"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

I was listening to this as a audio book. I cannot even fathom how the experience would of been if I had been reading the actual physical book, as I have heard that how the book is laid out causes massive grimaces from readers. As it was, I had to stop listening to it by disc two.

I almost feel as though people look too deeply into this book. Taking the simplistic writing style as a part of the genius of this book, while I tend to see it merely as poor writing, and dare I say? Lazy. 

No, I shall pass on this one.

Rating: 1 Star - Did not finish

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams

I read the entire series in printed form a few years ago, but this time I listened to it as a audio book which is narrated by Stephen Fry. Such a lovely way to spend the time going and coming from work each day, and the narration itself was top notch. It made the listening experience a pleasure, and really drew you into the story.

I adore Douglas Adam's witty sarcasm, and some of his characters, such as Marvin the depressed robot, is pure genius.

Perfect? Well no. But it was entertaining, and it was side splitting funny. I do believe that the audio version tops the printed form .. which feels like a act of blasphemy for me to say so.

As for some of the less savory bits ..

Douglas Adam was a atheist. I am a Christian. He made his atheism very well known during the duration of the book. Such things don't bother me per say, and I was even able to see the humor in it, but what did bother me to a certain extent was the way that several times throughout the book he belittles religion, and even mocks God. It's fine if you see yourself as a atheist, but can one who focuses so much time and energy on the subject, really say in all certainty that they don't even have the slightest doubt that maybe there is a God? And that that doubt nags them into their lashing out? I see no reason to mock something that one does not believe to exist.

Don't Panic

The words Don't Panic imply that quite possibly there is a reason that you would, in fact, be panicking. Could that reason be because planet Earth just happens to be in the way of the new hyperspace bypass plans, and therefore must go? That's the first of Arthur Dent's problems. Earths eradication sets off Arthur's wacky, utterly insane, and hold your sides laughable adventures through the galaxy.

Douglas Adams has a sharp, witty, sarcastic way of writing that makes for a very pleasurable read. Word of advice, that humor comes through so much nicer when read with a British accent. ;)

Rating : 4 Stars

"A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin

It was coincidence that I picked up "A Wizard of Earthsea" and "The Name of the Wind" at the same time as one another. One I owned, and was for my leisure time. The other I checked out from the library and it was intended for reading during my lunch break at work. The last mentioned being this book. Finished first not only because It is far shorter in length, but also because I ended up bringing it into the house with me tonight in order to finish it, because the author was able to draw me in enough that I desired to see how it played out.

You may be wondering why I mentioned "The Name of the Wind" in this particular review, and why I deemed it a coincidence that I chose to read these two books together. If you have read both of these books then you will probably already be aware of what I am about to say. They are both very similar. The magic system, the protagonist to a extent, and the magical school element. It is clear that Rothfuss was inspired by this book. I say inspired, because it is also clear that he was able to make it his own and take it in a different direction. The differences are not only in the story, but in the writing.

Le Guin has a beautiful way of writing, and her books obviously inspired many authors of fantasy. And with that being said, the story was there, but the characters never felt fleshed out to me. It was all very one dimensional. Her story telling tended to follow the path of telling you, rather then showing you. Rothfuss creates such fleshed out characters, that I couldn't help but compare the two.

I did actually really enjoy the read however, and I am rather impressed by her impact on the genre. If you think about it, she not only inspired Patrick Rothfuss, but also possibly authors such as J.K. Rowling based on the magical school element within both books.

Overall rating, a solid 3.5 

That's Not Me Anymore

The last time that I posted anything on this blog was back in February of last year. A recent notification of a comment being made on one of my posts lead me back here today. I haven't pulled up this page for so long, and started to wonder why, as I truly did enjoy the entire experience. One of the biggest reasons that is coming to me however, is simply because I am no longer that reader. I have shared pictures of my book collection, as well as pictures of my many book hauls .. would it shock you to know that I now only own one of those three bookcases full of books? Would it surprise you to hear that I have not bought a single book since last year? Because it's true. I embraced a minimalist lifestyle earlier this year, and although I still am not where I want to be, it has changed me as a reader.

I am still a avid reader, as well as lover of books. But the reader that I was, that's not me anymore.

The entire method and reason of a minimalist lifestyle is only surrounding yourself with that of which you truly love, and eliminating the needless clutter in your home and in your life. Therefore also eliminating mind clutter, and being able to enjoy other things in life more. It has also effected me as a reader. In a positive note. I cleared out my book collection, going through the entire thing book by book. I eventually narrowed it down to one, not even full, bookcase. Because I got rid of so many books I was also able to eliminate two entire bookcases. My smaller book collection now brings me so much more happiness then my larger one ever did. And once you start becoming more selective about what you surround yourself with, you also become more selective about what you chose to spend your time doing. That involves reading. Not reading in itself, but rather the quality of that content that you are dedicating your time to. This has been one of my best reading years, and you know what that has consisted of up to now? Re-reading the entire Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, re-reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, and re-reading The Lord of the Rings books by J.R.R. Tolkien (I've nearly completed The Return of the King at this point). Only about eleven books in total, and all re-reads, but I loved every second of it.

That is the kind of reader that I am now.