Death row Messiah. That's one of the labels placed on an inmate in prison for the murder of a police officer and a seven year old girl. There appears to be miracles happening on his tier in which he denies having any involvement after requesting one final wish. The request: to donate his heart after his execution, which will save the life of a young girl who just happens to be the daughter of the murder victim and his wife.
However, if you are a fan of Jodi Picoult, you know that the true story in her novels is much deeper than the basic plot of her books. Change Of Heart is a story of questioning one's belief in people, justice, and religion; and, it is also a story about examining one's self image and one's abilities to carry out what is necessary to save another person.
This audio book was narrated by a cast of five, thus making it a very interesting "read". The twist and turns in the story, which are familiar territory when you read Picoult, keep the reader guessing even if the reader might suspect what will happen next. And the topics of capital punishment and the separation of church and state are political issues that the author examines in this story of salvation and atonement.
I very much enjoyed Change Of Heart by Jodi Picoult. It is thought provoking in many different ways. I really enjoyed the development of the character Maggie even though I didn't like her in the beginning of the story. And I also liked the many portrayals of how people try to "save" one another. I recommend this book to others, especially those who enjoy Jodi Picoult.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Winter Holiday Reading Challenge - Completed
I have finished my second reading challenge for the year. The Winter Holiday Reading Challenge ran from 11/08 to 1/09 and challenged its readers to enjoy a little holiday reading. I read the following books in the spirit of Christmas:
Christmas Wishes by Debbie Macomber
The Gift by Pete Hamill
Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich
Bittersweet Christmas by Livingston, Sattler, and Spaeth
My favorite book was Christmas Wishes and my least favorite was Visions of Sugar Plums. All four books, though, were enjoyable in their own right.
Christmas Wishes by Debbie Macomber
The Gift by Pete Hamill
Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich
Bittersweet Christmas by Livingston, Sattler, and Spaeth
My favorite book was Christmas Wishes and my least favorite was Visions of Sugar Plums. All four books, though, were enjoyable in their own right.
Bittersweet Christmas
"Well then, isn't that the best gift of all? A gift isn't meant to be repaid. It's simply a gift. Just like the gift of God's Son, which is what we're celebrating today." (p. 2o2)
Why did Christmas have to be so complicated? ... As if on cue, she could hear... "The greatest gift of all was not what they brought Him but what He brought us." (p.279)
Bittersweet Christmas: Christmas Spells Time for Change in Three Romantic Novels demonstrates the true meaning of Christmas along with the strength of faith to help those who are struggling through some tough times in life and love.
One Last Christmas by Joyce Livingston tells a story of Sylvia who asks her husband for one more Christmas after he files for divorce. She uses the week to help him remember the good times of their marriage and to fall in love with one another once again. In the meantime she learns a little about herself as well.
Almost Twins by Gail Sattler tells a story of Dennis who recently became a single parent and meets another single parent in a time of need. Dennis learns that he can't control everything and that this new woman can teach him a thing or two about child raising, sacrifice, and love.
The Candy Cane Calaboose by Janet Spaeth tells the story of Abbey and her quest for success. But a gift of slippers that arrive from her aunt helps her meet a very special person that points out that there is more to life than her well-planned out goals. When she is forced into spending some time away from her job, she soon learns about the importance of opening her heart to love.
I am a sucker for romantic novels and Heartsong books seldom let me down. I very much enjoyed all three stories. They put the reader in the Christmas spirit in all the right ways.
Why did Christmas have to be so complicated? ... As if on cue, she could hear... "The greatest gift of all was not what they brought Him but what He brought us." (p.279)
Bittersweet Christmas: Christmas Spells Time for Change in Three Romantic Novels demonstrates the true meaning of Christmas along with the strength of faith to help those who are struggling through some tough times in life and love.
One Last Christmas by Joyce Livingston tells a story of Sylvia who asks her husband for one more Christmas after he files for divorce. She uses the week to help him remember the good times of their marriage and to fall in love with one another once again. In the meantime she learns a little about herself as well.
Almost Twins by Gail Sattler tells a story of Dennis who recently became a single parent and meets another single parent in a time of need. Dennis learns that he can't control everything and that this new woman can teach him a thing or two about child raising, sacrifice, and love.
The Candy Cane Calaboose by Janet Spaeth tells the story of Abbey and her quest for success. But a gift of slippers that arrive from her aunt helps her meet a very special person that points out that there is more to life than her well-planned out goals. When she is forced into spending some time away from her job, she soon learns about the importance of opening her heart to love.
I am a sucker for romantic novels and Heartsong books seldom let me down. I very much enjoyed all three stories. They put the reader in the Christmas spirit in all the right ways.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
New Classics Challenge - Completed
I have finished my first challenge of the new year. It was a challenge that ran from August 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009. The New Classics Challenge had its participants read six books from Entertainment Weekly's list of 100 books from 1983-2008 that it considers to be the New Classics. I read the following books for the challenge:
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Holes by Louis Sachar
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
My favorite books were Eat, Pray, Love and The Glass Castle. My least favorite was Gilead, which I was unable to finish.
Thank you, Joanna, for hosting a great challenge!
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Holes by Louis Sachar
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
My favorite books were Eat, Pray, Love and The Glass Castle. My least favorite was Gilead, which I was unable to finish.
Thank you, Joanna, for hosting a great challenge!
Eat Pray Love
My friends who have been studying Yoga for a long time say you don't really see the impact that an Ashram has had on you until you leave the place and return to your normal life. "Only then," said a former nun from South Africa, "will you start to notice how your interior closets have all been rearranged." ... You may find that lifelong obsessions are gone, or that nasty, indissoluble patterns have finally shifted. Petty irritations that once maddened you are no longer problems, whereas abysmal old miseries you once endured out of habit will no longer be tolerated now for even five minutes. Poisonous relationships get aired out or disposed of, and brighter, more beneficial people start arriving into your world. (p. 202)
One W0man's Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia is found in Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat Pray Love. I have read several reviews and heard several opinions on this book and they tend to take one of two positions: love it or hate it. I fit easily onto the side of LOVE IT. Gilbert experienced a mid-life crisis of sorts after a nasty divorce and an intense relationship with a man that she couldn't seem to leave permanently. She decided she needed to rediscover some balance in her life, primarily a balance between pleasure and devotion. So, using the advance for this book, she travelled for one year to the three I's: Italy ("Say It Like You Eat It"), India ("Congratulations to Meet You"), and Indonesia ("Even in My Underpants I Feel Different). The structure of her book is based on the string of beads called japa malas ... that assist devout Hindus and Buddhists in staying focused during prayerful meditation (p.1), which is strung with 108 beads. Gilbert's book includes 108 tales, or beads, that are subdivided into 3 sections, or countries, that each include 36 tales of her experiences in each country. This makes the reading of the book very easy and extremely enjoyable.
Many reviews that dislike Eat Pray Love claim that it is a book of complaints, whining, and self-centerness. I, on the other hand, found it to be a book of complaints, reconciliation, and self-discovery. Yes, Gilbert does seem to be a bit self-centered and whiny, but I can so relate to where she is coming from! I, too, have experienced a divorce (though not anywhere near as bad as hers) and also have ended an intense relationship that was extremely difficult to walk away from permanently; therefore, I found that I could relate to much of what she was trying to reconcile within herself.
While reading, I also created my own "beaded necklace" from the tales that moved me in some way. The beads that I strung together while reading included: 9, 16, 21, 27, 33, 41, 44, 49, 57, 77, 81, 86, 87, and 107. Why am I recording these beads? I guess so that I can refer to her book on tough days just as she referred to her "notebook" when things seemed a bit overwhelming.
Italy was a fun read. Gilbert finally lets her hair down and rediscovers pleasure. India was a bit of an unusual read. Gilbert practices Yoga to an extreme and rediscovers devotion. And Indonesia, Bali to be exact, was a happy ending. Gilbert rediscovers balance and love in more ways than she ever expected. The people she meets also add to her healing and her discovery. I especially enjoyed Richard from Texas, the medicine man from Ubud, and Felipe from Brazil!
I say: "Attraversiamo."
Let's cross over. (p. 331)
I highly recommend Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It was one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's a personal journey that readers will either very much enjoy or very much dislike.
One W0man's Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia is found in Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat Pray Love. I have read several reviews and heard several opinions on this book and they tend to take one of two positions: love it or hate it. I fit easily onto the side of LOVE IT. Gilbert experienced a mid-life crisis of sorts after a nasty divorce and an intense relationship with a man that she couldn't seem to leave permanently. She decided she needed to rediscover some balance in her life, primarily a balance between pleasure and devotion. So, using the advance for this book, she travelled for one year to the three I's: Italy ("Say It Like You Eat It"), India ("Congratulations to Meet You"), and Indonesia ("Even in My Underpants I Feel Different). The structure of her book is based on the string of beads called japa malas ... that assist devout Hindus and Buddhists in staying focused during prayerful meditation (p.1), which is strung with 108 beads. Gilbert's book includes 108 tales, or beads, that are subdivided into 3 sections, or countries, that each include 36 tales of her experiences in each country. This makes the reading of the book very easy and extremely enjoyable.
Many reviews that dislike Eat Pray Love claim that it is a book of complaints, whining, and self-centerness. I, on the other hand, found it to be a book of complaints, reconciliation, and self-discovery. Yes, Gilbert does seem to be a bit self-centered and whiny, but I can so relate to where she is coming from! I, too, have experienced a divorce (though not anywhere near as bad as hers) and also have ended an intense relationship that was extremely difficult to walk away from permanently; therefore, I found that I could relate to much of what she was trying to reconcile within herself.
While reading, I also created my own "beaded necklace" from the tales that moved me in some way. The beads that I strung together while reading included: 9, 16, 21, 27, 33, 41, 44, 49, 57, 77, 81, 86, 87, and 107. Why am I recording these beads? I guess so that I can refer to her book on tough days just as she referred to her "notebook" when things seemed a bit overwhelming.
Italy was a fun read. Gilbert finally lets her hair down and rediscovers pleasure. India was a bit of an unusual read. Gilbert practices Yoga to an extreme and rediscovers devotion. And Indonesia, Bali to be exact, was a happy ending. Gilbert rediscovers balance and love in more ways than she ever expected. The people she meets also add to her healing and her discovery. I especially enjoyed Richard from Texas, the medicine man from Ubud, and Felipe from Brazil!
I say: "Attraversiamo."
Let's cross over. (p. 331)
I highly recommend Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It was one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's a personal journey that readers will either very much enjoy or very much dislike.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
January Update: Winter Holiday Reading Challenge
What is everyone reading this month for the Winter Holiday Reading Challenge?
Carol's Notebook has met her challenge and her wrap up is here.
SueFitz has met her challenge by reading three books.
Christina read Hail To The Chef by Julie Hyzy.
Christina has met her challenge and her wrap up is here.
Diane (bookinhand) read Bittersweet Christmas by Livingston, Sattler, & Spaeth.
Diane (bookinhand) has met her challenge and her wrap up is here.
raidergirl3 has met her challenge and her overview is here.
Kristen met her challenge by reading two books: A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas and The History of the Snowman by Bob Eckstein.
Leave your comment with the title and author that you read this month, as well as a link to your review if you have one.
Happy Holiday Reading!
December's update can be found here.
November's update can be found here.
The original post for the Winter Holiday Reading Challenge can be found here.
Carol's Notebook has met her challenge and her wrap up is here.
SueFitz has met her challenge by reading three books.
Christina read Hail To The Chef by Julie Hyzy.
Christina has met her challenge and her wrap up is here.
Diane (bookinhand) read Bittersweet Christmas by Livingston, Sattler, & Spaeth.
Diane (bookinhand) has met her challenge and her wrap up is here.
raidergirl3 has met her challenge and her overview is here.
Kristen met her challenge by reading two books: A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas and The History of the Snowman by Bob Eckstein.
Leave your comment with the title and author that you read this month, as well as a link to your review if you have one.
Happy Holiday Reading!
December's update can be found here.
November's update can be found here.
The original post for the Winter Holiday Reading Challenge can be found here.
Monday, January 5, 2009
New Year, New Reading Challenges!
After much thought and browsing many titles, I have settled on the following reading challenges to begin my new year of reading:
Continuing Challenges:
Winter Holiday Reading Challenge (ends 1/31/09)
New Classics Challenge (ends 1/31/09)
Soup's On! Challenge (ends 3/31/09)
Disney Literature Challenge (perpetual)
Challenges for 2009:
A to Z Challenge
Audiobook Challenge
Books into Movies Challenge
Celebrate The Author Challenge
Chick Lit Challenge
Read Your Name Challenge
Series Challenge
What's In A Name? Challenge
2009 Mini-Challenges
I chose this year's challenges based on flexibility, titles on my shelves, and past participation. I am really looking forward to this year's reading!
Continuing Challenges:
Winter Holiday Reading Challenge (ends 1/31/09)
New Classics Challenge (ends 1/31/09)
Soup's On! Challenge (ends 3/31/09)
Disney Literature Challenge (perpetual)
Challenges for 2009:
A to Z Challenge
Audiobook Challenge
Books into Movies Challenge
Celebrate The Author Challenge
Chick Lit Challenge
Read Your Name Challenge
Series Challenge
What's In A Name? Challenge
2009 Mini-Challenges
I chose this year's challenges based on flexibility, titles on my shelves, and past participation. I am really looking forward to this year's reading!
2008 Reading Challenges Wrap Up
I had a very successful year of reading in 2008! Of the 15 challenges that I participated in during the year, I completed 10 challenges, did not complete 1 challenge, did not yet start 1 challenge, and continue to complete 3 challenges.
Completed Challenges:
Series Challenge
2008 Mini-Challenge
In Their Shoes Challenge
Celebrate The Author Challenge
What's In A Name? Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
Reading My Name Challenge
Short Story Challenge
Spirituality Book Challenge
I Heard It Through The Grapevine Challenge
Challenges Not Completed:
Casual Reading Challenge
Challenges Not Started:
Disney Literature Challenge (perpetual)
Challenges Yet To Be Completed:
Winter Holiday Reading Challenge (ends 1/31/09)
New Classics Challenge (ends 1/31/09)
Soup's On! Challenge (ends 3/31/09)
Thank you to all the hosts of these challenges! It was a fun year of reading!
Completed Challenges:
Series Challenge
2008 Mini-Challenge
In Their Shoes Challenge
Celebrate The Author Challenge
What's In A Name? Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
Reading My Name Challenge
Short Story Challenge
Spirituality Book Challenge
I Heard It Through The Grapevine Challenge
Challenges Not Completed:
Casual Reading Challenge
Challenges Not Started:
Disney Literature Challenge (perpetual)
Challenges Yet To Be Completed:
Winter Holiday Reading Challenge (ends 1/31/09)
New Classics Challenge (ends 1/31/09)
Soup's On! Challenge (ends 3/31/09)
Thank you to all the hosts of these challenges! It was a fun year of reading!
Books Into Movies Challenge
Kathrin is hosting the Books Into Movies Challenge from 1/1/09 to 12/31/09. Participants are asked to read 2+ books that have been made into movies or books that relate to TV series. I have a few in mind, but I will choose my final titles at a later time and update this post. My goal is to read the book and then view its movie. Sounds like a lot of fun to me!
2009 Chick Lit Challenge
This is an easy one for me: the Chick Lit Challenge. Twiga is again hosting this challenge which lasts from 1/1/09 to 12/31/09. Participants need to read at least 10 books that are considered to be "chick lit". I have yet to create a list, but I don't lack the books to fulfill the challenge. Lots of books on my shelf will work nicely for this one!
Chick Lit Challenge Reading List:
1. Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
2. Queen Of Babble by Meg Cabot
3. Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand
4. Bungalow 2 by Danielle Steel
5. Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich
6. Autumn's Shadow by Lyn Cote
7. eX Marks The Spot by Merline Lovelace
8. Sunset In St. Tropez by Danielle Steel
9. Firefly Beach by Luanne Rice
10. Led Astray by Sandra Brown
11. Not Even For Love by Sandra Brown
12. Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich
Chick Lit Challenge Reading List:
1. Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
2. Queen Of Babble by Meg Cabot
3. Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand
4. Bungalow 2 by Danielle Steel
5. Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich
6. Autumn's Shadow by Lyn Cote
7. eX Marks The Spot by Merline Lovelace
8. Sunset In St. Tropez by Danielle Steel
9. Firefly Beach by Luanne Rice
10. Led Astray by Sandra Brown
11. Not Even For Love by Sandra Brown
12. Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich
A to Z Challenge
Becky is hosting this year's A to Z Challenge from 1/1/09 to 12/31/09. I am choosing Option B: Read Titles A to Z, committing to reading 26 books theoretically speaking. I will update this post with titles and links to the reviews as I finish each book.
A: Autumn's Shadow by Lyn Cote
B: Beach Road by James Patterson & Peter De Jonge
C: Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
D: Dying For Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson
E: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
F: Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski
G: Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
H: Harvest by Tess Gerritsen
I: I Know This Much Is True by Wally Green
J: Just After Sunset by Stephen King (DNF)
K: Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriquez
L: A Little Love Story by Roland Merullo
M: Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich
N: Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand
O: Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury
P: Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
Q: Queen Of Babble by Meg Cabot
R: Ring by Koji Suzuki
S: Sister Salty Sister Sweet by Shannon Kring Biro & Natalie Kring
T: Tour de Life: From Coma to Competition by Saul Raisin
U: Unnatural Exposure by Patricia Cornwell
V: The Visitation by Frank Peretti
W: The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
X: eX Marks The Spot by Merline Lovelace
Y: Year Of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
Z: Zombies of the Gene Pool by Sharyn McCrumb
DNF: A: The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen by Jacques Pepin
(Links to my reviews are attached to each letter.
Also be sure to check out the A to Z Challenge blog to see what others have read!)
This will give me a reason to pay attention to the titles I read throughout the year!
A: Autumn's Shadow by Lyn Cote
B: Beach Road by James Patterson & Peter De Jonge
C: Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
D: Dying For Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson
E: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
F: Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski
G: Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
H: Harvest by Tess Gerritsen
I: I Know This Much Is True by Wally Green
J: Just After Sunset by Stephen King (DNF)
K: Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriquez
L: A Little Love Story by Roland Merullo
M: Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich
N: Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand
O: Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury
P: Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
Q: Queen Of Babble by Meg Cabot
R: Ring by Koji Suzuki
S: Sister Salty Sister Sweet by Shannon Kring Biro & Natalie Kring
T: Tour de Life: From Coma to Competition by Saul Raisin
U: Unnatural Exposure by Patricia Cornwell
V: The Visitation by Frank Peretti
W: The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
X: eX Marks The Spot by Merline Lovelace
Y: Year Of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
Z: Zombies of the Gene Pool by Sharyn McCrumb
DNF: A: The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen by Jacques Pepin
(Links to my reviews are attached to each letter.
Also be sure to check out the A to Z Challenge blog to see what others have read!)
This will give me a reason to pay attention to the titles I read throughout the year!
2009 Mini-Challenges
Wendy is once again hosting a series of Mini-Challenges that will give participants a way to explore reading. This year's challenges include:
1. Read a collection of short stories.
2. Read a play.
3. Read a non-fiction book.
4. Read 2 essays from the same collection.
5. Go to a book event.
6. Borrow a library book.
7. Read a book by a new to you author.
8. Make a donation.
9. Promote literacy.
10. Participate in a Buddy Read or a Group Discussion.
11. Read a book outside your comfort level.
12. Read a classic.
This challenge runs 1/1/09 to 12/31/09 and can be done in any order. I participated last year and really enjoyed the various challenges. I look forward to this year's mini-challenges with equal excitement!
1. Read a collection of short stories.
2. Read a play.
3. Read a non-fiction book.
4. Read 2 essays from the same collection.
5. Go to a book event.
6. Borrow a library book.
7. Read a book by a new to you author.
8. Make a donation.
9. Promote literacy.
10. Participate in a Buddy Read or a Group Discussion.
11. Read a book outside your comfort level.
12. Read a classic.
This challenge runs 1/1/09 to 12/31/09 and can be done in any order. I participated last year and really enjoyed the various challenges. I look forward to this year's mini-challenges with equal excitement!
Read Your Name Challenge
Victoria (aka Phantom Inkheart) is hosting the Read Your Name Challenge from 1/1/09 to 12/31/09. Participants choose books with first title letters that spell out their names. I will be reading my first name: Diane. I will update this post with titles and links to the reviews as I finish each book.
D: Dying For Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson
I: I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
A: Autumn's Shadow by Lyn Cote
N: Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand
E: Eventide by Cindy Martinusen
Sounds like a creative way to choose my next book!
D: Dying For Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson
I: I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
A: Autumn's Shadow by Lyn Cote
N: Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand
E: Eventide by Cindy Martinusen
Sounds like a creative way to choose my next book!
Into Thin Air
People who don't climb mountains --- the great majority of humankind, that is to say --- tend to assume that the sport is a reckless, Dionysian pursuit of ever escalating thrills. But the notion that climbers are merely adrenaline junkies chasing a righteous fix is a fallacy, at least in the case of Everest. What I was doing up there had almost nothing in common with bungee jumping or skydiving or riding a motorcycle at 120 miles per hour. (pp. 135-136)
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is a personal account of Krakauer's climb to the summit of Mt Everest in 1996 and the deadly event that occurred that May evening following his accomplishment. Krakauer was asked by his magazine Outside to do an article about the trend of commercial climbing of Mt Everest. Krakauer was already a mountain climber and was an ideal candidate for the assignment.
The ink-black wedge of the summit pyramid stood out in stark relief, towering over the surrounding ridges. Thrust high into the jet stream, the mountain ripped a visible gash in the 120-knot hurricane, sending forth a plume of ice crystals that trailed to the east like a long silk scarf. As I gazed across the sky at this contrail, it occurred to me that the top of Everest was precisely the same height as the pressurized jet bearing me through the heavens. That I proposed to climb to the cruising altitude of an Airbus 300 jetliner struck me, at that moment, as preposterous, or worse. My palms felt clammy. (p. 30)
Little did he know what tragedy he would experience during his quest to climb Mt Everest for this assignment. Into Thin Air describes not only his climb but also the history and people of the famous mountain. Krakauer includes much description about his expedition team and its people as well as the other expeditions that encountered the disaster on Mt Everest that year. He also states that this personal account is a combination of his viewpoint and memory and the interviews of the survivors. It is a story of mountain climbing, personal struggle, and survival. It is a book that grabs the reader from the beginning and won't let you go even in the end.
When I wobbled back to Camp Four around 7:30 Saturday morning, May 11, the actuality of what had happened --- of what was still happening --- began to sink in with paralyzing force. I was physically and emotionally wrecked ... . ... my mind balked and retreated into a weird, almost robotic state of detachment. I felt emotionally anesthetized yet hyperaware, as if I had fled into a bunker deep inside my skull and was peering out at the wreckage around me through a narrow, armored slit. (p. 245)
Arriving at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall on Monday morning, May 13, I came down the final slope to find Ang Tshering, Guy Cotter, and Caroline Mackenzie waiting for me at the edge of the glacier. Guy handed me a beer, Caroline gave me a hug, and the next thing I knew I was sitting on the ice with my face in my hands and tears streaking my cheeks, weeping like I hadn't wept since I was a small boy. Safe now, the crushing strain of the preceding days lifted from my shoulders, I cried for my lost companions, I cried because I was grateful to be alive, I cried because I felt terrible for having survived while others had died. (p. 267)
Although I don't have any idea what it takes to climb a mountain and I am definitely not a thrill seeker, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The human endurance it takes to climb Mt Everest and the tragedy that the expedition experienced following their climb made a very interesting story. Several times while reading the book I did not understand why certain things happened the way they did. Fortunately, my son (who loaned me the book, by the way) filled me in on those missing details, things like: why does it take so long to climb Mt Everest; what exactly is a glacier and why is it part of a mountain climb; why do expeditions climb back and forth between the camps; as well as other details that were not always clearly explained in the book. The actual story, though, is fast reading and gripping regardless if the reader understands all the details of a mountain climb. I recommend this book to others who are interested in Jon Krakauer's books or who are interested in non-fiction adventure books.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is a personal account of Krakauer's climb to the summit of Mt Everest in 1996 and the deadly event that occurred that May evening following his accomplishment. Krakauer was asked by his magazine Outside to do an article about the trend of commercial climbing of Mt Everest. Krakauer was already a mountain climber and was an ideal candidate for the assignment.
The ink-black wedge of the summit pyramid stood out in stark relief, towering over the surrounding ridges. Thrust high into the jet stream, the mountain ripped a visible gash in the 120-knot hurricane, sending forth a plume of ice crystals that trailed to the east like a long silk scarf. As I gazed across the sky at this contrail, it occurred to me that the top of Everest was precisely the same height as the pressurized jet bearing me through the heavens. That I proposed to climb to the cruising altitude of an Airbus 300 jetliner struck me, at that moment, as preposterous, or worse. My palms felt clammy. (p. 30)
Little did he know what tragedy he would experience during his quest to climb Mt Everest for this assignment. Into Thin Air describes not only his climb but also the history and people of the famous mountain. Krakauer includes much description about his expedition team and its people as well as the other expeditions that encountered the disaster on Mt Everest that year. He also states that this personal account is a combination of his viewpoint and memory and the interviews of the survivors. It is a story of mountain climbing, personal struggle, and survival. It is a book that grabs the reader from the beginning and won't let you go even in the end.
When I wobbled back to Camp Four around 7:30 Saturday morning, May 11, the actuality of what had happened --- of what was still happening --- began to sink in with paralyzing force. I was physically and emotionally wrecked ... . ... my mind balked and retreated into a weird, almost robotic state of detachment. I felt emotionally anesthetized yet hyperaware, as if I had fled into a bunker deep inside my skull and was peering out at the wreckage around me through a narrow, armored slit. (p. 245)
Arriving at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall on Monday morning, May 13, I came down the final slope to find Ang Tshering, Guy Cotter, and Caroline Mackenzie waiting for me at the edge of the glacier. Guy handed me a beer, Caroline gave me a hug, and the next thing I knew I was sitting on the ice with my face in my hands and tears streaking my cheeks, weeping like I hadn't wept since I was a small boy. Safe now, the crushing strain of the preceding days lifted from my shoulders, I cried for my lost companions, I cried because I was grateful to be alive, I cried because I felt terrible for having survived while others had died. (p. 267)
Although I don't have any idea what it takes to climb a mountain and I am definitely not a thrill seeker, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The human endurance it takes to climb Mt Everest and the tragedy that the expedition experienced following their climb made a very interesting story. Several times while reading the book I did not understand why certain things happened the way they did. Fortunately, my son (who loaned me the book, by the way) filled me in on those missing details, things like: why does it take so long to climb Mt Everest; what exactly is a glacier and why is it part of a mountain climb; why do expeditions climb back and forth between the camps; as well as other details that were not always clearly explained in the book. The actual story, though, is fast reading and gripping regardless if the reader understands all the details of a mountain climb. I recommend this book to others who are interested in Jon Krakauer's books or who are interested in non-fiction adventure books.
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