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Sunday, April 30, 2006

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cover of The Code of the Woosters

A beautiful farce! This book is about Bertie Wooster and Jeeves, who together make it through many mishaps. More true to say that Wooster makes it into the mishaps and Jeeves gets him out again. There are all sorts of humors -- plays on words, plots which interweave in wonderful ways, sarcasm, proper english attitudes taken a bit too far. Wodehouse is funny. Sometimes laugh outloud funny, which isn't all that common in books anymore.

Wooster is commissioned by his Aunt Dahlia to steal a cow-creamer for his uncle. Sir Bassett is always in competition with said uncle and got this cow-creamer, which the aunt needs so the uncle will write a big check for her. Bassett and Wooster already have a bad history, and it only gets worse as we go throughout the story. Bassett's daughter is marrying a friend of Woosters, and his niece is marrying another college friend. So -- Wooster (and Jeeves, of course!) get to make sure both marriages happen, the cow-creamer gets into the right hands, and nobody is sent to jail by the judge (Sir Bassett). Makes for some wonderful dialog and twists and turns along the way to a happy ending.

Title:The Code of the Woosters
Author: P. G. Wodehouse
Date published:1938
Genre: British Humor
Series:Jeeves
Number of pages: 222

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Friday, April 28, 2006

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cover of Neverwhere

Finished this in a few days. Hadn't read a fast-paced fiction book for a while, so really enjoyed this one. A man named Richard has a typical life in London, with a job, a fiancee, a flat, and some friends. One evening on the way to an important engagement, he sees a girl step out of a wall in bad condition. So he takes her back to his flat to take care of her. Little does he know that by that single act he is giving up all that he holds familiar. This leads him into a series of adventures with the girl, Door, and into situations he would never have thought possible until they became reality.

Door is the last member of a family, each of whom had the power to open and close doors -- a gift to understand how certain things worked and create doors where there were none before. This is a gift that only her family had, which has a lot to do with them all being killed. In one of her memories, her father talks about how things want to be opened and by doing so she is helping to find their true nature. Which is a fun idea. I enjoy stories having to do with true natures, or true names -- since I believe we all have them, but they so easily get hidden by our selfishness.

Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandemar are characters from nightmares. They enjoy causing others pain, and have much experience. Not just assassins, but evil assassins. Maybe that sounds odd, since killing is evil, but these two take delight in finding different ways to cause pain. Mr. Vandemar is always hungry and eats whatever small creature presents itself close at hand (and saves some in his pockets). Gaiman makes sure not to get too gory about explaining what happens when they find their prey, but enough is said to get the point across that certain individuals and creatures are definitely dead. These two characters are integral in creating the atmosphere of London Below, showing the extremes of those who make up this underground city.

Richard is forced to make the transition from London Above to London Below, simply because he ceases to exist in London Above. Taxi drivers won't stop, his flat is sold to someone else, if he does get someone's attention they forget about him after a few moments no matter what he does. A bit scary to ponder. But, in London Above, Richard gets to interact with pieces of old London, and Gaiman has fun with the names of underground stops, such as Blackfriars and Earl's Court. Suddenly the names are more than just titles, but realities of people. There are suggestions of similar things throughout the city, as well as in other large cities. and after getting to live such an adventurous, exciting life, if given a choice which one would you chose?

Title:Neverwhere
Author: Neil Gaiman
Date published:1996
Genre: Fantasy
Number of pages: 336

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Wednesday, April 26, 2006

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cover of Life is Tremendous

A book about leadership, and the qualities a leader should have. A simple read but with some good things to say. Jones has done many workshops and seminars, so the book is set up in that format with an easy to follow format and concise ideas with examples. Makes being a leader and enjoying life seem much simpler than we are usually taught, which was refreshing. Perhaps a bit too simplistic, but an easy read.

Jones says the seven laws of leadership are -- Get excited about your work Use or lose Production to perfection Give to get Exposure to experience Flexible planning Motivated to motivating

Title:Life is Tremendous!: Enthusiastiasm Makes the Difference
Author: Charlie Jones
Date published:1968
Genre: Self-help
Number of pages: 102
Notes: Borrowed from John

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Friday, April 21, 2006

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cover of Sleeping with Bread

A simple book. With one main idea that is explained in various ways for various situations. The idea is 'The Examen', which is originally from St. Ignatius of Loyola. The process of asking two questions each night (or day, week, life, meeting..) -- For what today am I most grateful? For what today am I least grateful. There are other ways to ask similar questions which get at the same main ideas.

Christians have the pleasure of God living inside of them. Which means that by listening to our own lives and their experiences, we can hear the voice of God. Especially by listening for our consolations and our desolations. Desolations make one sad, angry, frustrated, or drained of life, while consolations make one loved, happy, satisfied, full of life. God longs for us to become more like Jesus and to have our lives filled with giving and receiving love.

Sometimes the things we are doing are not bad, but the way that we are doing them is. By doing the examen, one might realize that it is good to eat a nice dinner, but not to eat it in front of the tv. That dinner can be a time to enjoy friends or family. In listening to our experiences, the things we enjoy doing will become more apparent. Not simply the things we should do, but what we were made to do!

Title:Sleeping with Bread: Holding what gives you life
Author:Dennis, Sheila, and Matthew Linn
Date published:1995
Genre: Spirituality
Number of pages: 64
Notes: recommended by and borrowed from Jude

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006

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cover of Death in the Andes

I had the chance to hear this acclaimed Peruvian novelist speak, and a free copy of a book to read, so I decided to try it out; as it turns out, I didn't make it to any of Llosa's lectures, and I'm not sure how I feel about his book. The title might make you think it's a mystery-- and it is, to an extent; but it doesn't feel like much of one until near the end. The book is well-written and interesting, but not particularly pleasant to read because of the many deaths and the brutality.

The main action of the story centers on the Civil Guard Lituma, who has been stationed in the remote town of Naccos (formerly a mining town, now a work camp where they are trying to build a highway through the mountains) to investigate the disappearance of three men. This is a time of unrest because of the violence that is being done by the guerilla rebels in the mountains, which we get glimpses of through other characters experiences; after a while, I didn't want to meet or engage with any new characters, because I knew they would be brutally killed by the terrucos (the rebels/terrorists).

One of the more interesting features of the book is the use of time & story-telling. Since there is not much to do in Naccos, Lituma spends his evenings listening to his assistant Tomasito talk about his adventures with the prostitute he fell in love with (which seems more like a fantasy than anything real, and I was actually a bit surprised at the end when the woman in question showed up). But the interesting thing about this is the way this story is told, and interspersed with the dialogue of the two men lying on their cots in the guard's shack in Naccos. The story will shift back and forth seamlessly, so sometimes it takes a little extra attention to determine who is saying what. It does add a wonderful oral quality.

Towards the end, the book felt more like a more normal mystery. Lituma meets a scholar who studies the Andes, and the scholar's comments about the "apus" or gods of the mountains and the pagan practices of the mountain Indians gives Lituma an insight into the disappearances of the three men he has been investigating. He figures out that the men were offered as sacrifices to the mountain gods in an attempt to keep the highway project going (so the men would have jobs), and to protect the town from the terrucos. Lituma can't get any proof of this, and his superiors wouldn't believe such superstitious nonsense even if he told them. Finally, the night before he is to leave, he gets confirmation-- and more details than he finds he wanted to know-- from a drunk man who cannot escape his guilt at his own participation in these horrible rituals which failed to accomplish anything. (This is similar, of course, to what happened in many towns when the terrucos come, as the townsfolk are complicit in the horrible "judging" and murdering of their own neighbors.)

Llosa paints a dark landscape full of strange characters-- like the vampire-like pishtacos, who live in caves and feed on the fat of humans. Actually, I was quite surprised that the book had such a "happy" ending (compared to the rest of it); it didn't seem to quite fit. I kept expecting the terrorists to show up and kill everyone, but they never did.

Title:Death in the Andes
Author:Mario Vargas Llosa (translated by Edith Grossman)
Date published:1993
Genre:Fiction
Number of pages:275

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Sunday, April 16, 2006

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cover of Reliving the Passion

A devotional reading for the Lenten season. Short sections (2-3 pages) with daily readings for Monday-Saturday throughout Lent, based on the events leading up to the Crucifixion using scripture from the Gospel of Mark. I found the readings interesting & often quite insightful. Wangerin's approach makes it easy to personalize the events leading up to the cross, to imagine yourself in the position of some of the characters around Christ, and to re-engage with the story, even if it is already quite familiar.

I was never that impressed with Wangerin's much-acclaimed Book of the Dun Cow, and haven't read much else of his work; of course the often-cited, (sometimes too often-read) short piece "Ragman" is quite good, but I've never been very moved by any of his other work enough to seek out more of his writing. So, I was pleasantly surprised by this devotional. It's thoughtful & easy to engage with; the entries are short enough that it isn't a huge commitment to read them (and if you should happen to fall behind in your reading, it's not impossible to catch up again-- not that I would know anything about that). Each entry starts with scripture, continues with some kind of meditation or approach to that part of the story, and ends with either a kind of prayer, or words from Christ to the reader.

Title:Reliving the Passion: Meditations on the Suffering, Death, and Resurrecditon of Jesus as Recorded in Mark
Author:Walter Wangerin Jr.
Date published:1992
Genre:Devotional
Number of pages:156

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Thursday, April 13, 2006

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cover of The Sacred Journey

Took a few months to read this book but did finish it eventually. I think it too me so long because Buechner's work is so dense. My prefered style of reading his books is to read a few pages and then put the book down, chewing on the ideas or stories from that section. But -- his chapters are often thirty or forty pages long, which doesn't lend itself to small portions. I enjoy his thinking but just need some time so that it can actually affect me instead of just being something I can say I've read.

The sections are titled 'Once below a time,' 'Once upon a time,' and 'Beyond time.' There were certain points in Buechner's life where he realized that time was flowing differently than he had previously known. A turning point in his life was his father's suicide. Before this is his 'once below a time' and after is 'once upon a time.' His experience and interaction with time changed dramatically. Realizing there is an end to each person's time affected the way he lived. And allowed him to deal a bit more honestly with serious issues such as death and pain and suffering.

One person who is mentioned multiple times is one of his grandmothers. Grandmother Buechner. She is imperturbable. She sits in her rocking chair and though all of life's storms come against her, she is still able to rock and continue on with life. Events take place that interrupt the lives of all those around her, but Buechner sees her (at least as a child) as a grandmother who is solid and unchanging. She may be affected, but not in such a way that her life must change dramatically. Interesting about that. I am unsure whether or not it is a good thing to be unaffected. I tend to think that if one does not feel the sorrows of life, one will not feel the joys of life. But without feeling there is less pain.

Title:The Sacred Journey
Author: Frederick Buechner
Date published:1982
Genre:autobiography, philosophy
Number of pages: 112

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Wednesday, April 05, 2006

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cover of Messenger

A third book that ties together the two worlds of The Giver and Gathering Blue. About Matty, who is now a young adult, living in the village created of many people who have been rejected and hurt by their own families and communities. Matty is the messenger for the leader (another well known character..), and gets to go through the forest to other communities. He helps them to all stay in touch. Something starts to go dreadfully wrong in this peaceful, gentle village -- and many people desire to shut off the village and not accept any more people. Matty makes a last trip to post signs and to save Kira, the Seer's daughter. The Seer has become a father for Matty, and these are his two dear children.

True names. The Leader is able to know people well and to give them true names, when they reach a certain age or maturity. The Seer cannot see, but he sees truth and lies more clearly than many with eyes. Another man is named Mentor, because he cares so well for children and teaches them with patience. This concept rings strongly of Christianity -- that as people know their Father or Leader better, their true identity or true name becomes clear. Some are meant to love children and teach them with amazing clarity. Some are meant to design buildings. Some are meant to bring laughter into our lives. All are meant to be in relationship with the Father.

Gifts. The Leader has the gift of seeing beyond, meaning that he can see into people, into the future sometimes, or through the forest to the other side. Kira has the gift of seeing the future. Sometimes her hands weave without her guidance to show a picture of what is to come. Gifts are meant to be used to bless other people. Matty also has a gift, but doesn't quite know what it is or how to use it or when to use it. Each human has been gifted with something, and we get to discover how why when where to use it and bless those around us.

The ending is beautiful. Made me cry. So beautifully, painfully true. Matty was created to give his life for those he loved, for the land he loved -- to take the evil from both. He does so lying spread-eagle in the mud wishing to die, and realizing that in dying he brings life. A beautiful, tangible picture of what Jesus did for this world on the cross. Bringing true life through His death. The Leader and Kira are there with him during and after this gift of life -- and they see him as he truly was. The Leader gives him his true name. Not Messenger, like he wanted, but instead -- Healer.

Title:Messenger
Author: Lois Lowry
Date published:2004
Genre: Adolescent fiction
Series: ??
Number of pages: 169

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