the colloquial english that threw me for a loop or the set up of the story, but I struggled in the beginning. At its heart, this book is about change.. how we deal with unexpected change, how we deal with change we wanted but does not turn out how we thought, how we deal with technological changes, and any other possible type of change. It is an interesting character study of people and yes even the town they inhabit.
#2. A classic romance.
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Ok, I am officially questioning how this is a romance.... I actually double checked while reading, because as far as I can tell this book is not about romance. I googled classic romances and it popped up on every list. For me, this is not about a book about romance, in the true sense, but the superficial chase of it. Madame Bovary marries a dull country doctor and is somewhat content until she attends a party and sees how others live and then embarks on two very immature affairs that leave not only her life in ruin, but her husband's and the most heart breaking of all, her daughter's. It's an interesting book, because it never once condemns or condones the character's behaviors but simply states what they are, which was very controversial at the time the book was written.
Ok, I am officially questioning how this is a romance.... I actually double checked while reading, because as far as I can tell this book is not about romance. I googled classic romances and it popped up on every list. For me, this is not about a book about romance, in the true sense, but the superficial chase of it. Madame Bovary marries a dull country doctor and is somewhat content until she attends a party and sees how others live and then embarks on two very immature affairs that leave not only her life in ruin, but her husband's and the most heart breaking of all, her daughter's. It's an interesting book, because it never once condemns or condones the character's behaviors but simply states what they are, which was very controversial at the time the book was written.
#24. A book based entirely on its cover.
The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele
This is not a book to speed thru, but one to absorb into your life over time. It is an excellent introduction and explanation of the 8 Limbs of Yoga. No it is not just about the physical practice, in fact, that is a very small part of what Yoga truly is. This was very informative and personal for me.... multiple people that I love had told be about this book and as I read it, my connection to them was brought to the forefront for me. I will be reading this book again, slowly and doing the work recommended in it in 2016. If you are curious at all about yoga in its true state, please consider reading this book.
This is not a book to speed thru, but one to absorb into your life over time. It is an excellent introduction and explanation of the 8 Limbs of Yoga. No it is not just about the physical practice, in fact, that is a very small part of what Yoga truly is. This was very informative and personal for me.... multiple people that I love had told be about this book and as I read it, my connection to them was brought to the forefront for me. I will be reading this book again, slowly and doing the work recommended in it in 2016. If you are curious at all about yoga in its true state, please consider reading this book.
#45. A book set during Christmas.
Pelican Road by Howard Bahr
Two trains, one heading north and the other heading south, are on a collision course on Christmas Eve in Louisiana. There are multiple characters, which at times got a little confusing, but in the end creates a rich, yet sad, story. Howard Bahr has a gift of story telling and the selection of the right word to enrich the tapestry of the story. It is not a happy, spirit of Christmas book, so do not read it if you are looking for happy happy joy joy....
With that, I conclude my reading challenge, officially on December 14th...
I loved this challenge and the books that it brought into my life.
I loved the suggestions that you gave me...
I loved the questions that came throughout the year as I was asked how the books were...
I will be doing another Reading Challenge in 2016 and will be revealing it soon...
Still with my nose in a book,
Melissa
Two trains, one heading north and the other heading south, are on a collision course on Christmas Eve in Louisiana. There are multiple characters, which at times got a little confusing, but in the end creates a rich, yet sad, story. Howard Bahr has a gift of story telling and the selection of the right word to enrich the tapestry of the story. It is not a happy, spirit of Christmas book, so do not read it if you are looking for happy happy joy joy....
With that, I conclude my reading challenge, officially on December 14th...
I loved this challenge and the books that it brought into my life.
I loved the suggestions that you gave me...
I loved the questions that came throughout the year as I was asked how the books were...
I will be doing another Reading Challenge in 2016 and will be revealing it soon...
Still with my nose in a book,
Melissa
I really like the variety this program offers. Well-rounded and astute. I wish I had your tenacity.
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