I LOVE Reading

I know that sounds corny, but it is true. I just spent a week in Thailand, and some of my favorite moments involved me curled up with a book. Granted other favorites included careening through the gorgeous countryside on my first time ever driving a motor bike, and snorkeling around the islands, but while these are memorable moments that I will treasure I doubt they taught me as much as a single one of the books that I read during the break. I love reading books that allow you to see the world in a whole new way, books that remind you what life is about, that connect you to something larger then yourself. I suppose I just love to learn and find reading to be an enjoyable medium for the transfer of wisdom. 

I am currently reading 'The Screwtape Letters.' During the many layovers and hours in the airplanes I finished 'Have a Little Faith' by the author of 'Tuesday's With Morey' and 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven (Mitch Album).' It was quite excellent. I read a ridiculous romance called 'The Ten Things I Love About You' and re-read the third Harry Potter. I find fiction equally helpful sometimes in looking at things from another perspective.

Mitch Album's books are excellent. All three of them. He has a fourth, but I have not yet read it. His honesty and integrity while writing is really what makes his books worthwhile. He does not strive to come across as a sage, or as someone with greater then average intelligence. He gives honest and insightful glimpses into the lives of some truly incredible people as they go through some of life's most challenging moments. He does not seek to force any specific world view or religious preference upon his reader's, but, in his style of journalism  he presents his discoveries and leaves the reader to make whatever choices and assumptions that need to be made.

I would suggest that any and all skip the corny romance one. It's not worth your time. Just a time filler I found at the airport. I was (to be honest) drawn in by the time period (got to love Pride and Prejudice) and the offer of some good old fashioned clean romance. I was sadly disappointed. It was cute and had all the makings of a great Jane Austin style story, but got WAY sidetracked several times in describing the carnal desires and the sexual activities of every one of the characters. Not quite my style of book...

If you want fiction that is deep though I find C.S. Lewis' Perelandra series, all of Lois Lowery's works (The Giver, The Messenger, The Gathering Blue...), The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Goodness Gene by Sonia Levitin, and The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer all to be thought provoking and enjoyable. Other must reads are The Lorax and the Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss (I know what you are thinking, but give them a chance. They are far different from green egg's and ham and provide an excellent jumping off point for some really thought provoking discussions).

I know my suggested book list differs greatly from any that you will find anywhere else on the internet, but that is intentional, for several reasons. Firstly, I LOVE TO READ! I am not about to give that up by forcing myself through piles of dusty old books that someone once upon a time decided are classics that everyone should read but that everyone who read's... quite honestly... hates. If a book is worth reading then it should draw you in and captivate your attention. I do not condemn the classics, in fact, I find that Shakespeare's works are still applicable (though very melodramatic), I personally loved 'A Day in The Life of Ivan Denisovitch' and 'A Diary of Ann Frank' and I thought 'The Iliad' 'The Oddessy' and 'Dante's Inferno' were quite captivating. I have no love for 'A Farewell to Arms' or 'The Great Gatsby' or 'Walden Pond' which I'm sure have some excellent metaphors and lessons, but are so burdened with dreadfully uninteresting descriptions with little emotion or connection to the reader that most of the lessons go unlearned. 

I am well aware of the fact that most of the books on my 'to read' list are considered young adult or children. There is a reason for that. After all, I am a teacher of children. That is only part, however. I also find that adult literature all to often is 'adult' literature. I do not need the risque, the violent, and the sexual in order to come to a greater understanding about the world. I live in the world and understand how these desires and impulses affect the every day life. I wish to read about something a bit higher then basic animalistic instincts. I also enjoy happy endings. I am aware of the fact that this is not realistic. I don't need it to be. If I want realistic I can take my nose out of the book and stick it out the window. I think most people prefer to have hope, however, hope that for a few moments life can (when we work hard and make good choices) work out for the best.

My eyes keep crossing and I am babbling so I suppose that will have to be all for now, but in summation, I LOVE to read, I prefer happy endings and books that challenge me to see the world from a new perspective. Have some recommendations? I would love to hear them. :)