It is a very sad thing when one's books no longer fit in the constraints of one's bookshelves. It is difficult for me to part with a book once I own it, and even harder for my husband. Factor that in along with 4 years of Medical School and 2 years of PA school and the books those endeavors entail, and you're talking a lot of books. When we moved here, the movers estimated that we had over 1,000 lbs in books. I'm sure we've acquired another 500, and culled a measly couple since then.
We are dreaming of floor to ceiling bookshelves in our new study. However, when the house plans arrived 2 weeks ago, along with a breakdown of the estimated costs, we realized we would have to cut half of our dreams out. We've gone over the plans with a big eraser, taking out windows and doors. Gone is our lovely Russian furnace that we would have used to burn waste paper and wood once a day to keep our home snuggly warm. But I'm keeping the bookshelves, even if I have to build them myself!
I just finished reading "The Subtle Knife", the second in the trilogy "His Dark Materials" by Phillip Pullman. Because of the recent controversy regarding the first in the trilogy, "The Golden Compass", which was recently made into a movie, I wanted to read for myself. Apparently Phillip Pullman is a confirmed atheist, and many Christians are concerned that he has buried his beliefs in the books. (For more information regarding this controversy, see http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp .)
I must admit that I enjoyed the first book greatly. It is very imaginative and interesting. I did not find any overt references to religion, although it is apparent that the Church in this story is involved at high levels of Government. The second book, however, is preparing for a great war between good and evil. One of the main characters feels that all evil has trickled down from The Authority (or God), and is determined to kill him. I had a hard time categorizing between the good and evil characters in this book. There are a lot of twists and turns that left me feeling that a character I assumed was on one side, is actually on the other. It was a much darker, more disturbing story line. I did enjoy reading it though, and I do want to read the final book of the trilogy before I make up my mind one way or the other about this.
So, anyone else read anything good lately? I'd love to hear!
T
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3 comments:
Ooo, man, still on Under the Tuscan Sun. No kidding. This is very, very bad. I seem relatively unable to relax on my own these days without jumping up to go do something. . .last night, however, stayed up a bit too late reading, so I guess that's a good sign!
I think it's a good idea to keep the bookcases--after all, the Russian furnace may heat your toes, but a book, and many of them, heat the soul. (And hopefully you will never have to resort to burning the books to heat your bodies--that would be very ironic and ruin my clever little cliche). Who is it that says if you have two loaves of bread, sell one and buy an iris, for one will feed your soul?
Maybe it's not an iris; I can't remember now. I am such a bad quoter.
I devoured "The Glass Castle" and then, "Marley and Me". I would highly recommend both, though at the end of "Marley" you might need some tissues handy, or your husband's hanky.
Definitely keep the bookcases. Maybe the Elaine's can take up woodworking??
S.
After whizzing through "Merlin" and "Arthur" by Stephen Lawhead, which were much better than I expected, I'm now reading "Republic of Pirates" which is a non-fiction book about when the pirates ruled the East Coast and West Indies(circa 1715-1725.) It's really quite fascinating, though not heart-warming in the least. (Neither were the other two...)
Woodworking, great idea...
Tonya, sorry you've had to cut back...maybe you can "add on" in the future...
Books are a must.
N.
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