Books to Read

Erin wrote a nice book review of her recent favorites, and I tried to reply/comment.  I don't know why, but the comment didn't go through.  So I wrote an email to send her, but I don't see it in my sent file.  I don't know why it's not there either.  So, 3 strikes and you're out...I'm going to try posting it on my blog and see if I can stay in the game.


For last month's book club selection I read a significant book–inspiring.  Unbroken by Laura Hillebrand.  I was afraid it was about another horse, but it was not.  It was about a POW survivor of WWII.  At first I thought it was chiefly about his Pacific ocean plane crash/rescue.  He was at sea more than 6 weeks.  But, unfortunately, he was rescued by the Japanese, and he spent nearly 2 years in a torture camp.  He was later rescued by the American GIs’ invasion of Japan.  But what I didn’t expect, was that he had another rescue coming.  And though it sounds sappy when I write it, it wasn’t written that way at all.  His last rescue was from the after affects of his POW experience, and the vengeance and pain.  By Billy Graham.  I had never thought about Billy Graham as more than just a grandiose money-making TV pastor.  But at the time our war hero encountered him, Graham was starting out with his first big city tent meeting.  I have to give him a completely different view–a new found measure of respect–because his work changed people’s lives.  The POW was a man of indomitable spirit.  He endured an incredible dose of abuse and adversity.  The book is worth reading because he he not only survived, but he endured and triumphed.


Another book I read this year was The Glass Castle. I don't remember the author's name.  Martha handed it to me for the plane ride home.  It was also a true story, though this was written by the author herself.  Her life was not as tortured.  However, she did suffer the affects of negligence and extreme poverty as a child and teenager and had to, basically, self-parent.  In spite of her circumstances, she also had an indomitable spirit, and enough tenacity to improve not only her life, but that of her siblings.  It was hard for me to read because I believe children should not have the cares of the world on their shoulders, and should not have to be their parent’s caretakers.  I have thought of her strength often.


Erin mentioned that she read the first of The Hunger Games books.  I read those last year while associating with the Vista Women's Book Club.  Rachel, and Em and I have read those as well.  Martha?  maybe.  I don't remember.  But we all enjoyed them....though enjoy is maybe not the right word.  They were fascinating and the kind of book that you want to see through to the end.  I am anxious to see the movie coming out in March---though I wouldn't recommend it for children or pre-teens.  Neither the book nor the movie.  


I have just begun reading Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, the 4th of the Eragon series books.  I have been waiting years for him to write this 4th book. Luckily he has a brief overview of the story--which means I won't have to go back and reread the first 3 to begin the 4th.  I have always liked the fantasy/sci-fi/magic/medieval/ futuristic stories.  Dragons and magic.  How can you lose?   I'd sit down and read it right now, but unfortunately, I do need to sleep.  Tomorrow, I hope.