Anna Begins

You feel about August exactly the way I feel about October. My brother passed away-suddenly- at the age of 25, October 21st, 7 years ago. It is still as fresh today as it was then and it never gets any better. It doesn't matter how much you knew of your parents, a hole is left. Maybe a hole in a Whole never realized for you, I am not sure. I just know I miss my brother everyday and dread October. Even the fall weather of October and the smells effect me. At least he still visits us, sometimes. I hope you get visits too. And the gorgeous photo goes along with the theme, too, don't you think?

Around 2 hours, 30%- 60%, about 130 pages. Another interesting thing Solomon Northup does in this book is to narrate it. 12 Years a Slave is written in 1st person, after his experiences. In this way, some of the emotional toll for the reader is alleviated- It is a grim book, but not as emotional as it could be. There is plenty of whippings, beatings, cotton picking, ripped apart families and "man's inhumanity to man", but the book is not graphic and you know Northup survives. Hoping to finish Sunday, then onto something fresh for Monday off my new list. (No, I have not seen the movie, just clips on the Oscars).

It's hard after Hunger games, but I'm trying lol I've decided to watch The Maze Runner before I see it, just based on my experience with Divergent (the book and movie)!

Both my mom and a family friend liked it, without reading the book, so... I think I just knew too much of Tris' motives and her mind after reading Divergent to like the movie. There is so much internal stuff in her character that a movie can't capture!

I just started The Transfer again, just a few pages in. But now I think I might stop, read Divergent again and then read all of Four. I may do this next, after 12 Years... I dunno, I guess I'm in the minority, didn't mind the end, but I did mind how it was written and handled. I also liked Insurgent and Allegiant, Allegiant not as much, but it was an easy 3/5, definitely. Both Divergent and Insurgent are equal in my mind and I can't wait for Insurgent (the movie). Hopefully, they can do a better job than they did with Divergent (the movie).

Its so good, you'll want more

2hrs today, read around 90 pages. I was sorta surfing the web too One interesting thing Solomon Northup does in 12 Years.., is sorta echo what is ahead in the next chapter, at least giving you some warning of what is ahead. So far, nothing bad. But the foreshadowing for the next chapter sounds bad, so I will leave that for tomorrow. I can't sleep with that!

Don't Let Me Go, totally. And no knowledge of the US is necessary.

That's no excuse though! You so need to read something from Catherine Ryan Hyde (I'm her biggest fan. Well, me and Muggle lol).

Then I also recommend Unbroken: A WW2 Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hildenbrand (Seabiscuit). It will definitely stick with you, although it is non fiction and I know you wanted fiction. Have you read Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe?

I like Dusk till Dawn too- my brother has a massive crush on Selma Hayek. Have you seen Once Upon a Time in Mexico?

I like your chatterbox-ness

Great, no one has... now I have to watch it with covers up to my chin.

That all sounds wonderful! 38 members- wow! And Congratulations on such an achievement. I'm sure the material was terrible.

Awesome that you might take part, Frankie! Also, my family friend doesn't have to travel now, so I can really get into 12 Years a Slave! It's an easy book to read...so far. I'm hoping it's not as heartbreaking as Uncle Tom's Cabin (Harriet Beecher Stowe), but I'm sure it will be emotional.

That would be most welcome from you, thanks

Thanks for the freedback! I just think it transcends a rating! I could simply not come up with a numbered rating. I guess it would be a 3/5, just normal to a 4/5, it was good. Because it was. I hate that I posted my trials with this book, because I don't want to give the impression it is a bad book or so difficult you can't read it, it's just a book of philosophy and is an intense epic. Yes, that is the word I should have used in my review- an intense epic.

Ya don't worry, take some pressure off. Enjoy reading the read- a - thon! Just ballpark the time and the pages. That's what I did at first- just enjoyed it! I'm starting with 12 Years a Slave. Although because of a family friends' emergency, we will now be spending 8 hours in the car today.

At your own risk

Ok, 11:30pm and I am finished with The Fountainhead. The review is quite long, but I'd appreciate comments on the language as well, as I am studying ahead of schooling in my first English class in 20 years! I took notes through out, quotes and researched. I hope you all who make it through enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, 740 pages. As often criticized, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead are not the same book. They are different books about the same philosophy. At the heart of Atlas Shrugged is a female railroad tycoon, strong and confident, unable to find something she is searching for, in both man and world. The Fountainhead focuses on the world of architecture, two male architects in particular, and a whole host of others, all in various stages of Objectivism and on their way (or not ) to an Objective inner Nirvana. The antagonist, of course, holds opposite beliefs- Communist ideas, not one of a free will but of a collective one in the interest of all others, sort of a “collective soul” and definitely one of a socialist utopia. Much controversy has been made about Ayn Rand, her Objectivism and libertarian views, many comparing Objectivism with Existentialism. According to Rand, Objectivism is achieved through lifting oneself above environmental factors that can influence one’s own happiness, which Objectivism claims to be the moral purpose of one’s life. This can be achieved by separating one’s idea’s from religion, government, society, etc. Knowledge also factors heavily in Objectivism, along with logic and the pursuit of happiness- which can come through the freedoms allowed in Capitalism (If anything, Rand cannot be described as a communist or socialist. In her belief, those types of Governments preach against the sacrifice of personal joy and support a collective society/ government that takes away the personal freedom to find one’s happiness). Finally, if Objectivism sounds idealistic, Rand writes, that Objectivism is "a philosophy for living on earth, aimed at defining human nature and the nature of the world in which we live.” Although thought provoking, The Fountainhead does became redundant in parts but allows the reader to not debate Objectivism, but to have understanding of some of its nuances. The focus of The Fountainhead is more the philosophy and how the characters public and private images are shaped by their views. Atlas Shrugged is more focused on a passionate love story Originally published in 1943, The Fountainhead is timeless, dealing with subject matters that must have been discussed in the midst and aftermath of a second World War, and are still debated today- the role of Government, the impact of religion on society, societies values on oneself, how one finds happiness and how that happiness can be achieved. In the Introduction to the 25th edition of this book, Rand stated she has changed none of the text in The Fountainhead (which was turned down by 12 publishers) and has sold 6.5 million copies. In terms of ratings, I cannot recommend this book to anyone who isn't interested in philosophy but I could recommend the passionate love story of Atlas Shrugged. Personally, I like Ayn Rand and find her ideas interesting. I don't think I will rate this book. Edited: spoiler tags because some impressions of the book could be considered a spoiler. Just on the safe side.

I've read a lot of Steinbeck, The Red Pony, Of Mice and Men, The Pearl, Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row... but never East of Eden. I love his writing- he is from a small town about 3 and 1/2 hours from me, on the coast.

Ya I'm taking a break too- just listed 15 books on my thread I want to get to, but I will be reading others in between (although not many, I want to stick to the list). Take Me With You is on it, though

I will be starting her latest, Take Me With You, soon. Becoming one of my favorites too. Electric God sounds good too- actually, they all do.