Eugene lies decimated down here today. The weather continues dismal, although we had the sun peek out a bit. As a native of this state, I have a definite affinity with rain. But even I, who loves the storm, could not wish for sunshine to come sooner. It has a dampening effect on the mood, if you will.
All is truly well, though. I have little homework this evening, so I thought I'd update. There's not much in the way of news, so I thought, as kind of a review of the year, I would publicize some of my favorite works from this prolific year of reading. Here they are, folks!
~Measure for Measure (Shakespeare): admittedly one of the Bard's naughtier plays, I loved it for it's humanity. It was remarkably deep, and dealt with heavy issues while still being trademark zany.
~Locke, Federalist Papers, de Toqueville, Rousseau, Marx, Lenin: How does one do government? Let me count the ways! All these dudes had their own take on government, and it was fascinating to trace the differences and how they affected history (is it 'affect' or 'effect'?).
~A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens): I read this when I was sixteen, and disliked it considerably. A second reading helped me discover it's brilliance. I had also the advantage of maturity, and was able to decipher Dickens' verbosity.
~Crime and Punishment (Dostoevsky): hands down, the most intense read I've ever experienced. I was pulled right into the thing! Human nature is indeed wicked, and this book unabashedly displays this. Also: I never knew that an author could have so much talent, to write a book one way and make his reader think a certain thing for six hundred pages, then take the last page and a half to twist the thing in the other direction. Whew!
~Nietzsche: please, nobody have a heart attack. I don't prescribe to him; he is freaky. But he has a certain appeal that is undeniable, and his place in history and his writings are so profound, that reading him is definitely worth it. If you wonder, I only refer to him as 'him', for I don't want to have to type 'Nietzsche' left and right. You should try it.
~other recent favorites that don't really need explanation: Man and Superman (George Bernard Shaw), A Doll House (Ibsen), and All Quiet on the Western Front (Remarque).
Ta-ta for now! May your reading endeavors be worthwhile.
~I am etc.
2 comments:
I too enjoy the dismal and rainy days that have helped make Oregon “home,” but today has been gorgeous! I hope you were able to spend some time outside in the sun.
Speaking of Nietzsche, there is a song by Audio Adrenaline, entitled, “Original Species,” where a line states;
“I'm an original species
More enlightened than Nietzsche
I'm sure you'd like to meet me
'Cause I am loved
By the maker who's so clever
I was made to live forever
Though my body turns to sand
My soul is in His hands…”
It is so good to know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Amen.
Enjoy your loverly reads!
(Post Scriptam) If you have not read, Little Britches, but Ralph Moody, I highly recommend it. Actually, one of my favorite books ever. His style of writing is so, "back porch swing, on a warm sunny day." Also, if you want to laugh till you cry, you must read, "A Long Way from Chicago," by Richard Peck. I'm smiling just thinking of those fun, short stories.
God bless!
Hello my dearest sister!
Be proud of me, I finally figured out how to post a comment! So, you reccomend all those books? Because I have birthday money to spend, and I thought I would find me something new in the way of readable material. I don't want to fritter away my days lazily when I could be "improving my mind with extensive reading."
Loves,
Widge
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