Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


My Favourite Quote:

"How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we have of life even in the excess of misery!"

This book was written very verbosely, and it was hard to remain captivated.

There were lots of interested passages on morality and humanity, but they were surrounded by long, uninteresting narrative.



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Dipping Carrots in Dressing

I don't understand why people dip carrots and other vegetables in dressing. The only reason I eat vegetables is because I feel like I have to.

People dip vegetables in the hope of making them enjoyable. But if I want something enjoyable, I would be eating cake. I don't know why you would go to the trouble of eating carrots, if you are just going to make them fattening anyway.

I say, if you are going to sacrifice, go the whole way. I support eating carrots dry. If I want to actually enjoy eating, I eat cake or cookie dough. If I have to eat something healthy, I want to make sure it is actually healthy.

Brave New World

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


My favorite quotes:

"One of the principal functions of a friend is to suffer (in a milder and symbolic form) the punishments that we should like, but are unable, to inflict upon our enemies."

"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamor of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesque of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overflow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."

This book provides a harsh view of the future. Even today, the reality of Huxley's words is evident. He speaks of a world where the family unit is completely broken down. Where people are molded and controlled to believe the same as everyone else. True passion is completely forgotten and replaced by momentary pleasure.

The characters are shocked to hear that people once stayed faithful to a single person for their entire life. I think that Huxley's words are definitely true. There are so many people today who already feel this way.

This book is good for people who like books like Fahrenheit 451, which reveal something about our own world through dystopia.



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The Catcher in the Rye

This book was worst book I've read so far by a long shot. It was like The Great Gatsby, but without any interesting themes or concepts governing it.

If you want to read an entire book that doesn't contain any single page of interesting story, and on top of that has no deeper meanings or ideas to bring to light, then this book is perfect for you.

This was probably the most boring book I've ever read.

Heart of Darkness

My favorite quotes:

"They were called criminals, and the outraged law, like the bursting shells, had come to them, an insoluble mystery from the sea."

"The earth seemed unearthly. We are accustomed to look upon the shackled form of a conquered monster, but there- there you could look at a thing monstrous and free."

"True, he had made that last stride, he had stepped over the edge, while I had been permitted to draw back my hesitating foot. And perhaps in this is the whole difference; perhaps all the wisdom, and all truth, and all sincerity, are just compressed into that inappreciable moment of time in which we step over the threshold of the invisible."

This book had some interesting points to make, but I don't think it did that great of a job of illustrating them.

It provides insights into the darkness within humanity, and the irony of "civilization" verses "barbarianism," which proves to be different than the "civilized" perspective.

Overall, other books do a much better job, such as Lord of the Flies.

1 star

Ender's Game

My favorite quote:

"Perhaps it's impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be."

This is one of my favorite books. It provides great insight into questions of truth, morality, and good verses evil.

It shows us what happens when someone is cast into a role, whether that roll is good or bad. Often times in life I have seen friends, family, and myself, being forced into a role or category by others. Unfortunately, we often end up believing in the hat that others have placed on us.

One part of the book that I found interesting was the Giant's challenge, which was part of a practicing game. The Giant's game was unbeatable, and Ender finally discovered that the only way to defeat the Giant was by killing him, which led him to wonder about his own morality.

I think it is true that it is our unbeatable challenges and struggles that can truly show who we are, for good or evil.

I think you should read this book.

100% real cheese

My Little Ceasar's pizza box said "Made with 100% real cheese!"

Isn't it great that we live in such a modern world, where we consider it a great accomplishment for pizza to use real cheese, instead of "vegetable product" or plastic?

It's not even necessary for 100% of the cheese to be real, as long as there is 100% real cheese involved.

I'm glad we don't live in a dismal ancient society.

Slaughterhouse Five

My favorite quote:

"This one is a failure, and had to be, since it was written by a pillar of salt."

This book provides commentaries on war and time.

The author compares writing an anti-war book to writing an anti-glacier book. War is destructive and terrible, but unstoppable.

He writes about time fourth-dimensionally. The main character jumps from time to time in his life. This perspective means he never really dies, but experiences death at a particular instant, while still being perfectly alive at other times.

I think the best analogy the author makes is the pillar of salt. He implies that there is something importantly human about looking back, as Lot's wife did.

Although this book presented some interesting perspective and ideas, I don't think it was really good enough for the "Greatest 100" list.

Lord of the Flies

My favorite quote:

"Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy"

This book provides a microcosm of society and humanity, revealing the darkness within.

I think I liked it better when I was fourteen, which is a good sign. Perhaps I am a little less demented than I was then.

I still really liked it, and I would recommend it to all the demented cynics in the world.

Harry Potter #2

My favorite Quote:

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

The thing I like about this book above the other Harry Potter books is the "Murder Mystery" aspect. The first time I read it I spent every page trying to solve the puzzle for myself. The second time around was almost as good as the first.

Animal Farm

My favorite quote:

"And remember also that in fighting against Man, we must not come to resemble him. Even when you have conquered him, do not adopt his vices."

I enjoyed this book. It provides extensive metaphoric criticisms and warnings of propaganda, ignorance, tyranny, etc.

I think Animal Farm is worth reading for everyone.

Fahrenheit 451

My favorite quotes:

"Not everyone born free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy, for there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against."

"School is shortened, discipline relaxed, philosophies, histories, languages dropped, English and spelling gradually gradually neglected, finally almost completely ignored. Life is immediate, the job counts, pleasure lies all about after work. Why learn anything save pressing buttons, pulling switches, fitting nuts and bolts?"

"Let you alone! That's all very well, but how can I leave myself alone? We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?"

This book is incredible. Bradbury always seems to have a way of getting into my cynical thoughts and expressing them in great ways.

If you like books that face reality and are not afraid to question it, you will like this Fahrenheit 451.

To Kill A Mockingbird

My favorite quote:

"but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

I think that this book has a very important commentary on the essence of man, as well as the meaning of equality.

Someone who likes books that analyze the heart of man will like this book.

The only problem I had with this book was the length. Although it was only 400 pages, it was still too many for the content. I think she could have done just as well delivering her message in 200 pages.

This may be a case where the movie is just as good as the book. It does a great job of keeping almost all the important content, while trimming the fat.

Overall, I am glad I read it once, but I don't think I would go back and read it again.

Books 3 and 4

Life of Pi

My Favorite Quote:

"It was my first clue that atheists are my brothers and sisters of a different faith, and every word they speak speaks of faith. Like me, they go as far as the legs of reason will carry them- and then they leap."

This book is in three parts. I loved the first part. It made me think a lot about religion, particularly the peculiarity of Christianity. I really liked the last part. It made me think about perspective.
The middle part was mainly a story, with various insights scattered throughout.
If you like adventure/survival stories, I think you will really like this book.
I only wish the middle part got me thinking as much as the first.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

This book was not as amazing as I remember it from when I was 13.
My theory:
I think that Rowling's writing style matured with each book, just as Harry matured. The later books have much more substance, quality, and humor in my opinion.
I still like this book though.

Two books down! (The Great Gatsby)

If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be "apathetic."

The main Character seem to be completely indifferent almost everything for the great majority of the book. It seems like he only really feels anything at the very end.

Therefore, I was completely indifferent for the entire book. I was constantly waiting for a direction that the story was going, but never really found one. It definitely did not provoke any insightful thinking for me.

Hopefully I like Life of Pi more...

1 Book down!

I finally finished my first book from my list! I would like to thank my wife Amanda, the only one who hasn't mocked me for either the list I have chosen or my aspirations to finish it.

I promised to give my feedback for the books I read, so here it goes:

I really liked this book. I think this book captured the good and evil capabilities within both sides of the French Revolution. This is also a great story of repentance and redemption.

I also liked Charles Dickens' writing style. He is great at using literary devices to demonstrate his points.

You should read it.

My favourite quote-

Troubled as the future was, it was the unknown future, and in its obscurity there was ignorant hope.

Would you rather?

Would you rather:

a) Have to get up in front of a huge crowd and tell them that they are wrong?


B) Have to get up in front of a huge crowd and admit that you are wrong?

Gratitude

Well this post is a change from the norm. Usually I complain about something, or try to explain how my insanity works. Today, I am grateful.

I have been given so much in my life. More than I will ever possibly deserve. Every time I think that the Lord has blessed me way too much, he gives me even more blessings.

First of all, I am blessed with the best parents that I have ever seen on this Earth. They taught me knowledge, culture, spirituality, gratitude, and eternal love. My sister isn't too bad either :)

When I came home from my mission, I was blessed with confidence I never felt before. I was able to talk to people like I never had before. In only weeks, I found my best friend.

My grades improved dramatically, and my study habits had changed. I found joy in everything in my life. I found my eternal companion in my best friend. As soon as I wanted to get married, a job fell directly into my lap.

Amanda is my greatest source of joy in my life. As well as happiness, she gives me strength and desire to be better. She helps me to understand people better, and to be more compassionate.

Now, as I approach graduate school someday, I have been trying to get in a lab, so I can begin research opportunities. The very first time that I asked, I was given a project immediately. Now today I have been given an opportunity to do research in the lab that I have wanted to be in during the summer.

I can't possibly understand why I have been given all of these things. I am also grateful for all of the friends that I have, who put up with my insanity.


"The poor man shuddered, overflowed with an angelic joy... he said to himself that he really had not suffered enough to deserve such radiant happiness, and he thanked God, in the depths of his soul, for having permitted that he, a miserable man, should be so loved" Victor Hugo

The Weakerthans Past Due

February always finds you folding
Local papers open to the faces
Passed away to wonder what they’re holding
In those hands we’re never shown the places
Formal photographs refuse to mention
His tiny feet, that birthmark on her knee
The tyranny of framing our attention
With all the eyes they’re eyes no longer see

And darkness comes too early you won’t find
The many things you owe these latest dead
A borrowed book, that check you didn’t sign
The tools the people live with people love it
Give what you can to keep to comfort this
Plain fear you can’t extinguish or dismiss

A piano, a library, and a garden

In Greek and Roman societies it was very important to have both a library and a garden. The library was a place to study the great works of philosophy and literature that had been produced, and the garden was a place to discuss these topics with other sophisticated people.

In our Society, a garden also represents the need for hard work to produce beauty, as well as self reliance.

I add that there should also be a piano, which is a place for learning and maintaining art.

When I am rich, I will make sure my house has a piano, a library, and a garden. I think that these are some of the greatest ways to maintain intelligence, culture, and the importance of work, in a society that is completely slipping from all of these.

So my advice: Plant a garden, read a book, learn the piano.

The word "so"

Why do we have to say the word "so" all the time? It's a sad example of the loss of credibility in the things we say. Fifty years ago, someone could say "That's cool" or "That's important."

But now, we have to use the word "so" for some reason. That's so cool. That's so important. I love you so much.

Since we have to use it so much, it loses it's original intention. There is no way to really emphasize a statement. Now people are resorting to using crazy expressions like "That's so so cool," in an attempt to add emphasis.

Books?

I've made a decision. It started about a month ago, when I went from never reading to always reading. I knew it would happen to me, but I thought it was a long way away.

Now that I like reading, I have committed myself to selecting a list of the best 100 novels of all time, and reading every novel on the list. This endeavor will probably take about 100 years or less.

My only rule is this: If I still hate a book ten chapters in, I am allowed to skip it, and severely criticize everyone who likes it. Otherwise, I have to finish the entire book.

I found my list yesterday, thanks to my best friend Muffin. This is the list I am going to use: http://www.thebest100lists.com/best100novels/

The Weakerthans

Doctors play your dosage like a card trick
Scrabbled down the hallways yelling "Yatzee"
I brought books on Harper in the Arctic
Something called "The Politics of Lonely"
A toothbrush and Quick Pick with a plus
You tried not to roll your sunken eyes

And said "Hey can you help me? I can't reach it"
Pointed to the camera in the ceiling
I climbed up, blocked it so they couldn't see
Turned to find you out of bed and kneeling
Before the nurses came took you away
I stood there on a chair and watched you pray

Worth....Nothing?

Worthless is a weird word. It should mean "Worth Less," but in fact it actually means "Worth Nothing." It's very sad...

Penelope

As I sat inside of Penelope, I remembered all the great times we've had together. From the very first day, when I got so excited I burned the tires, to the day I got in trouble for taking a picture of my speedometer record. Penelope was one of my best friends.

I sat in that defeated car with the sun roof open and the big dipper overhead, trying to figure out why Penelope had meant so much to me. Was that car the expression of my youth, or possibly even my rebellious side? Or was it something greater, like I shared some kind of tangible connection to her?

Either way, I think we can all agree, Penelope was a champion of light in a world of darkness.

Is Conformity a bad thing?

People say conformity is bad. One of the reasons they site is the fact that if everyone was the same, life would be very boring. I agree with this statement, but I find one exception: humor.

If everyone was the same, then everyone would always laugh at every joke, because everyone would see the joke from the same viewpoint as the one telling the joke, who obviously found it funny.

So maybe for those people who have to explain their jokes, conformity is a great principle.

The Toilet Paper Principle

When the roll is almost out, we always use less toilet paper then when it is full. This means that when the roll is full, we use more than we actually need to. Why?