Rating: 9 · 552 pages
Read for The tl;dr Challenge
This book came highly recommended and positively reviewed by so many different readers, both offline and online. In the back of my mind, I knew there was a possibility that this would be one of those books that become popularized in the reading world for no real concrete reason. Thankfully, that wasn't the case with The Book Thief.
Narrated by Death himself, you'd think this novel would be mostly depressing. Quite the opposite; it is life-affirming. As we walk with Liesel through her formative years we watch as she becomes wise beyond her time, thanks to her surroundings, choices, and circumstances. Living as a foster child in Germany during World War II, Liesel's life is enriched by her friends, neighbors, family, and is damaged irretrievably by enemies she didn't deserve. Although this is a fictional account, I feel that in many ways, Liesel's experiences are symbolical and utterly essential to learning about the inexplainable truths and disappointments that so many have had to face. As she makes her way through the terrors of war, Liesel conveys a heart of courage and thoughtfulness that many would have trouble displaying in peacetime.
Throughout the novel, Liesel steals books. Sometimes from desperation, sometimes from anger, and sometimes just because they are there for the taking. But Liesel isn't a typical thief, not by any means. Books mean even more to Liesel than they do to most of us who consider ourselves bookworms. Her books are real, sacred connections to her past, present, and future.
It's not often you find a novel that is written so simply yet so lyrically. The way the author used words, it was just amazing. Here are a few quotes:
It kills me sometimes, how people die.
Even the wrinkles around her eyes were joining hands.
Imagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty-four hours a day. That was the business of hiding a Jew.
She could see the light on Max's eggshell face and even taste the human flavor of his words.
I can now officially join the multitude of people who hold this book and its deeply creative author in high esteem.
Rating: 10 · 351 pages
My first 10 of the year, The Quotable Ronald Reagan is a fantastic compilation of some of the famous words of America's 40th President. Personally and politically, President Reagan is one of my heroes. So it's no surprise that I thoroughly adored this quotation collection. I marked 55 of my favorite pages, and it's going on my keeper shelf.
I could go on and on about why I love President Ronald Reagan, but I think I'll let his timeless, funny, poignant, and true words show you why I hold him and his ideas in such high esteem:
We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.
--Remarks commemorating the 40th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1984
Government is the people's business, and every man, woman and child becomes a shareholder with the first penny of tax paid.
A truly successful army is one that, because of its strength and ability and dedication, will not be called upon to fight, for no one will dare to provoke it.
The best view of big government is in the rear view mirror as you're driving away from it.
I told Nancy, "This is the other woman in my life."
--to Mrs. Reagan as their helicopter circled the Statue of Liberty
Labels: America, History, Nonfiction, Politics, Presidents, Quotations, Reviews
My Rating: 8 · 144 pages
It was the lifelong desire of General Stonewall Jackson's to be a kind person, a devout Christian, a gentleman and friend that compelled him to keep a notebook of sorts, his "book of maxims". He researched and reflected upon things that he felt would help him succeed in achieving his personal goals. Who knows, had he been alive in the 21st century, maybe he would have had a blog!
I don't know if it was one of General Jackson's dreams to become a military leader, but fate propelled him and his commitment to excellence steadied him along the way. A few years ago, I watched the movie Gods and Generals. The way General Jackson was portrayed in the film really impressed me. I felt that if the movie was true to history, General Jackson was quite a remarkable and admirable man. And now, after reading Stonewall Jackson's Book of Maxims, I learned that my feelings were fully warranted.
A couple of quick facts about General Stonewall Jackson:
- He was painfully shy, but worked diligently to overcome it.
- He organized and taught a Sunday afternoon Bible class for local slaves.
- He was very strict with himself, always avoiding overeating and did not drink alcohol.
- He lost his first wife in childbirth, and was grief-stricken for years.
- He kept his temper in check and rarely raised his voice to the soldiers under his command.
Another interesting thing about General Jackson was that he closely studied the works of Lord Chesterfield, who wrote:
"By the help of history, a young man may, in some measure, acquire the experience of old age. In reading what has been done, he is apprised of what he has to do; the more he is informed of what is past, the better he will know how to conduct himself in the future."I believe General Jackson did indeed apply his readings to his life, and reaped the benefits from doing so. This book inspired me to continue to study important things, and to also be mindful of the knowledge of those who have gone before us.
Labels: America, Biography, Civil War, Etiquette, History, Nonfiction, Reviews
