Monday, March 24, 2008

Book 2008_03: "Tender is the Night" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hmmm, I just finished reading TN and I'm not sure what to make of it. The book itself was interesting and easy to follow. I like his style of writing. However, the story line was kind of sad.

I guess life is never perfect. I know there have been many a night when I've dreamt of living a life of travel and leisure and how wonderful it all might be. You could rent a house on the Riviera, wake up at noon and have breakfast as you sunbathe. Later you could go shopping, go to a cafe, read a book. Then attend a fancy ball and dance the night away.

However, it would be odd not to have my life structured. I don't know how I'd handle it. To have everything handed to me with no real sense of purpose or no goals to achieve, would it be that easy? In a sense, reading about the style of life Dick and Nicole Diver led didn't make me envious. I almost felt kind of bad about their situation. They have everything they could want at their fingertips, but somehow can't seem to find real happiness.

Nicole was born into this incredible life, but had to deal with some not so ideal events early on. It was believed that being molested by her dad at a young age led to her mental problems. That's got to be one of the WORST hands to be dealt! You really don't have any idea how that could impact the rest of your life. How do you pick up the pieces, though? Years of therapy? Taking it one day at a time? I have no clue!

Then there's the flip side, what do you do when it is one of your loved ones that has to go through this? You would think a renowned psychiatrist would know best, wouldn't you? But in these types of situations I think love and patience goes hand in hand with drugs and therapy. I don't think one can work without the other.

In a sense I don't think there was enough love and patience between Dick and Nicole to get through it. It was probably draining for both parties and the resentment grew. There was a lot of blame involved, I think. Dick felt Nicole and her family's money ruined him while Nicole became annoyed by Dick and his inability to adapt to her way of life.

In the end, yes, your wife/husband plays a big role in the person you ultimately become, but it is YOU who has the final say. YOU are responsible for the person you are and the person you want to become.







Thursday, March 6, 2008

Book 2008_02: "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger

TTTW was actually a pretty neat book, I was presently surprised. It was a very interesting take on time travel, would have never imagined that it could be genetic and out of our control.

I thought the main characters were both very likable, Henry and Clare. There romance was sweet and a good example of how a relationship is never perfect. You really have to love and respect your partner to make it work. In this case, Henry had this genetic time-travel gene that pulled him out of whatever present he was in. Imagine having a husband this unpredictable? You don't even know what day he's in, he could be stuck back in the 18th century fighting for his life while you're stuck waiting for him to pick you up. Now putting up with that is truly love and acceptance!

Life is messy, something always seems to come up. I guess that's what makes life interesting, the book seemed to reinforce that idea. It reminded me of something my Dad always said, that God doesn't like routines which is why everyday is different. Now matter how much of a routine you think your life has become, every day is different. Some are good, some are bad. Some blend into the background, others stay in your memory forever. You have to make the best out of what you are given, and try to never waist a second cause you'll never get it back.






Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Book 2008_04: It's March and my count is at 4!

I am so not going to make my 50+ mark goal. Life always seems to get in the way of my reading, that and a really bad book!

February started out fairly well, I had my 2 books ready to go: "Ulyssess" by James Joyce and "Tender is the night" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fast-forward to the interest rates falling and my hubby pressing ahead to put our house on the market!

I really did try to read Ulyssess, really I did. I couldn't do it. I got about a quarter into the book, despite the weekend warrior sessions at the house.

It was boring and long, and I just didn't enjoy it. Here is a condensed animated version:
http://home.bway.net/hunger/ch1-ulys.html

Much more entertaining than the real thing.

So, now I've moved on. I'll probably return to it in the future, but for now I'm on to TistheN.
I have a feeling I'm really going to like this one, I'll keep you posted!