It's been a while...

Started book #25 today! Woohoo!

(though I guess it's really 24, since I never finished Eldest, but whatever... :P)

Finished Order of the Phoenix... finally! It's been hard finding the time to just sent down and push through any sort of reading lately. Now on to Half-Blood Prince... and I can finally start Deathly Hallows! It's taunting me in the next room. My sister is reading it, and doing a very good job honoring my "no spoilers! ;_;" request.

Also taking in bits of Bird by Bird here and there in an effort to motivate my inner writer. Should probably devote more time to finishing it, but it's hard to take on more than one at a time.

Other than that... once I get through Harry Potter, I think I'm going to start tackling some of those classics I never bothered to read in school. I was wandering through the bookstore today, making mental notes of those more literary selections I have never read. Of course, I keep leaning into the dystopian genre -- Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, and 1984 to name a few -- which doesn't really do much to broaden my speculative fiction geek horizons. But on the other hand, I'm intrigued by The Bell Jar, so there's some variety. Also made mental note of Don DeLillo's new book Falling Man... I was introduced to DeLillo with White Noise, in one of my college lit classes, and it's style, characters, and overall weirdness stuck with me well enough that I'd like to pull it out and read it again. This seems like it could be an interesting look at post 9/11 American culture.

So yeah... hoping to wax literary after I find out how the Potter saga ends. Wouldn't hurt to get through some smaller books... only 5 months to go, and I'm only halfway to 50! Ahh!

So...

I didn't meet the mini-goal. Whatever. I came close enough.

I also realized that if I can clear an average of 100 pages a day, I just might be able to finish The Order of the Phoenix and The Half Blood Prince just barely in time for the Deathly Hallows release date. That's a pretty big "if"... but I have a ridiculous need to attempt it.

At least I have 4 hours of backseat car trip time to work on it tomorrow. Let's give it a shot.

Pre-ordered!

Finally. I have a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with my name on it at Borders.

Well. Not at Borders yet. It's a month yet. But I finally remembered to pre-order, so now I won't be one of the poor Muggles stuck without a copy come July 21.

Just an HP nerdy moment. That is all.

And sidebar: No way I can finish 5 books in the next week and a half to meet my mini-goal. No stinkin' way. Ah well... accept and move on, I guess. :P

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.

Yes!

Banged out the rest of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban yesterday. I don't know if it's really awesome or really pathetic that I've cleared two volumes of Harry Potter in two weeks. :D Prisoner of Azkaban was always one of my favorites from the series though... so that helps.

It's a funny thing, re-reading this series. On the second go, knowing what happens in the future books, it's so much easier to pick up on all the little subtle references and foreshadowing Rowling drops into the story. I'm convinced that she never includes a detail that won't serve some kind of purpose eventually... which is why I admire her writing.

But, taking a break before starting up Goblet of Fire... I borrowed Ender's Game from a friend and want to get through that. I've always wanted to read it, so I'm looking forward to getting a little sf fix before moving on.


I got a few books in the mail last week... the missing books from my Relevant order. (It was kind of like Christmas at my cubicle.)

And I was a bad girl in Borders this weekend... I splurged and bought more books, justifying it with "but they were 3 for 2!" and "I needed to get my sis a birthday present anyway!" I keep telling myself that being a bibliophile is a good problem to have, while meanwhile noticing the ever-growing "To Read Next" pile (a literal stack in my room. I should take a picture of it.) I meant to work on organizing and cataloging my library on my 3-day weekend, but... never... quite... got around to it... heh.


Finally... as the 6th month becomes ever closer, I've established the mini-goal of 25 books by Halfway Day (July 2). That should make me feel at least a little on pace. Currently at:
* 18 books
* 1 abandoned indefinitely (Eldest)
* 3 in progress (Salvation, Imitation of Christ, and Ender's Game)
* 14 completed

At the moment... I don't want to think about how many pages that means for the month of June... :)


Right. Off to squeeze in some reading before sleep.

Marathon Reading

Two chapters to go, and I can scratch The Chamber of Secrets from my list. *victory fist*

My first day of true, good, really absorbed reading in a while... it's a good thing. Nerdy, but good. :)

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.

*cough*

I think I'm coming down with something. Ew. At least if I get sick, it would be a good excuse to sit around and read. (always look at the bright side, right?)

Anyway. Brief recap of where I've been since Traveling Mercies...

The Great Divorce: I love this book so much. It's so abstract and philosophical in some points, but so poetic in its imagery of the mysteries of Heaven, Hell, and redemption. A short, but great read, and a nice one to revisit...

A Wind in the Door: Follow-up to L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time (another of my all-time favorites). Every bit as mysterious, but this time bringing the focus from the planets and galaxies to the realms of microbiology. The final battle for the mitochondrian world was stunning. She's officially on the list of my favorite authors ever at this point.

And now... I've borrowed Christ the Lord by Anne Rice on a recommendation. After reading an interview with her from Relevant magazine, I was curious about it -- I mean, vampire novels to Jesus? Fascinating. I just wasn't too sure if I would enjoy a novelization of Jesus' early life. But my Bible study teacher highly praised/recommended it, and I had a chance to borrow from a co-worker, so why not?

We shall see. I'm not far enough into it to have an opinion yet, but it looks promising.

Already nearly a third of the way into 2007! Currently... I've finished 12 books.

Darn. Need pick up the pace here. :P

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...

Quotable Lamott

A cross-post from Divinest Sense, because it's relevant to the 50 Books (and that good). Skip if it looks familiar. :)

***

"Can you imagine the hopelessness of trying to live a spiritual life when you're secretly looking up at the skies not for illumination or direction but to gauge, miserably, the odds of rain? Can you imagine how discouraging it was for me to live in fear of weather, of drizzle or downpour? Because Christianity is about water: 'Everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.' It's about baptism, for God's sake. It's about full immersion, about falling into something elemental and wet. Most of what we do in worldly life is geared toward our staying dry, looking good, not going under. But in baptism, in lakes and rain and tanks and fonts, you agree to do something that's a little sloppy because at the same time it's so holy, and absurd. It's about surrender, giving in to all those things we can't control; it's a willingness to let go of balance and decorum and get drenched.

There's something so tender about this to me, about being willing to have your makeup wash off, your eyes tear up, your nose start to run. It's tender partly because it harkens back to infancy, to your mother washing your face with love and lots of water, tending to you, making you clean all over again..."

~ Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott

***

In the midst of my first encounter with Ms. Lamott. Weirdly enough, the essay was originally about her dreadlocks. Yay stream-of-consciousness.

Wasn't sure what I'd make of her, but with only a few essays left it's official... I <3 this book. The End. (more proper thoughts after I finish it... which will probably happen tonight)

The Medieval Helpdesk

Awesomeness. :)

The Problem of Evil

Wow. This Augustine book may be short (69 pages), but there is so much. I can only read a few pages at a time before having to pause and reflect, and I'm marking the pages up like crazy. A tough but good little read.

He is referred to as a "philosophical heavyweight" on the back cover of my edition, and that's probably putting it mildly. The chapters on the existence of evil are especially plenty to consider... Augustine makes the proposition that if evil is the absence or diminishing of good, then it cannot exist without good. So, "two contraries cannot coexist in a single thing. Nevertheless, while no one maintains that good and evil are not contraries, they cannot only coexist, but the evil cannot exist at all without the good, or in a thing that is not a good." (Augustine, 16)

So by that reasoning, creation (people included) is essentially "good," evil is the good diminished or suppressed... but good cannot be completely eradicated from the creature or it would cease to exist. After all, we can't know what evil is without good to compare it to, just as one can't fully appreciate perfect health without ever being sick or injured.

Hmm.

Not sure I totally agree with him yet, but it's a unique perspective anyway, and I can't fault the logic. If anything, it really sheds some light on the great question of why God would let evil exist.

This is my first attempt at reading Augustine, and the first impression... he is definitely more of a philosopher, but from a Christian/Catholic perspective. I like it. It's a little book, but the words are profound.

Further thoughts to come, I'm sure. It is forcing me to pay attention to every word, digest it slowly, think hard... kind of nice and refreshing.

No, comic books don't count.

I was asked today how far I was in the 50 books goal. "Oh, I think around 12 or so. :D"

After deciding that, no, I'm not going to count graphic novels (sorry sis...), and updating the list accordingly, I am actually arouuuunnnnnd....

10.

With 4 in progress. One an ongoing Bible study, one I keep getting bored with, and two I just started.

Lack of focus maybe?

So, I apologize. I did not deliberately lie about where I was. My list really did say 12 at one point today, but I am fickle with my definition of "book."

And, apparently, a lazy reader these days.

But hey! I did start Saint Augustine's Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love, and it's good good stuff so far. And at just under a hundred pages, it should be a quick read. :)

As for my missing Crowder/Cobble/Spurgeon books... e-mailed the store and they're on backorder. Okay. Feeling better now.

Bah.

So, I got the aforementioned Relevant Store shipment today, right? Awesome. I can't wait to start on the Foundations of the Faith series.

The problem? 3 of my books are missing! :( I guess they got left out in whatever moving chaos might be happening there. So sad...

However, I did get a free Kendall Payne CD and sticker tossed in for spending more than $20. That was nice. I already had the CD, but hey, it's one of my favorites, and I'd be glad to share the Kendall joy. :)

Behind in Sorceror's Stone already. D'oh. Catch-up night ahead.

Bummed.

Yes. After updating my Status List, I discovered that I am indeed very far behind on my reading.

But I will get back on track, and I will finish 50 books! *positive thinking*

Overdue Update

Well. Haven't posted in a while. And slacking a bit on reading lately. :(

I started trying to get back into Eldest so I can be finished and done with it.

I finished To Own a Dragon then immediately dove into Love is a Mixtape, finishing it off within a week of buying it. Overall, it was a fairly good read. I just wish I had posted after finishing it when I could still remember what I thought...

Just bought, like, 8 books from the Relevant Store moving sale: The Foundations of Faith set (6 classic books on the Christian faith that I've been wanting to read anyway), Here's to Hindsight, and Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven (but Nobody Wants to Die). Throw in a couple of CDs, and you get the odd mix of "Yay, I got all this stuff for the cheap with free shipping too!" and buyer's remorse. Yes, books and music are my vice. ^^;;

And finally... I found this on LiveJournal:

It seemed like a great idea, so I decided to follow along! Yes yes, this gives me nothing but Harry Potter from now until July 21, but I really did want to re-read the whole thing before Deathly Hallows comes out, and it's only a 1-2 chapter a day commitment. I figure on a schedule like that, I can keep up with the group, not get too "Pottered out," and still read some other things along the way.

Plus, that's 6 more books toward the 50 goal.

So. I'm feeling like abandoning Eldest again, but I shall stick it out and finish, darnit! :P

Speaking of which... Roran and Katrina's melodramatic pledges of undying love and devotion to each other made me giggle inside. Almost as much as the scene in the movie where Eragon blurts out, "But I have skills!"

Sometimes I wish I weren't such a critic.... :)

Of Tesseracts and Dragons...

A Wrinkle in Time = done. Very quickly. I love that book. Would like to post deeper thoughts and a review, but not tonight...

Next up: To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller. I know, I know... I couldn't be farther from the intended audience. It's aimed at men who grew up without fathers... I am a girl blessed with a wonderful dad. But... I loved Blue Like Jazz and wanted to read some of his others, and this one was sitting around at the office. Plus, I was off to help my mom babysit last night, and realized I didn't have a book with me. :)

Which brings me to another good thing about working at a radio station... people are always sending us promo copies of books, so we've worked up quite the library. The majority of it is stuff I wouldn't read, but that's okay... there are a few I plan to hunt down and take home this year.

So far, it doesn't disappoint... I think he could write about a wad of gum and dirt stuck to his shoe and still make it beautiful and interesting...

(Still don't feel like reading Eldest. :))

Quick Post

I'm taking a break from Alagaesia. Because I'm getting nowhere.

Started reading A Wrinkle in Time again. Enchanting. I just love this book... even more the second time around. Everyone who ever felt ugly or stupid or inadequate in any way in life should read it and cheer for Meg, Calvin, and Charles (which is probably... pretty much all of us). And Madeleine L'Engle has such an amazing writing style...

Really need to read Chapter 2 of my theology book. Soon. Oops.

Theology * Eldest * One Month Down

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.