Some Great Reads

My apologies for the lack of anecdotes as of late-we're kind of saving up for the adventures to come over break and thus haven't spent a whole lot of time away from the willage, which is kinda nice sometimes. I've been on a bit of a reading kick and thought I'd plug the three books I've read in the last couple weeks.

1. Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane--I think that this movie just came out in America (maybe here too, I'll have to check) but the book is awesome. It's sort of dark, but offers up some great suspense and twists. Even the last page had a final twist that made it all the better. It's a pretty quick read or at least it was for me cuz I kept wanting to turn the page.

2. The Shack--I was skeptical about this book as it was sort of vibed as a stereotypical book about religious goings on-which can be interesting, but I also feel that this genre of books can be preachy and provides less of a story than it is a soap box. This book proved me way wrong. I sort of resisted it at first as I was reading and found it a little slow to get into, but as I kept reading I let myself (for lack of a better description) give into it and found it to be shockingly powerful. It offered some amazing insights to living life and being I guess, spiritual, without having to follow the cookie cutter image of said ideal. I may or may not have had some misty eyes at the end too if that says anything about how effective it is! Not sure if its the place I'm in or it was just the day, but I'd say it's been a good while since a book has laid into me like that. It's not like a self help book or anything and offers a pretty awesome (true!) story that seemed unbelievable to me at first and which I grew to believe and respect at the end. Really good-- makes you sort of sit back and think and wonder and believe in things maybe you thought you'd forgotten.

1. The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch-- I actually started and finished this book today. It's not incredibly long, but packs a lot of punch. It's a true story of a professor/lecturer diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and his outlook on life as he plans/gives his last lecture. I guess you can tell I liked it considering I finished it during the time I was at school today. Its short chapters and views on living life are truly amazing. It essentially inspires you to chase your dreams and know that , even if you don't reach your ultimate goal, that in the process you are gaining something more than you had. A favorite quote was "Experience is something you get when you didn't get what you wanted." Makes you think about all the times you're like, 'oh well it was a good experience' right?

Anyway, none of these books are exceptionally long, so if you're looking for some good and fulfilling entertainment...check these out. I tell ya these are 3 books that give you some good Bang for your Baht!