I just finished a work read that was a children’s book that makes me happy that people write for children. It was simply lovely. Dostoevsky decoder & newish reader Meli has tagged me for a teeny meme, which goes well with a teeny work read. Turn to page 161 of the book closest to you (no cheating) and copy out the fifth full sentence. From page 161 of Finding Alice by Melody Carlson: “So many young people out on the streets these days.” I feel…
Synopsis: A military hero struggles with his identity as a clone when he’s caught between in a war between humans and the Brotherhood who created him. Review: Science fiction is not really my thing, but I do like to give it a try every now and again when I’m given an author or book recommendation.
Here’s another meme (HT Poodlerat) that’s been going around that I’m finally able to do. Last night’s book read was an incredibly tedious memoir. Thanks for sharing! A book that made you cry: A book that seems to make a lot of my lists: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. A book that scared you: Hostage to the Devil by Malachi Martin. It’s five accounts of supposedly true possession and exorcism accounts, and it scared me so bad that I read it twice then…
Synopsis: The tangled fates of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his four sons, three legitimate, one a bastard, culminating in a trial for murder. Review: I’d be a fool if I tried to pretend I were anywhere up to the task of critiquing The Brothers Karamazov. I can honestly say I’m a little freaked out by what I’ve just been through. Karamazov is a rollicking glory of human depravity shot through with tastes of the divine. Dostoevsky doesn’t hesitate to put theology and intellectual arguments adjacent…
I just added a section to my sidebar where you can check out recent articles and blog postings I’ve come across and found worth sharing. For the most part, I’ll be sharing links about books and reading. But I might go off on the occasional tangent into related areas, but I won’t stray very far from the mission of this blog, which is to celebrate the written word. If you want to be a Superfast Groupie, you can subscribe to my shared items feed here.
Synopsis: As her seven sons grow to manhood in 13th Century Norway, Kristin finds her marriage tested by long-simmering resentments, and struggles with her passage into senescence. Review: This might be my favorite of all three Kristin Lavransdatter books, because I think Undset is operating at the peak of her narrative powers. She really brings to life a time in Kristin’s life that isn’t as readily appealing as Kristin’s passage into womanhood, and the novelty of Kristin and Erlend’s life together has worn off. In…
My dear friend Megan got to hang out with Jonathan Lethem and learn all about how he came up with the songs for You Don’t Love Me Yet. The piece made me want to reread the book, which I wasn’t crazy about the first time around. Or maybe I’ll just read more of Megan’s stuff. Either way, read the piece here.
Synopsis: When Mary was 16, she may or may not have been abducted and raped by an older man, whose life was ruined by her accusations.
Like Poodlerat, I like lists. British librarians were asked to come up with a list of books adults should read before they die. Like all of these lists, it’s weird. Books I’ve read are in bold; books I’ll almost certainly never read are crossed out.
Fantasy author Lloyd Alexander, beloved for his Chronicles of Prydain, died yesterday at the age of 71. From the Washington Post: Mr. Alexander preferred an unflashy life. He played Mozart on his violin, drew cartoons and fed squirrels in his back yard. He once admitted to a weakness for doughnuts and wafers before bedtime. My eternal thanks to Mrs. Phillips, who assigned us The Book of Three in sixth grade English, teaching me that fantasy IS real literature, thank you very much, even if they…