Book 169: The Iliad

I stupidly did not make any notes about this book when I had finished reading it.

I read The Iliad for a class called Political Thought: Homer to Aristotle, which I took mostly for the professor, partly to help me graduate, and partly because I like the time period.

I liked the Iliad. It was a good read; especially when it was held against the heavy philosophy that occupied by other 3 classes and my thesis. However, I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I did The Odyssey. It felt longer than The Odyssey and it was much heavier content wise. I do wish that I had have read it before I read The Odyssey because The Iliad provide crucial background for the book.

The hardest part about reading The Iliad is that it is such a part of our culture that you already know what's going to happen. Every children's show, at least in the North America and the ones that I watched that were highly educational, had at least one episode on The Iliad. There are a ton of books that are retellings of The Iliad. When one finally reads the real thing its different than the impressions one gets from media would make one think, but also very much the same. It is hard to hold these two worlds separate, or at least it was for me, which makes The Iliad a bit more of a slog than it might be otherwise.

That being said, it is beautifully written, as one would expect any Homeric epic to be. I rate it 6 out of 10. If you go to university for liberal arts you can pretty much guarantee  that it will be on at least one of your reading lists. It also goes on my list of books that everyone should read before they die.

The firebird suite and the Iliad; that's how mornings should be spent #studentlife #instareads #currentlyreading #books

A photo posted by Colleen Earle (@unphilosophise) on Sep 8, 2014 at 4:06am PDT

Book 168: Why We Broke Up

Yet another book that Goodreads have missed. I wonder how many other's won't get reviews?

I love Daniel Handler as much as I love Lemony Snicket (hehe). This book, however, I found disappointing.

Why We Broke Up came highly recommended to me from my friend Madeline, who knows how much of a fan I am of Snicket and was just as excited as I was when he started publishing more books. I found it disappointing. It was quirky and well written, but, like many of the other Young Adult novels I have reviewed recently, I felt too old for the pettiness of the book.

Again, I would like to share my Goodreads review of this book as I think it says all I want to say now:

Predictable but with all the charm one expects from Handler.

Good illustrations.

One shouldn't keep momentos from dates. They only serve as ugly reminders of false happiness. Case and point.

 Why We Broke Up reminds us of what it's like to be in an unhealthy relationship, why obsession is bad, and why one should never keep reminders from every single date that one went on of a particular person in a box under ones bed and why these items should never be returned to that particular person. Honestly, I found the whole concept of the book a little creepy.

I have rated this book 5 out of 10. It was alright. I would recommend it to people who are still in junior high or high school, or perhaps a high school mindset, who are dealing with a tough breakup, as I feel that they are the ones most likely to enjoy it. However, true fans on Handler's work should not shy away from this publication as they will still enjoy it.

#currentlyreading #books #instagramreads

A photo posted by Colleen Earle (@unphilosophise) on Jul 20, 2014 at 5:20pm PDT

Book 167: Circus

Yes, I had a bit of a circus theme going last summer. It was a good time.

Circus is a beautiful short story collection by Claire Battershill, whose Canadian just in case you were wondering.

My original Goodreads review reads as the following

Favourite stories: 
A Gentle Luxury
Circus
Two Man Luge: A Love Story 

Crying instances: 0/9

An exploration of love in all it's facets

I don't know if I could say it any better today. All the stories and beautiful, but "A Gentle Luxury," "Circus," and "Two Man Luge: A Love Story" hit me the hardest.

I rate this book 10 out of 10. It was truly a pleasure to read. As there is something in Circus for everyone that is who I would recommend it to. It's a lovely summer read and a great choice for an afternoon at the beach.

#currentlyreading #books #instagramreads #nature #beach #nofilter

A photo posted by Colleen Earle (@unphilosophise) on Jul 19, 2014 at 9:49am PDT

Book 166: The Night Circus

When I went to look back as to what I thought of this book on Goodreads it didn't exist. Nor does it exist on my Instagram. So where is it?

I did read it last July and I did enjoy it. It came highly recommended to me by my friend Kate, to whom I am grateful. I did, however, have some problems with the book as did my friend Jaclyn who also recommended it me.

The Night Circus is enticing, electrifying and magical. The plot takes many twists; some expected, like love, and others not, like the ending.

The love plot line is the one that I had the most problem with. In the middle of the book I found that it took up too much of the story when there were other things that were happening that were both more interesting and more important. That being said, that plot line was important for the idea of the living circus so it is a pain that one must bare.

My favourite parts always involved the two twins born at the circus. They are mischievous and kind, and the friend that they make along the way is fantastic.

Overall I rate this book a solid 9 out of 10. It was a fun and easy read, with just enough mystery to keep the plot flowing at a strong pace. It is something that I would consider reading again later in life. I recommend it to anyone with a taste for adventure who isn't afraid of a little magic.

Book 165: Stranger in a Strange Land

There are some books that never leave you and this is one of them. Reflecting on it now, I'm not sure that I grok it fully yet and I will reread it in the future, no doubt, and review it again better.

In this book, Heinlein presents beautifully rounded characters and a unique perspective on what it means to be human. I think my favourite thing that is discovered about humans by Michael the Martian is that we laugh because we are in pain.

Admittedly, the ending is a bit strange. The formation of a church and the existence of a martyr always make for an interesting series of events.

I rate this book 10 out of 10. It's really a superb read. I highly recommend it to everyone, though age should be taken into account due to some of the graphic nature of the novel.

#books #currentlyreading #sciencefiction #instagramreads

A photo posted by Colleen Earle (@unphilosophise) on May 5, 2014 at 5:34pm PDT

Book 164: The Carnivorous Carnival

I have always found the beginning of this book rather ingenious. As always, the Baudelaire's wit saves them but in a way that is also terrifying.

If we all think back to the excitement of the beginning of the series this is a good throw back because, as my friend Trish points out, this book, unlike the recent others, keeps you on the edge of your seat. 

I rate this book 8 out of 10. It was an improvement on the last but still not snicket's best. I recommend it to everyone who suffered through the last one and are hungry for more.

#currentlyreading #instagramreads #books #classy #childatheart

A photo posted by Colleen Earle (@unphilosophise) on May 21, 2014 at 11:12am PDT

Book 163: Red Dragon

I enjoyed this book but found it more disturbing that I thought I would, hence the lower rating that you shall shortly see.

I honestly don't remember much about this book because it's been so long since I've read it so long ago. I couldn't put the book down. Thomas Harris' writing is compelling and keeps you on the edge of your seat, particularly the ending.

I rate this book 6 out of 10. It is the first in the Hannibal Lecter series which is why I read it, but it is not often the one that is thought of first as many believe that the first book is Silence of the Lambs. This book, however, fell short of my expectations. I would recommend to those who are a fan of the series as it is based on this book or those who enjoy a good mystery.

😮😬😳 #currentlyreading #instagramreads #books #hannibal #sendhelp

A photo posted by Colleen Earle (@unphilosophise) on Apr 30, 2014 at 4:36pm PDT

Book 162: The Poetic Species

I'm not entirely sure what i expected from this book when I picked it up. As anyone who knows me knows science and poetry are two of my favourite things and when combined into scientific poetry I lose the ability to function as a normal human being. So maybe in that respect I was disappointed by the book and it's lack of scientific poetry, but it talked about far more important things.

I'm particularly impressed by it's length. It covers huge ideas in a very short space. I found that it was more science oriented than I might have liked it to be. I would have like to see more of a synthesis, though that would have been impossible given the length of the conversation.

Both men are extremely well spoken and touch on the most important issues facing the sciences, the humanities, and ecology; education, and what can be done about it.

I also found both Hass and Wilson's book suggestions extremely interesting, as they are books I often recommend. 

This short conversation is an excellent jumping off point for a larger discussion and research base.

I rate this book 10 out of 10. It was a joy to read and everything that one would expect from Hass and Wilson. I highly recommend this short conversation to anyone who is interested in science and its place within our society.

Look at what came in the post yesterday! So excited to read it! #currentlyreading #instagramreads #books

A photo posted by Colleen Earle (@unphilosophise) on Apr 29, 2014 at 6:09am PDT

Book 161: General Investigations Concerning the Analysis of Concepts and Truths

I read this book for a research paper I wrote two years ago on the difference between the formulation of the calculus by Leibniz and Newton. Unlike many papers written on the subject, I did not touch on the most famous priority dispute between the two, but only on how the two's different world views and conceptions about math formed their very different notations. This is one of the books in which Leibniz outlines his views on the calculus.

I rate this book 8 out of 10. Unlike many of the other philosophy books that I have read from this period, General Investigations was fairly accessible and easy to get through. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys math and wants to have a better bases on it's beginnings. For further reading on the subject, one might also read The History of The Calculus and it's Conceptual Development by Carl B. Boyer that I will be reviewed in 29 books.

Book 160: The Hostile Hospital

The Hostile Hospital feels very much like a middle book, unlike many of the other books in the series.

Somehow the Orphans being alone makes the whole thing seem more hopeless and depressing than when they were under the care of incompetent guardians; at least then they had someone else to look out for them. This book, like all the others, highlights the ingenuity of the three siblings. Yet, for all their cunning, they seem no closer to finding out what V.F.D. stands for. Soon.

I rate this book 7 out of 10. It was good and exciting but not at the top of Snickers game. Highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good mystery. Mr. Snicket has hidden some easter eggs within the novel for the more mature reader, so don't worry about age when contemplating picking up this book.

Book 159: When Did You See Her Last?

Ah, Lemony Snicket, what delights you do being.

Admittedly, I did not enjoy When Did You See Her Last? as much as the Who Could That Be at This Hour? Although I still have great love for Mr. Snicket and his literary works this was not one of his best works. I just did not find the story as compelling.

I rate this book 8 out of 10. It was still an enjoyable book just not as good as Snicket's other works. I still highly recommend this series to any fans of Lemony Snicket. I think, in this book, he's just warming up.

Book 158: Any Human Heart

What can one really say about Any Human Heart. I was first exposed to it through the Masterpiece theatre miniseries which I instantly fell in love with and long to rewatch. As most book to film conversions, the book outshines the series in my mind, though the series greatly enhanced my reading of the book.

As most of the books that I've been reading of late,  Any Human Heart's main theme is varying degrees of love and loss. It is beautifully written, with characters that are easy to relate to in situations that are at the same time ordinary and extraordinary,

I rate this book 10 out of 10. It is one of the best books that I have read in the past year and has quickly become one of my favourites. I would recommend it to anyone over the age of 18. I feel like some parts of the novel won't really make sense unless you have a certain amount of life experience putting younger readers at a disadvantage.

Book 157: The Beginnings of Western Science

The heading for the book is The European Scientific Tradition in Philosophical, Religious, and Institutional Context, Prehistory to A.D. 1450 and it is exactly what it seems. This was one of the required readings for HOST (History of Science and Technology) 2000 as a secondary source as we studied the same time period. 

Like the course, this book covers what today we would consider parts of science when then fell under the domains of philosophy and religion. It track astronomy and its developmental path from astrology, physics, and biology; providing snippets of every major discovery with a lengthy reference list for further reading on topics that one may want to research further.

I rate this book 8 out of 10. It provides a wonderful bases for the history of science and is a wonderful read. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the subject, or wants to divulge into some personal interests within the field but does not know where to start. 

Book 156: The Vile Village

The Vile Village is proof that it takes a village to raise three children, or at least that's what it's suppose to be but isn't. The book deals with themes of mob psychology and the functioning of authoritarian societies, tough subject for a book targeted at children.

Yet again, the Baudelaire orphans have been given into the custody of someone who, although love them a lot, is unable to properly care for them leaving another tragic ending for the three siblings to deal with. For those of you who have been paying attending, this is the Baudelaire's 7th guardian in a year. I will never stop feeling bad for them.

I rate this book a solid 8 out of 10. Not Snicket's best book, but still a pretty darn good book. I would recommend it to everyone who has started this series and hasn't finished it out of fear that the Baudelaire's misfortune will only continue. While this point is true, it is not a reason to stop reading the series.

Book 155: It's Kind of a Funny Story

I did not like this book. I find it hard to say more than that.

I have a lot of friends who really enjoyed Vizzini's account of staying in a mental ward based on his own life experience, but I did not find it a compelling or uplifting story at all. One of my friends, Sophia, who also did not like the book put the problems I have with the book best when she said in her goodreads review as a plot synopsis that"[the book] focuses on some privileged white dude's depression recovery in the Best Possible Circumstances." She also has problems with the clear transphobia throughout the novel, a point which I also found disturbing.

I rate this book a 3 out of 10. I found it rather disingenuous and the main character to be bit spoiled and annoyingly sheltered. I would not recommend reading this book and regret having spent $20 purchasing it based on the many good reviews I had heard prior to reading it myself.

Book 154: The Scientific Revolution

This was one of the recommended secondary sources for a class I took two years ago on the scientific revolution. Out of all the secondary sources on that reading list, this was probably my favourite.

Steven Shapin writes in such a way that brings the Scientific Revolution to life, tracing the main arcs of scientific discovery from around 1500-1800. His book is easy to read and flows well; it is accessible to the laymen and useful to the student who already has a strong background in the time period.

I rate this book 8 out of 10. It really was a lovely read. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to get a bases in what the science world was really like during the Scientific Revolution.

Book 153: I Heart You, You Haunt Me

I have read another of Lisa Schroeder's books many years ago and really enjoyed it, which is why I bought this one. I Heat You, You Haunt Me, however, did not bring me the same enjoyment as the last.

I still enjoy Schroeder's writing style a lot and think it's a well written story. That being said, I found that the plot was a bit lacking. After her boyfriend dies because of a dare, Ava becomes depressed because she cannot accept or move on from his death. As a result, until a time when she can normalize herself, Jackson haunts her. Many people may think this to be romantic, I personally just found it depressing. The one plot point that kept me reading until the end was to find out what the dare was.

I rate this book a 5 out of 10. I think I was too old when I read it, or perhaps because I have issues with bereavement found it exhausting. I do believe that some books in the YA section have a shelf life, or targeted age group. I would recommend this novel to high school students. They would get the most out of it and find the most enjoyment in the story, as I suspect that I would have liked it as a high school student myself.

Book 152: Wuthering Heights

I read this book two August's ago in Point Pleasant Park on a warm afternoon. In hindsight, this was the perfect way to read this book.

Filled with melancholy and tragedy, Wuthering Heights is a good read. Brontë writes in such a way that puts you in the middle of the story and allows you to live alongside her characters with vivid descriptions. As any story of love and lost, Wuthering Heights pulls at your emotions.

I rate this book a 7 out of 10. Wuthering Heights was enjoyable and easy to read, but still not one of my favourite books as most books that I rate higher end up being. I think rereading it again in another few years may be a good idea as I'm sure I'd get more out of it from a second reading. As for recommending the book, I find that rather difficult as, with most classics, I believe that everyone should read them as they wouldn't have gained the classification as a classic if there wasn't some sort of inherent value to the story or the writing. Because of this, I will recommend the book to anyone who hasn't read it, in particular people who are going through a rough time in their life and want a brief escape into a wonderfully woven fiction.

Book 151: 1Q84

1Q84 is a mammoth of book. Haruki Murakami divided into four books which may be the preferable format to read it in as the mammoth four in one hardcover is not only extremely heavy, but also at times discouraging due to its length.

I enjoyed the mystery involved in the first two books and its resolution in the latter two. I think I enjoyed the first half more than the second as weird stuff started to happen involving a cult and some other things that happened unexpectedly. Overall, I found that 1Q84 is a story about love and loss and how to live, despite all the weirdness.

I rate this book 10 out of 10. I enjoyed reading it and I really like Murakami's writing style but it was a very long book. I look forward to reading his other words.

Also, check out my instagram to find out what I'm reading and see some really awful selfies.

Book 150: His Majesty's Dragon

It may come as no surprise to many of you that I adore steampunk and dragons. Although this novel does not fit into the definition of steampunk, it does have a similar feel in the Napoleonic period.

His Majesty's Dragon is the first book in the Temeraire series. This book follows Captain Will Laurence who, by a twist of fate, goes from being the captain of a ship, the HMS Reliant, to a member of the elite Aeriel Corps as a master of a dragon, Temeraire, after he imprints of Will after hatching. 

This novel combines swashbuckling fun with high fantasy thrills. I give this book a solid 10 out of 10. This book has all the marks of a great, an interesting and unconventional love interest, a main character who is firm in his beliefs with a quick wit, and a dragon. What more could you want? I would recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for an adventure, no matter what genre they have a preference for. 

Book 149: The High King

The High King may be the most exciting book in the five part Chronicles of Prydain. In this novel, Taran and Prince Gwydion team up yet again to fight the biggest baddy Arawn-Death-Lord. Arawn comes into possession of the sword of Dyrnwyn, an extremely powerful weapon. In this, the climax of the of the series, all of the friends that Taran and his rag tag group have made along the way have to come together to defeat this, the biggest force of evil they have faced yet.

This is probably both the most exciting book in the series and the most well written. Because of this I rate it a solid 10 out of 10. This book was easy to speed through and enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy, no matter what their age. 

Book 148: Taran Wanderer

So! It's been a while since I've blogged at all and many of the books that I'm going to review over the next month or so I've read a while ago. I apologize in advance for the lack of quality for these earlier posts and hope that they become more reflective over the course of this adventure. Let's get to it!

Taran Wanderer has never been one of my favourite books in the Chronicles of Prydain. From reading some other reviews this books is about Taran trying to figure out his past, namely where he came from.  In this book, Taran and the regular crew travel around the kingdom, making friends and meeting old ones, and helping people along the way. As Taran attempts to find out his bloodline, he realizes that lineage is not what makes a person, but their actions, an important lesson in any coming of age story.

I rate this book a strong 7 our of 10. This book, like many others I have reviewed, is a middle book, my least favourite kind. Taran Wanderer is a set up for The High King and therefore has a lot of episodes that do not fit with the rest of the series jovial and playful attitude. That being said, it is still well worth the read.