Updated Reading List

I have always found Egytian history absolutely fascinating and I learned so much reading this book. For example, I had no idea that Nerfertiti, probably the most powerful queen of Egypt besides Cleopatra, was actually the step mother of Tutenkamen. Amazing. I also had no idea that Tut married his half sister and that, according to this author, it appeared to be a genuine love match. I'm not sure if I follow his premise and believe that Tut was murdered, but their definitely seemed to be many people and factors conspiring against Tut. It's ashame, I would have loved to see what he may have accomplished in the fullness of his life.



Even though this book is considered YA, I enjoyed reading it. I loved the premise behind Elsewhere and thought the authors vision was entirely unique. I especially loved the part where they talked about the need for all people to have a avocation - not an occupation. While the usual definition of that word is a hobby of some sort, this author suggests it as a life calling that one loves. I think that all of us are called to something, but not all of us truly ever learn what it is that we are called to do. I loved the ompleteness of the journey that the characters go through. My favorite character in the book? Lucy the Pug, of course!



Trite and boring. I wanted a labotomy by the time I was half way through, but since the book is so small, I pressed on. The end is touching but it just can't save the rest of the snoring...oops, I meant to say story. This one is definitely a snoozer.



I loved this book. It was great that it could be read slowly, a chapter at a time to allow for time to really think about the topics in every chapter. This is one that I will keep and reread, because I truly believe that an Attitude of Gratitude is absolutely critical to living a happy, healthy life.

Currently reading: Ayn Rand and the World She Made, The Christmas List and Under the Dome.
Up Next: Pirate Latitudes, The Horse That God Made, Bleak House.

Terrorist by John Updike - A Book Review

I have to say that Updike is one of those authors that many have told me that I should read, but I never have. I just couldn't get into his Rabbit character, but when I came across this book, I was oddly attracted to it. I wasn't sure what it was going to be about. I mean, I realized that it was about a "terrorist" but I was also savy enough to know that it just couldn't be that straightforward. I was so right.

This book was extremely well written, in that it made me see things from so many different perspectives, especially those that I didn't want to see. Ahmad, the "terrorist", is actually very appealling as a character. It is easy to understand his intense search for God when one considers his surroundings and influences. That is not to say that I ever find acts of terror to be excusable, just that I found him to be a more appealling character than I originally thought. I was pleasantly surprised.

I was rooting for Ahmad to be saved at the end of the story, and without giving it away, all I can say is that sometimes we make the right decision and loose our soul in the process. Updike definitely gives food for thought.

I have a goal to read 100 books this year. This one was number six. You can expect to see more book reviews here, and if you ever post reviews, please link them here. I am always looking for a good book to read!