Anthem by Ayn Rand

True to most Monday mornings in my house, I was scrambling to get out of the door in one piece and in my haste I forgot to bring my latest read with me. Any other day this would not be an issue but Mondays leave me a two hour gap to fill between work and trapeze school that I like to spend reading. Rather than scrap the plan I hit up Chapters and bought Anthem by Ayn Rand. It seemed short enough to finish quickly so that I could carry on with Sons and Lovers.

Five hours after purchasing the book, I have completed it, not only because its only 105 pages, but because it is awesome. A total cross between The Fountainhead (also an Ayn Rand classic) and Brave New World. The perfect union of my two favorite books so far.

True to Rand's style it was a story based around the concept of individualism and collectivism. Only Rand could weave such a pointed and meaningful take in only 105 pages.

Its a story of Equality 7-2521's break from a mundane and predetermined life into a would where 'we' becomes 'I' and individuality is celebrated. I loved the premise and the strong willed characters. Once again she has left me questioning my own path in life and whether or not I am living to my highest potential.

Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence

Well, I suppose it's time to attempt a novel that I have never heard of before and the winner is Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence. I have nothing to write so far, as I am completely clueless about the author or the plot. I guess time and pages will tell....

To Kill a Mockingbird - Finished!

The fact that this post comes only 24 hours since the last should be a clear indicator of how fascinated I became with this book. Or how low key my weekend has been.... I'm going to go with the former.

It was one of the those novels that kept me up until 2 am and have me reading again at 8 in the morning. 'Just one more chapter, just one more chapter, and so on.

I am madly in love with Atticus. Although I have zero complaints on the parents I was blessed with, I can't help but wish that I could have had him as a parental figure growing up. His pride and steadiness are what makes him such a role model in my eyes. I kind of think that it was Boo that killed Mr. Ewell in the end and I have no ill feelings towards him if that is true.

A beautiful part of the book was when Atticus told Scout that most people are nice when you finally see them. It shows that we should all give people the benefit of the doubt and not judge them until we truly know who they are and when they are coming from.

I'm sad that the last page has been turned, however now I have no excuse not to tend to the dust tumble weeds that are blowing around my home. No more chapters.

To Kill a Mockingbird - Part One

From the first page alone I was terrified that this book contained way too many characters for me to keep straight and that I would be hooped. Thankfully it slowed down a notch and took its time explaining each of them. Also thankfully, each character is so relevant and interesting that they are actually quite easy to keep straight. I love how the author took as much time as she did on character development. It gave me a chance to get a good understanding of everyone and to have a genuine soft spot for dear Scout.

It seems to me that the moral of this whole story is based on one sentence from page 30, 'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view'. That is such a strong statement and something to keep in mind when dealing with anyone. It is definitely something that I will think of next time I am wondering why the hell people around me are acting in a strange and difficult way. Of course this statement comes from Atticus, who in my opinion is the voice of reason so far in this novel. I really admire his stance on many issues as well as his parenting style.

Looks like the title of the book is also owed to the words of Atticus when he explains to Jem that to kill a mockingbird is a sin.

Cool word from part one would have to be assuage. Defined as to make milder or less severe; relieve; ease. Great word!

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This one was chosen because Calgary Theatre is putting it on and I am going on November 6th and would love to have read the book ahead of time. Its a race against time and if its as good as the reviews, I'm sure I wont have any trouble finishing it by then. Better hurry!!!

Lord of the Flies - Finished....finally

Well, contrary to most reviews of this novel, I did not particularly enjoy it. Right from the beginning I felt no connection to the characters or the plot. Maybe it was because there was no love story, maybe because it felt unrealistic, or maybe because it was shoved down my throat as an uninterested middle school student. Every page that I read I was very aware that I was reading words as opposed the many novels in the project that swept me away. Of course I felt the obvious emotions (disgusted by Simon's murder, sad when Piggy died, and relieved when they were rescued) but I never felt like I was enthralled in the least. Parts of it reminded me of A High Wind Over Jamaica but I actually liked that book. I'm just glad that its over for good now, or at least until I have to help my future children with their homework down the road. I hope for their sake that the school system will have picked a better novel to study by then that may actually spark a love for reading.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

An old reliable from the middle school days! I'm sure I've read this and most likely done a book report or two on it but time to hit it one more time!

The Great Gatsby - Finished!

Such a fun read! I was excited to have a shorter novel to dive into and ended up wishing that the story had gone on longer. I love the glitz and elegance of the 1920s and cant wait to see how they bring that glamour to the movie version.

I don't really have too much to say about this book. I'm sure if I read it slower and took time to analyze I would find themes and motifs but I was interested primarily in being entertained.

On to the next!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

This book was chosen for two silly reasons. First, I really want to knock more off the list quickly and this one only has 189 pages. Secondly, it is being made into a movie in which my future boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio is playing Gatsby. I have no idea what this one is about and I'm going to change things up and not research it before I start reading, see if it perhaps makes any difference at all in comprehension.

The Fountainhead - Finished!

I'm sad that this one had to end but at least it ended with everyone I care about being happy. I good go on and on about how much I've loved every sentence but then I would never get around to reading another book, ever.

The best part of the book for me was part four, chapter eleven. I have to remember to reread that every time I am feeling lost or that I am not being my true self.

Of course I am happy that Roark and Dominique are together in the end, I was getting worried that a love like theirs could never become an actual relationship. The calculated way that Roark waited for her to be ready to become his wife seems almost mathematical. Both of them had such self control that they were able to wait for as long as they did to come together as a united force. 

This book has really made me take a look at my own life and my own views of the world. I feel that Rand has unlocked a door for me into a new world of politics and theories that I have never been interested in before. Prior to this book I thought that such things were only for highly intellectual and highly annoying people but I can see the benefit now in having a strong opinion. Although I haven't taken the time yet research and ponder what I believe in, I know that it is something that I will do now, having read this book. Its a daunting task to solidify a viewpoint on an issue that I can respect myself for and defend but I think that it will also help me become the person I'm meant to be.  So thank you Ayn.