Anna Begins

It's so refreshing to read a woman author in that genre. You always read such a variety of authors and genres

Happy reading vibes to you

I always assumed A.S. King was a man I'm glad it was good, I know you waited for it

Have you ever had a salmon ceaser salad?

Do you make your own crust? YUM! Petrole Sole, in bread crumbs and blue cheese mashed potatoes. I'm trying a new dish tonight- garlic broccolini. We also have a herbed focaccia.

I've never read Agatha Christie just because I'm afraid of being disappointed. My mom and I MUST see the movie though- Johnny Depp looks fine lol I started Endurance, the recent release of astronaut Scott Kelly. Like, it just came out Tuesday. It's great, I can see why I like it and mountain climbing books, they are... similar. It's interesting. Scott Kelly is a great storyteller, which was everything I had read about the book before I started it. It's nice to have a book live up to expectations! I also just finished my, at least 3rd, re read of World War Z, appropriate for Halloween! Joe Hill's new release is already bought and on the TBR

I always listen to the Tim Curry audio version of A Christmas Carol while wrapping presents I am almost finished with gifts for my daughter, except for some stocking stuffers. This might be the last "Santa" Christmas, which is just fine by me, although a little sad. It will be nice not to have to put on a big holiday. There might be a few more too, though, thats ok too One of her stocking stuffers is a soap and when the soap wears down, there is a ring revealed- she will love it. Actually, she appreciates everything, so I'm sure it will be a good Christmas I try to not have a big expense in December, so I buy all my presents before December- I like to have a nice New Year's, which is at the end of the month, usually tight!

Getting properly back into reading! You read a TON

Yes! It is! A great trick by Palahniuk

Let me know how you like Unlimited, but Amazon takes too much of my $$ as it is

I'm lucky that most of my reads this year have been good ones It's nice to be reading again

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan (354 pages) Equally as interesting as No God, But God, (his biography of Muhammad) Reza Aslan gives his views on just who Jesus was. Using historical references and his own translations of original Greek texts, Aslan paints a different Jesus than the Christian Jesus. The Jesus Aslan portraits upset a Christian minister so much, he published a 95 page (!) rebuttal. The minister brags about his "4.0" from Lee University (private, religious college) and the rebuttal is laughable. In my knowledge and debating with my mother who knows way more than me, Reza Aslan's work is convincing. The notes at the end of the book count for about 100 pages, but I learned more from them, than the opinion of Aslan, as he justifies his research and views. I can't wait for his God: A Human History in November. 5/5 Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine by Anne Applebaum ( 496 pages) I've been interested in the history of Ukraine for at least 10 years, especially in the years of Stalin's genocidal famine of this country in the 30's. The Holodomor is one of the saddest chapters in modern times. Red Famine is filled with the stunning impact of starvation- cannibalism, psychosis, hallucinations, murders- unbelievable terror. Applebaum gives a great account of the history of politics and government policies leading up to the Holodomor, an explanation of the background of the word itself, and why it isn't called a genocide by many Russians- in fact, few view it as a famine at all. Anne Applebaum is a Pulitzer Prize winning Polish journalist, known for her excellent book Gulag and also Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1944- 1956. Both were good, Imo, Gulag is her masterpiece so far- but I expect lots more from Applebaum! All three are highly recommended, this one gets a 4/5 Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk (304 pages) Tender Branson is the last survivor of a cult that committed mass suicide. This is his story, as told to the black box recorder of Flight 2039, just before it crashes into Australia's outback. Just like always, I read Palahniuk with a smile of glee on my face. This was a great book. 4/5 2BR02B by Kurt Vonnegut (12 pages) 2BR02B (To Be Or Naught To Be) is an interesting little story, I love Kurt Vonnegut and enjoyed this one- as all so far! 2BR02B refers to to the telephone number future citizens dial to schedule assisted suicide with the Federal Bureau of Termination, which keeps the population in check. 5/5

Don't know how I missed these two posts! The Reza Aslan is great, I just finished his book about Jesus, review below That sounds interesting , I'll check it out.

No god, But God by Reza Aslan (386 pages) Dr. Reza Aslan has his Ph.D. in the sociology of religions, but holds a bachelor degree in religious studies and a master of theological studies degree from Harvard. This was an amazing book, one that was exemplary in the telling of the history of Islam, a biography of Muhammad and the explanation of the differences between Shi'ite and Sunni sects. Dr. Aslan also gives great insight to the struggles the Middle East and Muslims find themselves in- between the extremist, orthodox Traditionalists or the more Reformist and revolutionary youth (much of the Muslim population are young, for example, 60% of the Iranian population are under 30). Dr. Aslan also patiently explains why militant Islamists have been able to terrorize our world and why; why the US will be and can be only a bystander and why the US is a constant ally of the hardline Wahhabi ideologue Saudi Arabia. Iran and Egypt are exceptions in the region and Aslan explains the history of the two countries, making today's current situations plain. I was very grateful to have read this book, I felt I learned a lot and it bettered my life, honestly. I feel like I had a good understanding of the Middle East, but not of Islam. It was enlightening to read the history of the religion and explore the differences in ideology. I appreciated the parts about British colonialism and the role the US currently plays in the region. Which, Aslan, maintains is only what Muslim countries can figure out- more of a democracy or more of a religious government. Aslan brings up an interesting point- democracy isn't always in US form, it can fit each individual situation. The other point Aslan makes that I found interesting was how the internet is bringing about more freedom and Reformist views in Muslim countries, as a majority of young people shake off religious leaders to interpret their religion, to interpreting it for themselves, which could lead to a more relaxed society. I finished the book a day after Saudi Arabia announced women would be able to drive a car. It was slowish in the beginning, as I was unfamiliar with terms associated with the Quran and the hierarchy, plus some Arabic words (Ummah, tariqah, shura, shirk, etc), but once that was established (and Aslan makes it understandable), the book becomes much easier to read. Very Good, 5/5 A Hidden World: My Nine Years in the Soviet Gulag by Raphael Rupert (163 pages) Hungarian Raphael Rupert was working for the British Embassy in Budapest when he was arrested in 1947 and was sentenced to 25 years of "forced labor" after a trial based on a presumption he was a spy. This would be an educational book for someone new to the gulag system, but after an exhaustive study of the period and subject, I found this repetitive. That in no way takes away from Rupert's experiences and the brutalities he endured. Published in 1963. 2.5/5

I've got Under the Dome on my TBR, but I really liked 11/22/63. You'll be reading the King's I haven't read! I've seen Falling Angels, I'll have to check it out

That's good to know, I've wanted to read Girl With the Pearl Earring for a long time and The Last Runaway as well.

I read the Author's Note this morning and I think I will enjoy it. I want to go to Yosemite, and really, I should have by now as it's only a few hours from me. El Capitan is there was was recently climbed without harness or rope by Alex Honnold (I thought it was Tommy Caldwell, had to look it up). Thanks, it's nice to see you again too I bought some books for my daughter yesterday, I'm super excited. I wish she read more books, she is always on the computer! She has a 6th grade reading level at 3rd grade. The hardest part is finding books both at her reading and maturity level. I am Malala The Pearl by Steinbeck Holes by Sachar The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

I have a box for my shoes and one of our cats has taken a liking to sleeping in it. Someone told me, cat fur is either a condiment or accessory

I'm still reading No god, But God by Reza Aslan and Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. I'm really enjoying both a lot. I hope to be finished with them next week, but we'll see.

Ha ha We have Junior Water Paw (Water Paw is his Indian name ) because he sticks his paw in the water bowl. And we have Pearl Dirty Fur because he doesn't like to wash his paws which are white socks (yes, a boy named Pearl lol we thought he was a girl when we rescued him walking around the neighborhood. He has a white "pearl" at the tip of his tail ).

I'm so glad you found something!

HI!!! I replied to you in my thread when I first came back, from awhile ago, I don't know if you saw it or not, but it's great to see you again I love Urban Fantasy, I haven't read that genre for awhile, I will download the sample! What a cute kitty

It's only like 250 pages Even my mom read it lol Just kidding. I tried Into the Wild on audio- my first that wasn't Immersion Reading- and it just was awful. So, I have the actual book on my TBR. I'm now 75 pages into No god, but God bay Reza Aslan and along it, I've chosen Guns, Germs and Steel. Yesterday, Amazon recommended Zealot, Reza Aslan's book about Jesus, so now I must read that too.

I just reread The Humans, but after Reasons to Stay Alive, I will not give that man anymore money.