Friday, December 30, 2011
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
This is the fourth in the series of Flavia deLuce...the chemist who delights. This one is fun and includes an acting troupe who comes to stay at the mansion...More great characters, more laughter, and a great escape!
The Wild Trees by Richard Preston
Both my dad and my sister Jane recommended this book to me. My dad is famous for his love of redwoods, and that's what this book is all about. It's one of the most engaging nonfiction, scientific books I have ever encountered. I also learned a lot about my home state of California. It was interesting to me that Reed College students figure prominently in this tale, which focuses not only on the redwoods, but also on the people who pioneered climbing them. The story of different climbimg methods and the world they discover up in the canopy is enthralling. There are also good illustrations that help clarify some of the descriptions.
I was also hoping to use this book to increase my knowledge and understanding of nature. There is so much to learn and so much applicability to LIFE! For instance, I know redwood roots are very shallow...but they are interconnected and entwined to help support each other. How long would it take you to come up with a metaphor for THAT!? The problem is, I read this book on a very long flight...and while it made the flight go very quickly, I was also tired, and didn't take notes or do as much focusing on the nature lessons as I should have. I will definitely have to give this a second read and glean more. It will be a pleasure!
I was also hoping to use this book to increase my knowledge and understanding of nature. There is so much to learn and so much applicability to LIFE! For instance, I know redwood roots are very shallow...but they are interconnected and entwined to help support each other. How long would it take you to come up with a metaphor for THAT!? The problem is, I read this book on a very long flight...and while it made the flight go very quickly, I was also tired, and didn't take notes or do as much focusing on the nature lessons as I should have. I will definitely have to give this a second read and glean more. It will be a pleasure!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton
Melissa and I share an enjoyment of this series, so naturally when I saw the latest entry at Sam's Club right before Christmas, I bought it for her. She inhaled it and then gave it to me for Christmas, and I spent a couple of nights with it before I devoured the rest of it in practically one sitting. It's a good thing these books are only released every year or so; they kidnap me until I'm DONE with them. The characters are so interesting, and the heroine, Kinsey, is so funny, that I savor every page. This particular one wasn't as funny as others, but the story and characters and plot were engaging.
The Santa Teresa setting and California weather are parts of the context I also find enjoyable. This particular plot centered on a mafia-like Italian, an unhappy attorney's wife, and a two-bit burglar named Pinky. I wondered how all of this would fit together, and it eventually did...very unpredictably and seamlessly. Kinsey's lovable neighbor, Henry, was gone visiting his sibs for most of this story, and I missed him! The ending of this installment, though, was more satisfying than some in the series. This one gave slightly more information about the satisfying conclusion of Kinsey's work... All in all, another good installment in the series. Only four to go...
The Santa Teresa setting and California weather are parts of the context I also find enjoyable. This particular plot centered on a mafia-like Italian, an unhappy attorney's wife, and a two-bit burglar named Pinky. I wondered how all of this would fit together, and it eventually did...very unpredictably and seamlessly. Kinsey's lovable neighbor, Henry, was gone visiting his sibs for most of this story, and I missed him! The ending of this installment, though, was more satisfying than some in the series. This one gave slightly more information about the satisfying conclusion of Kinsey's work... All in all, another good installment in the series. Only four to go...
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
Sierra told me something about this book that made me immediately want to read it: "As soon as I finished the last page, I wanted to flip to the front and start reading it all over again from the beginning!" Well, the only books I feel that way about are real winners, so I asked to borrow this book, and enjoyed it very much too. I didn't want to reread it, but I understood Sierra's reasoning. There are some mysteries in this book that unfold as the story unfolds, so it would be interesting to read it again, understanding more of the mysteries.
I only like to reread books that take me to rich and wonderful places, I think. This book, while intriguing and full of interesting characters, was a much darker place than I like to dwell when I have a choice! It is set in Salem, Massachusetts, and reveals a lot about the area and its history as well as its current association with witches and witchcraft. Throw in a weird ultra-fundamentalist religious cult who are fighting the witches, and you have the mileu.
The contextual pieces that I did enjoy were the references to the homes and sailing and the island. Barry made me feel familiar with the area, and I could almost feel the salt spray and the moonlight. Another delight in this book was the dialogue between Rafferty and Towner, the main character. That sparkled, at times, and both were deep and interesting characters.
It was an interesting, intriguing read, and one that helped me understand a bit more about Sierra's tastes. We both like mysteries, and this was a mystery of a different kind. I haven't talked with her (yet) about exactly why she liked it, but I think it's because she is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. She majored in Psychology, and Towner's mental challenges were rife with possibilities for study!
One other part I enjoyed: the idea of reading lace, and some of the metaphysical ideas in the Lace Reader's Guide. Some little gems there that were food for thought. Also acquainted me with something I knew NOTHING about! Cool.
I only like to reread books that take me to rich and wonderful places, I think. This book, while intriguing and full of interesting characters, was a much darker place than I like to dwell when I have a choice! It is set in Salem, Massachusetts, and reveals a lot about the area and its history as well as its current association with witches and witchcraft. Throw in a weird ultra-fundamentalist religious cult who are fighting the witches, and you have the mileu.
The contextual pieces that I did enjoy were the references to the homes and sailing and the island. Barry made me feel familiar with the area, and I could almost feel the salt spray and the moonlight. Another delight in this book was the dialogue between Rafferty and Towner, the main character. That sparkled, at times, and both were deep and interesting characters.
It was an interesting, intriguing read, and one that helped me understand a bit more about Sierra's tastes. We both like mysteries, and this was a mystery of a different kind. I haven't talked with her (yet) about exactly why she liked it, but I think it's because she is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. She majored in Psychology, and Towner's mental challenges were rife with possibilities for study!
One other part I enjoyed: the idea of reading lace, and some of the metaphysical ideas in the Lace Reader's Guide. Some little gems there that were food for thought. Also acquainted me with something I knew NOTHING about! Cool.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Lakota Way by Joseph M. Marshall III
I heard Joseph Marshall speak at a recent Indian Education Summit here in South Dakota. He is impressive! Soft-spoken, well-spoken, candid, and real. An absolutely wonderful and authentic presence! I decided right then and there that I had been missing out by not reading his books! So, I asked my friend Doug, who has read them all, "Where should I begin?" He told me that this one is his favorite book...not just his favorite book of Marshall's, his FAVORITE book. Well, I had to start there, didn't I?
I'm so glad I did! The stories are captivating...Marshall is a wonderful story teller and many of the characters in his stories I had heard of before, like the legendary Iktomi. After the stories, Marshall muses on their meaning and application to modern day life. There is warm wisdom here and clear-eyed analysis of history and the way it has been portrayed. Here are the Lakota values he describes:
1. Humility
2. Perseverance
3. Respect
4. Honor
5. Love
6. Sacrifice
7. Truth
8. Compassion
9. Bravery
10. Fortitude
11. Generosity
12. Wisdom
Here are some pearls I marked...
Words from his grandfather after he complained of kids calling him bad names:
"You cannot forget what they said any more than you cannot feel the wind when it blows. But if you learn to let the wind blow through you, you will take away its power to blow you down. If you let words pass through you, without letting them catch on your anger or pride, you will not feel them."
page 9: To truthfully describe one's action in combat through the forum of ceremony was not considered bragging because the recounting--the story of action--was a gift. It became part of the identity and lore of the storyteller's warrior society, and it served to strengthen the entire village--not to mention that the deed recounted served as an example for young men to emulate.
page 49: ..it is easy to respect someone who is as much like us in every way possible. Respecting someone with different beliefs, different dress, or different customs, or something entirely different from us is not easy.
page 56...everything that happens is a gift from life itself, if for nothing else than to teach us a lesson.
page 68-69: ..intertribal warfare had a different meaning and purpose than the usual defensive-offensive aspects of imperialistic warfare. It was in a real sense an intentional proving ground.
Page 71...war is really a fight between the good and bad sides of humans...
page 155...Bravery is a requisite virtue because life demands it. Whether it's cancer, a broken heart, a lost opportunity, a bad business deal, an approaching hurricane, a tough decision, or a dark alley, life will continually throw challenges at us. Any challenge is also an invitation, a standing invitation...Lightning-struck ash trees were rare, but they were preferred because they had suffered the ultimate adversity, and ultimate adversity produces ultimate strength.
page 158..If you don't think you know how to be brave, look around; you'll find someone who does know. Follow him or her. If you follow long enough, you'll learn to have courage, or the courage within you will rise to the top. When that happens, turn around, and don't be surprised if someone is following you.
I'm so glad I did! The stories are captivating...Marshall is a wonderful story teller and many of the characters in his stories I had heard of before, like the legendary Iktomi. After the stories, Marshall muses on their meaning and application to modern day life. There is warm wisdom here and clear-eyed analysis of history and the way it has been portrayed. Here are the Lakota values he describes:
1. Humility
2. Perseverance
3. Respect
4. Honor
5. Love
6. Sacrifice
7. Truth
8. Compassion
9. Bravery
10. Fortitude
11. Generosity
12. Wisdom
Here are some pearls I marked...
Words from his grandfather after he complained of kids calling him bad names:
"You cannot forget what they said any more than you cannot feel the wind when it blows. But if you learn to let the wind blow through you, you will take away its power to blow you down. If you let words pass through you, without letting them catch on your anger or pride, you will not feel them."
page 9: To truthfully describe one's action in combat through the forum of ceremony was not considered bragging because the recounting--the story of action--was a gift. It became part of the identity and lore of the storyteller's warrior society, and it served to strengthen the entire village--not to mention that the deed recounted served as an example for young men to emulate.
page 49: ..it is easy to respect someone who is as much like us in every way possible. Respecting someone with different beliefs, different dress, or different customs, or something entirely different from us is not easy.
page 56...everything that happens is a gift from life itself, if for nothing else than to teach us a lesson.
page 68-69: ..intertribal warfare had a different meaning and purpose than the usual defensive-offensive aspects of imperialistic warfare. It was in a real sense an intentional proving ground.
Page 71...war is really a fight between the good and bad sides of humans...
page 155...Bravery is a requisite virtue because life demands it. Whether it's cancer, a broken heart, a lost opportunity, a bad business deal, an approaching hurricane, a tough decision, or a dark alley, life will continually throw challenges at us. Any challenge is also an invitation, a standing invitation...Lightning-struck ash trees were rare, but they were preferred because they had suffered the ultimate adversity, and ultimate adversity produces ultimate strength.
page 158..If you don't think you know how to be brave, look around; you'll find someone who does know. Follow him or her. If you follow long enough, you'll learn to have courage, or the courage within you will rise to the top. When that happens, turn around, and don't be surprised if someone is following you.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Bonds that Make Us Free: Healing Our Relationships, Coming to Ourselves by C. Terry Warner
I keep this book handy and refer to it regularly! I need the lessons here and I need to live them better. I recognized myself on page ____ when he describes perfectionism and I hope I've made strides since them! I will add more salient points as time allows...
This, below, is from an online review at Amazon that I thought was right on...
The basic premise of the book is honesty, and being truly honest with yourself--which in turn leads you to be honest in your relationships with others. The result of this honesty is a freedom and happiness that is not affected by your circumstances, no matter what those are. I think a lot of people feel unhappy or dissatisfied or even hopeless about certain relationships in their lives, but they don't realize that since the only person they can control is themselves, the ONLY thing they can do to affect change is to make a change somewhere in their hearts. This book discusses, with lots of helpful examples, how to catch the thought processes and emotions that are making you miserable, and how to stop feeding them. Although making a change in yourself often helps the relationship improve as the other person naturally reacts to your changes, the important thing is how YOU change. Reading this book was like looking at my life through new eyes, seeing things more clearly and through a different perspective--a perspective that made me an active agent in my life, instead of the victim of it.
It's a little frightening to realize how much control you actually have over yourself, because it makes you responsible for your own happiness. That may make you feel defensively angry or guilty, but if you're really ready to be honest with yourself and take on this responsibility, you'll feel humble instead--and then, working on these relationships with a new heart, at peace.
It's a little frightening to realize how much control you actually have over yourself, because it makes you responsible for your own happiness. That may make you feel defensively angry or guilty, but if you're really ready to be honest with yourself and take on this responsibility, you'll feel humble instead--and then, working on these relationships with a new heart, at peace.
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