Saturday, February 28, 2009

Books

Now that mid terms are over and I have a lazy Saturday with minimal homework, it's time to talk about books. I've been listening to several books on tape/CD and have enjoyed them. Now I just need to find some of my required books for school... Life would be so much easier.

I started with Jeff Shaara's books. I had read some before and enjoyed them so I found some cheap on Half.com (which I now love, by the way). One was from WWII, the next WWI and the last, the Revolutionary War (or apparently as my British friend informed me, the War of Independence.) All were good and I learned a lot about WWI, especially since I don't remember learning much about it. But my favorite was Rise to Rebellion, about the Revolutionary War. I also did not know/remember a lot of the details about how the war began, how politics and government worked then, or how the war was officially won. Benjamin Franklin was a hilarious character that I appreciate much more now.

I also listened to Bob Woodward's The War Within. It was an interesting look at another war I don't know much about and yet know at least three people who have or will be fighting in it. I appreciated Woodwards look into the White House and all of the details. He interviewed several people for the book and wrote it as a very long news article. Of course, his rather liberal slant was there but it was obvious and did not change some of the facts. It's good to know these things since I will be affected by them.

And then there was Twilight... I got the CDs from the kids I teach guitar too and decided I would give it a try. It was very entertaining, but more in a comical, this-is-outrageous-and-would-never-happen kind of way. It was not entertaining in the sense that it was good literature. No offense to Stephenie Meyer, even though she does spell her name funny. But the book kept me interested and awake while driving home at ridiculous hours, which is a very big reason why I listen to books in the car. So it accomplished its purpose. I also have the second and third books if I want to listen to them, which I am considering but haven't decided on yet. I will not, however, listen to the fourth and last book because apparently it is extremely violent and I am not OK with that being marketed to little girls.

Anyway, books are good times. Currently I am listening to Holes. It's nice and short and cute. I need some more audio books but have yet to find something I want to read... Any suggestions? All I require is that it be available somewhere in audio form.

2 comments:

K said...

I don't think Twilight is really marketed to little girls unless you count teenagers as little girls. But I do agree that it's *very* unrealistic (as in, Edward is freakin' perfect).

Last year, on a whim, I picked up "13 Reasons Why" by Jay Asher. It's his first novel and it was quite the page turner. It's about a girl who commits suicide and makes 13 tapes before she dies and sends them out to the 13 people that they're about. I know it sounds morbid, but he's a very compelling writer imo.

Unknown said...

I am currently enjoying the Plum mysteries series. I love private eye stuff and particularly when it involves a woman PI. I also love the tv special series on the Parker books on Jesse Stone. But I can't decide if its the stories or Tom Selleck!?!

I went to the paperback consignment store with your daddy on Monday. He got 14 books for the next two or three weeks. I got two!!

And I know alot of adults, mostly women, who are reading the Twilight series. Some are reading in tandem with their daughters. Its exciting to see that happening. But I agree that they are really not for "Little" girls, like 9 or under.

Love you,
Mom