read 100 books

Atlantis Found by Clive Cussler

A page-turning thriller by a detailed researcher, I was left unimpressed by his portrayals of women in general and what they supposedly want. All in all, I think a story written for a man, not a woman, but still interesting and readable for it’s details on it’s various subject matters.

For instance, this book included Nazi history, prehistoric man, Antarctica and any number of weapon and vehicular details.

The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex and the Meaning of Life by Armand M. Nicholi, Jr.

Always a touchy question, there were probably never two more notably opinionated scholars to debate it. Overall, the author uses his research into their letters, lives and published writings to try to formulate a debate on the main topics of love, sex, death, pain and how to live life from a materialist vs. spiritual worldview.

Saving the author’s notably biased conclusions for your own perusal, I found the work enlightening not only on topics of spirituality and psychoanalysis, but as a biography of the two men themselves.

The most personal epiphany that I had while reading the book was early on when reading Lewis’ comments about love and its pusuit as a purely selfless act as the means to happiness. While I found this helpful and a lovely idea, I was still painfully aware of certain facts and criticisms of biblical history that either he or Nicholi omit. Lewis seems to find most of the proof for his spiritual worldview in literary criticism of the Bible, but addresses the books as eye-witness accounts of Jesus that are in perfect agreement, instead of addressing the fact that their authorship varies by up to centuries and deeply reflects different early branches and sects of Christianity’s political biases. I found this failure to address a rather large materialist criticism dissapointing, but recognize that the error could in fact be Nicholi’s.

As far as Freud goes, I found myself not hating him quite as much as the sexist egotist archetype that he represents in my mind and finding some pity and recognition for his contribution to society and his personal grievances. However, perhaps it is mainly his male dominated world view that often made me wonder what a woman’s perspective in this dialogue could show, particularly a spiritual (but not Judeo-Christian) woman.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

So sad that it is over. This book was wonderful and thrilling. Every chapter had that feverish need to find out what happens next that usually only came near the end of each of the other books. So many wonderful mysteries to figure out and details of the world to learn. I was only disappointed by the epilogue. I would just as soon have imagined their life in the future, than hear a mundane summary of nothing. Although, I suppose she effectively closed certain doors towards rumors that she would write another book about Harry post Hogwarts…and opened doors to write about the next generation…but she didn’t need to do either. And, as usual, I applaud her on her treatment of death, especially for children, as something final but not terrifying.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Perfectly timed in my own life’s journey. People kept telling me to read this book, and finally I received it as a gift. I am planning my own journey of healing and it was wonderful to read Liz Gilbert’s personal account of her own healing and growing through a hard time. I read so many lines that echoed deep in my own heart and mind…thoughts that I’ve had almost verbatim. When she felt the call of this trip coming together, she had no idea how it would work, but she used the skills and connections that she had and trusted to the universe and the universe answered. It is inspiring really, and I’m very excited to see where and how the universe answers my own hearts call to wander. Terrified also, but excited.

The Amber Spyglass by Phillip Pullman

Okay, so I’m being especially harsh on these books, because I think I’m trying to figure something out about my own young adult novel. My criticisms are harsh I think because the books are actually so powerful and wonderful and tell a story with three of my strongest beliefs contained within them. But, I can’t shake my annoyance at 1) the condemnation of the church (surprising coming from me, I know) 2) the central significance of sex and now 3) the trite and naive purity with which ‘native’ cultures are portrayed. I want to enjoy the story, not get bogged down in spiritual debate. And while I think not villifying sex is so important in our culture today, I don’t think it needs to be portrayed as the savior of the evil of the church. And too much of our societal beliefs today are going back to traditional or native culture bases without a full understanding of what those cultures are or were. Our diet fads, political and environmental trends seem to be aiming for a return to simplicity, which is wonderful and neccessary, but should not ignore the problems that our modern society evolved to because of trying to escape from those problems. Such as starvation, tribal warfare, stringent moral laws and punishments, unacceptance of other cultures, the intensity of the workload, disease and shorter life spans, pain and suffering…etc. Maybe I’m getting older…the books support all of my beliefs really, I just want it to support them in a less black and white manner. And ultimately, if the books awoke such a response in me, they are probably perfectly written to encourage the same kinds of responses and criticisms and discussions for adolescents to learn to think for themselves as well.

The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman

While as equally enjoyable and stimulating as the first in the trilogy, I found this book a bit heavy with it’s adolescent fascination with sex. Not to be the American puritan, but I guess I’m being the American puritan…I’m not sure how I feel about a book for adolescents focusing so much on romance and sexual tension. Of course, it is by no means pornographic, just becoming such a central issue to the story. I also found it disconcerting where the book ended…if I hadn’t had the third book sitting right there and ready, it would have been a very unsatisfying closure to a section indeed…of course, I immediately needed to pick up that book and continue reading, so bravo on that score.

The Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

While this was definitely one of those books that it’s a little tricky to get into at first, by the end, I was so wound up in the web of what I’m going to call, 1990’s magic realism Japan, that I couldn’t put it down. A great story. More than a little melancholy, but with a somewhat uplifting end to it…at least what could pass as justification of or encouragement for a melancholy, purposeless life not being so purposeless or unhappy.

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman

Somehow not quite as captivating as Harry Potter, but in the same vein. I haven’t read past this book yet, but I hear tell that the anti-Catholic sentiments in the book grow even stronger in the following books. It is interesting for me, as an anti-organized religion of any kind-kind of person to be stating this, but I think the black and white nature of witches and nature vs. church and structure is almost a little distracting from my enjoyment of the story and my ability to immerse myself fully into Lyra’s world. Still, couldn’t put it down and looking forward to the next one.

45 Master Characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt

I read the first chapter of this book of character profiles (the seductive muse) and started having panic attacks about what it said about my own character…once I realized that we, as actual human beings, can change/adapt and even carry elements of more than one archetype; I found the book incredibly enlightening as a writer and a director. This is a great tool, paired with a good book about plot. This books basic summary of the two character journeys is not as complete as it could be.

The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman

This book is fabulous for someone with little knowledge of how to plan for their financial future and acknowledge their financial present. Despite moments of ‘new-age’ spiritual mantras and a few moments of over zealous conservatism, I found this book incredibly helpful in taking control of my financial life in the way that was right for me. It is best with the workbook.