So, week 1 of the study begins... finished chapter 1 last night, and hope to read it through again before Thursday.
I'm so excited for this study... mostly because theological studies is one thing I've been interested in delving into, but never quite knew where to start. Dr. Frame's book is wonderful so far... systematic theology sounds like heavy, scary reading, but it's written in a gentle, conversational tone that expresses that he really wants to communicate it in a way that those of us that never took a seminary class can understand.
Easy as the language is, fluff the content is not. Within a few pages, I was thinking about things in new ways. I'd like to write a bit about the insights and questions that develop as I read this... after a second run-through the chapter perhaps.
So... looks like this will be about six months. A chapter a week seems like a really slow pace... but I guess that's after recovering from lit classes where I was expected to plow through about 30 chapters a week. ^^;; I'm very very tempted to read ahead...
***
In other reading... Eldest. I pick it up off and on. I started to read "Minority Report" the other day, but I put it down and told myself to keep going with what I started.
Hm. First month ends tomorrow. I'm up to 4 books completed then?
At this rate, I'll be lucky to read 15 books in 2007. :) Better get busy.
1.23.2007
Typing the title makes me feel smart. * Eragon Review
Well, new add to the ever-growing list. :) We have a weekly Bible study where I work, and we're about to start a new project...
namely, Salvation Belongs to the Lord
better yet, the subtitle: An Introduction to Systematic Theology
Should be fascinating. I confess that I don't believe I've ever read any hardcore theology... not that I haven't wanted to dig into theology and philosophy, anyway. It's just a bit daunting to jump into heavy reading for pleasure...
But hey, I enjoy abstract, 3-dimensional thinking, so. :P
***
And on the polar opposite of that... (lol)
Eragon = finished. For the second time. Yay.
The movie did give me a new perspective... the second time around, I caught things I missed before. So let me give the official verdict (I'd like to wrap up all my books this year with some kind of review)...
***
Eragon is one of those pesky books that people just can't seem to agree on. One camp proclaims the brilliant talent of Chris Paolini for such a young newcomer to the writing world; the other writes it off as a cliche, overrated waste of time.
Cliche? Heck, yes. Overrated. Mmm, maybe. But a waste? Nah.
I, for one, enjoy the detail of the world. I can tell that the writer may not have nailed all the little plotholes and incosistencies, but he definitely spent a great deal of time imagining his world. And to the haters: did you begin to write a nearly 500 page epic fantasy novel at the age of 15? Much less finish it? And get it published?
Didn't think so. :)
So. I have issues with the book... oh, do I have issues. Like Eragon: cocky, obnoxious punk turned hardened-yet-emo warrior. Bleh. Not to mention the obsessively detailed musings on Arya's beauty... oh wait, this was written by a 15-year-old boy. And the character is a 15-year-old boy. Okay, offense forgiven. :)
And I am inclined to agree that the book does indeed borrow every fantasy cliche in the book, with nods to Tolkein and LeGuin. Magic rules (the concept of "true names" particularly) are lifted from The Earthsea Cycle. A somewhat minor quibble, since most fantasy novels do borrow from each other.
But in the grand scheme of things... when you approach this novel not expecting, say, Tolkein or LeGuin, it's easy to get caught up in the hugeness of the world. The characters are archetypical, yes, but many many fantasy characters are, and these have their own life. (Plus, Saphira and Brom are awesome and make up for it.) Also, I do appreciate all the detail that goes into developing a world like this, and a plot that spans many miles (and pages!) to explore the world.
So the final verdict? It's not exactly literary (I had a hard time getting used to Paolini's simpler prose after reading so many "literary" books in my college life!), but it's fun, and a promising start to Paolini's career. It will be interesting to see how Eldest plays out and how Paolini has grown as a writer.
And let's hope in the future there will be no more of this "dived" nonsense in his writing. (The past tense of "dive" is "dove"... DOVE!!! *lolgrammarnazi* XD)
namely, Salvation Belongs to the Lord
better yet, the subtitle: An Introduction to Systematic Theology
Should be fascinating. I confess that I don't believe I've ever read any hardcore theology... not that I haven't wanted to dig into theology and philosophy, anyway. It's just a bit daunting to jump into heavy reading for pleasure...
But hey, I enjoy abstract, 3-dimensional thinking, so. :P
***
And on the polar opposite of that... (lol)
Eragon = finished. For the second time. Yay.
The movie did give me a new perspective... the second time around, I caught things I missed before. So let me give the official verdict (I'd like to wrap up all my books this year with some kind of review)...
***
Eragon is one of those pesky books that people just can't seem to agree on. One camp proclaims the brilliant talent of Chris Paolini for such a young newcomer to the writing world; the other writes it off as a cliche, overrated waste of time.
Cliche? Heck, yes. Overrated. Mmm, maybe. But a waste? Nah.
I, for one, enjoy the detail of the world. I can tell that the writer may not have nailed all the little plotholes and incosistencies, but he definitely spent a great deal of time imagining his world. And to the haters: did you begin to write a nearly 500 page epic fantasy novel at the age of 15? Much less finish it? And get it published?
Didn't think so. :)
So. I have issues with the book... oh, do I have issues. Like Eragon: cocky, obnoxious punk turned hardened-yet-emo warrior. Bleh. Not to mention the obsessively detailed musings on Arya's beauty... oh wait, this was written by a 15-year-old boy. And the character is a 15-year-old boy. Okay, offense forgiven. :)
And I am inclined to agree that the book does indeed borrow every fantasy cliche in the book, with nods to Tolkein and LeGuin. Magic rules (the concept of "true names" particularly) are lifted from The Earthsea Cycle. A somewhat minor quibble, since most fantasy novels do borrow from each other.
But in the grand scheme of things... when you approach this novel not expecting, say, Tolkein or LeGuin, it's easy to get caught up in the hugeness of the world. The characters are archetypical, yes, but many many fantasy characters are, and these have their own life. (Plus, Saphira and Brom are awesome and make up for it.) Also, I do appreciate all the detail that goes into developing a world like this, and a plot that spans many miles (and pages!) to explore the world.
So the final verdict? It's not exactly literary (I had a hard time getting used to Paolini's simpler prose after reading so many "literary" books in my college life!), but it's fun, and a promising start to Paolini's career. It will be interesting to see how Eldest plays out and how Paolini has grown as a writer.
And let's hope in the future there will be no more of this "dived" nonsense in his writing. (The past tense of "dive" is "dove"... DOVE!!! *lolgrammarnazi* XD)
1.14.2007
Cheating?
Today I started absently reading one of my sister's graphic novels. After putting it down, I wondered out loud if I can count manga in my reading challenge.
She said, and I quote: "Sure! It's an art form too!"
So I am. Because it's my challenge and I can do what I want. :)
Third completed/Fourth on the list we have Peach Fuzz Vol. 2 by Lindsay Cibos and Jared Hodges. It's so stinkin' adorable, and made that much better because the artists are from Altamonte Springs and were Grand Prize winners in the Rising Stars of Manga contest.
That said... graphic novels/manga officially count toward the 50 book total now. Because I said so.
But monthly comics and cereal boxes... no. I figure 50+ pages is a decent criteria for a book to qualify in the challenge. :)
She said, and I quote: "Sure! It's an art form too!"
So I am. Because it's my challenge and I can do what I want. :)
Third completed/Fourth on the list we have Peach Fuzz Vol. 2 by Lindsay Cibos and Jared Hodges. It's so stinkin' adorable, and made that much better because the artists are from Altamonte Springs and were Grand Prize winners in the Rising Stars of Manga contest.
That said... graphic novels/manga officially count toward the 50 book total now. Because I said so.
But monthly comics and cereal boxes... no. I figure 50+ pages is a decent criteria for a book to qualify in the challenge. :)
1.10.2007
According to British librarians...
Top 30 Books to Read Before You Die
Only four of which I've actually read. Quite a few that I've thought about though...
Roughly 200 pages left to go in Eragon! When I'm done, I'd kind of like to read something short-ish before I launch into Eldest... maybe.
Further thoughts on Eragon...
(Potential spoliers... don't say I didn't warn ya.)
You can so tell this was written by a (then) teenage boy just by the elaborate descriptions of Arya and how beautiful she is when Eragon finally finds her, even beat up. Seriously. Sounds about right.
Brom's death still makes me sad. I always find myself liking the wise old mentor characters for some reason. He's so delightfully cranky and mysterious, and something's just... missing after that chapter. :(
Saphira is probably my favorite character that stays for the duration though. I love her personality. I love the balance between sweet and motherly and snarky and strong. Saphira rocks.
But the title character... umm... Eragon sure does get beat up a lot. I feel like I'm reading fanfiction sometimes.
The Ramr River. Yep. I should probably go work on it some more instead of writing these rambling musings. :)
Only four of which I've actually read. Quite a few that I've thought about though...
Roughly 200 pages left to go in Eragon! When I'm done, I'd kind of like to read something short-ish before I launch into Eldest... maybe.
Further thoughts on Eragon...
(Potential spoliers... don't say I didn't warn ya.)
You can so tell this was written by a (then) teenage boy just by the elaborate descriptions of Arya and how beautiful she is when Eragon finally finds her, even beat up. Seriously. Sounds about right.
Brom's death still makes me sad. I always find myself liking the wise old mentor characters for some reason. He's so delightfully cranky and mysterious, and something's just... missing after that chapter. :(
Saphira is probably my favorite character that stays for the duration though. I love her personality. I love the balance between sweet and motherly and snarky and strong. Saphira rocks.
But the title character... umm... Eragon sure does get beat up a lot. I feel like I'm reading fanfiction sometimes.
The Ramr River. Yep. I should probably go work on it some more instead of writing these rambling musings. :)
1.02.2007
Three words...
Sheila was right.
The book is far better. Far from perfect, but better.
I love that Brom is a little old man that can beat up the over-confident kid. XD
But I'm picking up on a new stuff the second go around, and I am so worried the author's going to pull a Star Wars and make Eragon the son of... oh, I don't know... Galbatorix? Or some other villainous figure?
I sure hope I'm wrong... :P
The book is far better. Far from perfect, but better.
I love that Brom is a little old man that can beat up the over-confident kid. XD
But I'm picking up on a new stuff the second go around, and I am so worried the author's going to pull a Star Wars and make Eragon the son of... oh, I don't know... Galbatorix? Or some other villainous figure?
I sure hope I'm wrong... :P
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