Marisa's Book Club: Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Book Club :)
Marisa's Book Club: Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
Ok, ok... Jamie gave me this book for my birthday--last year! :) Honest truth, at first, I wasn't all that into it... which is why I haven't finished it yet. However, after my roommie reunion trip to San Francisco (and receiving another Anne Lamott book from Jamie for this year's birthday), I realized that I really needed to read this book.
AND I LOVED IT!!!
What it's about (from the back of the book, my creativity in describing this book would not do it justice):
Anne Lamott claims the best two prayers she knows are "Help me, help me, help me" and "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Despite--or because of--her irreverence and wit, faith is a natural subject for Lamott. With an exuberant mix of passion, insight, and humor, in Traveling Mercies she takes us on a journey through her often troubled past to illuminate her devout but quirky walk of faith.
A favorite quote:
"...music is about as physical as it gets: your essential rhythm is your heartbeat; your essential sound, the breath. We're walking temples of noise, and when you add tender hearts to this mix, it somehow lets us meet in places we couldn't get to any other way."
Everyone needs to read this book--seriously!
Ok, ok... Jamie gave me this book for my birthday--last year! :) Honest truth, at first, I wasn't all that into it... which is why I haven't finished it yet. However, after my roommie reunion trip to San Francisco (and receiving another Anne Lamott book from Jamie for this year's birthday), I realized that I really needed to read this book.
AND I LOVED IT!!!
What it's about (from the back of the book, my creativity in describing this book would not do it justice):
Anne Lamott claims the best two prayers she knows are "Help me, help me, help me" and "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Despite--or because of--her irreverence and wit, faith is a natural subject for Lamott. With an exuberant mix of passion, insight, and humor, in Traveling Mercies she takes us on a journey through her often troubled past to illuminate her devout but quirky walk of faith.
A favorite quote:
"...music is about as physical as it gets: your essential rhythm is your heartbeat; your essential sound, the breath. We're walking temples of noise, and when you add tender hearts to this mix, it somehow lets us meet in places we couldn't get to any other way."
Everyone needs to read this book--seriously!
Friday, March 04, 2005
New Book
Marisa's Book Club: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Warning: Do not read this book if you are depressed. It's a bit of a bummer book. Basically, Wharton's heronine, Lily Bart, is a beautiful woman who is addicted to the world of luxury. The problem is that she is poor.
I found this online and thought it would give you a good idea of how this book is appreciated in literary circles:
"Wharton's achievement was not so much the study of high society as her ability to turn the society's debasement of people and values in a work of dramatic significance."
There are some VERY interesting themes and motifs in this book. If you're looking for a classic work of fiction that will get you thinking--pick up this book. If not, wait until you're so inclined.
Here's an interesting quote for you to ponder:
"'Don't you think, ... that the people who find fault with society are too apt to regard it as an end and not a means, just as the poeple who despise money speak as if its only use were to be kept in bags and gloated over? Isn't it faiere to look at them both as opportunities which may be used either stupidly or intelligently according to the capacity of the user?" (Lily, pg 74)
Warning: Do not read this book if you are depressed. It's a bit of a bummer book. Basically, Wharton's heronine, Lily Bart, is a beautiful woman who is addicted to the world of luxury. The problem is that she is poor.
I found this online and thought it would give you a good idea of how this book is appreciated in literary circles:
"Wharton's achievement was not so much the study of high society as her ability to turn the society's debasement of people and values in a work of dramatic significance."
There are some VERY interesting themes and motifs in this book. If you're looking for a classic work of fiction that will get you thinking--pick up this book. If not, wait until you're so inclined.
Here's an interesting quote for you to ponder:
"'Don't you think, ... that the people who find fault with society are too apt to regard it as an end and not a means, just as the poeple who despise money speak as if its only use were to be kept in bags and gloated over? Isn't it faiere to look at them both as opportunities which may be used either stupidly or intelligently according to the capacity of the user?" (Lily, pg 74)
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
It's been a while
Monica called yesterday! Yeah for calling cards! For those of you who know Monica, she is doing great! Except for the fact that it is still snowing in China! Who knew? :) So we Southern Californians have nothing to complain about... it's just a little rain!
I've decided that every time I finish a book, I'm going to acknowledge it here on my site. The point is to approve or disapprove of the book and hopefully get some of my unread friends to pick up a book and start reading (yes, I'm talking to you Kevin)!
Marisa's Book Club: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
This is a fantastic book. Basic summary:
Jane is an orphan raised by an aunt who doesn't care for her. She is sent away to a boarding school where her passionate behaviors are tamed, but not exterminated. She has strong moral convictions which are crucial for the trials she faces throughout her life. After she is finished with school, she stays on as a teacher. A couple years later, she is hired as a governess at Thornfield where she falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester.
From there on, the story is up to you! Or your local video store-- there are several movie adaptions to this book (that means it's really good-- moving words inspire moving pictures).
There is one with Timothy Dalton that is fairly good.
Now, for those of you who have read Jane Eyre, you have to let me know your thoughts. If you read it in high school (like I did), you should read it again. It's better the second time around. ;)
More to come...
I've decided that every time I finish a book, I'm going to acknowledge it here on my site. The point is to approve or disapprove of the book and hopefully get some of my unread friends to pick up a book and start reading (yes, I'm talking to you Kevin)!
Marisa's Book Club: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
This is a fantastic book. Basic summary:
Jane is an orphan raised by an aunt who doesn't care for her. She is sent away to a boarding school where her passionate behaviors are tamed, but not exterminated. She has strong moral convictions which are crucial for the trials she faces throughout her life. After she is finished with school, she stays on as a teacher. A couple years later, she is hired as a governess at Thornfield where she falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester.
From there on, the story is up to you! Or your local video store-- there are several movie adaptions to this book (that means it's really good-- moving words inspire moving pictures).
There is one with Timothy Dalton that is fairly good.
Now, for those of you who have read Jane Eyre, you have to let me know your thoughts. If you read it in high school (like I did), you should read it again. It's better the second time around. ;)
More to come...
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