Review: One Hundred Famous Haiku ed. and trans by Daniel C. Buchanan

Synopsis: A collection of 100 Haiku from various poets, ranging from the 1500-1900s. Each is written in the original Japanese script, the Japanese in Arabic script and the English translation. With each is a short paragraph about the poet, the meaning of the poem, symbolism or tradition. They are arranged in 4 chapters, each after a season.

Roughts: This is an excellent introduction to the best of the Haiku. As someone who has very little exposure to the form, I enjoyed the overview, the wide variety of poets and the accompanying explanation. I have added several names to my list of poets to read from this book. My favorite was by a female poet named Chiyojo:

Dragonfly catcher
How far have you gone today
in your wanderings?

Bookmarks: 8 of 10

Awards: None

Date Completed: 1-15-2011
Pages: 120

Aquisitions: Barnes and Noble

My dear husband took me on my promised Christmas gift buying spree at B&N today. I wasn't as prepared as I normally am, although I had my notebook with me, so I was be to hunt down some longed for books.

Here is what I purchased:

Curse of the Full Moon: A Werewolf Anthology
ed. by James Lowder

Eon by Alison Goodman

Red Hood's Revenge by Jim C. Hines

My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me: Forty New Fairy Tales
ed. by Kate Bernheimer

Raven's Shadow by Patricia Briggs

Raven's Strike by Patricia Briggs

Edit: Once again, I've added a video. Enjoy!

Review: Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt

Synopsis: It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, conveinience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily... But who do you know who lives like that? Do you?
In Raidical, David Platt challanges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences He shows what JEsus actually said about being his didsciple - then invites you to believe and obey what you ahve ehard. And he tells the dramtic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gorspell according to Jesus.

Finally, he urges you to join in the The Radical Experiment - a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring. (From the back of the book)

Roughts: Platt, in a simple and unadorned way, says Americans take Christianity and use it to help us achieve the American Dream instead of living as God would want us to. We use our money and time to surround ourselves with luxuries while billions of people die without knowing Christ.

This is a hard book to read. I wanted him to say something heretical so I could chuck it and forget the challenge he stabbed into my heart. But one cannot escape two things: 1) Jesus called us to live a certain way and 2) I do not live that way.

In the end, Platt issues a five-point challenge that, if taken, may lead to a radical change in how we live.

I recommend this book with a caution: do not read if you aren't serious about following God. It is a waste of time otherwise.

Bookmarks: 7 out of 10

Awards: None

Date Completed: 1-15-2011
Pages: 219

Aquisitions: CHKD Thrift Store

I stopped by a small thrift store near work to check for something I've been looking for. Of course, I swung by the tiny book section because, although one may find nothing, you may find a treasure - or treasures.

For a mere $10, I purchased:

Zen and the Art of Motocycle Maintenance
by Robert M. Pirsig

The Mystery of the Romans: The Jewish Context of Paul's Letters
by Mark D. Nanos

The Summer of the Swans
by Betsy Byars
(Newberry Medal)

The Headless Cupid
by Zilph Keatly Snyder
(Newberry Honor)

The Enchantment Emporium
by Tanya Huff

Silent on the Moor
by Deanne Raybourn

I'm well pleased with my finds!

Edit: Another video! I think I'm all caught up. Enjoy!

Ramble: Without Books

It’s no secret book lovers constantly acquire books. I myself favor purchasing used books, eschewing libraries after turning over my life savings several times to pay fines. The only library I frequent is one attached to my job and they don’t charge late fees for staff (woohoo!).

Generally, I acquire between 75-150 books per year, even with my current Book Ban*. While this Ban is a good idea, I am adept as weaseling around it -weaseling being my husband's word for it; I prefer creative planning.

Recently, I've been rethinking my creative planning. What if, and this is a big what if, I went a whole year without acquiring books through any means – no sales, no weaseling, no gifts, no cards, no book dates, nothing, zip, zilch. What would happen?

Would I explode? Go through withdrawal like a junky? Cave within a week, a month? Find myself stronger then I thought?

It’s an intriguing idea, no? What say you?


*I may not, without my husband’s permission, purchase any books. The exceptions are Approved Library Book Sales, Book Dates and Gift Cards.

Review: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Synopsis: Seventy years ago, Earth was attacked by the buggers and only by shear luck did humans escape annihilation. Someday, however, the buggers will return. The government has taken to breeding and training children as soldiers, a process that's produced good, but not saving, results. Then they find Ender Wiggin, the most brilliant of them all. Taken from his parents and trained in Battle School, he quickly rises to the top. Ender is the only one who can save Earth from destruction…if he doesn’t go insane first.

Roughts: The story is mostly told from the viewpoint of Ender, but occasionally from Colonel Graff, Ender’s handler or Valentine, Ender’s sister. This give Card the ability to develop Ender has a complex character, one the reader is immediately drawn too. This is not at the expense of the supporting cast, either. Card’s characters are all 3-demensional and rich, making the story exceptional. The ending is both expected and not, and the world building is delicately handled, detailed but not overwhelming.

Bookmarks: 9 of 10

Awards: The Hugo Award 1986, The Nebula Award 1985

Date Completed: 01-02-2011
Pages: 352

Beginning

This is my blog to review books I've read, books I wish to read and otherwise rambling incessantly about books and reading.

My goal is to review every book I read during 2011. I will also post any new books I get, and the occasional booky ramble.

The title is a spoonerism of "Reading Thoughts" and is something of an inside joke.

Hope you enjoy my endless prattling!