Category: Reading
-
My Favorite Books, and Why They Change
The conversation question I both love and hate is: “What is your favorite book?” As a bookworm, it’s impossible to pick just one. But I also read so many books that my list of favorites does occasionally change. I used to think that was a problem—after all, shouldn’t your favorite books stay favorites forever? But…
-
Why Fantasy Heroes Have Too Much Power
I’ve recently grown tired of main characters with too much power. My husband inadvertently gave me a term for this (it’s a video game term): Overpowered. In a video game, if you have a character who is too powerful, it makes the game unfair because it’s either too easy (if your character is overpowered), or…
-
February Bookstagram Challenge!
Welcome to the #booklovefebruary challenge! If you’re coming over from Instagram or Simona’s blog, welcome! We’re super excited to be co-hosting this February challenge together. Here are the daily prompts, along with a few ideas: February TBR: Your To Be Read list for this month—what books do you want to get through in February? Book…
-
Crime and Punishment: What’s the Crime, and What’s the Punishment?
Crime and Punishment: What’s the crime, and what’s the punishment?
-
How to Decipher Russian Names
I’m currently on a Russian literature kick—I finished Crime and Punishment this weekend and just started War and Peace via audiobook. There’s so much about classic Russian literature I love, but the names drive me crazy. Each character seems to have five different names, and the narrator changes which name he uses depending on the situation. Multiply…
-
Odysseus Goes to Mordor
I recently read a blog post over at Fantasy Faction in which Max Freeman argues that the classic literature students have to read in school is boring and often has no character development. He suggests that schools might be better off reading newer, more interesting books such as fantasy and scifi. I like Max’s idea of introducing “new blood” into…
-
Why Can’t Adults Enter Narnia?
Why is the magical world in The Chronicles of Narnia only accessible to children?
-
Ten Facts You Didn’t Know About Les Miserables
Victor Hugo’s epic has captured and wrung the hearts of millions since its publication in the 1860s. The time period during which the story takes place was a political roller coaster for France, and Hugo is a master at exploring the implications for every level of society. (See this post.) In honor of Les Misérables, here…
-
Your Ancestors Could Have Met Jean Valjean
I’m currently on a French literature binge. Having recently finished The Count of Monte Cristo, I started Les Misérables a few weeks ago. While both these stories are worth reading (and re-reading), they’re both very long. I read an abridged version of Les Misérables in high school without realizing it was abridged. Who would expect the abridged version…
-
Through the Wicket Gate
You get two book recommendations from two different friends. The first one says, “You should read this great novel I just finished.” The second one says, “You should read this great allegory I just finished.” Which one would you read? Most of us would probably choose the novel over the allegory. “Novel” sounds fun and interesting—a…
-
Meet Sydney Carton, a Man Famous for his Death
Warning! Contains spoilers. An interview with the late Sydney Carton, who was a resident of London at the end of the 18th century. Before moving briefly to Paris, Mr. Carton spent most of his time in the local pubs and taverns, and frequenting the residence of a Dr. and Lucie Manette. For his full story,…
-
Benjamin Franklin’s Self-Help Book
It’s 1752 on the outskirts of Philadelphia, and pouring hard. Twelve-year-old Jeremy is bored; he’s been left at home with his mother while his older brother goes with their father to the local pub for a pint of ale and the local gossip. Jeremy reluctantly goes out into the barn to feed the three hens.…
-
Why You Should Listen to Communists
Don’t panic. I am not a communist. I’m a patriotic American, and I fully believe in the freedom and opportunity of the capitalist system, in which hard work, motivation, and diligence gives way to success. I did, however, just finish reading Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ Communist Manifesto, with (I hope) an open mind. Let’s…
-
Why Read Books?
The current age is that of technology—but more importantly, that of the Internet. We thrive on Facebook, Twitter and blogs. We watch movies on flat screens, post pictures on Tumblr, and text instead of talk. Our world is instantaneous, filled with fast-paced sound bites and bold colors to catch our fleeting attention. We get frustrated if a webpage…
Victoria Van Vlear 