Joe Hill is a truly fantastic writer, and Welcome to Lovecraft shows off his skill beautifully. The story is crafted so well it hurts. I've not read the whole series yet, I've only gotten to book four, but rereading the first volume after getting that far it's obvious how well plotted the whole of it is. Hints are dropped for future issues, allusions are made to back story that we don't get until later... the world of the Keyhouse is rich and vast, and this first scrape of the surface is downright masterful.
Locke & Key is a must for any fan of comics....more
Who knew that a few small paragraphs could be turned into a lovely piece of historical fiction? This book follows Dinah, nothing more than a footnote Who knew that a few small paragraphs could be turned into a lovely piece of historical fiction? This book follows Dinah, nothing more than a footnote in Genesis, expanding her story into a reflection of what it means to be a woman in any age.
The book was engaging, though far more reflective than action-propelled. I gave it three stars due to the beauty of the language, and the rather nice tone that the book had altogether. I felt this was one of the better books about coming into womanhood that I've read.. not nearly so New Agey or anything....more
This book was originally given to me when I was living in Montana, roughly three hours away from Glacier Park. During the time I was living there I haThis book was originally given to me when I was living in Montana, roughly three hours away from Glacier Park. During the time I was living there I had heard of a few grizzly encounters, most occurring amongst my friends who were camping during the late summer and the like. No one I knew personally had been harmed by them - but a few had been treed. I was lucky enough to see one in person, about ten years from me, in Yellowstone Park before I returned to the east coast. Well, I feel a bit better for having read this book after I got back from the West.
The book was informative, to say the least. Olsen has a habit of overexplaining some details, but the information still is interesting to hear. I feel as if I learned a great deal more about the park than I expected to - and the wealth of information extended even into the flora, something I never expected the book to go into long explanations of.
It's been said before, and bears repeating, that the park service reacted horribly to the information of rogue grizzlies. What bothered me most about the book, however, was the rather pessimistic view that Olsen took in the epilogue. I think he would be rather shocked today to learn how well the grizzlies are doing.. ...more
I purchased this book many years ago at the Book Alcove (now Wonderbooks.) I was in a fairy tale appreciation stage that I never truly got out of. ThiI purchased this book many years ago at the Book Alcove (now Wonderbooks.) I was in a fairy tale appreciation stage that I never truly got out of. This book, from 1968, is utterly delightful. The illustrations, while definitely showing the time the book was printed, are still beautiful - and in the case of Puss in Boots - purely amusing.
I enjoyed the way that these books were told. While it lacked a framing story (something I did enjoy in Old Peter's Russian Tales) it still carries a distinct taste of the French nature of the tales. While many of the tales were familiar (Cinderella, Bluebeard, Little Red riding Hood, etc.) the French variation of them was often surprising. Some ended before I expected them - others included more trials that I'd not heard of before.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fairy tales. It's a great addition to any collection. ...more
This was one of those books that I kept seeing mentioned throughout GoodReads.. the title alone was enough to make me curious. Being unable to find thThis was one of those books that I kept seeing mentioned throughout GoodReads.. the title alone was enough to make me curious. Being unable to find this book in any library, I promptly forgot about it - this isn't the sort of book I'd go out of my way to buy, after all. I ended up finding this for sale at the Church Bazaar, and quickly snatched it up.
The book was interesting, but it isn't something that I would go out of my way to read a second time. It struck me as closer to a reference manual than any sort of literature, and in the end raised some interesting philosophical questions. The case studies were fascinating, the problems that the brain can cause (and at times resolve) were equally fascinating, and in the end, the book had me nodding along.
I do think the boo deserves wide readership, if only so that people with different mental states can be better understood. I wouldn't call this a classical read or anything like that. It was interesting, the brain is strange, and the questions raised are enough to twig my writer side. All in all, a decent book....more
To be painfully honest, I was actually expecting more from this book. While the premise, that Mary bore twins rather than a single figure Jesus ChristTo be painfully honest, I was actually expecting more from this book. While the premise, that Mary bore twins rather than a single figure Jesus Christ, is interesting, the book itself falls rather flat. Pullman plays with the biblical account of the life of Jesus, and through it, brings forth a variety of philosophical questions.
I think my main trouble with this book is the manner in which it is written. Pullman simultaneously weaves a tale in biblical style while also adding his own particular flare to it - the result is a rather clumsy sounding narrative that regretfully changes in odd ways from chapter to chapter.. the voice of the story is never quite pinpointed.
All in all, this was not a painful book to read, but it nearly was. I respect what he attempted with it, and found Jesus' monologue in the garden quite good in particular, but not enough for it to warrant a three star rating.
I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I still enjoy fairy tales, so these were well met. It was interesting seeing the small diffeI was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I still enjoy fairy tales, so these were well met. It was interesting seeing the small differences that exist between cultures - The Golden Fish story, for instance, was nearly identical to an Irish legend that I read several months ago. It has its equivalents in English and American stories as well.
The book was well written, if dated, and would stand up rather strongly to being read aloud....more
I was skeptical when I first picked this one up. I'm often a bit cagey regarding classical literature - mostly because the bulk of what I've read of iI was skeptical when I first picked this one up. I'm often a bit cagey regarding classical literature - mostly because the bulk of what I've read of it is filled with purple prose, Victorian sensibilities, or just incredibly dense. I thought that Tolstoy would be all of the above; it was a pleasant surprise that he was not. Indeed, the introduction was more difficult to get through than the story itself.
The problems of death and dying were beautifully summed up in the story. The harsh contrast between what we often think of death as being, and the reality of what it is, are likewise presented. There is no tear-ridden deathbed scene, no sudden confessions or stark revelations. This is death, in all its confusion and unexpectedness. This is death as seen by the dying, not those that live on.
The writing was succinct, and no details felt wasted. The dialogue, in spite of its scarceness, was all very well done. The book made me uncomfortable, but I feel that was in a large part its purpose. I would recommend this as a stunning example of the short story format, as well as a beautiful rumination on death itself.
I bought this book several years ago and by several I mean many but never got around to reading it in its entirely. I thought it was about time I did I bought this book several years ago and by several I mean many but never got around to reading it in its entirely. I thought it was about time I did that, so.. well, I did. Although it took me ages to finish it, that is in no way a reflection on the quality of the book itself - more my ability to be distracted, etc. So, let's get on with the review.
As someone not terribly familiar with Norse myth, I came away from the book feeling that I understood the essence of it a bit better. Having recently traveled to Austria, and in previous years been to much of the Baltic region, I felt that those trips supplemented my understanding of the text a bit more than the copious notes at the back of the book did.
The way that the book was set up was a bit troubling to me. The notes at the back of it, rather than say.. footnotes, or notes on the side of the page, made for much flipping. At times, the notes were just reminders of the meaning of certain words (e.g. norns and disir) rather than truly supplementary or explanatory material.
The translation of the texts was good, if a bit.. heady. Having the translation be rather literal, including phrases such as "slaughter dew" when referencing blood, or "foot twigs" instead of toes always came off as a rather interesting choice. It added to the feel of the text itself - you could never forget you were reading something fairly ancient, rather than bringing the ancient into a more modern time period such as Seamus Heaney's translation of Beowulf did.
All in all, I did enjoy the book, but it would not be remiss for me to look into more contemporary or, rather, just alternate translations of what I read. I'm tempted to read Snorri's translation of the Prose Edda, though, which would be an even more.. insurmountable sort of task. Perhaps I should look up easier guides to the Nordic mythology prior to doing so, so I'm not jumping in entirely brainlessly....more
I would give "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" or "Kubla Kahn" five stars easily, but a lot of the poetry in the book beyond that didn't do much for mI would give "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" or "Kubla Kahn" five stars easily, but a lot of the poetry in the book beyond that didn't do much for me. Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a brilliant writer of the more supernaturally minded poems, and his verses of love are generally rather good. Personally, I'm a bit uncomfortable reading this, as I really haven't a lot of experience with anything beyond the epic poems....more
This is another book that I had difficulty in rating. Part of me wishes to give it two stars, but I am sticking with three because I truly did enjoy tThis is another book that I had difficulty in rating. Part of me wishes to give it two stars, but I am sticking with three because I truly did enjoy the book.
This book intimidated me. I found Irving's writing dense - not in a difficult to understand way, the writing just seemed to have a weight to it. I couldn't read the book in massive sittings, but rather had to set it down, had to think, and the story did stick with me when I wasn't reading it.
I would recommend this book as an example of good technical writing. The sentences are well put together, the settings well described. The plot could have moved faster - but the pace, I think, emphasized Irving's technical skill as a writer. It is, in essence, a book about writing replete with examples.
Just try to get away from his um.. often condescending tone....more
"If you know the theory, you can use it. If you don't, you can't."
Those are the words that generally sum up my response to this book. The Bowen Theory"If you know the theory, you can use it. If you don't, you can't."
Those are the words that generally sum up my response to this book. The Bowen Theory is a theory of familial interactions, or more, just relationship interactions in general. If one person is affected by anxiety, the rest of the group reacts to it. The book is concise, succinct, and in general quite easy for the layperson to understand. I found it remarkable how many of the points I was able to relate to my own experiences in life.
Generally, I would recommend that people read this and take away what they care to. If they disagree, then they disagree, but at least they gave it a chance. I believe, in reading this, that I learned a good deal about human interaction and ways to improve my own actions and reactions to society around me.
I second what's been previously said - that I was a bit hesitant to pick up this book at first. I've read Misquoting Jesus and Jesus Interrupted and wI second what's been previously said - that I was a bit hesitant to pick up this book at first. I've read Misquoting Jesus and Jesus Interrupted and was a bit concerned that this book would just be rehashing the old information. Fortunately, I was very wrong.
I'm a great fan of Ehrman's style regardless of what he's writing. I find him to be far more respectful in his discourse than some of the better known atheistic authors (Hitchens, Dawkins, etc.) and he tends to be more focused upon bringing this information to light than outright saying that Christian's are wrong. He's about knowledge, and I can respect that.
The book deals with how forgery was viewed in the ancient world, and whether or not it is correct to call some of the New Testament books (and Old Testament books, actually) forgeries. He goes into the different definitions of forgeries, misattributions, fabrications, and the like as well as acknowledging both ancient and modern forged 'biblical' texts. Only at the very end does he summarize what has been previously stated by him in other books.
All in all, a very informative, very well researched book. Highly recommended....more
Seamus Heaney breathed new life into the unknown poet's text and brought it into a recognizable vernacular - I could eBeowulf was pretty damn awesome.
Seamus Heaney breathed new life into the unknown poet's text and brought it into a recognizable vernacular - I could easily imagine my grandfather being the one to tell me this story. The poem became direct, important, and even strangely intimate. The advice that Hrothgar gives to Beowulf reads as if it is being whispered in your own ear. The text feels important - it's truly extraordinary.
Not being able to read Old English, I still appreciated being able to look at it, and found myself studying it a couple of times. It's incredible both how far the language has advanced, and how little it has - seeing words that I could recognize without much difficulty (or sound out) went a bit beyond novelty. I really gained an appreciation of the old language.
Furthermore, the introduction (Yes, I read those) lent further import to the text itself. Reading the poem trough the lens of both time and distinctly Irish history (yes, I know the poem isn't Irish) brought it into a rather different perspective - particularly the ending. Watching the death of a culture, and a people who knew they were soon to be defeated, hit home in a variety of ways. Beowulf signifies an end of an era - the change from Paganism to Christianity, from the Geats being a force to be reckoned with to knowing there is no way they can survive - in a lot of ways, I think only an Irishman born to a family with a healthy respect of that Republic could translate it with such a keen eye towards how that feels....more
In many ways David Howarth has done what other historical texts has not. Howarth admits his slight bias beforehand, and then does all he can throughouIn many ways David Howarth has done what other historical texts has not. Howarth admits his slight bias beforehand, and then does all he can throughout the text to present a balanced view - he quotes primary sources, and then explains why they are or are not accurate. In short, Howarth has done everything that makes a good historian good, or even great - he has tried to present the truest picture possible, with what scant evidence there is.
While the year 1066 immediately brings to mind the Battle of Hastings, the book itself details what life was like before, during, and after that time. He presents the historical context necessary to try to understand why Norway, Normandy, and England all acted in the manner in which they did. His overview is both in depth and concise, bound together by an unerringly accessible and direct prose.
I would highly recommend this book to just about anyone interested in this time period. Howarth is definitely a master at his trade. There is much to be admired in this book....more
This was a very nice, fairly comprehensive view of the whole Middle Ages. The book was divided into very helpful chapters, each detailing a different This was a very nice, fairly comprehensive view of the whole Middle Ages. The book was divided into very helpful chapters, each detailing a different aspect of life: i.e. Religion, Art, the peasants life, the noble's life, the knight's life, etc.
While the book was dense, that was only because it held so much useful information. A very great guide to an overview of that time period....more
Well, here is another book that I have owned forever and just now got around to reading fully. This requires a bit of background.
The first time I starWell, here is another book that I have owned forever and just now got around to reading fully. This requires a bit of background.
The first time I started reading Chimera I got through the first novella, and gave up halfway through the second. The second time, I got a tad bit further... this time, I nearly gave up through the third story. Nonetheless, I did plow through. Yes, that is the right terminology. Plowed through. Finishing Chimera felt a bit like one of the 12 tasks of Hercules, unfortunately. I wanted to like this book better, I really wanted to like it.
The first story is brilliantly constructed, a tale within a tale within a tale. The different portions wind up together, every little diversion is a pointed one that lends itself towards a deeper understanding of the frame story. The second story begins the falling apart of it all. The second story, Perseid, becomes a lot more dense. The plot twists are not fully spelled out until somewhere near the end where we figure out who exactly is doing the bulk of the speaking. The third story, Bellophorniad, is where you just want to give up. Everything is meta this, meta that, who is telling the story, where is the story headed - wait, everyone is dead? While the end more or less ties everything up nicely the first two acts of the third story are so bloody dense it doesn't feel worth it.
Essentially, Barth should have stuck to the commentary that he did so well in Dunyazadiad - who is reading the story, how do they inform the story, who is narrating it and what do they change? Frame of reference was better suited for a story with a generally likable protagonist. There was nothing likable about Bellerus, again, unfortunately....more
Man. I've owned this book forever but could never seem to get into it and actually sit down and read it. The topic of celebrity worship fascinates me Man. I've owned this book forever but could never seem to get into it and actually sit down and read it. The topic of celebrity worship fascinates me - the importance that we put on 'famous' people interests me, but I never could seem to dedicate the right amount of time to the book. Yesterday, I began the frightening process of reorganizing my books - now seemed the time to read it.
The book, of course, was surprisingly readable.
While some of the information in the book comes off as dated (and that shouldn't be surprising, the book is probably more than five years old now) the premises that it lays down still ring true. We still attribute a frightening amount of time and effort towards following celebrities and analyzing their every movement. Celebrities, maybe now more than ever, dominate our conversations in ways that our personal lives don't. Why is this?
Halpern sets forth a variety of reasons to explain why these things are true for most people. The book is peppered with interviews and studies, personal analysis and experiences. In the end, the decision that is come to is that it's all glorified escapism - we look to fame as a way to validate ourselves. The answer, while it may appear obvious, still has quite the grain of truth to it.
This is another book I've had forever, one actually recommended to me by Daniel Pink. The book, as the title says, deals with the importance of style This is another book I've had forever, one actually recommended to me by Daniel Pink. The book, as the title says, deals with the importance of style and design in varying cultures. Why do we pay a premium for products that are the same as their counterparts, just differently colored? Why do we even care so much about style in general? The book tries to answer these questions.
The book is worthy of more than a two star rating in terms of how well it is written, as well as for its general premise - the topic is a fascinating one. I only rated it so low for two reasons: 1) The book is out of date. I'm uncertain whether or not a new edition has come out, but it would behoove the reader to search for it if it has. 2) The book, likewise, could have been significantly shorter. By the end I felt as if the same exact thing was just being reiterated over and over again.
Essentially, as our general needs are met i.e. shelter and food, we begin to search out things to make life pleasurable. In instances wherein general needs cannot be met, we still seek out escapism in the form of better things. So, essentially, if we can find something to bring a bit of novelty into our lives, we will; if we don't find novelty, our creativity dies and we suffer burnout. A basic idea, but one that perhaps doesn't come up quite as often as it should. Interestingly enough, the book also counteracts a lot of the beliefs of design being merely frivolous. It's in our nature to find pleasure in the shiny and new.
Yes, I am on a semi classical literature binge at present.
The Song of Roland is the story of Ganelon's treachery against Charlemagne's right-hand man,Yes, I am on a semi classical literature binge at present.
The Song of Roland is the story of Ganelon's treachery against Charlemagne's right-hand man, Count Roland. Whereas Beowulf offered a good look into the medieval and pre-medieval ideas of what made one a hero, The Song of Roland offers a brilliant picture of what compels one to follow their king. The praise of Charlemagne and the reasoning behind Roland's refusal to blow the oliphant in the midst of battle are both beautiful things to read.
I read the Harris translation, and am quite happy I did. The non-rhyming poetry still offers a sense of both rhythm and importance, and the introduction was very in depth. I left the text with a deep appreciation of the dignity that was so prized in earlier times, and a small wish that it was more apparent today. Chivalry, in theory, was a very beautiful virtue....more
Hilary "Fox"
>
Books:
2011
(148)
