Theme
The Bible Erata
Art by definition is subjective. The art of writing, and the appreciation of it, not only subjective but visceral in emotional resonance. The unique, extraordinary and sometime revelatory craft of penning words and turning phrases, to ethereal elucidation of the human condition, elevates the art and leisure to a higher purpose and pleasure. I think of those books I have revisited and the author's method's and purpose. Whether with raised fists against conventional form of the novel, such as Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridien with its dearth of punctuation and lack of convention or in epic scope and breadth for a modern tome such Steven King's The Stand, both call to me at regular intervals. Sometimes, I reread the simple, slow and slyly building boil to literal explosive climax of John Irving's "A Prayer For Owen Meany" or Richard Russo's Empire Falls, but every great novel is a chance to learn something of the craft of writing and the the human experience in a simple setting.
By Herman Wilkins2 years ago in BookClub
A Children's Book Called Sister Anne's Hands
“Roses are red, violets are blue. Don’t let Sister Anne get any black on you.” Decades later, I can still remember that line. It comes from the children’s book Sister Anne’s Hands, written by Marybeth Lorbiecki and beautifully illustrated by K. Wendy Popp. My mother would always read to me when I was little and this book was one of her favorites. I didn’t have an epiphany at six years old when it was first read to me. And as an adult, I didn’t have an epiphany either when I re-read it to write this piece. It is hard to say that this book “changed me.” Rather, I would call this story a stepping-stone on the path that I try and walk today, its poignant message carried well past the age of reader the pages are targeted towards.
By Rae Fairchild (MRB)2 years ago in BookClub
Dune is Not About Oil
The prompt for the Book Club challenge is funny because it was David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation that introduced me to Dune. Dune was one of my favorite movies as a kid. It was one of my top picks at the library, besides all the Star Trek and Universal monster movies I could get my hands on. My love for the Dune universe grew in the 90s, with the books from Brian Herbert. Despite this, I would not read the first novel until 2017. Why, I am unsure. Since then I have dove as deep into the Dune universe as I can. I still have not finished the original series, due to a combination of work and school. Well, also after acquiring a copy of the encyclopedia, I decided I wanted to have the time to sit and read the series with that as my companion. Because if Dune does nothing else, it raises a lot of questions for the reader. Both in and out of the universe.
By Atomic Historian2 years ago in BookClub
Through Wardrobes
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - and actually the entire Narnia series - is one of the first full books I remember my parents reading to me, then reading and even re-reading the entire set to myself at a young age, and already thinking I must re-read again when I'd forgotten too much.
By Ellen Stedfeld2 years ago in BookClub
Gift
No other book has had so much effect on me like The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov. And I’ve read many, like most of Russians do. In the beginning of 80s I was lucky to borrow a copy of Khudozhestvennaya Literatura magazine dated 1973 where a full complete uncut version of the book had been published, a surprising oversight by government. There I was, in my early 20s, born and raised in Soviet Union, gone through all the pre coordinated by government stages of a proper soviet child. Patriotism, obedience, and loyalty to the state where the Communist Party had absolute power over everything, were inflicted at each stage, from kindergarten to university.
By Natalia Grin2 years ago in BookClub
The GULAG Archipelago
I've lived long enough now to feel that books rarely change me. Probably the last one was Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt that I read in 2004 or 2005, early in my doctoral program. Even then I wouldn't say that it changed me as much as it shook me in realization that human history was full of misery and suffering universally until quite recently and that we are probably living in the best human times in terms of life's comfort and personal security. And it all is incredibly fragile.
By Lana V Lynx2 years ago in BookClub
Love or Illusion? The Cognitive Dissonance of Jay Gatsby
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is a character who has lodged himself into the collective consciousness as an epitome of the American Dream gone awry. But what underpins Gatsby's ceaseless pining for Daisy Buchanan? The concept of obsession unfurls itself within the complex tapestry of Gatsby’s psychology. Our exploration traverses the realms of psychology, neuroscience, and literary analysis to deconstruct what makes Gatsby a case study for fixation.
By Margaret S.2 years ago in BookClub
An Enjoyable and Artistic Adventure into the World of Mindful Coloring
This is a coloring book for adults with hand-drawn mandala patterns. Wonderful and relaxing patterns will allow you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and plunge into the land of peace and relaxation.
By Nguyen Hoang Duong2 years ago in BookClub
A Little More Into It
This was my very first read and is my favorite book yet! It changed me drastically by having an open heart and a appeal for Travis and people. I started to have a greater insight for others. It was exactly 405 pages long, and I just loved how I vowed to read it!!! Basically I came (home) from a typical good workday and started to read it from 8:30 @ night - to 6AM in the morning!! It was completed as my first read. I was so proud of myself! I loved these parts about the book:
By Rachael Frazier2 years ago in BookClub
