The Sea of Monsters
by Rick Riordan
I finished The Sea of Monsters audiobook. I'm loving the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series--and I know I would have loved it if it had been around when I was in elementary school. I'm thankful that my freshman honors English teacher did a large unit on Greek and Roman mythology, so a lot of the gods are familiar to me. Conversely, if I had read this before high school, then those quizzes and assignments would have come much easier to me. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying reading/listening to this series.
The story line is pretty good, and the main characters are starting to really shine. I wish the lesser characters were less one-dimensional, but it doesn't hurt the story, so I'm ok with it. This is the perfect sort of book to listen to on audiobook, because the storyline is easy to follow, it is entertaining on my commute to/from work, and it is easy to pick back up again. The hard part about audiobooks, is that I can't look back a few pages or chapters to remember what I recently read. Therefore, I have to use my brain to really think about what happened when I last listened. I'm getting better at this with practice--I actually try to summarize the past events in my head while I'm plugging my phone into my car's audio jack to get my audiobook on and playing.
Overall, I definitely recommend this series to people of all ages! Hopefully I can read it to my own kids one day.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Book 9 - The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Classic.
I read this back in high school, but all I remembered was the green light in the distance that Gatsby looks toward. Therefore, rereading this book was like reading it for the first time. Of course, I liked the story line. Since I didn't remember it, I kept thinking hard about what I remembered happening, but my brain was empty.
Ok, so I didn't technically read this. I listened to the audiobook. The gentleman who narrated this was absolutely brilliant. He had unique voices for each character, and it felt like I was listening to a play with a narrator. That's not something I could have done for myself if I were reading it. I'm not sure who the narrator was, but I highly recommend him! I found the experience of listening to this audiobook on the way to and from work to be a very pleasant experience.
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Classic.
I read this back in high school, but all I remembered was the green light in the distance that Gatsby looks toward. Therefore, rereading this book was like reading it for the first time. Of course, I liked the story line. Since I didn't remember it, I kept thinking hard about what I remembered happening, but my brain was empty.
Ok, so I didn't technically read this. I listened to the audiobook. The gentleman who narrated this was absolutely brilliant. He had unique voices for each character, and it felt like I was listening to a play with a narrator. That's not something I could have done for myself if I were reading it. I'm not sure who the narrator was, but I highly recommend him! I found the experience of listening to this audiobook on the way to and from work to be a very pleasant experience.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Book 8 - The Fear Project
The Fear Project
by Jaimal Yogis
This book was recommended to me by a friend. Honestly, I thought it would be more self-help focused. I was under the impression that it would be similar to Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project," coming from a fear perspective, rather than a happiness perspective.
I was impressed with the biological explanations for fear, why it is essential to our survival, and the instincts we still have that do not help us anymore. Looking at fear from a surfer's perspective was note something I could relate to, but something I can appreciate. In fact, it makes me want to take a surfing lesson (since the time I tried, it was not so successful).
Since reading this book, I have tried to self-monitor my own fears. It has worked, but then it has not. I wish there had been more tools and techniques for resolving one's own fears, rather than just focusing on the life of the author. It was more like a science book mixed with a memoir, rather than a memoir with anecdotal advice for readers.
If you're interested in biology, and how it influences your life, I recommend this book. If you have anxiety and are looking for some self-insight, then this may or may not suit your needs.
by Jaimal Yogis
This book was recommended to me by a friend. Honestly, I thought it would be more self-help focused. I was under the impression that it would be similar to Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project," coming from a fear perspective, rather than a happiness perspective.
I was impressed with the biological explanations for fear, why it is essential to our survival, and the instincts we still have that do not help us anymore. Looking at fear from a surfer's perspective was note something I could relate to, but something I can appreciate. In fact, it makes me want to take a surfing lesson (since the time I tried, it was not so successful).
Since reading this book, I have tried to self-monitor my own fears. It has worked, but then it has not. I wish there had been more tools and techniques for resolving one's own fears, rather than just focusing on the life of the author. It was more like a science book mixed with a memoir, rather than a memoir with anecdotal advice for readers.
If you're interested in biology, and how it influences your life, I recommend this book. If you have anxiety and are looking for some self-insight, then this may or may not suit your needs.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Book 7 - Mom & Me & Mom
Mom & Me & Mom
by Maya Angelou
I listened to this as an audiobook. Mom & Me & Mom was read by Maya Angelou herself, which made it worthwhile to listen to. As mentioned in previous posts, I have gotten into audiobooks because I can listen to them on my drive to and from work. I especially appreciate the books that are read by the author, or at least by a skilled voice actor.
Anyway, I liked the storyline because it focused on Maya Angelou's relationship with her mother. I thought there would be more about Angelou's life, but then I was reminded that she has written other memoirs about her own life. It was interesting to listen to her explain the dynamics of her being a daughter and a mother, and how these relationships impacted her life. Her anecdotes brought her family members to life, and made me want to get to know them.
I'm not sure how to compare the reading of this book to the listening of the audiobook. I will say, if you're going to listen to an audiobook by Angelou, find one that she narrates herself!
by Maya Angelou
I listened to this as an audiobook. Mom & Me & Mom was read by Maya Angelou herself, which made it worthwhile to listen to. As mentioned in previous posts, I have gotten into audiobooks because I can listen to them on my drive to and from work. I especially appreciate the books that are read by the author, or at least by a skilled voice actor.
Anyway, I liked the storyline because it focused on Maya Angelou's relationship with her mother. I thought there would be more about Angelou's life, but then I was reminded that she has written other memoirs about her own life. It was interesting to listen to her explain the dynamics of her being a daughter and a mother, and how these relationships impacted her life. Her anecdotes brought her family members to life, and made me want to get to know them.
I'm not sure how to compare the reading of this book to the listening of the audiobook. I will say, if you're going to listen to an audiobook by Angelou, find one that she narrates herself!
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Book 6 - The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
I love books that are unpredictable, even when I think they're going to be predictable. I'm not sure if I can handle seeing the movie for this book when it comes out. I have successfully avoided the trailer as well. I'm not sure I want to give up my image of the characters, how I see them, and the lives I have made for them in my head. I feel like I got to know the characters as I was reading, and I don't want to see them changed.
The story was great. When I started it, it seemed like it might be two-dimensional. Green is brilliant, and created a three-dimensional novel suitable for a wide range of ages. This is a book that my 7th graders have read and enjoy--we can have an intelligent conversation about it. And, many adults I know have read this and equally enjoyed it.
Warning...I cried for the last 60 pages. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone looking for a good read.
by John Green
I love books that are unpredictable, even when I think they're going to be predictable. I'm not sure if I can handle seeing the movie for this book when it comes out. I have successfully avoided the trailer as well. I'm not sure I want to give up my image of the characters, how I see them, and the lives I have made for them in my head. I feel like I got to know the characters as I was reading, and I don't want to see them changed.
The story was great. When I started it, it seemed like it might be two-dimensional. Green is brilliant, and created a three-dimensional novel suitable for a wide range of ages. This is a book that my 7th graders have read and enjoy--we can have an intelligent conversation about it. And, many adults I know have read this and equally enjoyed it.
Warning...I cried for the last 60 pages. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone looking for a good read.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Book 5 - The Twits
The Twits
by Roald Dahl
Such a classic. Ok, so it was short. Under 100 pages. But I can't help but add it to my list. The story is simple, but meaningful. We all know people who are twits...
Roald Dahl is such a brilliant author. He really appeals to all ages, which I greatly appreciate. Of course, I love Young Adult novels, and I appreciate Dahl even more. He's up there in my author-gods with Lois Lowry and JK Rowling.
I don't know what else to say, other than this was a great casual evening quick-read.
by Roald Dahl
Such a classic. Ok, so it was short. Under 100 pages. But I can't help but add it to my list. The story is simple, but meaningful. We all know people who are twits...
Roald Dahl is such a brilliant author. He really appeals to all ages, which I greatly appreciate. Of course, I love Young Adult novels, and I appreciate Dahl even more. He's up there in my author-gods with Lois Lowry and JK Rowling.
I don't know what else to say, other than this was a great casual evening quick-read.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Book 4 - Happier at Home
Happier at Home
by Gretchen Rubin
I read the Happiness Project last year, and really enjoyed it. It was on my list of books to read for quite a while, and I kept putting it off. I even checked out the ebook a few times, allowing the check out to lapse (no renewal due to holds)--third time was the charm!
I enjoyed Happier at Home as much as the Happiness Project. This time, I listened to the audiobook while driving to and from work, and I think it was a good way to start and end my day. Rubin's "truths" and "secrets of adulthood" really resonate with me. I wish I could have been taking notes while listening...I guess I'll have to re-read this book. I did notice that when I do a long put-off task, I feel really happy. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to "suffer for 15 minutes" either!
I am inspired by this book to do things for myself that will make me happy. Maybe I wont do a full-scale year-long happiness project, but there's nothing wrong with keeping track of some resolutions.
by Gretchen Rubin
I read the Happiness Project last year, and really enjoyed it. It was on my list of books to read for quite a while, and I kept putting it off. I even checked out the ebook a few times, allowing the check out to lapse (no renewal due to holds)--third time was the charm!
I enjoyed Happier at Home as much as the Happiness Project. This time, I listened to the audiobook while driving to and from work, and I think it was a good way to start and end my day. Rubin's "truths" and "secrets of adulthood" really resonate with me. I wish I could have been taking notes while listening...I guess I'll have to re-read this book. I did notice that when I do a long put-off task, I feel really happy. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to "suffer for 15 minutes" either!
I am inspired by this book to do things for myself that will make me happy. Maybe I wont do a full-scale year-long happiness project, but there's nothing wrong with keeping track of some resolutions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)