Anna Begins

Chapter 59, reading it today and hoping to finish today, if not tomorrow. I only have some 15 Chapters or so left. I think that will go quickly once I get back into the rhythm of the book. Anyway, found this on Amazon, thought you all'd think it amusing: A Letter from James Dashner: Top Ten Things I’d Want During the Apocalypse 10. Very, very strong sunglasses. 9. Lots of plastic to wrap around my house. 8. A stranger taken in who happens to be the smartest, ablest doctor in a thousand years. 7. A server containing every show that’s ever been on HBO and a nice entertainment system on which to watch it all. 6. An e-reader loaded with 5,000 books. 5. A generator and a gas refinery next door to provide fuel so I can watch all those shows and charge my e-reader. 4. Deodorant that smells like a rotting dead body so zombies think I’m just one of them. 3. Lifetime supplies in my basement of the following: hot dogs, Almond Joys, potato chips, and Mountain Dew. 2. A cloaking device to hide my house from the tyrannical, evil, bloodthirsty government that will inevitably spring up. 1. Oh, and my wife and kids.

Stand by Me. So great.

Thanks and thanks!

Interesting, I will definitely try this out next year, perhaps even sooner- thanks for the review! I do not know much about that part of WW2 either. Most of my WWII lessons were on the holocaust. edit- I have Crash on my list for next year as well.

You probably just lived my life's dream... do you have any pictures?

I LOVE this form. Thanks for that post!

Yes, there were some errors, but I was able to over look them. Mostly it would be a / where the first " would go for a quote. Other than that, there were not too many, not as bad as one series of self published Kindle Shorts I've read (Looking at you, Zombie Apocalypse 1-5), that one even got our and are wrong I'd say the format was the most annoying but if you can accept it for what it is, then it is an just an ok piece. If you like Soviet History, Anne Applebaum has two books out, which I read last year (Gulag and Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1944- 1956). Gulag won a Pulitzer. I think these two books would be more your thing. Thanks- I really wanted to explain just what it was, that was a little difficult, since it was so different. Still, I put more effort into this one than others, so thanks for the complement! No, It surely wouldn't be your thing But thanks for reading it anyway

Billy Ray Cobb was the younger and smaller of the two rednecks. A Time to Kill, John Grisham

I finished a strange little essay/ article piece that is 140 pages on Stalin and life in the Soviet Union. It was an interesting bit of reading, I reviewed it in my thread, as it was so different from other pieces I have read on life during that period and also life in Siberia's Kolyma. I am not sure what is next, but I just started the introduction to A Time to Kill, I've never read a John Grisham book, so this will be the first. I hope it isn't too heavy on the courtroom aspect, if it is I will be disappointed. I still have Maze Runner's The Death Cure and Matt Haig's The Humans on hold, at about 75% each. I've just been so wiped out yesterday and today, to get into them.

Title: Hell on Earth: Brutality and Violence Under the Stalinist Regime Author: Ludwik Kowalski Pages: 140 Genre: Essay/ Article/ History Age: Adult Dates 11/20- 11/22 Book #70 for 2014 I picked up this piece because I was looking for an easy read in between The Death Cure and a day of tiredness. I know, categorizing this book as easy is a little crazy, but it is more the manner in which it is written. While it took me 2-3 days to finish it, I did so at a leisurely pace, during the Huger Games marathon's intermissions, waiting in the car, at school during a rest period. Dr. Ludwik Kowalski is a physicist from France, who's father died in Siberia's Kolyma gulag camp. Kowalski set out for answers and what became of his research was published online at Montclair State University's website as the essay Alaska Notes. The result was a number of posts by other professors and re-research on the authors part, which was turned into Hell on Earth. Written like a dissertation paper, the piece has some harsh parts, but are dealt with manner of fact, not in an emotional telling. The book is broken down into 7 sections, most of them dealing with Kowalski asking questions and trying to find answers, questions dealing with Marxism and Communism, Marxist Ideology in the Soviet Union, the reality of life in the Soviet Union, Stalin's ideologies and how they were carried out. Again, this began as an essay and is written in an outline type format, so these are all easy sections, especially if one has a knowledge of Russian History and Communism. In fact, you almost need one, as the book explains very little of the meanings of these subjects, only exploring the ideologies. Hell on Earth finsihes with posts by the professors that commented to Dr. Kowalski's online posting of Alaska Notes, and his responses. This got on my nerves, as I felt like I was reading an internet comments section. However, the piece does what it sets out to do: Ask questions and find answers if possible, or ideas of answers if possible. Most of the questions raised remain questions, as really, is there any answer to went on during this terrible period of time? To what extent man's inhumanity to man exists and can be carried out? The author captures this hopeless feeling, and on the whole, it is a piece that makes you feel; desperate, but thankful that part of history is over. And you are left hoping it doesn't or isn't going to repeat.

*Nods* I a bit distracted with my reading today as well. But knowing you, you'll have Maze Runner finished in a day or two I will pick up Revival, but at least now I don't have to get it RIGHT NOW, ya know...

Before some years, they didn't put published dates. Maybe you have something rare I hope it is more understandable in Dutch, I had to pick my translation carefully as well. Some English ones are better than others, especially of Russian novels.

Wow- I am so not good at catching those things! I would never have know what he even looked like!

Welcome! IMO I didn't like Vampire Academy as much as some of the other YA I've read. I second Athena's Divergent, and Hunger Games recommendations. I am on the 3rd book of The Maze Runner quartet and all 3 so far, have gone very quick and easy, I have really enjoyed them.

Beautiful! I loved War and Peace, it doesn't deserve the reputation it gets, as so long and difficult.

I agree x's 2. (With both, the comment and Thanks Sue!)

It's out in June here, I'd be up for a group read before, I believe it is on my long- short list for 2015. I haven't read anything by him before. Oh- who was he in Fault in Our Stars? You said he had a cameo?

That is too bad, it gives me pause now (which really is a good thing, I have a short list of books I want to read before the year is over and I can kick that one off the "immediate" list). I hope you like The Maze Runner, please stop by our thread and let us know your progress, what you think. Keep in mind, the sequel is great too!

Um... have fun?

I wonder how it will do against the final Hunger Games, Mockingjay pt2. That will be out in November. Interesting. Completely different generations. Edit: Honestly, I'm not sure I am looking forward to The Force Awakens (VII)

The more I think about it, the more I like it. IMO, it fits the cannon so perfectly. Edit- and the more I like JL.

Well, there is always my exceptions list Devi, again

No no, just the bathroom part was random lol

*whistles* That Calvino book reminds me of something Margaret Atwood would write. I'm trying to be on an "easy" diet next year

Devi- are you still around? Finished Death Cure yet? I am hanging on, just about 20 Chapters left for tomorrow/ today (it is 2:30am here right now). That's some high praise! Both you, Laura and Devi are mentioning it! I might have to check that out! And I lol'd at