So I went on an ebook download spree...
Some of these titles are part of series I follow [Discworld, the
Rick Riordan's], one is a book up for discussion at my book club, a
handful are recommendations by friends, and the rest are books I've read
good reviews of.
The Keys to the Kingdom is another series I want to try because I liked
Garth Nix's previous work, the Abhorsen / Old Kingdom trilogy, and a
friend says this is good.
Aside from the above, I still have several books on my download queue. Not to mention the ones already on my computer. :P
I currently read ebooks through iBooks on my iPhone. Small screen, I
know, but it serves. I want to buy an ebook reader, but because I am
not technology savvy I'm afraid of investing in a Kindle or a Nook.
Like bibliophiles that have come before me, I am beset by the eternal dilemma - "So many books, so little time."
LINCOLN'S DREAMS
Connie Willis
While doing research on Abraham Lincoln and his prophetic dreams, Jeff
meets Annie, herself experiencing the Civil War in sleep, and tries to
help her find meaning to her dreams.
I know next to nothing about
the American Civil War, but it did not hinder me from enjoying Connie
Willis' "Lincoln's Dreams". Annie's experience was gripping, and the
story relevant.
We are conditioned to look up to our heroes on
their pedestals, but we need to remember that they were human too. Even
though they inspire us by their courage and with their triumphs, they
also suffered loss and failure.
Jeff, turning down a job
opportunity on studying the effects of the Vietnam War, says, "I haven't
figured out the long-term effects of the Civil War yet." It seems that
mankind has not even recovered from one war before he becomes involved
in another. In the last century alone, we had World War I, World War II,
Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, with Afghanistan at the start of this
century. Does no one understand that war does not solve anything? It is a
waste of human lives and material resources. War does not resolve
conflict, it only postpones it until the "losing" side musters strength
to fight again. Which is a lesson mankind, sadly, seems slow to learn.
Rating:
LAMB: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
Christopher Moore
The first Moore novel I read, "Fool", turned out to be my worst read of
2011, but I decided to give his work another chance before giving up on
it for good. I especially reserved "Lamb" to read for Lent, expecting to
dislike it, for pointless mentions of sex and for blasphemy, but I'm
glad I gave Moore a second chance [although "Lamb" did have numerous
mentions of sex].
"Lamb" tells us the story of Jesus', or Joshua
in Hebrew, "lost years" from the age of 1 to 33, as told by his best
friend Levi who is called Biff. It may be improbable, but given the
little that is known about that period of time, who is to say that it
was impossible? To enjoy the tale, one needs to view it not as a result
of serious religious contemplation, but rather as entertainment.
However,
the story is not only about Joshua, but about Biff. Biff represents the
ugly in all of us, our lust, our envy, but he is also that part of
ourselves who try to be better despite our failings. And Joshua is
always there at our side to accept us as we are.
Ultimately I
think "Lamb" is a story about friendship, loyalty, and love. Who else
but a friend would follow you wherever you went, to try and protect you
from harm, to support you and cheer you up, who would share your
suffering, who would place your well-being first and his second? Anyone
who has a Biff in their life is lucky, and should be grateful for that
blessing.
Rating:
