Book Reviews

Since I began utilizing Library Thing back in July, I have written several book reviews and have snagged several advanced reading copies of books that have yet to be published (or have just recently been published). I'm debating whether or not to start another blog dedicated to book reviews. Until then, I will post them here. Below is a link to my reviews thus far:

My Library Thing Reviews

Lindsey

Sarah Palin and the Book Burning Snit

There has been so much said about Sarah Palin these last few weeks, but there are some "scandals" that have really gotten under my skin. First and foremost, it was discovered that Sarah Palin asked about whether or not books could legally be banned. All she did was ASK (as Alaska governor, it was her JOB to know whether or not it was legally possible). Note: During Sarah Palin's entire career, she has not once tried to ban any books. This is an important distinction.

In light of this non-controversy, I soon learned that the reported "list" of books that Sarah Palin "tried" to ban actually has been cirulating online for years. It is a list of all of the books that have been banned (or people have tried to ban) across the United States. In fact, several of the books on the list weren't even published at the time that Sarah Palin sent the e-mail.

Included on the list were several books books that caught my attention. In fact, several works by Roald Dahl were mentioned. Many of his books were read aloud by my teachers during my elementary school days, and I consider them among my favorite children's books. When you add books by Mark Twain and Harper Lee, a significant part of my early education would have been banned by certain people.

If there was one thing that would cause me to lose respect for Sarah Palin, this would be it. Quite simply, there is no evidence that she ever tried to ban books. However, as a bibliophile, my right to read what I want is sacred. I will not tolerate people trying to ban books. Recently, this issue was broached on LibraryThing. I wanted to respond badly, but was unsure of how to do so. Those who believe such things about Sarah Palin can't be reasoned with at all; they will deny everything even in the face of hard evidence. It is truly disgusting.

Lindsey Russell

My Library Thing

Conservative Reading List for 2008!

I thought that I would share a reading list with you today. Actually, a friend of mine over at Rose City Reader wanted me to put it together. Not all of the books are partisan and many deal with education and the future. Enjoy!

Summer political reading (June - August 2008):

Liberal Fascism - Jonah Goldberg
The UNTIED States of America - Juan Enriquez
As The Future Catches You - Juan Enriquez
American Evita - Christopher Andersen
Indoctrination U - David Horowitz
End of Education - Neil Postman
Hell to Pay - Barbara Olson

Books I have yet to read:

America Alone : The End of the World as We Know It - Mark Steyn

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business - Neil Postman

Boom!: Voices of the Sixties - Tom Brokaw

Building a Bridge to the 18th Century: How the Past Can Improve Our Future - Neil Postman

Destructive Generation: Second Thoughts About the Sixties - Peter Collier, David Horowitz

The Disappearance of Childhood - Neil Postman

Fleeced: How Barack Obama, Media Mockery of Terrorist Threats, Liberals Who Want to Kill Talk Radio, the Do-Nothing Congress, Companies That Help Iran, and Washington Lobbyists for Foreign Governments are Scamming Us-- and What to Do About It - Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

Illegal Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints - Margaret Haerens, Book Editor

Invasion: How America Still Welcomes Terrorists, Criminals, and Other Foreign Menaces to Our Shores - Michelle Malkin

John McCain : An American Odyssey - Robert Timberg

Left Illusions: An Intellectual Odyssey - David Horowitz ; Edited, With an Introduction by Jamie Glazov

One Nation: Patriots and Pirates Portrayed by N. C. Wyeth and James Wyeth - Introduction by Lauren Raye Smith, Essays by Tom Brokaw and David Michaelis

The Politics of Bad Faith: The Radical Assault on America's Future - David Horowitz

Teaching as a Subversive Activity - Neil Postman, Charles Weingartner

Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology - Neil Postman

The Uncivil Wars: Ireland Today - Padraig O'Malley

Uncivil Wars: The Controversy Over Reparations for Slavery - David Horowitz

Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life - John McCain with Mark Salter

Political Extremism

I've been reading too many political books lately, and as a result, it is inevitable that it would spill onto my blog. The books seem to have a common basis and have greatly helped me understand the intellectual basis of both liberals and conservatives.

Why does this matter? Unfortunately for me, all of this reading made me realize just how deep the schism is in this current national election. It isn't pretty, and I can't see much good coming from it. It is becoming ever more clear that there is indeed nothing new under the sun.

Lindsey

Wife in the North by Judith O'Reilly

I meant to post this yesterday evening, but I ended up getting sucked into yet another great book. I'm beginning to think that my idea of heaven is a beautiful beach with a comfortable lounge chair and endless piles of great books. Of course, Brian and all of our family would be there too. I just wish that I could trade sleep for reading. That way I could get thing done during the day and read all through the night. Anyway, the review is included below. You can find it here. The author, Judith O'Reilly, has a blog of her own, which features prominently in the book. You can find it here.

Early Reviewer Program - Wife in the North by Judith O'Reilly

Even though I'm not a mother, I could identify with the author in innumerable ways (sometimes a little too closely). I, too, have been a fish out of water and can understand why she had difficulty adjusting to her new environment; I also understand why she moved in the first place. Quite frankly, this was one of the more nuanced books I've read lately. There is a depth to her memoirs that let her humanity shine through; unfortunately, I find that rare in similar books. For me, the book built and further developed Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones. No, this book isn't about Miss Jones, but I have a feeling that Mrs. O'Reilly might have gotten along well with her (a more grown-up version) if Bridget wasn't a work of fiction.

I particularly liked her frank discussions on bullying, making friends, and the chaos that is (or was?) her life. These are private issues that are rarely discussed in public. If there was more candid discussion of such subjects, especially in early childhood, I believe that the world would be a much kinder place. I give her credit from not backing down from her blog.

The one difficulty I had with the book was language at times. Yes, it is English, but the British have many different terms that aren't used often in the United States. Many I knew from popular culture and travel to the United Kingdom; yet, there were a few that eluded me. Overall, a highly recommended book IF you like reading about the daily struggles of ordinary people.

Much more to come later. You can find my library here.

Lindsey

Summer Reading and Library Thing

I realize that I've been absent from blogging far too long. Once again, I'm struggling with the direction of the blog. It isn't even August yet, and I'm already very tired of the campaign season. For now, I'm going to lay off of politics.

So what have I been up to lately? I've been reading quite a bit lately, and I came across a website called Library Thing. You can find my profile here. Brian and I entered nearly 200 of our books over the last few weeks, and it is pretty amazing to see our personal library online. There are a lot of features to the website, my personal favorite being the Early Reviewer Program. I already snagged an advance copy of a book set to hit shelves in August. Get this, it was free! All I have to do is review it. I'm half way done with the book (actually closer to two-thirds of the way done) and will post the review here when it is completed. It's been a lot of fun thus far, and the book is great. Bridget Jones all grown up.

I've also visited my local library a few times as well. It is amazing that despite all of the financial issues, all of the politics, all of the mismanagement Bay City, Michigan is left with a beautiful new library. You can find the website here. I found out that even my home town library (Omer, Michigan) has a website. It is amazing that a town of 300 has a library at all.

Books, books, and more books. I'm in love.

Much more later, as always.

Lindsey