"Her Nose Stuck In A Book"

I just finished another book in 2 days. Mind you, it was extremely short and simple to read...plus, work was slow, I had the kids make scarecrows so I could decorate my classroom for Halloween...anyway...

I just read The Time Machine by H.G. Wells.
I'm not quite sure why I felt compelled to read this story. I think it was because I saw that the horrible remake of the movie was on TV, so I decided to read the book since I remember loving the original movie back when I watched it in 6th grade. I think the only thing that I find truly interesting about the whole story is knowing that it was published in 1895. What an imagination! Seriously, I have an active imagination but I couldn't even dream of the things H.G. Wells put into this story.
The title is a dead give away. It is about this man who invents a time machine and goes into the future. Pretty simple plot. Nothing to talk about really. Read it if you want to kill some time, I'm just sort of blase about it. It isn't a must read, but it isn't an "I hate it".

change of subject.

Okay, as someone who never really enjoyed reading, unless it was Harry Potter, I told myself at the beginning of this year that I would make the conscience effort to read more. I made the goal to read 3 books this year. Which just shows you how much I didn't like reading because I obviously set a goal I didn't think I was going to reach. I am proud to say that I have read 9 books this year. I am bumping my goal up to 15.

While I was at the bookstore today, I came across a book titled: 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
Well, of course I wasn't going to buy it but I went online and I found the list of books and I was curious to see if I had read any of these "must reads". I have actually read 24 of them. Who knew? I for sure thought it would be an even lower number. Oh and The Time Machine is on that list as well, so I guess I can say I've read 25. The next book I am starting, The Crow Road by Iain Banks, is also on that list. I'm not saying I will read every book from that list, definitely not, but I am sure it is a good list to take suggestions from.

If you are curious about the list and if you have read of the books on it, here is the link to the list

http://johnandsheena.co.uk/books/?page_id=42

just download the spread sheet, and open it in Excel.


Happy reading.

"Tick, Tick...Boom!"

I haven't updated in a while. Not much going. I had a week off of work which was nice, Chelsea, Lindsey and Stephanie were visiting from Sn Francisco, and my aunt was here visiting from Texas.
On Friday, I finally started reading A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. The book was amazing. I finished it last night, and I am not sure why I loved the book so much, but I just did. I kept getting the same reaction "oh the movie sucks" well, obviously the movie sucked because the ending cuts out the last chapter of the book. I haven't seen the movie but that is what the publisher note said at the end of the book. I really enjoyed the jargon used by the Alex, the central character/narrator, and his friends. At first, I had trouble with understand what they were saying, but after 10 pages it was no longer noticeable. It was just like learning a new word, and I found myself saying quite a few of them this past weekend. But, I shall refrain from using them, because I don't think many people would understand my head hurts if I said "I have a pain in my gulliver"...plus, it is just weird.
I would leave a book description, but somehow I always manage to give away the endings, and the one on amazon.com tells the ending as well. So I guess you are going to have to read the book for yourself. No really, you should, I think it is amazing and definitely going on my "favorites" list. It was a powerful piece of work.

"How Her Restlessness Stirs, For She Longs For Her Liberty"

I have FINALLY finished reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and I say finally because I feel like I have been reading it for a year. I had no idea that the book was as long as it was when I started reading it on my ipod, until I saw the actual book at Borders and noticed it was over 600 pages. I really liked the book, I feel like it could have been about 10 chapters shorter, but overall it was good. I was really into it, but it started to drag about 3/4 of the way through and so I stopped reading it for a week, and I found myself forcing myself to finish the book. So I really do not have much to say since I am unsure as to whether I would recommend it or not. Here is the book description for those of you interested:

The loneliness and cruelty of Jane's childhood strengthens her natural independence and spirit, which prove invaluable when she takes a position as a governess at Thornfield Hall. But after she falls in love with her sardonic employer, her discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a heart-wrenching choice.

And I just have to put this on here because it is my absolute favorite song from the musical version of this novel. Loves me some James Barbour singing.:)


Now I want a drastic change of pace, and I am going to start reading A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. I am very excited to read this.

"Still Waiting, For This World To Stop Hating"

As a child, I always cried in movies where a character gets bullied or picked on. Dumbo, for instance, made me cry so much because of the way he was treated. Today is no different. I watched two movies this past weekend that made me cry so much because of the way the characters were treated for their differences. The Secret Life of Bees and The Boy In The Striped Pajamas.
I just can't understand how people can be persecuted for being different in any way. Whether it be race, religion, heritage, sexual orientation, weight, income, anything all the way down to clothing. What makes it okay for people to hate another person for being different? We are all humans beings, and it makes me incredibly sad to know that still, to this day, people are being treated differently.
No one should be discriminated against.
People today like to think that they would never let genocide happen again, but what about the horrible situation in Darfur?
So many people around the world are being abused in so many different ways, emotionally, physically, and it is depressing to know that some people will always hate someone for not being the same way they are.
I know that I am just one person, and I can't change the world, but every day I try to spread positivity, and show compassion to the people around me. Everyone needs a friend, or even a smile and a nice "hello" to a stranger can turn a person's day around.
Yes, I know it may sound lame, and it isn't saving anyone but honestly, we all just need to be kinder to each other and understand that there is not just one way to live. So please, go out and be nice to everyone you come in contact with, even if you are in a bad mood, no one wants to be with someone who is rude. Just remember to accept everyone and their differences. You don't have to agree with them, but you should be tolerant.

I really want to do more to help on a broader scope, I want to do more charity work and fundraising. So if you know of any good ones let me know. I have just signed up for the Los Angeles AIDS WALK. And I am very excited. Come walk with me. :)