Insane Affection

Book 40 - a book recommended by your sister

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

It's kind of funny actually.
A while back my dearest sister told me about this book that I had to read; but at the time I was rather June deep in the 2015 Book Challenge. I forgot that the book was even mentioned and moved along with my life.
Two or three weeks ago, my dearest sister mentioned the book again. She used phrases like, "you have to read this book!" and "it's a life changer!"
(We're almost to the funny part.)
I was being all cooperative and nicely put the book on the tippy top of the stack that currently resides on my writing desk. I must profess that I fully had all intentions of reading the book. I feel I have to say this as it appeared almost as though I were just going along with her ruse; at the time of the placing on the tippy top of the stack.
(This is where the funny part occurs.)
I carefully (the only adjective one should ever use when the conversation involves the handling of books) took the book from my dearest sister and placed it upon the tippy top of the stack which resides on my writing desk. When what to my obviously unprepared ears should be spoken, but; "just give it back to me when you are done, because I haven't read it yet."
Now I'm going to give you a little space to digest that.

Here I was believing that my dearest sister had read the book before and that I was receiving a most accurate review; directly from a brain who'd taken the words right off the page. Silly me.
As it has come to my attention that my dearest sister has never read this book before, I have taken it upon myself to give her an honest report. I feel it is my duty, as her dearest sister.

Dear Squid:

When I first began the journey that is this book, I felt that Mr. Chan was attempting to communicate with non-believers or beginner believers. Now I don't consider myself to be either of those and yet I still learned so much about what it means to be a Christian. 

Many of the themes have been studied and preached upon so many times that they are becoming almost tiring. When I was reading this book though, I was able to read the themes in a different light; which has helped the ideas to stick in my brain. There have been many events and specific moments over the past week where I have been able to take something that I read in this book and transfer it into my life or that of another.
I loved it.  I don't just mean the words. If you took a before and after of the physical book, it looks much more loved now. The pages have all been flipped through and viewed and the corners are slightly bent from being in a backpack rather often.

Though I will not, under any circumstances, write in a printed work of art; you will find stickies within the pages where I felt comment was needed. This appeared to be a solid alternative to defacing the beautiful pages.
You used the term "life changer". I wouldn't say that my life was completely turned upside down, but I am now much more conscious of certain aspects of my life. 

In conclusion, I must say a thank you for recommending this book, even if you haven't read it yet.

Much love, 

t-bear

Apocalyptic even without the zombies.

Book 39 - A book by an author from your hometown

Lorelai, You'll Never Die by Laura Konrad

You may be questioning the validity of this challenge as it is not actually named in the 2015 Book Challenge that I found on Pinterest. I have observed that there are a few challenges that would be rather difficult to fulfill and therefore have taken it upon myself to change them. Don't worry, the number of books to read and the time in which to read them have not changed.

This particular challenge has been altered from "A book that takes place in your hometown". As you may be able to imagine, coming from a small town and all, this is a very challenging challenge to behold. Though I do suppose I could have written something based in my hometown, however; I have been operating upon the basis that the books read during the challenge are published works. 

For many people it may be difficult to find published works of an author from their hometown, but I am rather in luck in such a situation.

If you would be so kind as to travel back in time with me to April 5, 2015; you will notice that the author of this novel is the very same author of the story that is Sky Goddesses of Dryden Vols. 1-4. 

One thing you may want to know before embarking on the journey that is this novel, is that it is futuristic and apocalyptic and wonderfully science fictiony. For me, this is rather a fantastic way to begin a novel journey, however; I understand that some do not feel the same way, *coughcough* Moma. I guess some people just don't know what good book genres are.

Anywho, though this novel is subtitled 25 Tales of the Apocalypse, the story flows from one tale to the next without much need to stop and observe ones surroundings. That being said, I spent one evening and then an afternoon with this novel because I just couldn't put it down. 

Now I'm not usually the kind to sit and read a majority of a book in one afternoon, but sometimes we must take the necessary steps to satisfy the universe. 

But seriously, the story picked me right up off my chaise and moved me into a world of death, destruction and "love" (you'll have to read it to understand the quotation marks). 

I embarked on this journey with the sole purpose of reading this novel because I felt that I owed it to Laura to read her published work of art. Little did I know that I would be caught in a world that doesn't exist but feels so very real when stuck between its pages.

I would suggest that you pick yourself up from this page, go right over to Amazon.ca and purchase a copy for your library. You may think I'm being biased or maybe borderline nepotistic, but I actually really love this novel.

In other news, asserting ones dominance is much more effective when driving sans muffler.

Stay golden, this is t-bear signing off

Fortunate Land Mass

Book 38 - A book that became a movie

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

A couple weeks ago, I took a tour through the book area in our local Value Village. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, when I happened upon this delightful tale.

Rather than refer back to my lovely book challenge list, I decided to purchase the novel knowing that one day I would eventually read it; book challenge or not. Much to my enjoyment, I hadn't used this very challenge yet.

The movie to which I am referring to is not any ordinary Treasure Island, but rather the spectacular Muppet Treasure Island. Well done, Disney, I must say.

We could sit here and make a case that the movie is a wonderful example of how great Hollywood is at ruining good books; but you really can't go wrong with Muppet Treasure Island. I am quite leery about all those other Muppet movies they've been producing in the last few years, but this one is the creation of pros.

If you haven't already guessed, this novel is based around an island that is said to hold buried treasure. This treasure was hidden on the island by Cap'n Flint oh so many years ago.

The trouble all starts when an old drunkard of a pirate, Billy Bones, calls home an inn that Jim Hawkins (our dear narrator) and his mother own and operate. This old drunkard is handed a Black Spot by a blind pirate and soon after falls over dead. Jim retrieves a treasure map from Mr. Bones' garments and then begins the journey that will take him to Treasure Island and return him in much larger fortune.

As is always the case, the Disney movie had all the characters enjoy a happy ending, where the good guys won and the bad guys lost. The novel however, was rather full of murder and mutiny galore. If someone wasn't dying, was the chapter really worth reading? I say yes, but that's just one persons opinion. 

The movie also took on a somewhat musical element. During the hour and 3/4 length film, we are treated to many wonderful tunes brought to you straight from the mouths of the Muppets (and the humans). Now I generally love musicals so it wasn't difficult for me to rekindle the love that I had for this movie as a youngster. The score was also by Hanz Zimmer, how can you go wrong with that?

I can't say that this novel is one of my most favourite stories. If you have been relying upon the tale told in Muppet Treasure Island, you might want to consider reading this novel, because you are missing a lot of the story.

Seasons are a-changin', this is t-bear signing off

The Eternal Ocean

Book 37 - A book you own but have never read

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

If you are a book lover, like myself, then you will have no trouble looking at your bookshelf and observing all the books that you own but have never read. Somethings I just sit and pass the time by looking at my bookshelf. People will look at you funny when you proclaim it in public. They obviously aren't book lovers. It must be hard for them.

With this novel (which is the sequel to The 5th Wave, a story that Hollywood has taken into its "care"); we are once again taken into an era where most of earth's population has been disposed of, and only few "humans" remain. 

Through the cold, pain, loneliness, and yes, love, the characters are taken on a journey of mind tricks and failed allegiances to the set-up-for-a-third-novel "happy" ending. I followed them the whole way, even when I regretted it, for my heart had trouble taking it in. 

It has been a rather long time since I read the first novel and I suppose I forgot how wonderfully the author describes every day emotions and actions.

I'll be putting these novels in the "you will want to read this again" section of my library. I guess it's a good thing that's the whole library!

this is t-bear signing off

Will the Temperature Shake?

Book 36 - A play

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

tempest [tem-pist]

noun

1. a violent windstorm, especially one with rain, hail or snow.

2. a violent commotion, disturbance, or tumult.

3. Propero, the right Duke of Milan.

Though I previously read that wonderful book on Will Shakes' life and works, I was not sure which category this play would fall under. As it turn out, it is a comedy. 

Remember in high school when you entered the English class and the teacher handed you a copy of one of Mr. Shakes' fine works of art, and you made a disgusted face and held the book like it were infected with the plague? Well, I would have to say that I started out with a similar opinion of the man; until I came to have a better understanding of the language. 

As a high school student I had some trouble deciphering the tongue better known as Shakespearish. This is one of the reasons that I was rather hesitant to pick up this particular book.

With little in my way, I began the tale of The Tempest and soon found out that I understood quite well what the characters were saying in their weird "English".

Assuming I read the story correctly, here is a brief account of the events:

As per usual, we find the trodden-on-family-member on an abandoned island (with his daughter), left to his own scheming. When what to his wondering eye's should appear, but a ship carrying the King, his son and many fancy pants fellows with names in high places. This is when the trodden-on-family-member takes his revenge with the assistance of a spirit. 

A little shipwreck, some invisible spirit spells and a few drunken fools bring the group together; right into the grasp of the trodden-on-family-member who feels it's time they recognized who he is and reinstate his place in society.

I'm not exactly sure what kind of humour Shakespeare was privy to when he wrote this play. I must say, there were no literal LOLs from me. 

Comedy, it may be; while misunderstanding, I probably am. 

this is t-bear signing off

The End

Book 35 - A book set in a different country

finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

You may have seen the title with annoyance, then moved onto the author only to close the browser. If you're still with me then I'm going to assume that you're okay with me talking about this series...again. 

I went with dear M and the sister to our nearest and dearest Chapters a couple weeks ago. "I had no intention of buying any books" those famous last words before a book lover enters a book store. Alas, I escaped with only three books and thoughts of many more. This book was one of them. 

Even though you are still with me, I don't pretend to assume that you are still excited about my current book choice. But, really, I had to finish the series. We all knew this was going to happen sooner or later. 

As I was getting low on challenges that would apply for this book, I picked this delightfully easy challenge. Not difficult to achieve on any given day. There are actually few times when I come upon a novel set in Canada. Am I maybe reading the wrong books as a citizen of the Great White North? We'll, come back to that later.

This conclusion to the series was a rather suspenseful one.

We have discussed the basic story line before so I'm sure you know that most of the characters are not human, including our protagonist. She is of superhuman abilities and if I'm being rather honest, annoyingly stubborn and jealous habits. 

The two reoccurring lovers are ever present in this installment and are again faced with problems that threaten to tear them apart forever. Don't worry, they were able to pull through till the end. 

After a battle as big as a cemetery which involved the deaths of a much loved character and a much hated character; all is put to right in the world and we can go home happy. The story ends with a *spoileralert* wedding. I didn't say whose. 

Though I was getting bored of the novel at one point, I was able to reenter into the story to enjoy the intensity that brought on the finale. (See what I did there?)

If you have come this far with me, why not finish the series? I did and look how productive that made my day!

this is t-bear signing off

PS - Don't be afraid of the new design. After all, seasons are changing!

Like Peer Pressure

Book 34 - A classic romance

Persuasion by Jane Austen

When the topic of classic romance is discussed, there is only one author that I think of; Jane Austen. So it is no surprise that I would choose one of her novels for this particular challenge.

For many years now I have been reading and rereading four of Jane's lovely creations. My favourite will always be Pride & Prejudice but I have a rather fondness for Persuasion. As I read Pride & Prejudice most recently, I felt that it would be rather wonderful to mix things up a little. 

If you take the time to sit and read Jane's novels you will start to notice common story lines. Though the characters are all different from book to book, the basic goings on are quite similar.

The story...

Anne Elliot, in her twenty-eighth year is not only unappreciated by her father and older sister, but she is growing older without a husband by her side. Frivolous spending on the part of her father forces the family to let the homestead and move to the south. Not wanting to leave, Anne stays behind with her younger sister who married into a family of young spirits and welcoming hearts.

While with her sister's family-in-law (if that's the correct term) she comes into contact with Captain Wentworth whom she had loved about ten years ago. Don't worry, the attachment was/is mutual.

As per usual, Father Elliot didn't approve when they met many years ago, which is the reason they aren't married already when the story takes place. 

After a few hundred pages of emotional struggles between Anne and Captain Wentworth, they are able to reestablish the never lost love and decide to get married. It only took the whole novel for this to unfold. Typical.

Some say that Jane's stories are hard to read because if the language but I rather adore the way that people talked back then. It's quite pleasing to the ear.

Only two books behind, this is t-bear signing off