#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.