The Zahir

Ok. I have come to the realization that Paulo Coelho is one of my favorite authors. He tells a story like a poet. I want to sit on a curb with him, some wine at our side, the night sky above our heads and talk about life, love, beauty and literature. I would have to tell him to read my favorite book-The Club Dumas and it would go from there and be a night to remember. Here are some things I took away from the book: the book is about a famous author whose wife disappears. Did she leave him, was she kidnapped? He just doesn't know. But he becomes an obsessed man in search for the answers, while still keeping up appearances, etc. After a few years he starts to date again, but still wonders what happened to his wife. He starts to use the words "ex-wife". He has ultimately come to the conclusion that she left him and ran away with her translator (she was a journalist).
One day, at a booksigning, he gets some answers when he leasts expects it, and the story begins.
This one is about love, loss, finding yourself again, and the hardest part-going in search for yourself. It reminds me of Revolutionary Road in a sense where, there has got to be something bigger out there than just sitting back and watching life pass you by. The major difference between the two books is that this one goes on a more spiritual journey, and that's where I became a little disinterested. Don't get me wrong, I love spiritualism and I believe in all that stuff, but the book is heavier on new age stuff than I had anticipated.
Also, this book opens up with a great poem called "Ithaca" by Constantine Cavafy (1863-1933) I suggest you look it up! :)

Jaws

This book is as amazing as the motion picture! A great summer read. And did you know, the movie leaves out a scandalous love affair? I can see why they didn't use it for the film, but it makes for a great story in a novel!
I can't believe I made it through this book. I am glad its short!!! I was scared at times, but I think traveling through Mordor with Frodo and Samwise was scarier. I def went to sleep with nightmares then!

Revolutionary Road

Wow. Wow. Wow and wow. One of the best books Ive ever read. The writing was superb, the emotional was real and the characters were amazing. A fantastic novel that hits you somewhere in the gut and doesn't let go. This book was written in 1961...with themes that are difficult to discuss even now.

Something also very rare...usually I side with one character and stick to my guns with them, but in this novel, I see both sides and they conflict within me. I want to hug Frank and not let go, and April I want to take her out and show her off, but I can't do both. Both characters are strong, and they all have ideals I can relate to. This book is amazing and I doubt any will top it.

The Traveller

I thought the concept of this book was interesting. The novel, in the end wasn't. Though I am still fascinated by the author and how he "lives off the grid", I do not care for his writing or style. I did finish it, but not because I liked it enough. I finished it because I didnt think the author could screw it up so badly. He had something and went nowhere with it. I was disappointed. :(

Feast of Love

I really loved this book, and I fell in love with this passage..

"Inside the stadium, I feel the hushed moonlight on my back and sit down on a metal bench. The August meteor shower now seems to be a part of this show. I am two thirds of the way up. These seats are too high for visibility and too coldly metallic for comfort, but the place is so massive that it makes most individual judgements irrevelent. Like any coliseum, it defeats privacy and solitude through sheer size. Carved out of the earth, sized for hordes and giants, bloody injuries and shouting and so massive that no glance can take it all in, the stadium can be considered the staging ground for epic events, and not just in football, in 1964, President Lyndon Baines Johnson announced his Great Society Program here."

The author is talking about the stadium at the University of Michigan. Wow. That paragraph took my breath away. I love the "hushed moonlight on my back" part. Mmhmm. This author has a way with words very few authors have nowadays.

Firmin

I LOVE IT! If you love literature and are a bit romantic about it, you will too!!!!! This little guy was the voice of my soul when it comes to reading.

Miracle in the Andes

Its possible to experience all things with this book. Pain, anger, frustration, fear, religion, morality, joy. Above all, this book takes you on a journey through humanity and you dont come out the same way you went in.