I was browsing in the St. George library and saw this book in a display. I picked it up and read the first few paragraphs and figured it had potential. I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, and hoped it might be in a similar realm. It was not. Not even close! This book was ponderous and boring and stilited. I kept thinking I should give it up because it was going nowhere, but there was a murder to be solved, so I stuck with it to learn the culprit. I got to the most unsatisfying end, and realized I should have quit far sooner. There was no character development and really no explanation as to the magic involved in the mysterious artifacts. It was just a strange boring setting for Elizabeth and Darcy to superficially interact. I should know by now that Austen is in a class by herself!!! Will I ever learn? At least I didn't waste any money on the deal. Only time, which is perhaps even more valuable!
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
When this book first came out, there was great excitement, and it seemed everyone loved this story. Back in the day (1997?) I wanted to see what the fuss was about, so I read it. I recall thinking, Huh. Not particularly impressive. Fun, cute, but nothing great. And I didn't continue on reading the rest of the series. Because Henry has chosen to go to Universal Studios to see the Harry Potter part of that, I figured I ought to give it another chance. After all, I don't want to be ignorant of what we're seeing. So, I borrowed a copy from my friend Dawna Gower, and just finished it this afternoon.
I was hoping I would see it differently now, and that I would enjoy it more this time around. I am sorry to say that mostly I enjoyed it less! There are too many characters to keep track of! They are fairly one-dimensional. I liked some of the interesting concepts like unicorns being so special, and owls being messengers, but overall it was rather ho hum. I do admire Rowling's imagination, though. I could never create a game like Quidditch! There were clever book titles and educational traditions like wearing cloaks and learning spells, but it got a little redundant by the end of the book. One thing I did really like was the development of the friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They didn't like her at all at first, but they were all able to grow and become fast friends through their experiences together. I liked that message.
When I was about half-way through, I thought I should seek to borrow Book 2, because I was still thinking it was enjoyable enough to continue. Today, though, now that I'm finished with Book 1, I don't have much interest in Book 2 or beyond. Maybe watching the movies will be better prep for the Universal Studios anyway. Like the books, though, I've only seen one of the movies, and that was years ago, and all I can remember is that it was very dark. We'll see...
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Every Needful Thing edited by Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye and Kate Holbrook
I picked this up at Deseret Book on a whim. I had read some biographical details of both of the editors and knew they were articulate disciple scholars. I loved that this volume was all women authors, because I've been lamenting for quite awhile now the low number of women speakers at General Conference. I didn't know what the essays would be like, but I knew they would enlighten and challenge me and uplift me more than my steady diet of fiction has done lately!
This past year I've noticed that I don't remember as much when I read at night as I used to. Maybe I fall semi-asleep before I stop reading? Whatever the reason, I usually had to start over the next night if I stopped in the middle of one of these essays. They were often heavy with philosophy or reflection that was challenging to absorb on a light read. I enjoyed the autobiographical elements of each woman's life, and they were each VERY different! Some were more engaging than others...
There are lawyers, scientists, artists, and all around deep thinkers in this collection. Their unique perspective was shared with rich examples from their various cultures around the world. It was heartening to read that such accomplished and noted women in the world are also faithful, practicing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And, they don't all claim to have it all figured out. I found that very real and refreshing.
One of my favorite essays is by Marion Bishop, and is entitled "Becoming Mormon." She has Wyoming roots, she's an ER doctor, and she addresses specifically how she was, as a woman, able to draw on male role models in the scriptures. I liked that, and felt kind of sheepish about my assertion that I need to learn from female role models in General Conference, In fact I liked this essay so much that I sent it to Glen and Darla Whipple, and Glen agreed it was a good one.
I want to reread some of these and see if I can retain a little more in the daylight. I am also thinking about lending it to my neighbor M. I think she would like it.