Some Recently Reads

I have read several good books lately. I normally read a lot of the classics (the good ones, not the dirty ones that some English teachers say are good and are actually not so good), but recently I came across some young adult fiction that I really enjoyed. Maybe doing so much Calculus combined with needing more sleep made me feel like I needed something a little easier to read. Here's what I have read:

Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech

I volunteer at an Elementary School twice a week, and several kids in one of the classes were reading this book. After listening to them read some parts aloud, I decided I really needed to read it. So I checked it out from the library about a month ago, and I read it instead of studying for a Calculus test. It's kind of odd that I did that, actually, because normally I am very good at putting school before reading fun books. And it's not that I don't like Calculus, either--I don't mind it. I would recommend this book if you want an easy, quick read. Even though I already had a pretty good idea of how it ended since one student read me the last chapter, I still felt intrigued and wanted to find out what would happen and how everything would fit together.

The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas

I had to show this specific cover because this is the one I am reading. At first I was nervous to carry this book in public because it seemed weird to be reading a book with a picture of a big, pompous old man on the front (I think it is Dumas). I haven't finished this one yet, but I've already decided that the movies don't do it justice. Most people know the part at the beginning, where Edmond Dantes spends fourteen years in prison even though he is innocent. He meets an old abbé who becomes his mentor, and together they attempt to escape by tunneling underneath the ground. The abbé leaves an enormous fortune to Edmond and dies soon after, and Edmond escapes. But that's not the main part of the book, even though this is what is emphasized in all the movies--I think the Wishbone version just shows him coming back to the real world and living happily ever after with all of his money. The book is actually about Edmond using his money to take revenge upon all the people who were involved in getting him unjustly imprisoned. That has made it a little frustrating to read because I've always been taught, "Thou shalt not avenge," and I hated to see kind, youthful Edmond change to become so focused on revenge. Reading about revenge does not generally give you warm fuzzies. And yet I still feel like I can't put it down because it's so interesting to see how Edmond carefully plans it all out, and Dumas does make some interesting points about human nature. It wouldn't be at all interesting if Edmond was a perfect character. Even though this book is over 1000 pages long, it doesn't feel like it is dragging. I'm glad I decided not to read the abridged version because I would be missing a lot of interesting parts. The one thing I cannot stand is that sometimes the dialogue is really superficial. There are some scenes between two people who are secretly in love, for example, that drive me nuts. All they do is tell each other that they will be faithful forever and that they are so miserable because they can't get married--"our love will last till the stars turned cold" stuff. Yuck. I guess that is romantic literature for you. Other than that it has been very interesting and thought-provoking. I'm glad I decided to read it now--I was afraid that if I waited much longer I would never find the time to read it.

Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse

It's taken me a long time to read The Count of Monte Cristo because I've had homework to do. The library only lets you renew books once before you have to turn them back in, so I recently had to turn it in and wait 24 hours before I could go back and check it out again. I checked out Out of the Dust to read while I was waiting--I wasn't sure if I would be able to go back to the library for a few days. This was a really nice book. It's also a Newbery Medal book, even though this cover doesn't show that. It is entirely written in poetic form. There actually isn't that much involved in the story--instead you read a lot about Billie Joe's feelings and inner struggles. I felt like the poetic form helped the reader respond well emotionally to the book. The book is set in the time of the Dust Bowl. If you are looking for something that will be touching and not take too long to read, this is a good one.

Fairest, by Gail Carson Levine

Ella Enchanted is one of my favorite books. I reread it every few years. Fairest is not really the sequel to Ella Enchanted, but it is set in the same place and the main character is the adopted sister of Ella's friend Areida. Some of the story comes from Snow White. I've been wanting to read this since my roommate read it my freshman year at BYU, and I enjoyed it about as much as I enjoyed Ella Enchanted. I thought the book said a lot about the way our desires can affect our ability or resolve to do what is right.

Other than these books, I have also read/skimmed a couple of books about birth, baby care, and breastfeeding. I don't think I need to share my thoughts about those books on a blog. I've also read numerous board books that I found at the PTA thrift shop--a very good deal. I have been quite excited about what I have found there.

I would like to add a little more non-fiction to my reading. I want something that will help me be a more informed person and understand the world a little better--any interesting subject will do. Any recommendations?