Book Recommendations

I think most of us bookworms have a list of literature that one has to experience in order to qualify as a person. I know I have such a list. Since I am often asked for book recommendations, I thought I'd share my top ten most favorite life altering absolute best books of all time. (Bear in mind that my own to-read list is approximately 80 miles long, and this list is subject to change.)

10. The Quiet American by Graham Greene

This novel is subtle, calculating, and perfect. It is as superbly written as it is insightful. This novel is for anyone interested in the peculiar politics of morality, the detached discussion of existentialism, the dangers of good intentions, or the brutal story of the Vietnam War.






9. Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Finish it, and it might change your life. Don't finish it, and you'll think it was a elementary, albeit innovative, story about a boy and his tiger.











8. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Speaking of magic... I know a lot of people will make fun of me for including Harry Potter, but I think this series is fabulous. So many masterpieces are intentionally made only for the grasp of mature adults, but Harry Potter takes complex, abstract themes (courage, loyalty, bravery, love, evil, and the power of choice) and makes it accessible to kids, helping them both understand these concepts and aspire to good, all while spinning a wildly imaginative and breathtaking tale. I just love me some Potter. (PS- for those of you who would like to see the newly released trailer for the next movie, click here.)


7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I love this book for the same reasons the rest of the world loves it: Its hilarity and passion, and its alternately heart-warming and heart-wrenching illustration of honor, innocence, and injustice. Atticus Finch remains perhaps the greatest literary hero of all time for reminding us that some things are worth fighting for, even if there is no chance of winning.
(I struggled between choosing this or Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns, but TKAM won out by a hair. Let it be noted, CST is also a worthy read.)



6. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

I love this book for its shockingly obvious description of temptation. Eye-opening and dark, this novel nevertheless inspires the reader to lead a holier life.








5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I've been fascinated by the Holocaust for a long time, wondered at its magnitude, been appalled at its destruction. But I have never been so heart-broken by its horror as I was while reading this novel. This is why stories deserve to be told: Because they hold the transformative and revelatory power that enables us to empathize with others whose experiences we have never shared. So read Liesel Meminger's story. You won't be sorry.





4. Othello by William Shakespeare

I love this play for its dialogue on identity, evil, redemption, and choice. It is brilliance spewed on paper (and my absolute favorite Shakespeare piece.)










3. Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

This is, quite simply, the best (and, I think, the most important) humanitarian book I have ever read. Rather than depress the reader with the enormity of problems preventing women from flourishing in much of the world, the authors argue that there are ways, good ways, to contribute and change the world for the better. Half the Sky is hopeful and determined, not discouraging. Most importantly, it provides strong motivation in its pages for everyday people in the West to act. I wish I could do this book justice with one paragraph. For more information, click here.

2. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

This book illustrates how a life can be affected by prayer, faith, and love. I love this story for its portrayal of justice, perseverance, loss, and loyalty. I also loved the discussion on the nature of family. Beautifully written, beautiful message.









1. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Yes, the Giver holds the number one spot. For me, This book marked the first time I read not for enjoyment or for escape, but for growth. This book was the first to change me, and thus ignited my literary love affair. I have loved it ever since.








I have a similar list for movies, but I'll save that for another day. What are your favorite books of all time? If you tell me, I'll likely read them.

PS- Believe it or not, I actually have started the Brazil blog post (despite the fact that we are still under attack by the Asian spam.) For some reason, the old bloggity blog is taking about 30-40 minutes to upload each batch of 5 photos. This annoyance is magnified by the fact that we have literally thousands of pictures to sort through. Any ideas on how to speed up the process?

PPS- I have no idea what's going on with the spacing in this post. It's driving me insane.

PPPS- Happy eleven months, Hot Buns!

Vuvuzela Concerto in B Flat

I know, I know, pictures from our South American adventures are coming...eventually. Truth be told, we've been attacked lately by a gargantuan amount of Asian spam, and it's kind of freaked me out and made me a little anti-blogging. I'll return one of these days. This was too funny not to post though:

Out of Whack

Mike: "What day is it?"
Mel: "I have absolutely no idea."
Mike: "Me neither."
Mel: "I'm pretty sure it's June..."
Mike checks the phone and we find out that we are indeed several days into June. We have no idea how this happened.

Clearly, we're still recovering from our crazy last few weeks. Hopefully soon I'll fill you in on Mike's birthday, his 1L graduation, our South American adventures (complete with a persuasive argument on why we hate Delta and why you should too), LOST, last minute trips to Texas, Harry Potter, and our totally awesome tan lines. Until then, we'll likely be asleep.

Peace out.

Old

This baby was born XX* years ago today. And I'm really glad he was, because he turned into this foxalicious stud who later
asked me to marry him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOT BUNS!
Love, your biggest fan

PS- I cannot get over how cute Mike is in this picture:

*Actual age undisclosed.

Craigslist Gems

Today I went on Craigslist to hopefully find some lovely, original (and very inexpensive) art to maybe hang in our home. Here's the best that I found:

South Bend's Craigslist just isn't inspiring me for some reason. Besides, I'm not sure Mike would want a painting of Mad-Eye Moody in our living room.

On to merrier things. Mike and I are heading here in 10 days and I am very, very excited:

Hair Woes

I was born with very, very dark brown hair. I inherited it from my dad. And I love it. I really do. In my mind, the darker, the better.

Lately, however, I've noticed a disturbing trend. Ever since I got married, my dark hair began to grow in lighter. Proof:

Pre-marriage:

Engaged-- Still working the dark hair

Post-marriage:

Has anyone ever experienced this latent-hair-color-changing phenomenon? It is most unwelcome, and if anyone has any advice on how to get my raven locks back, please share. I'd appreciate any and all suggestions.

Poland

My cousin posted this segment of an article from the NY times, and I thought it was really one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I had to copy it here. (Hope you don't mind, Brigham!)

"I have no idea who Roger Cohen is. Some columnist for the nytimes. Married to Frida Baranek with four kids. A foreign correspondent. Whatever.

I know of him now because he wrote an article about the recent plane crash and death of the Polish president and other major leaders near Smolensk. Such a sad coincidence for it to occur in Katyn! Cursed place. Cohen talks about the event and its meaning. He presents the hope that Poland and Russia will be better friends now and describes some poignant moments in their relationship.

And then...Roger Cohen shares four paragraphs of epic depth and and eloquence. Read them and then say, "wow":

Poland should shame every nation that believes peace and reconciliation are impossible, every state that believes the sacrifice of new generations is needed to avenge the grievances of history. The thing about competitive victimhood, a favorite Middle Eastern pastime, is that it condemns the children of today to join the long list of the dead.

For scarcely any nation has suffered since 1939 as Poland, carved up by the Hitler-Stalin nonaggression pact, transformed by the Nazis into the epicenter of their program to annihilate European Jewry, land of Auschwitz and Majdanek, killing field for millions of Christian Poles and millions of Polish Jews, brave home to the Warsaw Uprising, Soviet pawn, lonely Solidarity-led leader of post-Yalta Europe’s fight for freedom, a place where, as one of its great poets, Wislawa Szymborska, wrote, “History counts its skeletons in round numbers” — 20,000 of them at Katyn.

It is this Poland that is now at peace with its neighbors and stable. It is this Poland that has joined Germany in the European Union. It is this Poland that has just seen the very symbols of its tumultuous history (including the Gdansk dock worker Anna Walentynowicz and former president-in-exile Ryszard Kaczorowski) go down in a Soviet-made jet and responded with dignity, according to the rule of law.

So do not tell me that cruel history cannot be overcome. Do not tell me that Israelis and Palestinians can never make peace. Do not tell me that the people in the streets of Bangkok and Bishkek and Tehran dream in vain of freedom and democracy. Do not tell me that lies can stand forever.

Ask the Poles. They know."