Defending Jacob

First off I know y'all are shocked I'm even writing this, or that I even finished a book haha.

This book was one of the most interesting books I've read in awhile. It's about a murder happens in a small town and the prime suspect is the DA's son. The way the author writes the book is amazing, he is also in law in real life so it just adds to why the writing and plot are so good. The book will grab your attention and keep you guessing till the very end. I personally never saw the ending coming and was left in shock. If you enjoy law and crime this is a great read :).

Rage Quit Turns Positive

I haven't contributed anything yet and since I actually read a real book, I thought I'd share...

A couple weeks ago I was reading my Social Psychology textbook preparing for a test, when a studying rage quit of epic proportions happened (I did finally pick up that textbook yesterday for the first time in a week). After a long hiatus from reading enjoyable books, I decided that I had to read something that wasn't talking about theories or medical terms. I looked through several shelves full of books I haven't read yet, but none of them jumped out at me. I found a box full of my books I packed from Dallas and saw The Outsiders. When I opened it up, I saw all my annotations from when we had to read it in seventh grade, and remembered I enjoyed it a lot. I decided to give it a go again. I successfully made it all the way through the book, which doesn't always happen with me. 

I know a lot of you have probably read this book, but if you haven't, read it! It's a short, easy read. It's a great story about how families and friends stick together to get through life. I'm not recommending walking around trying to get in fights with shanks like they do, but there's a lot of great lessons that come from this book. And who doesn't want to read a book about people named Ponyboy and Sodapop. I think my favorite part/plot of the book is the relationship between Ponyboy and his oldest brother, Darry, who works to support their family after their parents died. Pony thinks Darry hates him, when in reality he's just trying to help him achieve his potential. My second favorite part was wondering what in the world I was thinking with the annotations I wrote in seventh grade. Good to know I've at least learned a little since then!

There's a second book called That Was Then, This Is Now and I'll definitely be reading it after this semester is over!

Alyssa/WB

 

The Most Beautiful Language Award goes to....

The Secret Scripture, by Sebastian Barry

It took me three times longer than normal to read this 300-page book. Why?

1. I could not bear to let go of it. Not the story and not the people.
2. I found myself consistently re-reading passages in the same way you would say, "I must have another cup of that tea because it is absolutely perfect." Here's what I mean:

But we are never old to ourselves. That is because at close of the day the ship we sail in is in the soul, not the body.

Or...

Memory, I must suppose, if it is neglected becomes like a box room, or a lumber room in an old house, the contents jumbled about, maybe not only from neglect but also from too much haphazard search in them, and things to boot thrown in that don't belong there.

Or....

I am trying to be faithful to what is in my head. I hope it is trying also to be as faithful to me.

It has all the things you want in a novel--complex characters, interesting (but not predictable) plot, awesome setting (Ireland!)--but beyond that it is possibly the most beautifully written novel I have ever read. It isn't flowery or over-the-top descriptive or gushy. The language is completely fresh. It is perfect.

Two voices tell the story (another big plus in my book): a 100-year old woman confined to a mental institution and her psychiatrist. No one remembers why she was "committed," and she's not talking about it.

Do yourself a favor. Read this book.

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

Interpreter of Maladies is a collection of 9 short stories. It is quite possibly the most interesting collection of short stories that I have ever read.Take that with a grain of salt, I haven't read that many short story collections, but still. IoM is, first and for most, stories about people. In each story Lahiri introduces the reader to characters that I was immediately intrigued by. Her ability to get the reader so invested in characters in just a few pages is amazing. Each of these stories has some connection to India, either taking place in India or dealing with individuals who are from India. These characters, however, deal with universal human emotions and experiences that make them instantly relatable. Dealing with loneliness, even when not physically alone, is one of the central themes throughout most, if not all of the stories, and the way Lahiri's different characters face it is fascinating. IoM also deals heavily with the combating of different groups and cultures, whether it be older and younger generations, men and women, or between different nations. While I enjoyed some of the stories more than others (My personal favorites were Interpreter of Maladies and The Third and Final Continent), each and everyone are complex, written splendidly, and leave you wanting more. Some end with sadness, some end with hope, but all of the stories leave you thinking.

An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro

This is my fourth Ishiguro novel, and his storytelling ability keeps impressing me. An Artist of the Floating World takes place in post WWII Japan, and and told from the perspective of an old artist named Masuji Ono. Throughout the novel Ono reflects on the Japan of his youth and what it is now. He spends a great deal of time reminiscing on the since changed art district of his youth. This story also deals heavily with Ono and his relationships with those around him, particularly with his two daughters and grandson. One of the most important things to Ono is arranging a marriage for his younger daughter, who is past the normal age of getting married. Ono's relationship with his daughters allows for a snapshot of a culture that is vastly different from our own. I found the most endearing relationship to be the one between Ono and his grandson. They way the interacted had be laughing one minute and getting all emotional the next. They way Ishiguro has Ono tell the story is also interesting. Much like many older individuals, Ono often starts telling a part of his story, but then goes of on a long tangent, reflecting on the past, which at times is hilarious, but also was, at times, frustrating.
Overall, Ishiguro weaves together an intriguing story of a man who is growing old and is forced to face the fact that society is changing, and in many ways, is leaving him behind. While the novel is not very long it does progress slowly, but it is well worth the read. 
Other recommended works by Kazuo Ishiguro:
1. Never Let Me Go
2. The Remains of the Day
3. A Pale View of Hills

I am not a good writer, so I will not write a review on this book.  I refuse to demean the brilliance of this story with my lack of ingenuity and creativity.  I will, however, say that this is quite possibly the best book I have ever read.  All future reads will be overshadowed by the enormity of this One Great Book.  I, in my simple mind, have found this book to connect and bind itself to my soul.  I leave you with a quote from the book that describes exactly how I felt the precise moment I finished the last word:

“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”  

The world will never be whole again until all living beings have read and appreciated the Fault In Our Starts.  

I'm not a huge fan of non-fiction, but most of this book reads like fiction.  So many of the events are wild and unrealistic so they seem as if they never could have happened in real life.  This one man's story is pretty incredible.  It's an actioned packed book full of twists and turns, tragedy and triumph.

From the intense training of boot camp, to the crazy - insanely ludicrous Navy Seal training, I had no idea what some of our best soldiers go through to fight for our freedoms.  This guy is a die hard patriot through and through, and his spirit is infectious.  He is also very proud to be from Texas.  I really appreciated my freedoms and country better after having read this book.

Yet, being partly from Afghanistan, this book hit even closer to home with me.  Marcus got to see the ugliest side of Afghanistan in his encounter with the Taliban, but yet, he also got to witness a very beautiful side of the country's culture, tradition, and hospitality.  We aren't that bad of a people after all.  :)

It was funny, sort of, because he described himself as a religious person, and there are several reverent references to God - he even quotes Ps. 23 in the book, yet he was also very fond of the f-bomb.  The profane language was a little excessive at times, so proceed with caution.

Overall, it's an easy read, and one that is definitely worth the time if a medium amount of profanity doesn't bother you. If you are looking for a similar story with out the profanity, I highly recommend UNBROKEN - the true story of the life of Louis Zamperini.  It's an excellent read and one that can be recommended without any hesitations.