Libraries and Reading and Books
HEY FRIENDS WHO STILL LIVE IN OHIO: In light of the news I heard today from charr80 , now is a good time to consider why books are important. It turns out that Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has proposed budget cuts which might lead to the closure of most branch libraries in Mahoning County, Ohio. Please do what you can to call your state representatives and senators and most importantly Governor Strickland's office to ask him to try to find some of the funds to keep these critical locations open across the Mahoning Valley. Be honest and sincere. Tell them your real story of how the Library made a difference in your life. Grass roots politics works.
Hey everyone:
Don't take too long to think about it. List fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Note: My books appear in no particular order.
1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
This was one of the first books that challenged me with the idea of controlling what expression and knowledge a government lets its people have. This is one I still struggle with when I face cable news and the exposure that our government permits us. We hear about China and various other Eastern countries getting limited access to the internet and outside information. I wonder though if we are seeing the information of the world through a filtered lens also. It would appear that in most cases we do.
2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Probably one of my favorite books of all time. It's definitely a hard and a sad book to read. It approached the ideas of the Matrix before the Matrix existed (or before we knew about it ;) ).
3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The number 42 will always hold significance for me. Also, the importance of a good towel. And man I wish I had a babel fish.
4. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (I know it's cliche but it was the first play I read by him.)
Once you get into the rhythm of reading Shakespeare, it becomes like a musical composition. The humor and the wordplay contained within his texts is unmatched. I adore Shakespeare.
5. Wizard and Glass by Stephen King
Learning what made Roland become Roland somehow excuses the failings in his character. It also made him far more human than any of the earlier books. Though I recall loving him instantly, Wizard and Glass committed him forever to the list of folks who are important.
6. The Stand by Stephen King
Dude, tunnels. Also, who doesn't have a huge fear that the superbug is gonna get out and get us all. And we all have dreams that mean things to us.
7. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
Learning to read old and middle English was very satisfying. It was a skill by which meaning was only derived by understanding context. It was also very significant to me to read some of the first works written in English. I also learned a lot from my professor, and though italia01 will likely disagree, the class was good.
8. The Giver by Lois Lowry
This book was published when I was 12 years old. Not sure if I read it that year or shortly thereafter but I could definitely relate with the main character. It was another book which called into question the good of a society which limits its people's exposure to thoughts, memories, etc.
9. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
If Dr. Seuss did not impact you as a child, young adult, teenager, and adult, you were not reading the right books.
10. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
I read this book twice during my college education. First time was during some American Lit Survey Class. I didn't get a great deal out of it the first time through. The second reading occurred in my Women's Literature class. The gravity of the change undergone by the protagonist during the novel really moved me the second time I read it.
11. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Although this book was a little slow-going, I would say it was very important to me both as an interesting story and inspirational. I think I have entered some quotes from the novel in this journal.
12. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
This book opened my eyes about what the industrial farming industry looks like and gave a picture of what a sustainable farm might look like. It was appalling and upsetting but definitely worth reading.
13. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
I read this book during my women's lit course. It brought to my attention some race issues to which I had previously had little exposure. Morrison is also an exceptional author. It was my first exposure to her writing. She provides detail and character development which is cautious and similar to making friends in real life.
14. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
A challenge to what my idea of what service to others is. The book describes some of Rand's philosophy which was different from mine at the time. I think I need to re-read this book to understand it on a deeper level.
15. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Hard Times by Pema Chodron
This book helped me through a time in my life when I felt very out of control. It helped me to face the pain and the anger I did not want to face.
Hey everyone:
Don't take too long to think about it. List fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Note: My books appear in no particular order.
1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
This was one of the first books that challenged me with the idea of controlling what expression and knowledge a government lets its people have. This is one I still struggle with when I face cable news and the exposure that our government permits us. We hear about China and various other Eastern countries getting limited access to the internet and outside information. I wonder though if we are seeing the information of the world through a filtered lens also. It would appear that in most cases we do.
2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Probably one of my favorite books of all time. It's definitely a hard and a sad book to read. It approached the ideas of the Matrix before the Matrix existed (or before we knew about it ;) ).
3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The number 42 will always hold significance for me. Also, the importance of a good towel. And man I wish I had a babel fish.
4. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (I know it's cliche but it was the first play I read by him.)
Once you get into the rhythm of reading Shakespeare, it becomes like a musical composition. The humor and the wordplay contained within his texts is unmatched. I adore Shakespeare.
5. Wizard and Glass by Stephen King
Learning what made Roland become Roland somehow excuses the failings in his character. It also made him far more human than any of the earlier books. Though I recall loving him instantly, Wizard and Glass committed him forever to the list of folks who are important.
6. The Stand by Stephen King
Dude, tunnels. Also, who doesn't have a huge fear that the superbug is gonna get out and get us all. And we all have dreams that mean things to us.
7. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
Learning to read old and middle English was very satisfying. It was a skill by which meaning was only derived by understanding context. It was also very significant to me to read some of the first works written in English. I also learned a lot from my professor, and though italia01 will likely disagree, the class was good.
8. The Giver by Lois Lowry
This book was published when I was 12 years old. Not sure if I read it that year or shortly thereafter but I could definitely relate with the main character. It was another book which called into question the good of a society which limits its people's exposure to thoughts, memories, etc.
9. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
If Dr. Seuss did not impact you as a child, young adult, teenager, and adult, you were not reading the right books.
10. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
I read this book twice during my college education. First time was during some American Lit Survey Class. I didn't get a great deal out of it the first time through. The second reading occurred in my Women's Literature class. The gravity of the change undergone by the protagonist during the novel really moved me the second time I read it.
11. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Although this book was a little slow-going, I would say it was very important to me both as an interesting story and inspirational. I think I have entered some quotes from the novel in this journal.
12. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
This book opened my eyes about what the industrial farming industry looks like and gave a picture of what a sustainable farm might look like. It was appalling and upsetting but definitely worth reading.
13. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
I read this book during my women's lit course. It brought to my attention some race issues to which I had previously had little exposure. Morrison is also an exceptional author. It was my first exposure to her writing. She provides detail and character development which is cautious and similar to making friends in real life.
14. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
A challenge to what my idea of what service to others is. The book describes some of Rand's philosophy which was different from mine at the time. I think I need to re-read this book to understand it on a deeper level.
15. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Hard Times by Pema Chodron
This book helped me through a time in my life when I felt very out of control. It helped me to face the pain and the anger I did not want to face.