Read this out loud to Livy this month. She loved it, and I loved re-reading it for the 407th time. She had seen the movies before, and it was a lot of fun to discuss the differences. I think she "got" the plot better from the book than the movie.
The New Nation by Joy Hakim
The next installment of my beloved US history series. This covers the time between the signing of the constitution until 1850. I learned so much, as I was very ignorant about that time. Who knew that the War of 1812 was kind of a revolution part II? Well, probably everyone but me, but I know it now! Every Objectivist needs to read these books!
The Host by Stephanie Meyer
This is the book Meyer, the author of the Twilight series, wrote for adults. It is sort of Firefly meets alien bodysnatchers meets Montana militiamen meets romance novel. I actually really liked it. The characters are better than Twilight and I thought the plot was a tad more original, but the writing is about on the same level. A pulpy, quick, fun read. The most interesting conflict in the book, and the main one, is between two consciousnesses in one body. Very weird.
Pemberley Manor by Kathryn L. Nelson
A throw-away Pride and Prejudice sequel. Not the best and not the worst I've ever read. Biggest complaint: Since when does Darcy burst into tears? When did he become this ginormous drama queen? Biggest compliment: Cool portrayal of Darcy's family. I liked Lady Anne Darcy as a Lady Catherine-like figure and Darcy's dad as a nice but over-tolerant husband.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamont
Another reread for me. I really enjoy this one each time I read it. It is the story of Jacob (son of Isaac) and his wives, sons, and daughter from that daughter's perspective. Dinah, his only daughter, tells the familiar Bible stories, but we see everything as the women see it and think of it. Very interesting. Sort of like The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, which also shows a familiar story (Arthur) from the perspective of women. The Red Tent will be particularly interesting to people who like to hear about midwifery, women's health, and the other gods in circulation at the time of Jacob and El.
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
I really wanted to like this because I liked so many of his other books, but I just couldn't. The plot was a repeat of The DaVinci Code, except set in D.C. and with Masons instead of the Illuminati. Also, it was filled with so much crappy new age mysticism masquerading as modern science that I wanted to cut my own heart out with either a ritual knife or a laser. Skip this one, even if you liked Dan Brown's other books.
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
Book 10 in the Southern Vampire series. They are getting weaker, as every long series does, but they are still super fun and should be read by all! Charlaine Harris has a wicked sense of humor, and her vampires do not sparkle. They can mainstream and not kill people and still be sexy and dangerous.
As an aside, Aaron surprised me with this book for Mother's Day. I didn't even know it was coming out, and then, suddenly, there it was on the bed. Such a good present!!!!
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
Another reread, but I don't reread it often enough. This is one of my favorite books of all time. It is the first book of the trilogy His Dark Materials, and the whole trilogy is absolutely stunning. It is original, well-written, peopled with numerous fascinating characters who inspire love and hate and every other emotion, pro-science, anti-religion, rich with imagery, and set in a beautifully crafted whole world (a la Tolkein). But fear not. It is more fun and flows better than Tolkein and is a million times more readable. I won't give away anything about the plot because you should discover this gem for yourself. If you have not read it, this should be the next book on your list. Yes, I said it, even before the Jane Austen novels you may not have read. It is practically Objectivist fiction, except unlike most of that, it is well written and not preachy. READ IT NOW! And that means you, Jenn.
These are the books I finished this month. I am also in progress on:
- Guns, Germs, and Steel -- I may die in progress with that book.
- Liberty for All -- the next Joy Hakim
- Dead and Gone -- the Charlaine Harris novel that precedes the one I just read
- For A New Liberty by Rothbard -- I was enjoying the first half where he laid out his principles, but I have gotten bogged down in the politics of his day in the second half. Will probably only finish it as a read aloud for Aaron on a long trip
- The Truth Universally Acknowledged: 33 Great Writers on Why We Read Jane Austen -- fun essays that I read every now and again
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -- read aloud for Livy
What are you reading?
