Book: Married to Bhutan

Married to Bhutan by Linda Leaming


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Such a fascinating read about a country which is nearly impossible to fly into even in 2011 (I thought maybe we could take one of our vacations there, I think it requires more planning than we generally conduct for travels). A short stay in Bhutan quickly lead to life in Bhutan for Linda Leaming and the stories she shares are humurous, enlightening and entertaining.

A few gems:

"So along with all this peaceful beauty, there's a lot of vulnerability." (p.6)

"Sins of the flesh are probably the least destructive to humankind; and things like anger, hypocrisy, jealousy, greed, and pride are much more damaging in the end." (p.47)

"In Bhutan, saying very little is the epitome of good manners...It's more okay not to talk. People are comfortable with scilence. I believe my Bhutanese friends and family are talking without talking." (p. 64)

"Part of loving is just relishing the mystery and the improbability of it all." (p. 80)

"Winter is an inward time. Trees abandon their leaves, and their sap, their life force, concentrates in their trunks." (p.143)

"In my life, adventure and dreams have taken precedence over desire for material objects." (p.216)

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Book: The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Such a thought-provoking read regarding desires for everlasting youth and beauty at the cost of one's soul and moral-integrity. I was so intriguied by the relational triangle developed between Dorian Gray, Lord Henry and Basil and the influences each had on each other.  Each relationship was complex and telling.  The character of each man was well developed and often had me questioning how accurately these men continue to portray the views of modern society, from the wealthy classes to the not so wealthy.  Really a fascinating, if at times, disheartening, read. I can imagine this would be well enjoyed in a book club setting or literature course as the writing is superb and the material intriguing and more-than-conversational/discussable.

A few notable/fun/insightful quotes:

"I have grown to love secrecy. It seems to be the one thing that can make modern life mysterious or marvellous to us. The commonest thing is delightful if one only hides it." (p. 8)

"Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is by far the best ending for one" (p. 12).

"She behaves as if she was beautiful. Most American women do. It is the secret of their charm." (p. 40).

"Don't be so indifferent. You have a wonderful influence. Let it be for good, not for evil." (p. 164)

"The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame." (p. 236)

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Distance

Over 6,000 miles lay between me and my family (and a number of friends who are like family)

Somedays, I forget that truth.

I know that my love for them is no less impressive and deep than if I lived in their basement, next door or an hours drive from their front door. I know the reverse is also true.

However, in the last 15 months of living in South Korea a number of deaths have tugged at my heartstrings and begged me to ask why exactly are there more than 6,000 miles between me and those I’ve loved for since birth and my early years and even my post-college years.

Early Thanksgiving morning a man whom I had come to love during our trip home, a man who was loving my sister in a beautiful way, a man who was consistently making me laugh and enjoy my visit home and especially the time I had with my beloved sister, chose to take his life.

In an instant, the decision was made.

In an instant, his life was over.

In an instant, everything changed.

In an instant, I mourned and yearned for home.

In an instant, friends and family came together to remember with joy the life he lived.

But peace will not come in an instant. It’s going to be a long, dreadful road somedays.

Why should where I am be so far from where I’ve also loved and been loved?

Defending God

"There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless...These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside." (Life of Pi, p. 89).

Interesting.

Defending God.

As if He isn't God. As if He needs me to give voice to His Authority.

Interesting.

Defending God.

Inside. As if it's me who doubts, struggles, refuses, hems-and-haws.
As if I am the one who is weak and helpless.



I'm thankful for books that give me things to chew on, to wrestle with and reflect on long after having read them.

(Typed while drowning out a 6th grade after school class with Andrew Bird and sipping instant coffee mix out of a shiny tumbler...30 minutes until I'm en route home!)

Book: Dawn of Avalon

Dawn of Avalon by Anna Elliott

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The begining chapter was difficult to follow and I'm still not entirely sure who was narrating at that point. The following story however was intriguing enough and well written. I know very little about any Authorian history or lore, I suppose a better opinion could be formed if I had. I give this two stars simply because it's not my typical reading material and it didn't quite captivate me to the point of wanting to seek out additional material in this genre or the trilogy to which this is a prequel. If you're looking for a review from someone who knows more of this genre or King Author or Merlin, etc. I am not it ^.^
A few things worth remembering:
"To a healer, compassion is neither gentle nor tender, but hard and keen as a blade." (Location 544, Kindle)
"For if the weavings of our lives are spun of both joy and sorrow, the fabric of that morning seemed destined to be cast from threads of joy alone." (Location 841, Kindle)
"I have today. And I have at least one morrow. Perhaps the promise of one tomorrow in the sunlight is all any of us can ask for or need." (Location 1273, Kindle)
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Book: Praise Jerusalem!

Praise Jerusalem! by Augusta Trobaugh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Two stories, one of childhood, one of growing old are interwoven in this narrative of Ms. Amelia. It's a story of compassion, of fear of compassion, of discrimination, of entering the world of 'others', of faith, of love, of aging, of remembering and of starting a new life.

I put this book on my Kindle, free of charge, thanks to Pixel of Ink and am so happy I did.

A few gems:

"things that are over and done with are the saddest things in the whole world" (Location 2796, Kindle)

How true is that? I think of friendships whose seasons have come and gone. Summer days and nights working at camp. Study abroad adventures. Favorite college courses. Jobs. Conversations. Really delicious meals or cups of tea ;)  But mostly those things I know I'll only return to in my memory, because they are no longer a part of my 'in the moment' or 'in the future' rather they are fully, 'my past' and 'my story' ~ valuable but done.

"But sometimes I felt like no matter how long I lived in that town, it would never be any different. Like somebody wrote me into a story, and I couldn't change any of it to save my life." (Location 5888, Kindle)

Who growing up in a small town or living in a small town doesn't feel the truth of such a sentiment? Never had a harder time returning to memories than after having made large life changes...

"You loves folks - all kinds of folks - the strongest of any little thing I ever heard of. But you fight about it with yourself all the time." (Location 7153, Kindle)

"Made in His image. Black as they are. And naked. And hungry - don't matter. Still in His image. All of us are, and the means we gotta love each other. Any way we can and no matter what!" (Location 7735, Kindle)

No matter what. Amen.

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There are so many more passages and quotes that I found profound, hilarious, beautifully worded and descriptive, but perhaps you'd rather just read the book and see for yourself how these are woven into this intricate, beautiful and entertaining read.

(Typed while enjoying that colorful zoo-like mug of instant caramel macchiatto!)

Brothers and Sisters

After reading Life of Pi, I intended to share some more thoughts which were triggered through the writings and insight of Yan Martel.

Well here I am to get that ball rolling.

The following quote stood out to me for a number of reasons, primarily because it gives me a lot to chew on, and I kind of enjoy being forced into thinking about deeper matters such as this:

"It was my first clue that atheists are my brothers and sisters of a different faith, and every word they speak speaks of faith. Like me, they go as far as the legs of reason will carry them -- and then they leap." 

(Life of Pi, p. 35)

Perhaps what I appreciate most is simply being reminded that others are simply my brothers and sisters. 

Do I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Way, the Truth and the Life?

Without a doubt. It is, for me, the only possibility and my heart yearns deeply for others to recognize the same truth, my heart rejoices fully when others embrace that truth because I believe it with all that I am, in every nook and cranny of my heart and soul.

But, for me, that Love of Jesus should transform me and inspire me. In powerful, unexplainable ways. In simple, clear ways. In ways that don't set up walls between my brothers and sisters. In ways that lead me to view their worth and the worth of their beliefs in an honorable and loving way.

That's where my thoughts went with that quote. To the type of love I desire to bring this world, to people, regardless of everything.

Now...if only I could figure out how to get there without putting up such a fight in certain situations...

Grace and Peace to you, my brothers and sisters

(Typed while waiting for colorful zoo of a mug filled with instant caramel machiatto to cool down)