May: Wuthering Heights

I found this quotation while browsing through the classics section at http://www.bookpeople.com in Austin, TX a few weekends ago and it was too good not to share.

"Classic: a book people praise and don't read" - Mark Twain.

In my quest to work my way through the classics I should have read but never did, Mark Twain's comment really hit home. I just finished Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. This was my first experience with one of the Bronte sisters and well, the jury is still out on how I feel about it. The book began and it was one of those experiences where 3 chapters in I had no idea what I had just read, I decided to push through and see if I could make better sense of what was going on. (Plus I hate not finishing a book) You don't like any of the characters, at one point you begin to empathize with Catherine (the older one), pity her almost. However, that quickly changes, you find that she is instead a selfish, dramatic girl who causes more pain and frustration, pleasing her every whim instead of growing up and rising above her circumstances. You want to like Ellen, the housekeeper and narrator,the eyes and ears between the two estates, but I think it's because you don't actually get to know her so really it just causes indifference. Everyone was miserable, why would you voluntarily spend hours reading a book for no resolution?

Do I recommend Wuthering Heights? I mean, this book has gotten a new audience thanks to the Twilight series, take that with a grain of salt. It's a classic and has produced some of the classic characters in literature. My suggestion, (unless really desperate for something to read) leave Wuthering Heights to High Schoolers and English majors.

April (Part 1): A Moveable Feast

So it appears that I totally slacked off this month-April 24th and just now posting?!?! Oh well - in other book news I recently visited Portland, OR and during that time visited famed bookstore Powells (Powells.com). I could have spent the entire day roaming the many many shelves of old books, new books, rare books and signed books - a dream really. Known as John Mayer's favorite place I only wish I have more time to spend there. If you ever make it to Portland promise me you will stop by!
One of my purchases was Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast, this the third Hemingway novel I have read (after the required reading in High School). A Moveable Feast follows Hemingway in 1920s Paris as he finds himself in the company of greats Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald and the list continues. I read Gertrude Stein's biography in college and enjoyed her point of view on her famous acquaintances so it was quite interesting to juxtapose her point of view with that of Hemingway. Hemingway's writing style of short statements combined with each chapter containing a story in itself lead to another strong Hemingway book. Experiencing the life of a struggling artist who is creating a work of genius and has no idea. I'm pretty sure if given the option I would adopt the lifestyle of a 1920s talented artist. Traveling throughout Europe, spending days sitting at cafes and spending long periods of time discussing art and life and love with other equally talented artists, I mean really, what could be better? A Moveable Feast is more of a narrative than a true novel but if you are anything like me then you will enjoy a glimpse into that time, that place and those people.

March (Part 2): The Ha Ha

The last blizzard and a trip west led me to my latest read, The Ha Ha by Dave King. This is the latest installment for my book club and one I was previously unfamiliar with. The book follows Howie, a Vietnam vet who was injured 16 days after entering the war. The injury took away all forms of communication: speaking, writing and reading. The opening of the book finds Howard, a man caught up in his own head and in his routine, going through the motions of his lackluster life. A late night phone call brings reality to a halt as his old girlfriend calls on him for a favor. Sylvia, his high school girlfriend, is going back to rehab and needs someone to watch her 9 year old son. Unable to say no (literally ha!), he picks up Ryan to stay for an unknown amount of time, expecting her stint in rehab to last only a few days. He brings the kid home to a house of 4 adults living 4 separate, different lives. The boy's arrival throws the entire household for a twist, especially Howard. Told through Howard's point of view, you struggle along with him through every unanswered question, unspoken word and unknown circumstance. This is a great book and a quick read, a portrayal of the nontraditional family, of the importance of family and the power that each person has over their life. Choose happiness? or choose to just go through life. Watching Howard struggle to express himself and be understood it makes you stop and think, to wonder how you interact with others and how important it is to be able to express yourself. It really is true that you can find love in surprising areas....it seems to always be lurking around. Even the writing style mimics the journey Howard takes, the story begins with short, quick chapters and as Howard's walls begin to be broken down one by one it's like the reader is being allowed to see who this man really is.

March: (Part 1) An Echo in the Darkness

I have to admit, I actually finished this book in February, but life being as it is I am just now updating!

With every Francine Rivers book I read I can't help but be slightly embarrassed by the book cover. It's a good thing I didn't judge these books by their covers and cast them aside as silly romance novels, because really isn't that what the cover looks like? Part two of the Mark of the Lion series picks up where the first novel left off. This time around, we follow each of the characters on their own journey, Julia, Marcus and Hadassah each live with the consequences of their previous choices, good and bad. The first book was fantastic and you never know how the the sequel will be. There are a few aspects of this story that seem a bit far-reaching, specifically involving Marcus. The second book is about Marcus's journey to redemption and the journey he takes to try to make sense of Haddash's tragedy. In a true story of redemption the oddities of Marcus's journey can be overlooked. With every question and every doubt it is so easy to relate to Marcus, he searches for a god he's not sure he wants to find and yet there is something in him that is crying out. Something we can all relate to, we have all been at that point of udder despair, crying out to the universe in search of peace. You cry with him, you get angry with him, and finally you celebrate with him. While the story moved from Rome to Ephesus, the arena was still the same. In a world of sin, of idol worshipping and giving into all the earthly pleasures the world has to offer, there is a spark of truth, of purity and love. As with the first novel, it is hard not to compare the sinful world of Ephesus to the world that surrounds us today. I shudder at how little things have changed. Overall, a great follow up to the first novel.

Coming soon, the third and final book in this trilogy: As Sure as the Dawn...

February (Part 3) Voice in the Wind (#1 in the Mark of the Lion series)

I first heard of Francine Rivers my junior of high school, a family friend recommended Redeeming Love to me. Redeeming Love has since become one of my top 5 books, one that I have read and read and read again. Francine Rivers began her career as a Romance novelist before becoming a Christian, this style of writing can still be found throughout her books (just look at the book cover!). I tried additional Francine Rivers books (The Atonement Child) but none were quite as satisfying as Redeeming Love. I finally decided to give Francine Rivers another try and purchased the first book in this Trilogy. A Voice in the Wind takes place in Rome after Jesus Christ was crucified, it follows the story of Haddash, a young girl stripped of her freedom and family when Jerusalem was taken over by Rome. After Haddash's journey from Jerusalem she ends up the slave of a wealthy Roman family, chosen to serve the spoiled but beautiful young daughter. Haddash's journey as a slave witnessing the constant downturn in morality and decisions made by this affluent family reflects her inner-struggle to serve in love and stay true to her faith while abstaining from the sinful nature of Rome. The book reflects love outside of romance commenting on the role of servant-ship and love through grace. While set in ancient Rome the story has a strong modern day appeal in the description of the amoral world of promiscuity, drunkenness, idols and greed, it causes you to stop and wonder "is this the world I live in?" Between the Gladiator fights, festivals, love stories and inner struggles this book was a page turner, I finished it in less than week. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of #2 and #3 in my mailbox to continue on this journey...

February (Part 2): Rich Dad, Poor Dad

There are many of those books floating around on how to make money, spend money, invest money...mostly it's a lot of fluff. Rich Dad, Poor Dad was recommended to me by my dad and brothers as something that changed their way of thinking. The book really challenged the reader to understand accounting and how money works - this I applaud. Too many authors focus on what the person can do for their money versus what their money can do for them. The book was broken up into multiple "lessons," each built onto the previous. While I think an updated book based on the market today (versus in the 90's when the book was published) would be much more applicable and some of his examples seemed a little "too simple" for what an average investor could do; I do believe the basic understanding is important. Learn how money works, taxes work, learn to think like a rich person before you become a rich person. Isn't that true of most things in life? Want to be promoted? Already perform at the level you want to be promoted to. It's important to look at it as mind over matter, we have the power within us to change our life, our jobs, our finances. You don't have to become a millionaire (and frankly, you probably won't) but you can at least allow your money to work for you.

February (Part 1): The Catcher and the Rye

I've been on this kick of reading all the books I should have read in high school but for one reason or another am only now discovering. The next book on that list was Catcher and the the Rye, a book thrown into the spotlight once again with the recent death of its author J.D. Salinger. The timing of this read-through could not have been better - after finishing this book I have read article after article about the crazy recluse Salinger became. In fact one of my favorite articles comes from Slate "My Adventures Answering J.D. Salinger's Mail," (http://www.slate.com/id/2243299/pagenum/all/) which looks at J.D. Salinger in his later days from an employee in his publisher's office. I can see why Catcher and the Rye is idolized in such a way, it is unique and offers a perspective we have all had at least once (or should at least consider having at some point). My heart broke for Holden each time he got "depressed," offering an authentic view of the world and its harsh truth often revealed. Being surrounded by phonies, questioning the purpose of school and responsibility in general lead to an entertaining point of view on the occurrences in your own life. Is this book my new favorite classic? No. Did I enjoy it and find it to live up to its reputation? Yes. If you haven't read it - it's time.