Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

4/10

This is one zany book. There are these two boys, Will and Jim, who are good friends. Jim is the leader and Will the follower. Some crazy carnival comes to town and Jim convinces Will to go sneak in late at night while the carnival is setting up. They witness something nutty and now Mr. Dark is after them. In the face of danger, Will becomes the leader and Jim the one who is dependent on Will (especially at the end).

This was a silly, crazy free-for all. I mean, imagine all the wild things a writer could do with a carnival setting in a fantasy/horror novel. And he does it. And yet the book takes itself too seriously it seems like. Lets just say that there were several dramatic and revealing heart-to-heart father-and-son speeches. Oh well, what do I expect? It wasn't terrible.

My favorite part? Probably the photograph on the inside of the back cover of a white-haired and spectacled Bradbury wearing a turtleneck as well as what looks like one of those old calculator wristwatches all while holding a black cat. Epic.

Quotes:

"No man's a hero to himself."

"Minute by minute, hour by hour, a lifetime, it never ends, never stops, you got the choice this second, now this next, and the next after that, be good, be bad, that's what the clock ticks, that's what it says in the ticks."

"Good to evil seems evil."

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

8/10

This was a pretty fun book. This scientist named Griffin discovers how to turn invisible. He first tries it on a cat, but the eyes cannot go invisible. H.G. gives some plausible scientific reasoning on how the body can become invisible and it had something to do with light. While I was reading it I was like, "Sure." You see, when you commit to read a book about an invisible man you're not really too concerned in how realistic that actually is. You kind of go in to it assuming that it's unrealistic and you're willing to just go with the flow. And I am a great flow-goer. Anyway, he wrote extensively on the scientific plausibility of it all and I appreciated the attempt and said, "Lets roll with it, H.G." And the reason the eyes don't go invisible is because in order to see, your eyes absorb light or some such. So H.G. clearly thought this all out and, in any event, Griffin has to wear sunglasses which is quite sinister. Oh yes, he tries it out on himself after he tried it on the cat.

He goes from proud triumph for his genius to a frightened realization that he cannot reverse the procedure. He permanently invisibled himself. He quickly realizes that he gets cold with no clothes on, so he concocts this outfit where he entirely covers himself so as to mask his invisibility. He has to wrap a bandage all around his face. People become horrified by his presence and then curious. Soon they learn of his invisibility and outright panic and paranoia ensues. At first Griffin is rather harmless but he soon goes quite mad and plans a reign of terror and turns into quite the madman. 'Twas a fun book because H.G. was able to create several scenarios of paranoid townspeople. I mean, what is scarier than knowing that a murderous, invisible lunatic could be right next to you?

Also, H.G. isn't what I would call an artsy-fartsy writer. He mostly just tells the story. And that's fine, so long as it's a fun story. Although I do like artsy writers (e.g. the author of yesterday's post), but I don't necessarily like fartsy writers. Because when all is said and done, it's the story that really matters. And so, while this may not be a literary masterpiece, it was still rather enjoyable. The end.

Quotes:

N/A.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

10/10

This book is considered one of the greatest American novels of all-time. And I must say that I began this book with some very high expectations. I usually don't try to let my high expectations effect my view of a book. But, in any case, it didn't matter because I loved the book in all its cynical glory. I don't know what it is about tragic/depressing stories that I enjoy. Maybe this reveals something shameful about me? Probably. Or, I guess I just like it when authors go against the grain and make the story feel more honest or something.

Most of the characters are pretty lousy people. Seems like almost everyone is cheating on someone. But luckily the narrator, Nick, is rather likable. He's a pretty nonchalant type of a guy, my type of dude. He lives next door to Jay Gatsby who is super rich, throws lots of elegant parties, and who is quite the mysterious fellow with rumors swirling around him concerning his past. Gatsby ends up getting involved in this love triangle deal with two of Nick's other friends and some pretty sweet drama ensues.

The last 1/3 of the book is about as good as anything I have ever read. We've got some different story lines converging which leads to the dramatic conclusion. I have always liked a good conclusion. Lets just say that good old Nick tries not to judge people but some things that people do leave him no choice but to view them as a despicable lot.

Also, the F. Scott sure knows how to write. This is the only book of his that I have read, but this makes me want to again have the F. Scott experience.

Opening quote:

"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."

"Not My Will, But Thine" by Neal A. Maxwell

9/10

Well folks, it has been some time. Some time. I just finished my last final and thought, "What better way to celebrate..."

My next several posts (if I do in fact post again after this once the luster wears off) will retrace, working backward, all the books that I have read since my last post. This book was the last book I read right before the semester started.

Lets just say that Maxwell is a quote machine. One of the best. Nary a page goes unmarked. He's the master of using scriptural text as part of his sentences. And he sure knows how to put things into perspective. Plus, he is super poetic in his writing style. Hence the designation: quote machine.

As the title suggests, the book was about learning how to humble ourselves as Christ did and put the will of the Father above our own. And that it is when we learn how to live with this mentality that the Lord will bless us with knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. If you want to learn more about the scriptures and how to become a better person, may I present Exhibit A....And so it is.

Quotes:

"Selfishness is a form of self-worship."

"Early repentance thus permits earlier and more extensive service."

"Not to respond in obedient action is tantamount to unbelief."

Quoting C.S. Lewis (Now there are two rather similar chaps, arguably the two wittiest writers of Christianity. Ever.): "The cross comes before the crown, and tomorrow is a Monday morning."

Standing for Something by Gordon B. Hinckley

8/10

This is a good book with lots of practical advice, which is to be expected. It talks about 10 neglected virtues that, if applied, will change our lives for the better. I won't talk too much about the book but just mention this: President Hinckley has the unique ability to inspire, motivate, and instruct in a manner that doesn't come off as preachy. That is actually a pretty impressive skill.

To the quotes!:

"In our day, those found in dishonesty aren't put to death, but something within them dies. Conscience chokes, character withers, self-respect vanishes, integrity dies. How cheaply some men and women sell their good names!"

"It is surely neither coincidence nor happenstance that five of the Ten Commandments deal essentially with honesty in its broadest sense."

"Selfishness is the cause of most of our misery."

"Theology may be argued over, but personal testimony coupled with performance cannot be refuted."

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

4/10

I just finished reading this book today. What a doosy. It was long. And not my favorite. I didn't hate it, just didn't enjoy it all that much.

It is about fancy pants Russian upper-class society and all of their goings on. Most of the characters (and by 'most' I mean all but maybe one or two) are very dislikable. First of all, Anna sucks. Usually you're supposed to like the character that the book is named after, but I thought she was the most annoying person ever. She has an affair and leaves her husband (who is a nice guy by the way albeit a bit of a weirdy), abandons her son who she supposedly loves, and runs off with this dude, Vronsky. Then she gets way depressed because she is now an outcast in society due to her scandalous affair and whines and whines about it. Pity party U.S.A. Or U.S.S.R. as it were. Then she just starts to peck and peck away at Vronsky about every tiny thing and drives them both insane. Oh boy, get a grip lady. I did like, however, the situation she gets herself in at the end. Oh yeah, I won't give it away, but she gets what's coming.

Plus, this book shouldn't even be called 'Anna Karenina', but rather 'Constantine Levin'. That's what I say. He was the main character. He was the Tolstoy mouthpiece and the guy who was actually likable in this whole book. I related to this Levin fellow quite nicely. He was a breath of fresh air. He was a good dude and cared about other people. All the other characters were so selfish that it was quite maddening. I will give Tolstoy this, he does know how to write. He could describe the minutest event with perfect clarity. His descriptions of all the many different characters and their personalities was certainly something remarkable. Seriously, there were so many characters and they each had such different and unique personalities that you felt as though you knew them yourself for a long while.

Well, looks like I've gone on long enough. Well-written book, but just hard to ultimately enjoy due to the largely annoying actions and personalities of most of the characters. I probably missed out on a lot of the deeper meanings of the book I'm sure. So lets just put that out there.

Two quotes:

"Consolation in all human sorrows could be given only by love and faith...there are no sorrows too trivial for Christ's compassion."

"Hypocrisy in anything at all may deceive the most intelligent, shrewdest man, but the dullest child recognizes it no matter how skillfully it is concealed and is repelled by it."

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

6/10

This is an interesting bit of work from Shakespeare and quite unlike most of his other stories. It practically is in a genre of its own. It certainly isn't my favorite Shakespeare. In fact, it might be my least favorite that I've read. But I haven't read a ton, so take note of that. It's still worthwhile to read because Shakespeare is just cool and fun to read regardless.

Basically, a magician-esque type of dude was banished to a random, empty island. He was sent there along with his daughter by his brother. Now I don't remember perfectly all the details but it seemed to have something to do with inheriting the kingdom or something? And his brother became king by forcing his brother to some remote island? If that's not quite right, I do remember that his brother sent him to an island unjustly. So lets get that square.

Fast forward to 12 years later. His brother and entourage are traveling by ship coming back from a wedding. Well, this dude is a magician and he wrecks the ship and it crashes up on the island. Then the rest of the story is pretty much this guy doing all sorts of mischief to his brother and the gang. Nothing nasty, mostly messing around with them. It's silly, silly stuff.

2 quotes:

"Look thou be true; do not give dalliance Too much the reign; the strongest oaths are straw To the fire i' the blood."

"Let us not burden our remembrances With a heaviness that's gone."

Behind a Mask by Louisa May Alcott

6/10

Hello, I'm ba-ack. So we are going to be moving in with my Dad at the end of the month and have slowly began moving some of our stuff there. I packed up all my books and they are sitting in Father's garage. So I have not had access to any books. So my posts upcoming will likely have to be books that I finish up and not ones I have read from the past due to their current locale. But I guess once I move in with The Pops then I can scrounge around and pull a book out at random and report my findings. However, back to the present, I found a printout version of this Alcott story in my old school backpack as we were going through stuff in preparation for our move. So here we are: just chillin' watching the Masters and another book I've read ready to be notched in the annals.

This is quite a short book, hence the printout version I have. It is entertaining enough, but not my particular cup o' tea. It's all about this young governess who comes to live at this estate where all the men around end up falling in love with her. We learn, not at the start but eventually, that she is pulling all the strings and stringing them all along in ways that suit her own purposes. She is behind a mask as it were. Innocent and sweet on the outside, poison on the inside. She ends up humiliating a fair number of dudes when all is said and done. It's worth a looky-look, I say I say.

A solo quote:

"Traitors are always betrayed in the end."

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

7/10

This book was a'ight. It is one of the most influential books of all time and helped pave the way toward the end of slavery. Old honest Abe has been quoted to say something along the lines of, "So you're the little lady who started this great war" upon meeting Stowe. That was probably a huge paraphrase of the actual quote.

If I would have read this book back when it first came out I would have probably worshiped it tons more. That is unless I was a slaveholder myself and ruled with an iron fist. And whip. But reading it now was more of a, how you say, historical look back on an influential book of a day gone by. I think it held more weight then than now. Although there still are plenty of lessons to be learned for us in the here and now. It certainly isn't bad, it's good. I'm glad it was written and all. I think the main gripe I have is that it was pretty hardcore overly melodramatic at times. Kinda like overacting, or watching a soap opera, or one of those movies that just works and works and works at becoming a tearjerker. So much so that it ceases to be one and just becomes played out. But the book isn't that bad, but in parts it can feel like that. But I can't blame the Stowe-anator. She did what she had to do and obviously it worked. So bravo. It's worthwhile to read and can be pretty tender at parts when it's not too overdone. Like I said, it was a'ight, I definitely liked it more than I disliked it.

What I did like was that the book wasn't exactly what I expected. I thought it would be an obvious, outright display of terrible slaveholders and their terrible deeds. But instead, the first two slaveholders we meet, we actually like because they were good people. A lot of the book was a condemnation toward the people in the north for not doing anything about it when they were the ones who should know better. She did that part of the book in pretty cool and clever ways.

Also, maybe I didn't love it as much as I could have because the copy of my book was all falling apart. I was like, "C'mon!" Seriously poor binding job Harper Classics. Pages left and right were just coming right out. It was quite the dramatic effort on my part to go about reading this. It was indeed a parallel to the story inside in terms of the drama. Just picture it: bursts of frustration, pulling of hair also in frustration, tears, and perfectly innocent and lovable people dying around me. Quite the scene. But seriously, my book is thrashed and I am very displeased over the whole affair.

Quotey McQuoterson's:

"Nobody knows how much the Lord can help 'em, till they try."

"Unconscious acts of love and good will, which, like the cup of cold water given in the name of the disciple, shall never lose their reward."

"Laziness...ruins more souls than you can shake a stick at."

"O, with what freshness, what solemnity and beauty, is each new day born; as if to say to insensate man, 'Behold! thou hast one more chance! Strive for immortal glory!'"

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

8/10

I enjoyed this book. There's something about a revenge story that really gets the blood pumping. Eckspecially a really well told one. Expecially one which involves a wrongfully accused man with a just cause whose life has been turned upside down, big time. Specially one that has one of if not thee coolest prison escape ever. Eggspecially one like that. Plus, the Chateau d'If? Best prison name ever. Edmond Dantes is an awesome name too. Just an all around classic. Call me what you will, but I have always enjoyed reading books where it's made possible where I can root for a villainous character. While I did say Dantes had a just cause, he does go to extremes with his vengeance, and yet I'm right there with him. He's not quite villainous, but he does turn into a scary dude. Wouldn't want to cross that guy, no sir.

A note about the movie: The movie is much different, yet I still liked it a lot. The book goes far deeper into the depth of his revenge and is much darker. The movie changed some key parts, but I was like, "Whatev." Both are good in their own ways. The book is better, I say, but ain't that always the case?

Quoteth's:

"He would remember the oath he had sworn...the fear of despising himself kept him from violating it."

"Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget that, until the day God deigns to reveal the future to man, the sum of all human wisdom will be contained in these two words: Wait and hope."

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

10/10

Another top-tener if not a top-fiver. Steinbeck, you've done it again. Earlier in my Othello posting I mentioned that Iago is the most evil character in all of fiction. Well, here in this book we have a character who certainly rivals Iago. Kate, who murders her parents and becomes entangled in the lives of the main characters in the book, holds her own. She sure does her darndest to ruin their lives as well. She later changes her name to Cathy and becomes the head mistress at a brothel. She is seriously one disturbed cookie. But she sure does make the book more interesting/entertaining/frustrating.

The story can be viewed as a huge Cain and Abel allegory. We are shown two sets of brothers during the book. Each instance there is the aggressive, evil brother and the low-key, kind brother. Also, each time, the evil brother's name starts with a C and the nice brother's name begins with an A. Charles and Adam the first time around and Cal and Aron the next go around. Some deep, fun stuff.

The movie starring James Dean is a minor let down. I mean, I know you can't cover the whole book or anything, but the movie started two-thirds of the way through. I was like, "Uh, aren't you kind of skipping over some important details?" Also, they entirely left Lee out of the movie and he was a crucial character, probably my favorite character in the entire book. Oh well, I guess you can't win them all. The book is great though. Really great. I even think I recall hearing that Steinbeck considered this his great masterpiece.

Quotage:

"You can boast about anything if it's all you have. Maybe the less you have, the more you are required to boast."

"I don't know where being a servant came into disrepute. It is the refuge of a philosopher, the food of the lazy, and properly carried out, it is a position of power, even of love."

"An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times."

"When the Lord God did not call my name, I might have called His name - but I did not. There you have the difference between greatness and mediocrity."

"Isn't it odd that Cain is maybe the best-known name in the whole world and as fas as I know only one man has ever borne it?"

"Give me a used Bible and I will, I think, be able to tell you about a man by the places that are edged with the dirt of seeking fingers."

"We gather our arms full of guilt as though it were precious stuff."

"I know that sometimes a lie is used in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the slow, eating agony of a lie is never lost. That's a running sore."

"It is one of the triumphs of the human that he can know a thing and still not believe it."

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

9/10

I absolutely loved this book. It may even be a top-tener. Which is funny because in high school before I realized how cool books are, we had to read this book and I instantly hated it without reading it and I always convinced myself that I hated this book. I finally got myself to give it another chance and boy was I an unfair high schooler.

Hawthorne, to me, is one of the best pure writers of fiction of all time. Really. Even though this is pretty much his only acclaimed novel, he has some great short stories. He's just a guy who when I read his stuff I feel like I'm reading art, but not art for art's sake, just a guy who can tell a cool story and do it with the perfect combination of words. I even think he's a tad bit underrated even though he is well known and considered by most as a great writer. He was pretty much the first great American novelist. Americans before him still wrote about Europe and the European life. Hawthorne is all American. Many of his stories deal with the Puritans, Quakers, and early settlers of the colonies. They dealt with America. He showed that America has stories of its own.

A good one by Hawthorne in this book is that he wrote an introduction to the novel explaining where he got the idea for this book from. He says that he worked at a custom house and was cleaning out the attic when he found a cloak with the scarlet letter A on it with a note attached explaining the purpose of the cloak. He said that the book is based on this true story of a girl who had to wear this cloak for her crime of adultery. He says that he still has this cloak and anyone who wants to see it can just come by his house and he'll show them. So then people read this crazy, amazing story and buy into all sorts of things all the time wondering if this is how it happened to the lady in real life. Turns out, however, that he just made that up. He never found any such cloak. Ha ha. Burn by Hawthorne. I think it was a pretty good ploy because everyone always likes a true story or a story that could have perhaps been true. Kinda like how in Fargo they say it's a true story at the start but it's not. The book is still good enough that it doesn't need a fake story to fool people into its believability. There's some high drama and some sweet plot twisters, as well as some compassionate feelings for poor Hester. She turns out to be quite the strong and brave woman. Great stuff. But don't take my word for it, take this guy named Arnold Bennett who says that The Scarlet Letter is "the one American literary work which comes as near to perfection as is granted to man to bring his achievements."

To quote two quotes:

"Loss of faith is ever one of the saddest results of sin."

"No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true."

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

10/10

Yes, this book is awesome. One of my early beginning favorites. My old man read it to me back in the day and I just loved Bilbo and all the dwarfs. I thought it was one seriously cool adventure, and I was right. Because I read it later in my young adulthood and enjoyed the story just as much.

As you may well know, this is the prequel to The Lord of the Rings. It is more playful and geared toward a younger audience, but it still has its fair share of dangerous adventure. One of the cooler moments in the book is the meeting between Bilbo and Gollum. It's intense and fun simultaneously. They share some sweet riddles in the dark that are quite clever. Bilbo asks a ridiculous riddle though at the end. Poor Gollum. Bilbo finds the ring, learns its power, and uses it throughout his adventures when necessary not knowing of its evil power. Plus, later, some fun Smaug action where Bilbo spots a minute weakness that leads to Smaug's eventual undoing. Good ole' Bilbo and his fun adventures. Love it.

Rumor has it that a movie is in the works for this that will probably be ready in a year and a half. I even heard that they're splitting it up into two movies to which I say, "The more the merrier." Can't wait for those.

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card

10/10

Due to the first few days of March Madness, I have been unable to find time to make a quick post the last few days. But thanks to the boring Syracuse v Gonzaga blowout I feel I have a moments time once and for all.

Ender's Shadow is today's choice. It is the fifth book written in the Ender series. However, it is not the fifth chronologically speaking in terms of the story. It is actually the same time line as that of the first book, Ender's Game. It is even telling of the same basic story, which is the human battle in space by a bunch of super young kids. But this time it is told from Bean's perspective. Bean was my favorite character behind Ender in the first book, so this was truly an exciting treat. I got to relive some awesome battle school moments and enjoy it all while learning and experiencing more. Some awesome, awesome stuff. Really enjoyed this book and came to appreciate Bean all the more.

A quote:

"Do you know why Satan is so angry all the time? Because whenever he works a particularly clever bit of mischief, God uses it to serve his own righteous purposes."

P.S. I love the huge book cover pictures.

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

9/10

That's right, the Priesthood/Relief Society book. This book is chock-full of cool teachings. Whenever I read stuff by Joseph Smith I am just blown away by his knowledge and clarity of explanation. This manual covers a sturdy 47 different topics at about ten pages each. It's some pretty inspiring stuff. Plus, I bet I am part of a small percentage of people to read this whole book. I mean, nobody reads the Priesthood manual. It is unfortunate because there is no shortage of insight. Jam-packed in fact.

It doesn't get much more quote-worthy than Joseph Smith, here are two I hand-picked: (the second one is maybe my favorite quote ever by anybody.)

"If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves."

"Let us this very day begin anew, and now say, with all our hearts, we will forsake our sins and be righteous."

That's a wrap!

Hamlet by Shakespeare

9/10

Hamlet is awesome and one of Shakespeare's finest. May I here state that I think Shakespeare is much easier to read than the stereotypical difficulty that is given him? He gets a bad rap in those regards and, I think, frightens people away from some top notch work unfortunately. Pretty much most editions will have lots of footnotes for any tough words. You heard it here folks, not as difficult as it's made out to be.

Skinny: Hamlet learns from his father's ghost that his new step-dad and the new king murdered his father to gain the throne. Usurpage. Hamlet plots and stews and slowly goes mad, seemingly. All chaos breaks loose and leads to one of the cooler endings ever. Lets just say that blood and dead body's are everywhere. Good stuff.

Stamp: You betcha.

Quotes from Billy boy:

"This above all, to thine own self be true."

"What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god."

"To be, or not to be: that is the question." You know I had to go there.

"Give me that man That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart."

"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go."

"Refrain tonight, And that shall lend a kind of easiness To the next abstinence; the next more easy; For use almost can change the stamp of nature, And either the devil, or throw him out With wondrous potency." A footnote in my book says there is probably a word missing after 'either', because it is a little confusing. I still like the quote though.

"When sorrows come, they come not single spies, But in battalions."

The Complete Sherlock Holmes Volume II by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

9/10

Today I am both happy and sad. Happy for as of this morning I have read every Sherlock Holmes story ever written. Yes folks, 58 short-stories and 4 novellas. Sad because there are no more for me to read. I feel similar to when I finished all three seasons of 'Arrested Development'. The amazing part is that there wasn't a bad one. Really, there wasn't. Some I liked slightly more than others, but rarely lots more. What is also amazing is that each of the stories contain pretty elaborate and differentiated plots. Seems like it would be tough to churn out 58 stories with plots that aren't repetitive or anything.

This is what Vol. dos had in store for us:

1. The Return of Sherlock Holmes with 13 stories. Very solid collection of stories, my favorites being 'The Empty House' (sheds some light, some cool light, on where we were left off with Sherlock), 'The Adventure of the Six Napoleons (bizarre mystery about a guy who has been smashing Napoleon busts around the city), and 'The Second Stain' (just a nice, neat, and tidy display by Mr. Holmes).

2. The Valley of Fear, the fourth and final longer Holmes story. For me, I enjoyed the four novellas more than the short stories. Just because it allowed Conan Doyle to really get into some sweet details and make the mystery more difficult and unlikely to be solved. I really liked this one even though it breaks away from the action half way through to give an extended prologue. However, this prologue was fun and interesting so I didn't mind. This was my favorite story in Volume Two.

3. His Last Bow which delivers nine short-stories. My favorites being: 'The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans' (Sherlock deduces how a dead body came to be at a certain location through some pretty ingenious observations), 'The Adventure of the Dying Detective (Different than any other of the stories. Easier to see what was coming but a sweet trick by Holmes to catch the criminal), and 'The Adventure of the Devil's Foot' (contains a scary/dangerous experiment that almost dooms Holmes and Watson).

4. The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes with 12 stories to it's credit. Most well-received: 'The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire (about a mother who drinks her baby's blood, but Holmes can always get to the heart of the matter), 'The Adventure of the Three Garridebs' (Holmes with some pretty cool setting-up the bad guy by pretending he's off the scent), and 'The Problem of Thor Bridge' (Holmes being Holmes and making cool deductions like he is wont to do).

Sherlock Holmes is a household name for a reason. Never has there been a more clever and astute detective and the stories are quite pleasurable to read. It receives my stamp of approval. It is stamp-worthy.

A few quotes:

"Work is the best antidote to sorrow."

"Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius."

"Slips are common to all mortals, and greatest is he who can recognize and repair them."

"The example of patient suffering is in itself the most precious of all lessons to an impatient world."

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs

8/10

I have always been fascinated with slave stories, particularly of slaves on the run. Not sure why. Perhaps it stems from watching 'Roots' and rooting for Kunta Kinte. Or from learning about all the cool Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad stories as a youngster in Elementary School. Wherever it comes from, I am always amazed at the courage involved as well as the lengths they would go to obtain their freedom.

This true story follows the life of Harriet Jacobs who writes remarkably well for someone who was denied an education, as was the case with many slaves. Her life turned for the worse when she was sold to a terrible human being and slaveholder. Her flight is absolutely amazing. Lets just say that she stayed in this tiny crawlspace in the attic of her grandmother's shed, still in the same town of her slaveholder, for seven years! Seven years! 7! Incredible. A sweet burn on the slaveholder was that she would write letters to him while still hiding in town and give them to someone she knew who would go up north and send them to him with a northern postmark to make him think she was up there. She finally escaped to the north where she experienced further trials but finally overcomes.

It's worthwhile to read if, like me, you enjoy slave narratives. It's also pretty inspiring. She also tells the story in an impressive way where she isn't calling for pity, pointing fingers, accusing all whites of slavery, or even holding grudges. Her quickness to forgive and not feel sorry for the wasted years in her life hiding in an attic is quite moving.

Some quotes from the viewpoint of a slave:

"Slavery is a curse to the whites as well as to the blacks."

"There is a great difference between Christianity and religion at the south."

"Childhood is like a day in spring, alternately shower and sunshine."

"There are no bonds so strong as those which are formed by suffering together."

"There are wrongs which even the grave does not bury."

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

10/10

Samuel Langhorne Clemens that is. The pseudonym 'Mark Twain' comes from a riverboat term meaning 'safe water'. Pretty awesome stuff.

This is one of my all-time favorite books. It's one of the very first books that I liked that helped me realize that I enjoy reading. For school I would do a book report on this book about every year. That's how I beat the system, Tom Sawyer style. It is in my top five I reckon. Or at least near unto it.

Huck Finn is one of the most likable fictional characters ever. He's a rebel of sorts, a handful at times, and just an all-around sly lad. Huck is being trained out of his old habits of cussing and ruffian nature when his drunken father takes him away. His father beats him a lot until Huck finally runs off. He meets Jim who is a slave who has also just ran off. They then begin an awesome adventure as they journey down the Mississippi on a raft. Huck and Jim form a bond of friendship that is quite strong. They are two outsiders and on the run, but during their adventures they meet many, many people who have surrendered their own freedom in various ways. Mob mentality, family feuds, and other issues have enslaved the people they meet. And we learn that Huck Finn is a much better person than others, including himself, think he is. Even despite the fact that he isn't 'sivilized'.

Plus, this book is super funny. I mean, just check out this line before the book starts: 'NOTICE Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot. By ORDER OF THE AUTHOR'. Ha ha, classic. Just the way to get to my heart, a mix of adventure and excitement, drama, danger, and comedy. Well done 'safe water', well done.

The Third Man by Graham Greene

8/10

This book is sweet. It's pretty mysterious. It is a plot-twister and quite suspenseful. It's one of those books that can be somewhat confusing due to the sparse details provided early on. The story reveals itself in stages the further you go. You know the book is going to be sinister and dark when the first line states thusly: "One never knows when the blow may fall." That's what I call a fantastic opening line.

So here's the skinny: A writer comes into town to visit a friend only to find out that he has just died after being hit by a car. He talks to a man who says he saw it and was one of two men who pulled his body out of the street. However, the writer speaks with a porter who claims that a third man helped pull the body aside. The porter's statement sheds a lot of doubt on the other man's earlier story. The writer believes that there may have been foul play. Paranoia, danger, revealing investigations, and thuggish rogue appearances ensue. It's a pretty fun puzzle and mystery unraveller. It's a short book too, only 117 pages. Although it isn't as quick a read as other books of similar length due to the complex plot and twists/turns of the story. I recommend this book. It receives my stamp of approval.

This was made into a really good movie as well with Orson Welles.

A quote that I really, really like because it describes how I often feel in terms of my relationships with other people:

"We never get accustomed to being less important to other people than they are to us."

Public Speaking and Influencing Men In Business by Dale Carnegie

6/10

So here's the deal, I took a Public Speaking class at UVU about five or six years ago. And this book was assigned for us to read, but if you didn't read it it wasn't like the teacher knew or that your grade was affected in any way. I read a little of it back then and promptly put it in my partially-read-but-not-finished pile. (Yes, I do have a pile for such a purpose.) I have recently been bringing books to work. I work for seven or so hours straight without a break. Sometimes I'll have a few minutes where there is absolutely nothing to do but wait for bread to come out of the oven or whatever the case may be. Sometimes I only have five minutes during a work day, sometimes three, sometimes ten, sometimes none. So I bring a book and read a page or whatever as I stand around. Well, I have been reading this very book for the last while and finally finished it off yesterday at work. Congratulations to me. Wow, that was a long-winded intro.

This book is pretty extensive. It covers all you need to know and then some about public speaking. Some of it is pretty cool and interesting, but most of it is kinda boring. He does a great job of including some pretty sweet quotes from other people that are relevant to his topic. This book is very similar to another, more famous book of his.

Something unique to this book is that at the end of each chapter he has speech building exercises, grammar lessons, correct usages of words, and voice exercises. It was funny just reading the voice exercises and not doing them. I wonder if I'm the only person in the history of the world to ever do that. My favorite was his correct usages of words portion where he explains the differences between synonyms. He dominated at explaining those, it is actually quite impressive. Here's an example concerning the word 'bias'. To quote: "Bias is literally a weight fixed on one side of a ball used in bowling and causing it to swerve from a straight course." He's full of interesting insights like this. This isn't a bad book.

Other quotes:

"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear to do and get a record of successful experiences behind you."

"Begin to talk as confidently as if every one of them owed you money." He's actually pretty funny and has a cool way of saying things.

"A well prepared speech is already nine-tenths delivered."

"Knowledge is of little use to the speaker without earnestness. Persuasive speech is from heart to heart, not from mind to mind."

"If you want a splendid text on public speaking, why not read your New Testament?"

There are actually lots and lots of other good quotes in here. Most of them are, as I said, from outside sources. However, I'll spare you. I now look forward to adding this book into my finished book section. (Yes, I do have the books I've read separated from the ones I haven't.) That's how I roll.

Children of the Mind by Orson Scott Card

6/10

Book four in the Ender Series and the conclusion of the Ender quartet, but as with books two and three, Ender takes a back seat to several other characters. The books still hold your attention decent enough. This is similar to 'Xenocide' where their planet is going to be destroyed. The planet consists of three different types of species: humans, pequininos, and the hive queen. But this time all the computers are going to be shut down, which will render Jane useless. Books two through four are true science fiction. So if that's more of your thing, then these books will be your favorite. They're alright.

Also, it should be noted, that I read this book on my honeymoon. It's true, it's true. I started it at the end of our cruise, read it during the flight from L.A. to Columbus, and finished it off at Cassie's Mom's house in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Is it lame that I read on my honeymoon? Some people were in utter and complete disbelief that I would have the audacity to read on my honeymoon. In my defense, there was a lot of relaxing going on and I'm not known to be a big nap taker. I don't feel too sheepish about it.

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

9/10

Absolutely fantastic. Probably the most creative work in regards to Christianity ever written. Completely memorable and extremely insightful. The premise is that there is a junior devil who has yet to master the art of tempting his subjects. He solicits the help of his Uncle Screwtape who knows and understands human nature better than even humans themselves do. The book is a compilation of letters from Screwtape with suggestions and advice on deviltry. When reading this book it is very easy to notice flaws and weaknesses in ourselves that aren't too recognizable. This book is amazing, witty, funny, revealing, and even inspiring, believe it or not. All rolled into one, folks.

Also, one of my favorite book covers of all-time. This is the only picture I could find of the cover that I have.

C.S. is the master of the quotes: (Keep in mind that the quotes will be in the context from a devil's viewpoint. Tips on how to tempt and overcome us. When he mentions "the Enemy" he is speaking of the enemy of devils, a.k.a. God.)

This quote, however, is found in the preface and therefore shouldn't be read in the devil narrator context. "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight."

Now to the devil letters. "It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out."

"All extremes except extreme devotion to the Enemy are to be encouraged."

"He wants them to learn to walk and therefore must take away His hand; and only if the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles."

"A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all - and more amusing."

"The safest road to Hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts."

"The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel."

"Your patient has become humble; have you drawn his attention to the fact?"

"Our best weapon - the belief of ignorant humans that there is no hope of getting rid of us except by yielding."

"They, of course, do tend to regard death as the prime evil, and survival as the greatest good. But that is because we have taught them to do so."

"Pilate was merciful till it became risky."

"He did not become one of them and die among them by torture - in order to produce candidates for Limbo, 'failed' humans. He wanted to make Saints; gods; things like himself."

You don't get that many great quotes within a 172 page book all that often, no sir.

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

10/10

First things first, check out this huge picture. What the? That is a representation of how big the stakes are for the characters in this book. Sometimes I'm just all about the symbolism.

We are now at the conclusion of the trilogy. Part Three. The Final Act. The Grand Finale. And so forth. Obviously, it is tremendous. Again, however, the first half of the book covers the other portion of the Fellowship who aren't Frodo and Sam. They take part in some pretty high drama themselves though. Certainly nothing to shake a stick at. But with the state of affairs in which Frodo and Sam left us at the conclusion of 'The Two Towers', it could fairly make a guy go insane with anticipation. What could be more intense than two halflings meandering their way through the heart of enemy territory and straight into the cracks of Mount Doom? Not much, I say. About the most exciting storytelling in the history of storytelling.

Also, the climax reaches it's peak a lot sooner than you'd expect. Which was both good and bad. Good because I didn't see it coming so soon. And bad because of the partial drag after all was said and done. I also happen to be the type who feels the need to read everything contained between the covers. This happens to include, in this particular instance, a number of appendices. Appendix A through F as a matter of fact. That was an interesting and ultra-nerdy time learning all about the family history of hobbits, the details of different invented languages, and the Shire calendar, and etc. and etc. and etc. Oh boy. Why does my OCD require me to read what I don't want to read? I highly recommend this story. Just not the Appendix portion. Unless a chemical imbalance requires you otherwise.

Now for a gratuitous Gandalf quote, like you knew I would:

"It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till."

Fictions of Empire

8/10

This is a concoction of works from a bunch of different authors covering a variety of themes. The main focus of the book centers around three short stories: 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad, 'The Man Who Would Be King' by Rudyard Kipling, and 'The Beach of Falesa' by Robert Louis Stevenson.

The first half of the book is a bunch of different essay or story excerpts from various authors. Letters from different dudes are also included. Mostly some pretty bland stuff in my opinion. I'll just come out and say it...I'm not a big fan of excerpts. There, I said it. I have a hard time getting into stuff without having read the entire thing. So mostly I didn't really care too much about all these super brief and random chunks I was reading because I couldn't really invest myself into caring about it. I'm sure they were fairly insightful and even appropriate, but I was mostly just wanting to get to the short stories. And I guess I should clarify that they are actually novellas, short novels, rather than short stories.

The first story was awesome: 'The Man Who Would Be King'. It's about these two guys who randomly decide to go and become kings of these tribes out in the middle of nowhere. It's pretty awesome and entertaining. Also contains an exhilarating and crazy conclusion. This is the only Kipling story I've read but makes me want to read more of his stuff. A pretty cool movie with Sean Connery and Michael Caine of this story is worthwhile.

Second story is good: 'The Beach of Falesa'. I wasn't blown away with it. And to be honest, I don't really remember too much about it. I remember it didn't stink up the joint either though. A guy goes to an island and gets into some mischief and then I think other stuff happens. It seemed like mostly some sort of commentary on racial issues? Hmmmm, I'm too lazy to go review it to refresh my memory, so this will have to suffice. I need to read more of Stevenson's works though because he's supposed to be pretty sweet. This is his only story that I've read.

The last one was by far the best: 'Heart of Darkness'. If you haven't read this story then you should really consider it. It is insanely awesome in so many ways. It starts with this guy Marlow sitting around with some comrades and he decides to relate an experience of his. The rest is a narration from this Marlow character. This stylistic technique by Conrad is one of the main appeals of this story. Marlow tells of journeying in this boat up a river in the middle of Africa to go find some rogue Army-type guy named Kurtz. His experiences in the 'heart of darkness' amongst completely uncivilized savages is very entertaining. It is pure madness. Seriously. It is from this story which comes the famous line from Kurtz when he is finally found: "The horror! The horror!". (Seinfeld fans will recognize this reference.) This brief run-down isn't meant to do justice to this story. Everyone should experience the terrifying madness of 'Heart of Darkness'. I completely endorse and recommend this story to one and all. Just go in ready and prepared to experience a touch of insanity. An acclaimed movie called 'Apocalypse Now' is based on this story.

A quote from Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness':

"There is a taint of death, a flavour of mortality in lies."

Richard the Third by Shakespeare

8/10

Bill Shakespeare that is. Richard the Third is one of my favorite Shakespeare stories. It falls in the historical drama category. I haven't read any of his other historical dramas like Henry IV or the like. They seem, for some reason, less appealing than his tragedies or even his comedies. But I loved Richard the Third, so I will certainly give those others a chance some day.

In my Othello post I mentioned Iago as Shakespeare's most sinister creation. Well, Richard the Third is right behind him. Richard the Third may have done more evil and killed more people, but he did it in such a straightforward, in-your-face way that he loses crafty and creativity points. Although he is crafty in his own right. Just not to the psychological level of Iago. There is definitely an argument that he is more evil than Iago. And in this story, he is the main character, whereas Iago was a side character. He is a ruler who has nothing but evil and selfish designs and isn't afraid of killing whoever he wants. He is quite the evil usurper. He eventually goes to battle at the end with his rival, Richmond. Richmond is awesome and one of my most adored Shakespeare characters. He's a god-fearing leader with nothing but noble and righteous purposes. Right before battle he gives an epic speech that is very Captain Moroniesque. This is a cool read.

Shakespeare is always good for some quotage:

"Shall I live in hope?" "All men, I hope, live so."

"A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion, To pray for them that have done scathe to us."

"God is much displeased That you take with unthankfulness His doing: In common worldly things 'tis call'd ungrateful With dull unwillingness to repay a debt Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent"

"So sweet is zealous contemplation."

"I am in So far in..., that sin will pluck on sin."

"True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings; Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings."

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

8/10

In my last post I mentioned that there are only two books that I have ever read in one sitting. Well folks, this here is the other one. It's another shorty. It's also one continuous book with no convenient breaks or chapters or anything. So I was like, "Shoot, I guess I'll keep reading", Forrest Gump style. Also, I had just gone on a canyoneering trip in southern Utah and had a 3 hour or so drive back home. That is when I read the book, as I journeyed past Green River, Price, and on through the long canyon. I offered to read out loud as we traveled, but was denied by the masses. Their loss, they missed out on a fun journey.

This old guy has been a fisherman his whole life but is currently in the biggest slump of his life. He hasn't caught a fish for a long time. He keeps going out and doesn't give up despite his discouragements. He finally latches on to a huge marlin and battles with the fish that likewise doesn't give up. A few days later and the old man has been dragged deep into the ocean and barely hanging on while the marlin is barely keeping up the battle. The story is tragic, yet triumphant. It's some good stuff and my favorite Hemingway story of the few I've read.

One of my favorite parts is that the old man worships baseball and talks/thinks about it all the time to himself while he's out battling with the fish. He loves Joe DiMaggio. His obsession with DiMaggio is symbolic of his own streak and struggle with the marlin. Endurance plays a part with both men.

To the quotes:

"I try not to borrow. First you borrow. Then you beg."

"I must think, he thought. Because it is all I have left. That and baseball. I wonder how the great DiMaggio would have liked the way I hit him in the brain?" This one made me laugh.

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is."

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

7/10

Not to be confused with 'A Christmas Story' with Ralphy. Dickens' story is an absolute classic, a Christmas staple. It gets right at the heart of the Christmas spirit. Pun intended.

On Christmas Eve about three years ago I didn't have much to do and decided to sit down and read this book. It was a fun time, and about three hours or so later I had read the whole book. It is one of two books that I've ever read in one sitting.

Ebenezer Scrooge (perhaps Dickens' best named character ever) is a heartless old miser and one of the most popular fictional characters ever created. One word: iconic. His 'Bah! Humbug!' is about as famous as any interjection ever. My first introduction to Scrooge was way back in the day with the Duck Tales version. Remember that one? I sure do. Ghost of Christmas Future was super scary. In both the Duck Tales and Dickens versions.

This is a must-read. It really gets you to feel like being a good person and gives you a desire to help others. It really does. And it doesn't take too long to read.

**Edit (7/14/18)**

I am adding this edit to mention that I finished reading this book to Mallory about a month ago. She enjoyed it, but I think much of the Dickens-esque flowery language bored her a little bit. But she liked the story itself and enjoyed recognizing parts that she had seen from the Mickey Mouse version. I don't think any other Dickens books will be on our reading agenda anytime soon, however.

**End of Edit**

Quotes:

"'I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.'" One of my favorite quotes ever.

"'No space or regret can make amends for one life's opportunities misused!'"

"'Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business.'"

"The misery with them all was, clearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and had lost the power forever."

"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor."

"'Who suffers by his ill whims? Himself always.'"

"Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make amends in!"

Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

6/10

Come with me as we move deeper, deeper into the Ender saga. This is the third installment in the series which follows Speaker for the Dead. It's a'ight. Similar to Speaker, except I think it is slightly less gooder. It is recommended from me if you are one of those types that still wants to know what happens next. For pure enjoyment, just read Ender's Game. For further information and knowledge, read these other ones. It's still a good story.

A complete removal of a planet is planned to get rid of a deadly virus to prevent it from spreading to other planets. Hence the title of the book being 'Xenocide'. The ship sent to destroy the planet randomly disappears and some Chinese girl genius is sent for to solve the mystery. I guess the intrigue of the book comes from the moral dilemma the girl faces. Should she solve the mystery and allow the planet to be destroyed? Or should she hide her discoveries and preserve an infected, yet living planet? I hate when that situation happens to me. I can never decide what to do.

Quotes:

"The wise are not wise because they make no mistakes. They are wise because they correct their mistakes as soon as they recognize them."

"To stop a human being from doing something, you must find a way to make the person stop wanting to do it."

"There's a longer view, in which life and death are less important matters than choosing what kind of life and what kind of death we have."

"Flattery is never so obvious to the recipient."

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

10/10

One of my favorite books ever. A top fiver. I remember when I was a wee little lass and my brother Brett was reading this book in high school and told me the whole story one night. I thought it was a crazy awesome story. When I finally got around to reading the book myself I learned that not only do I like stories but I like reading. This book is one of the books that helped me realize that I enjoy reading. The book was fun, exciting, encouraging, touching, sad, and all for only 125 pages worth of effort.

The George and Lenny relationship is one of the best in all of literature. The title of the book comes from a Robert Burns poem called 'To a Mouse'. A line in the poem says: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men, gang aft agley." 'Gang aft agley' = 'often go awry'. This line is entirely revealing of the eventual outcome of the story. Lenny, a mentally challenged man, loves hearing George tell him about their plans to eventually own their own place and Lenny will take care of the rabbits. Every time George tells the story Lenny gets so pumped. It's actually quite adorable, I must say. It's also sad, especially the last time George tells Lenny about their plans. About one of the saddest and most touching moments in literature.

Also, a forewarning similar to the one I gave for 'The Catcher in the Rye', the book has a fair share of cussing.

Two quotes:

"Guy don't need no sense to be a nice fella."

"He subsided, grumbling to himself, threatening the future cats which might dare to disturb the future rabbits." Ha ha, Lenny's the best.

The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister

10/10

In honor of a rare Sabbath post, I will do a church book. This is one of the best church books out there. Here's the reason. The atonement of Christ is the most important event in history and also the least understood. This book covers such a great and challenging topic as clearly and completely as any book possibly could. One word: vast. A lot of the book is quotes from other authorities like prophets and apostles and the like, combined with related, appropriate, and helpful commentary from the author.

Here come, I reckon, a lotta quotes. So get out now if you can't hack it.

"The Atonement is the central act of human history, the pivotal point in all time, the doctrine of doctrines." - Robert L. Millet

"Atonement means taking two things that have become separated, estranged, or incompatible, like a perfect God and an imperfect me or you, and bringing them together again, thus making the two be 'at one'." -Stephen Robinson

"Eve did not receive her name until after she and Adam had partaken of the forbidden fruit. When Eve was first created, Adam decreed that 'she shall be called Woman'.... Then, just as the future parents of all mortals were about to be expelled from their garden home, Adam called 'his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living'...she was not called Eve until she was capable of being Eve (i.e. the mother of all living)."

"Somehow his sponge alone would absorb the entire ocean of human affliction, weakness, and suffering."

"He had observed our spirits throughout the eons. He understood the inner workings of each man's heart."

"To define his suffering, Elder Neal A. Maxwell called it 'enormity multiplied by infinity'."

"Satan's final taunt, 'If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross', was not an idle suggestion, but a powerful reminder that he could."

"The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none." Thomas Carlyle

"I think if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him." -C.S. Lewis

"Redeemed humanity is to be something more glorious than unfallen humanity would have been."

"[Man's godhood] will not detract anything from the glory and might of our heavenly Father, for he will still remain our Father, and we shall still be subject to him, and as we progress in glory and power, the more it enhances the glory and power of our heavenly Father." -Brigham Young

"Do not all Christian churches advocate Christlike behavior? If so, are we better men and women, better Christians, if we desire to be only 90 percent like Christ, rather than 100 percent? If it is blasphemous to think we can become as God now is, then at what point is it not blasphemous to become like him - 90 percent, 50 percent, 20 percent, 1 percent? Is it more honorable to seek partial godhood than total godhood? Are we to walk the path of godhood with no hopes of ever reaching the destination? Yet that seems to be the tragic conclusion of many."

"The difference between man and God is significant, but it is one of degree, not kind. It is the difference between an acorn and an oak tree, a rosebud and a rose, a son and a father."

"There is no one in this entire universe that can rob us of perfection, except ourselves. Unfortunately, some people sell themselves short. In feigned honor of God they auction themselves off as servants, not sons."

"For one, life's challenges and tragedies become stumbling blocks; for the other, they become stepping-stones."

"Grace [and] works...go hand in hand. When the lifeguard stretches out a pole to the drowning swimmer, the swimmer must reach out and hold on if he desires to be rescued. Both the lifeguard and the swimmer must fully participate if the swimmer's life is to be saved."

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger

9/10

Jerome David Salinger that is. Ha ha, I love starting out a post like that with an author that goes by initials. I just finished reading this book this morning. It was funny and entertaining and a very fast read. Also, J.D. Salinger actually just died on January 27th of this year, about four days before I started reading his one and only novel. It's a shame he didn't write more.

The book is about a kid who seems to be manic-depressive, named Holden Caulfield, who keeps flunking out of school because he doesn't care much about it. He's capable, he just doesn't care. I think the book covers just two days of Holden's life right after he gets kicked out of another school. He's a good and likable kid, I thought, but he is definitely a touch on the crazy side. He continues to go back and forth between things that depress him and things that "kill him", meaning he finds them funny. Salinger does a good job at allowing us to enter into Holden's brain. The book is almost entirely Holden's thoughts about things that bother him that other people do. His thoughts are so funny. I didn't find the book to be too depressing even though it's about a young kid who is always depressed and a little aimless in life.

On a side note, the guy who shot John Lennon said he did it to promote this book. TIME magazine has a good article about Salinger if anyone's interested: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1957492,00.html I wonder how different Salinger and Holden were, they seem not too far apart. They'd almost have to be with how realistically Salinger was able to portray the thoughts of a sometime cynical kid.

Also, if anyone is wondering what the title to the book means. It comes from a Robert Burns poem that says "If a body meet a body coming through the rye." But Holden thought it was "If a body catch a body coming through the rye." And as his awesome thoughts go, he tells his sister when she asks what he wants to do in his life that he pictures a bunch of young kids running around playing in a field of rye and he is standing at the edge of a big cliff and he catches them before they fall off. "That's all I'd do all day. I'd be the catcher in the rye." This is why I didn't get too depressed over this book because he was good at heart. And funny.

A few examples of Holden being funny:

"'Liberate yourself from my vicelike grip.'" He says this to his roommate when Holden randomly decided to put him in a half-nelson while his roommate was getting ready for a date.

"The one ugly one, Laverne, wasn't too bad a dancer, but the other one, old Marty, was murder. Old Marty was like dragging the statue of liberty around the floor." Oh man, that made me laugh like crazy. That killed me, as Holden would say.

"Some people you shouldn't kid, even if they deserve it." True, true.

"He was one of those guys that think they're being a pansy if they don't break around forty of your fingers when they shake hands with you." Ha ha. Forty fingers? Hilarious.

Post Script: The book has a lot of cussing, you are here forewarned.

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

10/10

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien that is. Plus, amazing to have consecutive posts with the word 'Two' in it, I know. How I planned and planned to achieve that.

This book is awesome, plain and simple. This is where the fellowship disbands. And, unlike the movie, this book starts with the Boromir incident. The whole first half of the book focuses exclusively on chasing down Merry and Pippin and all the shenanigans there. We also get an awesome Gandalf update after the tragic and, may I say, borderline tearful departure from him in the first book. I actually liked the way the movie did it better, the going back and forth between the now two separate parties. Most of the time while I was reading the first half of the book, although I enjoyed it, I desperately wanted to get back to Frodo and Sam. It was quite the endurance tester at times.

The Frodo and Sam portion of the book is quite the nail-biter. They hook up with Gollum and depend on him to guide them to Mordor. Oh man, being led by an evil creature and being so much in his power made this a pretty tense ordeal. Also, unlike the movie (I think), the book ends with the Shelob incident and Frodo falling into the hands of the enemy in Mordor territory. Quite the cliffhanger.

Also, I find it unfair to label Lord of the Rings enjoyers as nerds. How dare you. More like you're a nerd if you don't like this, because how could you not? So there. Stick that in your long, Gandalf-like pipe and smoke it.

A quote:

"The praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards." This is from Faramir, who is much cooler in the book than in the movie.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

10/10

Sometimes you read a book and feel highly inadequate in your abilities to describe it. This is one of those books. Usually my describing abilities are far superior to the actual books, but not this time. (This is where I point out that I was kidding about my descriptions being better than the books. Except for maybe when I start posting about books that I didn't like.)

So, I've read a few other Dickens books and have liked all of them. This one had an entirely different feel than his other ones. This one was less playful (which I missed) and was much more serious and somber. However, in Dickens defense, his usual lightheartedness would have made the book less powerful. But, before too many objections arise, he is playful and fun from time to time in this tale. Like how anytime he mentions Mr. Lorry it is accompanied with a comment or some remark about how he is strictly a man of business.

The book really picks up steam the further into the book you get. At first I was a little confused what was going on and I didn't know who was who. But once I got a grip on it, the grip tightened, the knuckles got white, and I couldn't let go. The story is very dramatic and touching. It takes place during the chaotic French Revolution where hundreds upon hundreds of prisoners are being executed by La Guillotine. And the mob mentality of the citizens for the good of the Republic has caused, not only a lot of undeserved deaths, but also some pretty callous heartlessness. The heroism, courage, and selflessness from a character that feels as though his life has been pointless and who many look down upon is very awe-inspiring.

I just finished this book yesterday and it was one of the most worthwhile reads I've had in a long time. It is books like this that remind me of why I read fiction and that fiction isn't always a pointless waste of time.

To the quotes:

"Sadly, sadly the sun rose; it rose upon no sadder sight than the man of good abilities and good emotions, incapable of their directed exercise."

"What the tongue is, I suppose the man is."

"All secret men are men soon terrified."

"You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer." Burn.

Othello by Shakespeare

10/10

William Shakespeare that is. Othello is, unofficially, my favorite Shakespeare play (of the relatively few that I've read). I don't know if that's because I am one of those who can't have my favorite be the most famous or popular? Hopefully I'm not that guy, I hate that guy. I actually think the main reason is that it was one of the first Shakespeare plays that I was introduced to and sorta where my Shakespeare appreciation began. So, it's a sentimental thing. Now that we've gotten to the bottom of that...

Othello is very underrated. It is not put on the same level, it seems, with some of the other awesome Shakespeare tragedies, i.e. Hamlet, Macbeth, etc. But it sure does hold its own. Othello is where we meet, arguably, Shakespeare's most villainous creation, Iago. Iago is, in my opinion, not only Shakespeare's darkest creation, but anybody's. I have yet to find a character who is more evil, sinister, and terrifying as Iago. And for some reason I really enjoy exploring the depths of a character like that.

The tale is about a ruler, Othello, and his fascination/love Desdemona and the jealous Iago who resorts to all means of deception and scheming in order to destroy the both of them. And boy does he ever. He's got everyone fooled and pulled the wool over just about everyone's eyes. It's a cool read, folks.

Shakespeare's always good for a quote or two:

"To mourn a mischief that is past and gone Is the next way to draw new mischief on."

"You have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser."

"O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, Let us call thee devil!"

"I think you think I love you."

"When devils will the blackest sins put on, They do at first suggest with heavenly shows."

"How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?"

"They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for they're jealous. It is a monster Begot upon itself, born on itself."

Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

7/10

This is the sequel to Ender's Game. It's pretty good. It's much more science fictiony (and philosophical) than Ender's Game and not nearly as many cool things happen in it. Also, Ender plays a less prominent role, which, to me, is a downfall. But alas, it is still worth a read. Just don't expect it to match Ender's Game. You have been duly warned. On a side note, Card says that this book was the original book he wanted to write and the reason he even wrote Ender's Game at all. Therefore, it can stand alone without Ender's Game. I just wouldn't recommend it.

It's cool in the sense that we find out what happens to Ender after the grand finale of Ender's Game. A few cool things: Ender and hive-queen action, a computer that speaks to Ender through a chip in his ear, it's been many a long year since Ender should even be thought to be alive and his identity is hidden in those regards, and I guess other things. It's been a while since I read it, but rest assured, Ender is still a dominator.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

9/10

I'm usually not a big fan of newer books, books written recently, for whatever reason. I am forever unable to get with the times. I think it's because newer books seem to always be pretty risque and push the envelope in lame ways to shock the reader or something. I loved this book, however. And I guess it was risque in it's own right, but there was something to it that made it not so lame. I think McEwan's writing style is what won me over. He is very descriptive and doesn't write like a 21st century author. In fact, he has a very Jane Austen feel to him, and yes, that is a compliment.

The book is about a young, imaginative girl who accuses her sister's new boyfriend of a crime he may or may not have committed. She convinces herself that she clearly saw what she saw, and it is her testimony that eventually leads to some serious life-changing events in the young man's life, as well as her sister's. The way the story unfolds is all very interesting and makes one wonder how clearly some past events actually unfolded.

The book is tremendously fascinating, almost perfectly written, and contains one of the most surprising and cool plot twists I've seen. Sorry to give away that there is a plot twist, now you, dear reader, will be looking for it. But I confound you to see it coming.

This book was also adapted into a very well-done movie.

Some quotes:

"Self-pity needed her full attention."

"It wasn't only wickedness and scheming that made people unhappy, it was confusion and misunderstanding; above all, it was the failure to grasp the simple truth that other people are as real as you."

"He was happy and therefore bound to succeed."

"Truth was strange and deceptive, it had to be struggled for, against the flow of the everyday."

The Complete Sherlock Holmes Volume 1 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

9/10

A book about deduction and astute observation? Where do I sign up? Count me in. I just finished reading this book last night. This was fun reading. That Sherlock continued to amaze and solve some real puzzlers. This book is a Barnes & Noble book that has gathered all of the Sherlock Holmes stories into two volumes. Volume 1 included:

1. A 100 page short novel called "A Study in Scarlet" and was really good. There's a lot of anti-Mormon stuff in this story that is more comical than anything where Mormons are painted as these crazed religious zealots that murder anyone who does not obey. The story, however, was still very good.

2. Another 100 page short novel called "The Sign of Four" that turned out to be one of my favorites of all the stories.

3. "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" which is 16 short stories that are about 20 pages each. These short stories have far less character development, but get right to the good stuff: Holmes dominating and solving cases. Some of my favorite stories of the 16 were "The Red-Headed League" (yes, it IS as awesome as it sounds), "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" (intense and interesting), and "The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb" (this one had a very Poe-like feeling).

4. "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" which is 11 short stories that are about 15 pages each. My favorites were "The Silver Blaze" (my very favorite of all the short stories in Volume 1), "The Reigate Puzzle" (some cool deductions in this one), "The Greek Interpreter" (mostly because we meet Sherlock's lesser known brother who also has an awesome name, Mycroft. He is exactly like Sherlock except better, according to Sherlock. The two of them together were quite the dominators.), and "The Naval Treaty" (just real good). "The Final Problem" is also notable because it features Sherlock's greatest nemesis, Moriarty. I'll leave it at that due to spoiler issues.

5. A 120-page short novel called "The Hound of the Baskervilles" which was amazingly awesome and my very favorite of all the stories in this volume. It is easily the most well written and most suspenseful. Sherlock is at his best here. Watson too.

Now for the quotes:

"It is not easy to express the inexpressible."

"The chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness."

"I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely."

"A change of work is the best rest." I guess he is here quoting William Gladstone, the current Prime Minister at the time.

"Dirty-looking rascals, but I suppose every one has some little immortal spark concealed about him."

"There is danger for him who taketh the tiger cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman." Holmes says this is an old Persian saying.

"Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent."

"It's every man's business to see justice done."

"Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are all really necessary for our existence in the first instance. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its colour are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

10/10

Good old Clive Staples Lewis, a former atheist who converted to the Church of England, is THE best author on Christianity without a doubt. He is quoted more often than almost anyone, and for good reason. I have read more C.S. Lewis books than I think any other author. I do enjoy his stuff. And this, Mere Christianity, is, in my opinion, his very best work. There's more insight here than any book, outside of scripture, that I have ever read. The way he explains the Christian doctrine is simple, true, and inspiring. He has a section on pride that is just epic. He has a brief section on the Trinity, however, that is not as good as the rest. I'm going to cut my comments short, because I think that I'm going to set the quote record with this one.

Quotes that made the cut (Yes, I had to pass on some very good ones due to the excessive amount of amazing quotes.):

"The question should never be: 'Do I like that kind of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this?'"

"Selfishness has never been admired."

"I am only trying to call attention to a fact; the fact that this year, or this month, or, more likely, this very day, we have failed to practice ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other people."

"As in arithmetic - there is only one right answer to a sum, and all other answers are wrong: but some wrong answers are much nearer being right than others."

"Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should have never found out that it has no meaning."

"When you are arguing against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all: it is like cutting off the branch you are sitting on."

"There are a good many things that would not be worth bothering about if I were going to live only seventy years, but which I had better bother about very seriously if I am going to live forever. Perhaps my bad temper or jealousy are gradually getting worse - so gradually that the increase in seventy years will not be very noticeable. But it might be absolute hell in a million years....If individuals live only seventy years, then a state, or a nation, or a civilisation, which may last for a thousand years, is more important than an individual."

"If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things that we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure excludes them."

"God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them."

"The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection."

"A cold, self-righteous prig who goes regularly to church may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute. But, of course, it is better to be neither."

"Love is the great conqueror of lust."

"I have often thought to myself how it would have been if, when I served in the first world war, I and some young German had killed each other simultaneously and found ourselves together a moment after death. I cannot imagine that either of us would have felt any resentment or even any embarrassment. I think we might have laughed over it." Ha ha, one of my favorites.

"There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others. The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit."

"It was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind."

"Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others.... It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest."

"The trouble begins when you pass from thinking, 'I have pleased him; all is well,' to thinking, 'What a fine person I must be to have done it.'"

"If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed."

"Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible."

"Those who are united with God in eternity share His splendour and power and joy."

"No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting against it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means - the only complete realist."

"Christians have often disputed as to whether what leads the Christian home is good actions, or Faith in Christ. I have no right really to speak on such a difficult question, but it does seem to me like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most necessary."

"If what you call your 'faith' in Christ does not involve taking the slightest notice of what He says, then it is not Faith at all - not faith or trust in Him, but only intellectual acceptance of some theory about Him."

"What God the Father begets is God, something of the same kind as Himself."

"Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of man he is."

"God looks at you as if you were a little Christ: Christ stands beside you to turn you into one."

"Laziness means more work in the long run."

"He never talked vague, idealistic gas. When He said, 'Be perfect,' He meant it. He meant that we must go in for the full treatment."

"You must realise from the outset that the goal towards which He is beginning to guide you is absolute perfection; and no power in the whole universe, except you yourself, can prevent Him from taking you to that goal."

"The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He said (in the Bible) that we were 'gods' and He is going to make good His words."

Sorry, dear reader, for the abundence of quotations. This guy knew his stuff and how to say it, that is for sure.