#36: Pride and Prejudice (take two)

Austen, Jane: Pride and Prejudice. New York: Barnes and Nobles Inc., 2007. Print. Pages 199-405.

(I read the novel out of a Barnes and Nobles compilation edition of all seven of Austen's major works.)

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Yes, I reread Pride and Prejudice.  For the tenth time now?  I've lost count at this point, but I've made it a habit to reread it every year or so, and the last time I had the pleasure was April 2012, so it was a most welcome endeavor.  Every time I reread this novel I find something else that I like about it, so I'll skip the usual format and just write about what was new this time around or not included in the previous post.  If you'd like to read my post from April 2012, here you go: http://artemisiaeupraxia.blogspot.com/2012/04/2-pride-and-prejudice.html.

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FAVORITE QUOTE: "'... Women fancy admiration means more than it does.'

'And men take care that they should.'" - Volume 2, Chapter 1, page 284.  

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New things I liked about this book:

1. It's hilarious!  I didn't realize until this time around just how funny this book is.  There are so many witty lines and they're all absolutely hilarious!  I read most of the book sitting at the bar at Busboys and Poets, and every other page I was silently cracking up.  Pretty sure people thought I was a little bit crazy, especially because this Barnes and Nobles compilation I was reading out of looks like a copy of the Bible.  (Evidence: I briefly left to use the restroom and I placed the book on the bar counter top, closed and cover up, and when I got back the bartender looked at me and started laughing because she thought I was reading the Bible and couldn't figure out why I kept silently giggling and smiling.)
2. Elizabeth.  I love her character.  She's so kickass for a 19th century British woman.
3. It, yet again, reminded me of just how lucky I am to be living my life at this time.  I've noticed that I gravitate to this book whenever I'm frustrated with life and I start having those "I should just get an MRS. degree and marry rich" thoughts.  After reading the book, I'm back to wanting nothing but self-sufficiency and my independence.  Incredibly stupid that reading this novel is what gets my thoughts back on track?  No doubt about it.  But it works, so I'm okay with it.  

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I suppose I'm slowly accepting that being this obsessed with a single book is weird.  We'll categorize reading this novel as one of my guilty pleasures, because it surely can't be a healthy habit...

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Recommend?  Yes x100000000000.

#35: Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

Aslan, Reza: Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. New York: Random House, 2013. Print. 296 pages.*
*the appendix and notes sections start at page 217. 
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SUMMARY: A historical analysis of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, combining records and a critical analysis of the Bible with the purpose of separating Jesus the man from what was written about Jesus for the purposes of faith.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "Except that unlike those other messiahs, this one would not be forgotten." - Part 2, chapter 12, page 159.
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I first heard about Reza Aslan's new book via the buzz that was generated after his Fox News interview (reference (yes, I'm posting a Buzzfeed article, because that's where I first read about it): http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/is-this-the-most-embarrassing-interview-fox-news-has-ever-do).  He was scheduled to make an appearance at my favorite cafe, Busboys and Poets, and I knew that this was an opportunity I had to grasp.  Going against my normal book purchasing habits, I bought a copy (and got it signed for my parents!) and started reading it on my way back home from the event.  He presented a very intriguing introduction to his book, and his friendly and open personality encouraged me to start reading the book as soon as possible.  
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Things I liked about this book:

1. Easy to read and follow, even with my limited knowledge of Christianity.  The author presents his case in layman's terms, and the reader can tell he is knowledgeable in his field.
2. The author parallels his research findings with stories from the Bible very fluidly.  Again, it makes it very easy for a reader like me, whose knowledge of history unfortunately does not go past what was taught in school (much of which has now been forgotten), to follow his points.
3. It's a bit of a brain exercise.  My favorite quote excellently sums up what I found most intriguing: there were many people who preached the same message as Jesus, so why is it that Jesus is remembered to this day, and not any of the others?  It's a question that Aslan attempts to explain, but not fully to my satisfaction.  However, I don't fault the author for this; I believe this is the result of not having enough material to work with from that time period.  Aslan himself acknowledges that there are decades of holes in the historical evidence he worked with, including in the Bible itself.
4. The book is wonderfully balanced.  Aslan argues his points from the stance of a historian, and deconstructs certain verses from the Bible as inconsistent and something that cannot be taken as historical fact, but he does so in a very respectful manner.  He consistently takes care to explain that, yes, a certain verse could not have possibly happened given what we know of the daily workings of the people during that time, stating that [fill in the blank] would just not have been feasible or practical.  However, he is careful to point out that there is a reason for it having been written and why it is included in the bible, mostly revolving around the central theme of faith.  He is always very aware to say that, in the end, religion is a matter of faith, and it is the faith that is important rather than the nitty-gritty details.  It is the lesson from the story that is important, one of the many virtues of Jesus of Nazareth, and not necessarily the story itself.  
5. The author's explanation of the word "zealot" and how it didn't always have a negative connotation.  

Things that made the book a little difficult:

1. I read the Bible once in high school, and have a fairly good understanding of the main stories of Christianity, however the fact that many of the characters have the same name (there are a plethora of Johns, Peters, and Marys) made it confusing at times, especially because I had such long breaks in between reading the book.

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Religion is an interesting topic, and although I'm not Christian, I find Christianity very interesting, mainly because of my amateurish interest in religious art.  I can't say that I'm totally convinced of the author's points, but for me to say whether or not I accept them would require conducting my own research, which is something I'll hopefully get to one day.  The only evidence that we have from that time are held in a limited number of written documents, and, being the cynic that I am, the authenticity of those documents cannot be correlated unless we figure out a way to go back in time and line it up ourselves.  So I believe there is no way to be totally convinced, but as it is for followers of any religion, at the end of the day it is all just a matter of faith.

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Recommend?  Yes.

#34: And Then There Were None

Christie, Agatha: And Then There Were None. New York: Berkeley Books, 1993. Print. 204 pages.
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SETTING: Indian Island, a fictional island off the Devon coast (South West England).
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SUMMARY: A random, mismatched group of ten individuals are invited, each for a very different reason, to Indian Island by the illusive Mr. U. N. Owen.  Once there, they quickly realize that all is not as it seems, and a fortuitous chance at an all-expense-paid escape from reality is actually bringing them closer to realities that they would rather forget.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "They were five enemies linked together by a mutual instinct of self-preservation." - Chapter 13, page 143.
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A friend came to visit me in DC last week, and during the shutdown, unfortunately, which crushed her plan to visit the Smithsonians.  But she was still able to check a substantial amount off the trip's to-do list, including a trip to New York City.  Luckily, this was a fairly free weekend for me compared to most, and I was able to accompany her!  I decided I needed a slimmer and less involved book to occupy my time during the trip there and back so when I took her to Dupont Circle, my favorite neighborhood in DC, we stopped by my favorite secondhand bookstore where I found this little gem!  I've been wanting to read another Agatha Christie book for a while, and I have a vague memory of reading this one once before when I was very young.  However, since I didn't remember the story, and more importantly the ending, I figured it wouldn't hurt to reread it.
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Things I liked about this book:

1. Agatha Christie!  Enough said.  I've loved every book I've ever read authored by the Queen of Crime.
2. Short, quick, fun, stress-free read.  It took me all of 6ish hours to read it.
3. Varied group of characters that the reader is able to get to know well in a short period of time.  I was able to grasp the salient points of each character's person within the first few pages, and by the time I finished the book I had a very clear idea of each character's personality.
4. You're kept guessing the entire time as to who the culprit is.
5. The poem that is the basis for the events in the story.
6. The murderer's reason for committing the crime.  A disturbing reason, but interesting nonetheless.  And it gives an incite into just HOW varied people's personalities are.  Completely sane individuals who are acting within social boundaries could actually have very horrible and nefarious reasons for their actions.  A troublesome thought...

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. The racist undertones (against all non-European, non-Christian groups).  Whether or not Christie was racist or some of the language is just the norm from that time, I cannot say.  I read her biography a long time ago for a grade school book report, but I've forgotten everything I learned from that project, and a quick Wikipedia search didn't shed any light on the topic.
2. No Hercule Poirot!  No detective at all until the end, actually.  In my book, a Hercule Poirot-centered novel is always preferable.

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I absolutely love Agatha Christie's writing style.  It's simple, to the point, and perfect for those times when I want a purely entertaining read.  Because the novels are usually relatively short, I also don't feel guilty when I take out chunks of studying time to read, because I know it'll be over fairly quickly.  On a different note, I also like that after finishing each of her novels, I'm usually left with some type of important reminder about human nature.  In this novel's case (and many of her other novels), the reminder is that nothing is as it seems, that trust must be earned and is not something to be handed out lightly to strangers.  Especially in present times where social media makes it incredibly easy to become "friends" with people without actually having any quality interactions, this is a necessary concept to keep in the back of our minds.
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Recommend?  Yes!  Fun, easy, light reading will always be recommended by me.

#33: A Storm of Swords

Martin, George RR: A Storm of Swords. New York: Bantam Books, 2013. Print. 1128 pages.
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SETTING: Similar to the first two books in the series (A Game of Thrones: http://artemisiaeupraxia.blogspot.com/2013/05/27-game-of-thrones.html and A Clash of Kings: http://artemisiaeupraxia.blogspot.com/2013/07/32-clash-of-kings.html)

The story takes place in three separate settings, following three separate, yet connected, story lines:  

1. The Seven Kingdoms, a nation on the continent of Westeros.
2. The Wall (an actual wall made of ice, stone, and magic) that separates the Seven Kingdoms from the Northern wilderness.
3. The East, in various cities that are being overtaken by Daenerys and her people.

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SUMMARY: The various self-proclaimed kings find themselves having to strategically choose their battles, weighing the consequences of their actions on not only their likelihood of victory, but which allies they will in turn gain or lose via entering into any battle.  The Night's Watch is still in confusion over what lies ahead with the Others, and have the added burden of having to deal with the threat of the wildlings trying to break through the wall.  Lastly, Daenerys takes her people through varies cities, overtaking one after the other in hopes of building up her kingdom, all the while doubting whether or not she is capable of this task she has set her heart and mind upon of regaining her birthright as Queen of the Iron Throne.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "He had been the thirteenth man to lead the Night's Watch, she said, a warrior who knew no fear. 'And that was the fault in him,' she would add, 'for all men must know fear.'" - page 762.
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I FINALLY finished this book!!!  I've been working on it for nearly two months now, and it wasn't for a lack of interest that it took so long.  Since school resumed, I've had maybe 6-7 hours every two weeks to read.  Combined with the sheer length of this novel, it's no wonder it took forever and a day!  
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Things I liked about this book:

1. OMG.  There were so many times I found myself gasping or gaping while reading, from the very beginning to the very end.  I finished the novel while drinking a cappuccino in my favorite coffee shop in DC, and for the last twenty or so pages I was sitting on the sofa with my mouth hanging open, eyes wide in surprise and disbelief.  This book is action packed through and through, full of incredible twists and turns.  Martin really delivers in this one, and it's plainly obvious that his goal in writing this series was not to add to the plethora of "feel-good" fantasy novels that are out there.  He has a goal in writing this story and he is doing it beautifully so far.
2. The rawness of the events in the book.  There is nothing flowery about this story, and I love it!
3. John Snow.  He's neck in neck with Arya as my favorite character.  I also find it interesting how, in my head, he's never John.  It's always John Snow.  Anyhow, he endures much through this book, but you can clearly see how it helps him grow as a person and it's fantastically detailed.
4. The relationship between Brienne of Tarth and Jamie Lannister.  How that changes was interesting to follow as well.
5. The epilogue!!!!  Absolutely unexpected!  Martin may tear our hearts out every 300 pages, but he definitely soothes the injury with some pretty awesome surprises!
6. I have NO IDEA where this book is headed and that's so exciting!  I'm pretty confused with how this storyline will continue for another four (long) novels, considering how many people have already been killed off.  I'm sure there's already a plan at hand, and I need not worry, but I can't help but think on it!

Miscellaneous points:

1. I'm starting to feel meh about Daenerys.  She's become a bit of a side story, so that's leading me to conclude that she's probably going to pop up in the next few books with some crazy big part.  But, as of now, she's a little blah.
2. BUT- I do like the prophecy that follows Daenerys ("Three treasons will you know: once for blood and once for gold and once for love") and watching them unfold one by one.

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If you've noticed, there's no "Things I didn't like about this book" section because I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!  I was somewhat bored while reading the second book, but this novel definitely made up for that.  I had heard from others that the second book's function is to set up for the events in the third book, and I now agree that that is 100% correct.  When I will get around to watching the HBO series is anyone's guess, but for right now I'm content with being caught up (and actually past) the third season's finale because that means I won't be taunted by potential spoilers and covert headlines plastered all over the internet!  And I already have the fourth novel in my possession, thanks to a forward thinking cousin, and I can't wait to start it!  It'll probably be another two weeks though until that happens :(  oh well, tis life!
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Recommend?  YES YES YES!!!  

#32: A Clash of Kings

Martin, George RR: A Clash of Kings. New York: Bantam Books, 2011. Print. 969 pages.
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SETTING: Same as the first book in the series (A Game of Thrones: http://artemisiaeupraxia.blogspot.com/2013/05/27-game-of-thrones.html)

The story takes place in three separate settings, following three separate, yet connected, story lines:  

1. The Seven Kingdoms, a nation on the continent of Westeros.
2. The Wall (an actual wall made of ice, stone, and magic) that separates the Seven Kingdoms from the North.
3. The East, in various areas, following the Dothraki people.

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SUMMARY: The death of King Robert Baratheon leads to the rise of five different kings in the Seven Kingdoms and war to determine who will be the one king ruling the nation.  Meanwhile, Daenerys Targaryen is still deep in her efforts to regain her land and title, and the Night's Watch is wary of an unknown foe that is descending on the land as winter slowly takes over.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "The longer he lived, the more Tyrion realized that nothing was simple and little was true." - page 273.
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I bought a new book for myself!  It goes against all my normal personal book buying habits, but it had to be done.  The wait list for the library would have taken a few years to deliver the book, and none of my friends in Southern California had a copy I could borrow.  So I convinced myself that this will most likely be a series I will want to reread; thus, having my own collection will be beneficial.
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Things I liked about this book:

1. Super anticipation while reading it.  I couldn't wait to finish one chapter so I could get to the next.  On that note, please refer to point #1 under "Things I didn't like about this book."
2. The vastly different personalities of the five kings.  They are all different from each other in very specific ways, and its interesting to see the character development.  Some are expounded on more thoroughly than others, but you're still left with a pretty great understanding of their character.
3. Arya!  She's still my favorite!
4. Brienne.  Her character is so unexpected and great.

Thing I didn't like about this book:

1. It.  Was.  So.  Slow.  I heard the second book in the series sets up for the third, and I'm hoping that's a truth because I kept waiting for great, dramatic things to happen.  A few awesome things did happen closer to the end of this book, but it was otherwise a drag.

Character's who annoyed me/I disliked in this book:

1. Theon Greyjoy.  Hated, hated, hated him.  Even looking at him from a psychological perspective did not make me like him more.  
2. Catelyn Stark.  She's becoming increasingly annoying.
3. The obvious ones- Joffrey, Cersei, etc.

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Even though I was excited about this book, it actually took me a while to finish it.  There were some trips I took in between starting and ending the book that caused some delay, but it was also because there were times when I would become frustrated with the lack of activity.  The first book was so exciting!  I expected it to extend to the second book.  But I guess it's like the second Lord of the Rings movie: not all that exciting but necessary because it sets up for the epicness in the third movie (I haven't read the books... I refuse to because I saw the movies first and I'm afraid of ruining the image I love so much of the story).  I just started the third book and it better deliver!!!
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Recommend?  Yes!  You can't go straight to the third, so you need to read this one.

#31: Eragon

Paolini, Christopher: Eragon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2002. Print. 497 pages.
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SETTING: Various regions on the fictional continent, Alagaësia.
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SUMMARY: Initially inspired to take this journey to have revenge for the death of his uncle, Eragon and his dragon Saphira find themselves on an even greater journey to fight the corrupt king of Alagaësia, King Galbatorix.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "'People have an annoying habit of remembering things they shouldn't.'" - page 172.
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I started reading this book a few years ago, and, although I can't remember when or who I borrowed it from, I thought it was a decent read.  Obviously I wasn't that intrigued, otherwise I would have finished it.  During my last trip to the library I was being very indecisive; I like the cover of this book and I was looking for a fantasy, so I decided to give it another go.
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Things I liked about this book:

1. It's written by a 15-year-old!  Or, the author was 15 when he started writing it.  Pretty impressive!
2. Fantasy!  Dragons!  Magic!
3. The author takes the time to give a background history of this fictional continent, and does so very clearly.  
4. Easy to remember the character's names, which was great because there are some really foreign names.
5. Brom's character.  I like the mystery surrounding him.
6. The different languages the author makes up.

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. The story line could have been much more complex.  I guess I shouldn't fault the book, considering it falls into the "young adult" genre, but there's definitely a lot more that could have been done.
2. Saphira's character is annoying.  It's on purpose, I'm sure, because she is supposed to be a juvenile dragon, but it's annoying nonetheless.

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This was a decent enough book.  I enjoyed it, but I'm going to focus the rest of my reading time this summer to the second and third books in A Song of Ice and Fire. 
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Recommend?  Sure, it's a fun and relaxing read.

#30: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...

Carlson, Richard: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and It's All Small Stuff. New York: Hyperion, 1997. Print. 246 pages.

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SUMMARY: 100 points on how to reduce stress and thereby improve different aspects of one's life.  The main tenant (as is made obvious by the title) is to not "sweat the small stuff" and always keep the bigger picture in mind.  

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FAVORITE QUOTE: "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." - William James (Introduction, page 1).  

This quote isn't written by the author, but I really loved that the author opened his book with such an empowering quote.  Your attitude is always under your control.

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I found a copy of this book laying around my cousin's living room many years ago when I was a freshman in high school.  Again, going with aesthetics, I liked the size of the book.  It was small and almost a square, a design typically not utilized by publishers.  I decided to read a few entries, enjoyed it, and subsequently bought it as a graduation present for my sister in 2003.  I forgot about this book for the next ten years, until seeing it again on a bookshelf in my parents' home.  As I'm growing older, life is only getting busier and I will freely admit that I do let small, insignificant things (although at the time they seem very significant) get to me.  Now that it is summer and I am free of classes, I thought it would be a great time to have a refresher, to remind myself that I shouldn't sweat the small stuff.  

The setup of this post will be a little different: instead of listing things I liked about this book, I'm going to list my top five of the 100 points.

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Top 5 points I really liked in this book, in numerical order:

• Point #3: Let go of the Idea that Gentle, Relaxed People Can't be Superachievers
• We're all surrounded by individuals who are extraordinary at stressing out over anything and everything.  Sometimes I see these people for what they are: over-stressed and high-strung.  But other times I trick myself into thinking that those who have more stress in their lives must be more accomplished.  They obviously have more on their plate than me, were going to achieve more than me, and thus become more successful.  Luckily, those moments are rare.  I've learned that there is a difference between negative and positive stress, and I conscientiously avoid those who exude nothing but negative stress.  It is definitely possible to be relaxed and calm and still achieve high goals.
• Point #19: Lower Your Tolerance to Stress
• This is a great point that I always forget.  Just because I am able to carry a certain level of stress doesn't mean it is healthy.  Rather, I should always strive to lower my stress level by utilizing various methods to make a stressful situation less stressful, such as changing my attitude towards the situation, changing my approach to completing the task, etc..
• Point #54: Understand the Statement, "Wherever You Go, There You Are"
• "The significance of this statement is that it can teach you to stop constantly wishing you were somewhere else." - page 133.  A great point to remember.  Always be in the present moment.
• Point #56: Be Grateful when You're Feeling Good and Graceful when You're Feeling Bad
• This is one of the major points of my favorite self-help/mental health book, "The Happiness Trap" (see blog post: http://artemisiaeupraxia.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-happiness-trap.html).  We will have high highs and equally low lows, but neither are permanent states.  Be grateful when you're happy and life feels perfect.  Similarly, when life feels like its going to hell, remember that it will pass.
• Point #65: Be Flexible with Changes in Your Plans
• Unflexibility causes so much unnecessary stress.  Unless you're in an isolated bubble where you rely on yourself for everything, and that includes controlling traffic and the weather, then there will always be changes to your plans.  So deal with it by accepting that unexpected changes can and will happen.

Main theme I didn't like about this book:

• The author insists, in many points, that it is often better to keep one's mouth shut and let another person feel that they are right than to argue one's point.  He amends this statement one time by saying that if the argument is over a moral or ethical matter then one should definitely put forth their side.  In all other situations, according to the author, it is better to feel peace than to argue a difference of opinion.  I disagree with this statement.  Life is made much richer by learning about other points of view (which is, ironically, another theme the author expresses in numerous points).  If you know you will benefit from hearing a different side, then shouldn't you extend that same learning opportunity to other people?  Whether or not they accept such an opportunity is up to them.  But if your life is benefited by learning about other points of view, then others should be given the chance to learn from your point of view.

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I enjoyed reading this book, and because I only read a few pages at a time (I was reading two other books simultaneously), I think I benefited even more from what it had to offer.  I tried applying the points I had read on the same day as reading them, which was great practice.  Many of these points are ones that I already know (and ones I'm sure you already know), but every once in a while we need reminders, and this book is just that, a perfect  reminder.

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Recommend?  Yes!  It's a quick read and if even one lesson improves your life and reduces stress, then I think it's worth the time.

#29: Frankenstein

Shelley, Mary: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. New York: Random House, 1999. Print. 303 pages.
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SETTING: At sea heading to the North Pole; Geneva, Switzerland; and the University of Ingolstadt in Germany.
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SUMMARY: The scientist Victor Frankenstein relates how he created and gave life to a "hideous monster" and the subsequent misfortunes he suffers at the hands of his creation.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "Alas! why does man boast of sensibilities superior to those apparent in the brute; it only renders them more necessary beings.  If our impulses were confined to hunger, thirst, and desire, we might be nearly free; but now we are moved by every wind that blows, and a chance word or scene that that word may convey to us." - Chapter 10, page 124.
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A friend recommended I read this book after I had finished reading Dracula last summer.  I couldn't get a hold of a copy at a library or a used book store, and I wasn't pressed to ready it right away, so I decided to wait until I came back home for the summer.  I was very enthusiastic to read it because I really enjoyed Dracula and looked forward to reading a book written in the same style.

Two points before going into my lists of likes and dislikes:

1. A novel written as a series of documents (e.g. letters, journal entries, etc.) is called an "epistolary novel."  I didn't know there was a term for this writing style until yesterday.
2. "Frankenstein" is the creator of the creature.  The creature itself is unnamed and is mistakenly called "Frankenstein" in modern culture.  

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Things I liked about this book:

1. I went through a variety of emotions while reading the novel, from (1) boredom to (2) sympathizing with the creature and disliking Frankenstein to (3) sympathizing with Frankenstein and disliking the creature, and, (4) back to boredom.
2. It's an epistolary novel, which has become one of my favorite methods of relating a story.
3. The fact that an act committed during his youth haunts Frankenstein throughout his adult life.  It's an occurrence that mirrors many people's lives- a regrettable act, minor or major, from one's youth, when one is naive and has not had enough experiences to really assess what he/she believes is right versus wrong, manages to either stay with that person throughout his/her life or creeps up during adulthood.
4. Frankenstein's creature is given a chance to tell his side of the story.

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. I was really bored at the beginning and end of the novel.  I started reading this book three weeks ago and in between started another two books because I was that bored.  It did pick up in the middle, and if I wasn't so stubborn when it comes to finishing books I would have put it down after reading the first 50 pages.  I'm glad I finished it, because it felt like an accomplishment of sorts, but it is boooooring for the first quarter and the last 1/5 or so.
2. Frankenstein's dialogue.  Half of the story is how he mourns creating the "monster" and, yes, I get it, it's a big mistake and he regrets it, but he starts to whine after a while and it's very annoying!

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This list is pretty lame, I know, but I wasn't all that impressed with this novel.  I wasn't even impressed enough to come up with a longer list of dislikes, and I don't mean that as I'm being lazy, but moreso that the majority of this book was so dull that there isn't much else to say about it.  I realize it's a classic and it has some great themes, but apart from it being an epistolary, I didn't find it exciting.  It's a sad story told in a whining voice.  The end.
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Recommend?  Yes, because it's a classic.  Wasn't horrible, but wasn't that exciting either.

#28: Dreams and Shadows

Cargill, C Robert: Dreams and Shadows. New York: HarperCollins, 2013. Print. 433 pages.
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SETTING: In and around Austin, Texas.
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SUMMARY: Colby Steven's childhood wish to see the world, real and "imaginary," puts him in the middle of a battle between reality and dreams, right and wrong, and forces him to realize the difference between doing good and doing for the greater good.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "'No one is born damned; you have to damn yourself.  Hell's fires are fueled by the stuff of dreams and stoked with man's attempts to grasp them.  Few men set out to damn their fellow man; those that do have a special place carved out in the brimstone of the underworld.  The Devil loves a self-made man.'"
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This book was a random pick from the local library near my parents' home, at first picked up because I liked the cover, title, and font size.  I wanted a quick and easy read of pure fiction.  This book promised to deliver faeries, angels, monsters, and changelings, so, along with the three favorable aesthetic points mentioned above, it seemed like a fantastic choice.  
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Things I liked about this book:

1. Fantasy!  It wasn't as far from reality as high-fantasy novels are, but it delivered on its promise of providing the reader with a plethora of fantastical creatures.
2. The friendship between Colby, the protagonist, and Ewan, the secondary protagonist.
3. Mallaidh's love for Ewan.  (Her name is pronounced "Molly" according to the author.  If you ask me, I'd say it should be pronounced "Mallay.")

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. The story had soooooo many great ideas but they were all half-baked.
2. The author created a number of different characters and types of creatures, but there were too many and only a few of them were presented fully and well.  
3. There were many characters in the fantasy world whose name and societal rank were briefly mentioned.  The author would then bring these characters back, giving them such importance as if I, as the reader, should have had a working knowledge of that character's background and personality.  In reality, the author had never provided such information.
4. The author's writing style.  It didn't flow well.
5. The lack of description in much of the book. It was like the author was rushed for a deadline so he neglected to cultivate and nurture his ideas.

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This book could have been great, but instead it ended up being a mess of words.  There were too many themes and not enough emphasis on any one.  I was left with nothing after finishing the book, and it was clear from the beginning that the author wanted it to be the type of story that had the reader walking away with a great life lesson learned.  I think the author was trying to get at the difference between doing something because you believe it is good and sacrificing for the greater good, but this concept was briefly mentioned, and near the end at that.  Also, there were no concrete events that led up to that being the crux of the story.  If I'm trying to push a square peg into a round hole, then I can say that some of the events in the beginning perhaps foreshadowed this central theme.  This book was a big disappointment, and I only kept reading it because I thought it had to get better.  There were so many great ideas and so much potential!  This is the author's first novel, and I think he is capable of creating great works of fiction, so I hope he keeps at it, but this first piece was not good.
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Recommend?  No.  There are plenty of other books to read that are a better use of your time.

#27: A Game of Thrones

Martin, George RR: A Game of Thrones. New York: Bantam Books, 2011. Print. 807 pages.
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SETTING: The story takes place in three separate settings, following three separate, yet connected, story lines:  

1. The Seven Kingdoms, a nation on the continent of Westeros.
2. The Wall (an actual wall made of ice, stone, and magic) that separates the Seven Kingdoms from the North.
3. The East, in various areas, following the Dothraki people.

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SUMMARY: Ongoing unrest between all the different houses in this fictional world, and the looming arrival of a harsh winter (seasons last for years; the novel begins near the end of a decade-long summer), motivate the various characters to face a difficult crossroad: fight for what they believe in or take the easier route and follow those who will give them the best reward, either monetary or, in most cases, the option to keep their life.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "'The heart lies and the head plays tricks with us, but the eyes see true.'" - page 532.
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Like many other people I know, I've been in a frenzy to jump on the Game of Thrones bandwagon.  Apparently HBO has done an exceptional job translating this story into a TV series, and I'm missing out on a whole lot!  But, as usual, I REALLY wanted to read the books before diving head first into the show, and a friend was kind enough to lend me the first book!  Unfortunately, there wasn't much time to read in between school and other personal projects I had going on, so it took me a very long time to finish the novel.  Hopefully though, now that I'm on summer break, I'll have the chance to zip through the other four.  I am a little bummed out that the remaining two haven't been written, and considering the author has a history of taking years to finish one novel, I'm already anticipating how disappointed I'll be once I reach the end of the fifth book.  I can't even begin to imagine how the patient fans, who began this journey in 1996 with the publication of the first novel, must feel!
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Things I liked about this book:

1. IT'S AWESOME!  First time I've ever audibly said "wow" after finishing a book.
2. The author doesn't hold anything back.  He doesn't feel the need to censor ever.
3. The emotions!  Because the author is not afraid to introduce very taboo and horrifying subjects, I became overwhelmed numerous times while reading and had to set the book down to take a breather.  I even abandoned it for an entire two-week period because my mind kept wandering back to what I had read when I was supposed to be studying.
4. The multiple third-person narratives.  The author gives a well-rounded view of what's going on.
5. Strong character development.  Multiple characters, but because of the use of third-person narratives, I felt that I had a clear idea of each character's personality.
6. The strong female characters.  It's a man's world... ruled by women (except on the Wall- no women allowed).
7. "Winter is coming."  A simple, eerie, and forceful statement echoed throughout the entire book.  It's brilliant that the author was able to create such a memorable, meaningful phrase with three words.

Things I didn't like about this book (but not in terms of content):

1. Many of my favorite characters died, and the amount of death took a little getting used to.  Again, this book's style was something I hadn't ever encountered.

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This is the first fiction book I've read that mentally challenged me to keep going, even with all the abovementioned positive points (I'm mentally challenged by nonfiction all the time, mostly because I find it boring and tedious).  Some of the themes are really disturbing, but because it is written so well and the story line is fantastic, I had to keep going.  The list of likes is much longer than dislikes, and I could easily continue with the likes, but long posts are a drag.  I hate buying books, but if I can't find book 2 at my local library, I'm definitely going to cave in and buy the lot.  I have a precious two months to spend as I'd like (for the most part), and reading the remaining four books are at the top of the list.  YAY SUMMER :D
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Recommend?  YES.  PLEASE READ.

#26: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Christie, Agatha: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. New York: Berkeley Books, 2004. Print. 358 pages.
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SETTING: King's Abbott, England (a fictional village).
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SUMMARY: The deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Ferrars approximately one year apart (evidence pending, they are believed to be a murder and suicide, respectively) have brought more intrigue and life to the little village of King's Abbott than it has ever felt before.  However the death of Roger Ackroyd, a wealthy individual known to have had a romance with Mrs. Ferrars after her husband's death, brings the famous detective Hercule Poirot out of his newfound retirement to solve this baffling case.  Dr. James Sheppard, a friend to all of the recently deceased, serves as our narrator and Poirot's unofficial assistant.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "'Now that you remind me of the fact, it is true that there is one more thing.  It would be unwise on your part to attempt to silence me as you silenced Mr. Ackroyd.  That kind of business does not succeed against Hercule Poirot, you understand.'" - Chapter 26, page 353.
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First off, HAPPY SPRING!!!  The weather in DC is finally beautiful and the birds are chirping, even on the gloomy days (like today)!  

I gave this book to a friend as a present, but seeing as he was not going to read it anytime soon, I quickly took the chance to borrow it.  I've been looking for a lighthearted, quick read, and this was a most convenient acquirement!  Not to mention it took me approximately six hours over two days to finish the book (it's very short and the font is fairly large), so I don't feel too bad taking it away from his company.  Before heading to my likes and dislikes of this novel, I have one thing to say: This is THE MOST BRILLIANT NOVEL I HAVE READ IN MY LIFE THUS FAR.  And I'm not saying this from my biased stance of loving all things Christie.  This book is just fabulous.
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Things I liked about this book:

1. The narrator.  He will blow your mind into the depths of space, and open it up all at the same time.  But not until the very end of the novel, mind you, so you'll have to be patient while reading.  I don't want to give away too much, so apologies if this is vague.  I will forever be thankful for having read this novel because it gave me an entirely different perspective on narrators, narration, and who to trust when being told a story.  
2. It is a great display of how storytellers have the ultimate power to manipulate what is being related to the listener(s).  Speech, sentence formation, grammar, etc. are dangerous tools in the right hands.  Enough can be said without giving anything away at all, while just the right words can put you on the entirely wrong track.  Again, absolutely brilliant.
3. Hercule Poirot.  He is my favorite out of all of Christie's detectives.
4. The ending.  IT IS GREAT.
5. Poirot's characteristic step-by-step method of revealing the criminal at the end of the novel.  It never gets tiring.

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. The unnecessarily long Mahjong scene.  It could have been cut in half, maybe even one-third.
2. Not necessarily something I didn't like about the book, but Mrs. Ackroyd (Roger Ackroyd's sister-in-law) is incredibly incredibly incredibly annoying.  I wanted her to go away every time she started speaking.

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I LOVED THIS NOVEL!  Hands down my favorite mystery out of all of the Christie novels I have read.  I always enjoy her novels, but I can't ever remember being this excited and so ready to recommend one of her novels to others as I am right now.  It's been a long time since I've finished a book with a new perspective on how to read books, and I loved that it is a great reminder of the importance of being a critical reader.  As a reader, you must always analyze and be skeptical of every word you read, even in fiction.  True, it can be argued that fiction is fiction and thus not reality, but we learn a lot about our reality from fiction (at least I do), so why not look at it with the most critical eye possible?  You'll finish the book having learned more, and, as Poirot says, your "little gray cells" will probably thank you for it.  And you'll hopefully find yourself a tad bit smarter as a result.  
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Recommend?  YES!!!  Very short and quick read, so no excuses will fly!

#25: Wolf Hall

Mantel, Hilary: Wolf Hall. New York: Picador, 2010. Print. 604 pages.
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SETTING: 1500 to 1535 England, during the reign of Henry VIII.
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SUMMARY: Thomas Cromwell, born to a low-class family with an abusive, alcoholic father, finds himself working his way up the bureaucratic and bourgeois ladders in 16th century England.  His hard work, dedication, and friendly charm raise him to the status of King Henry VIII's right-hand man, a dangerous position to have at the time.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: I couldn't decide between the following two:

1. "For what's the point of breeding children, if each generation does not improve on what went before?" - Part 1, Chapter 3, page 40
2. "'And look, Gregory, it's all very well planning what you will do in six months, what you will do in a year, but it's no good at all if you don't have a plan for tomorrow.'" - Part 6, Chapter 1, page 519

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This novel was a gift from a very dear friend who quickly picked up on my favorite  genres!  The Tudor period, particularly the reign of Henry VIII, has always fascinated me, so much so that the first time I went to England as a teenager, I made sure to take a trip to Hampton Court Palace, one of Henry VIII's many homes.  The palace has an incredibly rich history, and I encourage you to give Wikipedia a quick browse through at your convenience and read up on it (there are obviously better sources, but who can deny the convenience of Wiki?).  The palace itself is wonderful, but the gardens are where the true beauty lies.  It was absolutely breathtaking, and if I ever find myself in a home with a garden and landscape with even a fraction of Hampton Court's garden's magnificence, it will be a true accomplishment.
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Things I liked about this book:

1. TUDOR PERIOD! (And no, I haven't watched The Tudor's yet.  Shocking!  I know.  But I will get hooked so I've been cautious and waiting for a time when I will have a few days to do nothing but dedicate endless hours to watching all four seasons.)
2. The narration.  It's in third person via Thomas Cromwell, but it reads like a 1st person narration in the sense that you really feel all of Cromwell's emotions and are left with a thorough understanding of his thoughts.
3.  The history.  I am by no means an expert in this field, but the story stayed very true to everything that I have learned thus far about the Tudor period and Henry VIII.
4. Piggy-backing on #3: I learned a lot of new historical information.  It's always great to finish a book having learned something new.
5. Gives a true picture of how quickly loyalties changed during that time, and leaves the reader with an appreciation for the fact that this fickleness of stance is not always the result of loose morals and beliefs.  Rather, not doing so would lead to ostracism, and most likely death.  As is still the case in modern society, staying on the "good" and popular side of any issue would result in ease, benefits, and a comfortable life, even if the good and popular side is blatantly wrong and corrupt.  Sticking to values and thoughts that are against the mainstream would only lead to trouble.

The only thing I didn't like about this book:

1. Tooooooooo many characters!  I had a hard time keeping a few names straight, mostly because all the characters were named Mary, Jane, Thomas, John, or Richard  -__-  Of course, this isn't the author's fault (it's not like she can go back in time and rechristen all of her characters), and, to her credit, the author does give a list of all the characters, organized by house, at the beginning of the book.  Still, it's a pain in the patookas to keep referring back to the list while reading.  There were multiple times where I just made an assumption as to which Mary was being referred to (and I think I was usually right...).

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I love love love love love love love books from this time period.  A lot of my summer 2011 was spent reading books taking place in 16th century England, and I forgot just how much I enjoyed them!  This book is a trilogy, and so a new project has been added to this upcoming summer: read the other two books!  I'm already excited :D
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Recommend? Yes!

#24: My Sister's Keeper

Picoult, Jodi: My Sister's Keeper. New York: Pocket Books, 2004. Print. 500 pages.
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SETTING: Upper Darby, a fictional town in Rhode Island, in the year 2004.
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SUMMARY: 13-year-old Anna Fitzgerald was specifically conceived to be a perfectly matched blood and bone marrow donor for her terminally ill sister, Kate.  When faced with having to donate a kidney to Kate, Anna decides to take legal action against her parents to become an emancipated minor.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "It is that someone had to go, and Anna took my place." - Epilogue, page 498.
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After an entire 6 weeks, I finally picked up a book!!!!  Since beginning this wonderful love affair with books, I can't remember going longer than one week without reading at least a chapter of a novel.  And here an entire 6 weeks have passed, and I cannot begin to describe how much joy just holding a novel has brought me today!  I actually started reading this book last December and only had the epilogue to go, but life stepped in before I could finish.  I picked this book up from a second-hand bookshop I found in DC (finally got myself to one!), and it has a surprisingly great collection with fantastic deals.  This one cost me an entire quarter :)
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Things I liked about this book:

1. The way it's organized.  The story is presented from the perspective of multiple characters as first-person narratives.  Each character gets multiple chapters of their own to describe their side of the story, so the reader is presented with a comprehensive view of the thoughts and emotions felt by each character.
2. The story line.  It's interesting and fresh, and a type of story that I haven't ever encountered before.
3. The emotions!  The story just pulls you in and tears at your heart.  And it almost made me cry!
4. It gave me a new perspective on parenting, and life in general.  The story made me think about the concept of fairness in life, and the importance of being open-minded regarding others' situations before judging or criticizing them for their decisions.

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. The weak character development.  With the length of the book and the way it is organized, I expected to know much more about the characters than I did by the time I finished the novel.
2. Sara, Anna and Kate's mother.  This isn't a fault with the book or story line, but I disliked Sara's character very much because I was biased towards Anna (as I'm sure many readers were), and it made me upset that Anna's life was the way it was. 

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I have decided I will never ever ever ever ever read a novel with a similar story line.  Never.  Again.  I can't say I disliked the novel because it had many great qualities, but the horrible emotions that I faced while reading it were a bit too much for my liking.  There's already enough pain and suffering in reality, and, for me at least, books are meant as an escape from the everyday dealings of life.  So with that in mind, I'd rather not escape to a land of grief, sorrow, and death with no happy ending (at least in my opinion this book did not end happily).
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Recommend?  Maybe.  But most likely not.