17. Glen Beck's Common Sense

Glen Beck's Common Sense

July 2009

I felt it was time to go back to some non-fiction reading. I am a fan of Glen Beck, which is why I picked up his book. It is a modern approach to Thomas Paine's Common Sense pamphlet. I wish that, like Paine did, Beck would have released it anonymously. Although Beck is on FoxNews and regarded as a conservative reporter, this essay is written from the stance that today's political parties are both equally at fault. In fact, he often takes the stance that the way our government currently operates is not in our best interest.

Its very short, and quite to the point. If you aren't tired of reading and hearing about everything that's wrong today in America, or perhaps especially if you are, I would grab this and give it a quick read. I wouldn't be surprised if it is nothing that you haven't all ready heard or thought before, but its nice to know that those who have a much louder voice than we do are feeling some of the same things that we are. It's definitely worth the three/four hours it would take to read it.

16. Uncle Tom's Cabin

Uncle Tom's Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe

July 2009

Wow! What a great novel! I remember learning about the influence that Uncle Tom's Cabin had in the minds of people at the start of the Civil War. However, I definitely underestimated how good of a book it actually is. It really is a shame that it is not studied more in American literature classes. From what I gathered in the background information, it has lost a significant part of its appeal due to "Tom plays" that were common in the 1920s. These plays depicted the characters in a largely negative and often degrading fashion. Which is in no way similar to those characters in the book.

All in all, I am really glad that I decided to read this and have suggested to all my friends that they read it too. The book is written so that you meet a core group of characters at the beginning and follow each one of their stories as they separate and eventually come back together. Each story captivates you and holds your attention throughout the entirety of the novel.

15. My Sister's Keeper

My Sister's Keeper Jodi Picoult

July 2009

So all my girlfriends have been saying that I must read this since I am close to my sister. So I bought the book. She read it while I was finishing up a previous one and now I finally got my hands on it. We also wanted to both read it before the movie came out. Even though everyone always says "the movie is never as good as the book." I still think its fun to see how someone else interprets a book.

I think I may have had unreal expectations for it because of all the hype surrounding the movie. I definitely enjoyed it, but because I kept hearing about how "saddd" it was, nothing that was sad really came as a surprise to me. Honestly, the most interesting story line, which in my opinion could have been a great book of its own, was the story about their brother. I found him, by far, the most interesting character in the book.

Regardless of the hype and the movie, the book is so easy to read and so talked about, that all women, especially those with sisters, should just give it a go. You'll finish it in a snap... and you'll be able to join in on all the conversations about it.

14. Candide

Candide Voltaire

June 2009

Another attempt to step out of my comfort zone, but also a friend's favorite. It was a very short but dense read. Whenever I read books like this, I try to pick up the Barnes and Noble's Classics versions. It gives you a great background on the history during the time that the book was written and of the author.

If you are unfamiliar with Candide, its essentially a satire about the idea that "everything happens for a reason," or as they say that "we live in the best of all possible worlds." The message that I took away from it, was: you can have all the misfortunes in the world or all the pleasures in the world, but what really matters is having a purpose and a drive to succeed and fulfill your life.

Some deep stuff there! But regardless, like I said, its a very short and easy read and there's no reason why anyone shouldn't pick it up and finish it in an afternoon!

13. To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee

June 2009

I know, I know. How is it even possible that I haven't read it? I have no answer. But what I can say, that seems entirely cliche, is... I Loved It! haha! It was great.

I don't really see the need for anything more than that!

12. Cat's Cradle

Cat's Cradle Kurt Vonnegut
June 2009

Another one of my friend's favorites. He's been trying to get me to read a Vonnegut book forever and now I understand why. I'm not sure if it was jumping straight from Stevenson or Vonnegut, but this book was so easy to read. I flew through it.

The story was essentially a simple one, however the message was much more complex. I think I only understood what the story was actually about once I was finished and stopped to think about it. Vonnegut has a way of shoving greater themes about humanity into a relatively simple novel. His characters aren't entirely that complex. Its more about the message at the end, than the development of characters along the way.

I definitely want to fit in another Vonnegut book soon. Probably Slaughter House Five, since that seems to be the obvious next choice.

11. The Master of Ballanatrae

The Master of Ballantrae Robert Louis Stevenson
June 2009

Another "classic" as I like to call them. A strange read for me in the sense that I felt like I struggled through it, though I was never lost and completely aware of the story line the entire time. Stevenson's style of writing is obviously something that I am not exposed to everyday, so it was nice to submerge myself in something different for a change.

The only other Stevenson book that I have read is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and even that was some 8 years ago. I may have to revisit it again!