Where I've been... where I'm going...

Well, I guess I'm way overdue for an update, right? At least a couple of halfway reviews and thoughts on the progress would suffice... so...

Harry Potter and Life After Hogwarts

Yep, the great saga has come to an end. A couple weeks ago, I took a week off from work, and joked as I did that I was taking time off to read my new Potter book. It was only a half-joke, because that's exactly what I did. :) In a week's time, I finished up the second half of the second run of Half-Blood Prince and then immediately launched into Deathly Hallows. After quite a few bouts of marathon reading, I had completed the story and was now free to roam the Internet without fear of spoilage...

I've often heard people talk about feeling a bit sad after finishing a book... like they were leaving friends behind. Though I can't say that's happened to me often, nutty as it seems, I found myself feeling this way after finishing this book. Maybe it's because I had read the whole series again in fast succession over a period of a few months. Who knows?

Of course, it's not a perfect conclusion by any means. Some parts seemed to drag a bit; others seemed a bit hurried. But overall, I was very pleased with the outcome of the series. I'll try not to do any spoiling here, just in case by some chance you are intending to read it (and will hate me forever if I ruin it for you ;)), but I will say there are plenty of plot twists as usual, and as far as I can tell, no loose ends left to hang. I still wouldn't mind some sort of sequel to the series (as long as it's not overkill *coughleftbehindcough*), but at least the ending holds up well enough on it's own that it wouldn't be necessary.

From Reader to Writer and Back Again

After finishing up Deathly Hallows, I decided I should probably get back to finishing Bird by Bird before moving forward. I think I mentioned in the other blog that I had a renewed interest and desire to write... just didn't know what to do with it. And I don't exaggerate when I say that this book really did give me not only a revived excitement about writing, but also practical advice to make it happen, as well as a sense that I do indeed have stories to tell and something worth saying -- everyone does.

In true Anne Lamott fashion, this book can thoroughly offend you one moment, then have you laughing the next, before blindsiding you with a shimmering gem of wisdom or an anecdote that can bring you to tears. Oh yeah, and there's writing advice too. She explains the value of short assignments, index cards, and how to cleverly disguise your detestable characters so the real-life people you based them on can't come along and sue you for libel (not that you or I would do such a thing, right? :)).

But most of all, this book reminds you of why we write in the first place... why some people just have this need to follow this craft. It isn't all about getting published, and she reminds her readers and students of this too. It's a glimpse into what it really means to be a writer. And I am all the more grateful for it when I find myself itching to pick up the pen...

So... now what?

Well, as I plow ahead with my 50 books goal, I realize I need to step it up and read a bunch of small stuff really fast. ^^; But that's okay! I really feel amazed and glad I've passed the halfway point.. quite a goal!

I decided I should probably start tackling some of those classics I never bothered to read in high school and never got assigned in college. Starting with Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I've always liked the Victorian English style, and I enjoyed Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre when I read it last year, so this seemed like a place to start. (that, and I still had the book I bought for a lit class I ended up dropping last year... figured I'd keep it, since I wanted to read it anyway)

So far... well, I'm halfway through, it's starting to make sense, but up until now I had no idea what the heck was going on. The style can be very hard to follow; it's written in first-person, but the narrator switches a lot from Mr. Lockwood to Nelly and back so much you have to pay attention to who is telling the story at the moment. (It doesn't help that one chapter totally turned into a very detailed letter from yet another character...) But except for that quibble, I'm enjoying it. It's fun to take on something 19th century, literary, and British now and then.

If I had to sum up the cast of Wuthering Heights so far in three words: English. Rich. Dysfunctional. Always gotta be rich and dysfunctional.

Welcome to my Velvet Elvis.

So I finished Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell today. I think it's funny how in some ways, it's on the opposite end of the spectrum from Imitation of Christ, and once again I don't embrace all of the ideas, but found enough good concepts to make me glad I read it.

By opposite, I mean that it's interesting how the one book encourages solitude, reclusion... almost hermiting away to be more spiritual, and shunning frivolity and such. (I might not be doing so well at explaining this) But Bell, on the other hand, encourages community and embracing and enjoying the beauty of life and this world. Perhaps there is a balance to strike between the two.

Some parts of the book, I wasn't so sure I agreed with, probably because I'm still trying to figure out where my theology lies on the delightful Calvanist/Armenian continuum (Bell is so not a Calvanist...). Others, however, I loved. Particularly the way he put Jesus into a historical context by explaining Jewish culture and the education it takes to become a rabbi, and the relationship of rabbis and disciples. It was very enlightening. Sometimes it's very easy to miss the significance of the cultural and historical details in Jesus' time, but when I learn more about them (like from Anne Rice's book a few weeks ago), it opens up a whole new layer of meaning. I see Jesus and my faith in a whole new way, and it's exciting.

Don't get me wrong though... Velvet Elvis is an interesting read, and really gave me more insight into the more postmodern/progressive/emergent church philosophy. And I appreciate that he states at one point in the book (actually, it's on the back cover too):

"Don't swallow [this book] uncriticially. Think about it. Wrestle with it. Just because I'm a Christian and I'm trying to articulate a Christian worldview doesn't mean I've got it nailed."

I can totally appreciate someone who acknowledges that we all, in some way, have something wrong in our line of thinking, and doesn't try to push his perspective as "the right one."

Because good reading is about just that... testing, probing, looking for truth where it might be found.

***

Another 5 books, and I will have hit my mini-goal! Woohoo! :)

But I'm starting Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire next, so we'll see if that can actually work. Maybe I will be reading four short ones in tandem with the first of the very very long HP novels then.

Imitation of Christ / Ender's Game

A few thoughts on Imitation of Christ:
I really enjoyed this book... it was challenging, honest, and remarkably relevant, considering it was written by a German monk about 500 years ago. To think that after centuries this simple man's words have become arguably the second most read book in history (next to the Bible) is amazing! And all too often, they ring very true... like looking in a mirror of humanity.

I didn't agree with all of Thomas a Kempis' ideas. For instance, I think he really downplayed the importance of other people, constantly stressing the importance of solitude to the point of promoting reclusion. Yes, I would be the first to say that solitude is incredibly important, but I also know that life wasn't meant to be lived alone. People and relationships are complex and messy and frustrating... but in the midst of it all, frustratingly beautiful and vital to a whole life. God Himself decided it wasn't good for man to be alone... I don't think He would want us to isolate ourselves in the name of becoming more "spiritual."

Another frustrating thing about this book is that there were plenty of moments where I thought to myself, "that's just fine and dandy and probably very Christlike... oh yeah, and impossible!" Conversely, maybe the impossibility of truly imitating Christ -- even though that's what we're called to do! -- turns out to be the most humbling and freeing thing. To know that I could never live up to the standard save for the grace of God makes me breathe a little easier... feel a little more grateful. I'm sorry that he didn't focus on the grace more... there seemed to be an awful lot of "how to live a holy life"... a lot of focus on works.

Then again, the paradox. Seeing these ideals spelled out really shifted my focus. I would say this is an important book for Christians to read... there are some truly wise words in those 75 pages. Brevity, simplicity, and humility sum it up well. I will return to it often, I'm sure... if for no other reason, to thank God that I don't have to live up to that standard... but imagine how much better the world could be if we all at least tried...

A favorite gem of a quote from Imitation:
"Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault which others must endure."

Ouch. :)

***

On a less pious note (lol)... Ender's Game! I don't think I've picked up a good sci-fi novel since I finished my sf literature class last summer. This book reminds me of why I love good, well-written sf. Only two more chapters to go (sitting around all day recovering from a root canal = lots and lots of time to read!). I'm aiming to finish it tonight.

I'll jot down more thoughts when I'm finished, but two points that keep coming up while I read it:
1) Wow, this book can be disturbing. As dystopian stories should be. But I do like it when a book written over 30 years ago seems to predict technology and trends of the future... a mark of good, imaginative sci-fi and one of the reasons I like the genre in the first place. (Locke and Demosthenes... the original watchbloggers?)
2) I keep forgetting all the main characters are... kids. Like, Ender is 6 at the beginning of the story, but in my mind's eye, he keeps ending up older. Kind of like Charles Wallace in A Wrinkle in Time... and it makes the story that much more disturbing.

Off to finish it then! Assuming I don't... fall asleep.

Never learn... * Christ the Lord review

Some people never learn. I am one of them. I'm about to make that great mistake again...

I'm starting two books at the same time. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and The Imitation of Christ. How's that for balance? :)

At least Imitation is short (under 100 pages). But, like Augustine a month or so ago, I don't expect this one to be a quick and easy read.

And Potter... well... I've been there before. So not too bad. I figured if I'm going to re-read the series in order, I need to get going.

***

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt was a wonderful book... even better than I expected. True, accept it as fiction, as one woman's interpretation and imagining of what Jesus' childhood *might* have been like, and it's a fascinating read. I loved how she made Jesus character so believable... I found it easy to accept that he was God in the form of a very real and human boy. I loved her characterization of Mary -- young and innocent, yet strong and wise. I loved how she brought out the ugliness and beauty of the world Jesus had come to live in and ultimately rescue; it was a world in need of rescuing... perhaps even worth rescuing.

And I appreciated Anne Rice's tight style and reverent approach. I could tell that she honored and cared about the subject, with a careful eye to detail and making the ancient world come alive. The Author's Note at the end was especially fascinating... she sort of reminded me of reading Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis in her description of coming from a religious background to years of atheism to finally a very real and rational faith. Her commentary on the research that went into creating this book is a bit long for an "author's note," but very much worth the read.

So all in all, I enjoyed it a lot... I'll probably buy this one eventually for my personal library, and I am waiting for more! I love her style and approach and hope she will put out some more books on a similar line... because I'd rather not go back to her earlier career and read Interview with a Vampire or stuff like that. :)

Okay. In the time spent writing that review, I probably could have cleared a chapter or two of Chamber of Secrets. Shoot.

Progress... Traveling Mercies Mini-review and Revisiting The Great Divorce

Well, after a minor lull, I think I'm getting back into the swing of regular reading. Yay me.

Traveling Mercies was wonderful. I was so so tempted to pick up Anne Lamott's new book Grace (Eventually) today, but I resisted. But still, I loved this collection of essays. I debated about buying it for a long time... flipped through a few times and wondered if it would be for me. But I had a nice coupon at Borders, so I thought I'd give her a shot. I'm glad I did.

I figure a book that challenges you, that makes you just a touch uncomfortable can be a good thing. That's how I feel about Lamott. She is not your average Christian writer... but she is earthy and raw and honest, and that's why I enjoyed it so much. She may not mind dropping an f-bomb now and then, but if you can look past that and some theological mis-steps to the heart of what she's saying, there are quite a few gems of wisdom underneath. She writes with the honesty of someone who is still seeking, still trying, has been through a lot... but still loves Jesus and trusts through it all.

If I had read this about 5 years ago, I would have probably hated it and been shocked that it would even be found in the Christian books... but I guess all the college literature classes corrupted me or something. I don't agree with everything she writes, but some of her words are so wise and touching, I can't help but appreciate it. Plus, she's got a great literary style all her own. I will definitely be checking out her other books later.

***

Next in line: re-reading The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis. I must admit... my main reason is because I was sort of put on the spot in my workplace Bible study group. ("Has anyone read The Great Divorce? No? *looks right at me* I bet you have!")

So I guess I have the reputation of C. S. Lewis fan now. :) Yes, I had actually read it before... but it has been so long I couldn't remember what happened to Hell in the end. Time to revisit the Ghosts and their bus ride to Heaven...

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)