An out of town friend got married this week-end and I was blessed enough to be able to fly down for the wedding. Flying is one of my favorite things to do... some of my happiest moments are spent soaring above the clouds, watching patchwork fields and miniature rivers pass beneath me.
Another reason I love flying, though, is the opportunity it gives me to read for a long while without any sort of interruption. Apart from the gorgeous view out the plane window, there's little to distract someone on a plane. My carry-on bags generally have several books in them -- I'm never sure quite what type of book I'll want to read on the plane and I like to be prepared. Who knows if we might get get caught in traffic or something? ;-)
Books finished on a plane:
* Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (a re-read -- two days before the movie release -- hoo-yeah!)
* The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (I've heard him described as the German C. S. Lewis, and that seems to be an accurate description)
* Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (of course, I've already written about her)
--- So next time you're on a plane, bring along a book! You'll feel on top of the world.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
The Fun of Browsing
AKA - The Delights of the Dewey Decimal System
Recently I wanted to re-read the book Why Gender Matters by Dr. Leonard Sax. I am very interested in books related to childhood education; some people might call it a minor obsession, I prefer to describe it as a developing passion. When I read Why Gender Matters, I appreciated Dr. Sax's research and opinions, but did not take thorough enough notes for my taste. That's a freebie in this blog post: when reading a non-fiction book, even if not for a school project, keep a notebook and pen to hand. Information retention is so much stronger if we pause to write down what we think are the most important points an author makes, which are his weakest, and which his strongest.
Like I said, this is what I failed to do with Dr. Sax's book. Deciding summer vacation would be a perfect time to re-read it the proper way, I ventured into the library stacks to find it.
This is where the fun really begins. Because of the Dewey decimal system, all books relating to the same topic are numerically shelved in the same spot at the library. The call number for Why Gender Matters is 305.3 SAX. Just by browsing the early 300's, I was able to pull several more fascinating looking books on education. Reading them will probably send me to other sections of the library for books on medical research or on the history of education. It's like a treasure map, with each book pointing its way to the next... or like one of those Choose Your Own Adventure books. Every time you browse the library shelves, you are given a tremendous opportunity to pick your own intellectual adventure. Next time you're in the library, don't just come in hunting for one particular book. Take the time to browse the books clustered around yours. No telling what you mind find...
Recently I wanted to re-read the book Why Gender Matters by Dr. Leonard Sax. I am very interested in books related to childhood education; some people might call it a minor obsession, I prefer to describe it as a developing passion. When I read Why Gender Matters, I appreciated Dr. Sax's research and opinions, but did not take thorough enough notes for my taste. That's a freebie in this blog post: when reading a non-fiction book, even if not for a school project, keep a notebook and pen to hand. Information retention is so much stronger if we pause to write down what we think are the most important points an author makes, which are his weakest, and which his strongest.
Like I said, this is what I failed to do with Dr. Sax's book. Deciding summer vacation would be a perfect time to re-read it the proper way, I ventured into the library stacks to find it.
This is where the fun really begins. Because of the Dewey decimal system, all books relating to the same topic are numerically shelved in the same spot at the library. The call number for Why Gender Matters is 305.3 SAX. Just by browsing the early 300's, I was able to pull several more fascinating looking books on education. Reading them will probably send me to other sections of the library for books on medical research or on the history of education. It's like a treasure map, with each book pointing its way to the next... or like one of those Choose Your Own Adventure books. Every time you browse the library shelves, you are given a tremendous opportunity to pick your own intellectual adventure. Next time you're in the library, don't just come in hunting for one particular book. Take the time to browse the books clustered around yours. No telling what you mind find...
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
A method to my madness
Both my blog title and subtitle are connected. They both have their roots in the same literary work. Anybody know which one?
Saturday, May 19, 2007
She speaks poniards, and every word stabs.
My grandmother recently gave me an action figure as a gift. I may not seem like the Action Figure Type, but this gift delighted me. This action figure is no ordinary one. It is a Jane Austen action figure; she bears a quill rather than wielding a weapon, lending credence to the old idea that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword.
Austen's books are mighty, being as fresh and witty today as they where when first published two hundred years ago. Her characters are familiar to all of us: the neighborhood busybody (Mrs. Jennings in "Sense and Sensibility"), the man anxious to show off the speed of his new "toy" (John Thorpe in "Northanger Abbey), the catty female (Lucy Steele in "Sense and Sensibility"), and the pretentious bore (Mr. Collins in "Pride and Prejudice"). These make her books funny.
What makes her books sweet are her heroines. Women like Lizzie Bennet and Elinor Dashwood are women with principles and passion. I love to watch them as they face challenges both from the outside world and of their own making.
Her books are worth reading -- check one out today! All will be in the adult fiction section, under AUS. Her titles are:
* Emma
* Pride and Prejudice
* Persuasion
* Northanger Abbey
* Mansfield Park
* Sense & Sensibility
Austen's books are mighty, being as fresh and witty today as they where when first published two hundred years ago. Her characters are familiar to all of us: the neighborhood busybody (Mrs. Jennings in "Sense and Sensibility"), the man anxious to show off the speed of his new "toy" (John Thorpe in "Northanger Abbey), the catty female (Lucy Steele in "Sense and Sensibility"), and the pretentious bore (Mr. Collins in "Pride and Prejudice"). These make her books funny.
What makes her books sweet are her heroines. Women like Lizzie Bennet and Elinor Dashwood are women with principles and passion. I love to watch them as they face challenges both from the outside world and of their own making.
Her books are worth reading -- check one out today! All will be in the adult fiction section, under AUS. Her titles are:
* Emma
* Pride and Prejudice
* Persuasion
* Northanger Abbey
* Mansfield Park
* Sense & Sensibility
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