Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

SPOILER ALERT!

Alright, so I liked the book.  Honestly, I thought it was alright.  Not a page-turner or something I couldn't put down, it was easy for me to put down, but still entertaining enough to keep reading.

So, they travel around the world (not in a hot air balloon, I guess movies combine it with another one of Jules Verne's books).  But they run into several disturbances, distractions and complications.

What I liked most about the book was actually the end- and here is where the spoiler alert comes in.  He travels all around the world to prove a point.  He thinks you can travel around the world in 80 days, including complications, some 'friends' make a wager and so you may think he is doing it for the money.  But the money he uses on his trip, in the end, evens out with what he wins. 

Throughout the trip they save an Indian princess though and Mr. Fogg falls in love with her.  When I say fall in love, there is no romance, Mr. Fogg always appears emotionless and the focus of the book is the trip, not any love story.  So you know he is fond of the girl, and more when he finally marries her, but there is no romance (for any looking for a book with romance in it).  Anyways, so the only thing he gains is a wife.

Within the last pages Passepartout says, ""...we might have made the tour of the world in only seventy-eight days."  "No doubt, "returned Mr. Fogg, "by not crossing India.  But if I had not crossed India, I should not have saved Aouda; she would not have been my wife, and-""

Then, my favorite part of the book, "What had he really gained by all this trouble?  What had he brought back from this long and weary journey?  Nothing, say you?  Perhaps so; nothing but a charming woman, who, strange as it may appear, made him the happiest of men!  Truly, would you not for less than that make the tour around the world?"

I liked this part, because it made me look back on the book.  I liked it more with this ending.  What would make touring the world worth it to you?  For me, I would be fine with just the adventure of it all.  I don't need the romance, I don't need a wager to push me, nothing like that.  I would spend my money on a tour of the world for mere enjoyment. 

Another thought to ponder: What are we willing to do to find happiness?  Not the Mr. Fogg knew that that was what he would find by making this journey, but what are we willing to do to find happiness?

Then back to Passepartout's comment about possibly making the tour in only 78 days- they could've done it had they not crossed India- but then they never would have met Aouda.  This makes me think about when I met my husband.  There was one time when he told me, when we were dating, is finding true love supposed to be easy and convenient?  For some it is, but just because something is convenient doesn't mean it's right.  Sometimes the work we have to put in, makes something more valuable to you.  For me, I was dating people in my own town, and trying to expand my options by signing up for an online site.  I felt like it was the easiest way for me to meet more people.  At first I was only willing to meet up with people in my same state, or my home state, or two others.  I figured, when I was home I could go out with any options there, and the two other states were where my grandparents were- so I could go there to visit them and have a date, and then a state I have to drive through to get from where I was living to my family's home.  It was all about convenience for me.  At first.  I was charged a month I hadn't planned on doing and expanded my matches to anywhere in the world.  I figured, 'if it's meant to be, one of us will be able to travel to see the other, or move, or make it work...'.  What's convenient is not always what is best, as is shown by my life and this book.  The easiest route is not always the best, or happiest route.  Oftentimes it is our trips through 'India' that may take just a little bit longer, that make our lives worthwhile.

Where would you stop on a tour of the world?  How much is happiness worth to you?  How many detours or longer routes have you taken in your life that ended up blessing your life?

The Bet by Anton Chekhov

This book is a very quick read. It centers around a bet as to whether capital punishment or life-imprisonment is more harsh. A guy volunteers to solitary confinement for 15 years. I was "assigned" to read this book by an Uncle who is an English teacher. He has his students read this story and then think of 10 books (trilogies are allowed as long as you can prove that they can be sold BOUND that way. As in hardcover sets, not ebook packages) they would take with them (as the only books they could read the rest of their life, whereas, in the book he is able to ask for an unlimited amount of books), 10 cd albums (not mixes, must be sold that way), and 10 movies. He also asks for 10 restaurants. I can't remember, from his assignment, if those were places you would be able to order from or go to during solitary confinement (or on the stranded island with you, if that's how you picture it) or if those are the only places you can go to once you get out. Either way, I thought it was an interesting read and I have started making my lists. Not that most readers will care what is on my list, but I'm going to record it here for my own sake. This is the current list:

Books:
1. The LDS scriptures (as a quad- includes the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, Topical Guide and Bible Dictionary)
2. Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmadge
3. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by Tolkien (I own a collector's edition with all three)
4. The Gable Faces East by Anita Stansfield
5. Gables Against the Sky by Anita Stansfield
6. The Giver by Lois Lowry
7. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
8. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
9. His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) by Philip Pullman)
10. Strengthening Our Families: An In-Depth Look at the Proclamation on the Family by David C. Dollahite

Movies:
1. 10 Things I Hate About You
2. Disney's Enchanted
3. Salt
4. Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken
5. Dhoom:2 (a Bollywood film)
6. Disney's The Little Mermaid
7. Disney's Beauty and the Beast
8. The Princess and the Frog
9. Tangled
10. Forever Strong

CD Albums:
1. Mariah Carey's Greatest Hits
2. Celine Dion: All the Way... A Decade of Song
3. Kelly Clarkson: The Collection
4. The Essential Michael Jackson
5. Shania Twain Greatest Hits
6. 50 Best Soprano Arias
7. Pussycat Dolls- PCD
8. Beach boys- Still Cruisin
9. Renee Olstead- Renee Olstead
10. Frank Sinatra- Nothing But the Best

Restaurants:
1. Mimi's Cafe
2. Olive Garden
3. Taco Bell
4. Zupa's
5. Little Caesar's
6. PF Chang's
7. Whiskey Grill (Mammoth, CA)
8. Red Lobster
9. Eggs 'n' Things (Thousand Oaks, CA)
10. Cheesecake Factory

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

SPOILER ALERTS:

So, I know I rated it 5 stars, but there were times when reading it when I hated it.  Ariella comes back in the picture and Ash wavers in his devotion to Meghan.  It made me feel like he only loved whomever he could see at the time.  If you love Meghan, Ariella will stay in the past.  At the same time, you hear Ariella's story and I DID feel bad for her.  She loved Ash, and at times sacrificed her own feelings for the good of all of Faery- like Meghan did.  But when it came down to it, Ash analyzed his feelings.  Before, he didn't have to choose between Meghan and Ariella because Ariella was gone, and not an option.  I feel like everyone SHOULD (not does) make sure that their spouse IS their one true love, and not just the next best thing because your first choice is unavailable.

In Ash's quest to find a soul, he learns what it is to be human.  I thought it interesting the things the author decided to focus on- what, according to her IS humanity.  I felt myself agreeing with most of it, but it was a topic I've never thought of before.  I hope to have more time to contemplate the things brought up in this book.

It also goes through some of the twisted things Ash has done.  It was a little sickening to know the nice, sweet things he did for the girls he didn't care about, and I don't remember him doing any of those things for Meghan.  But then I saw Ash's remorse as he gained a conscience and regretted what he had done, and remembered he still has time to do nice things for Meghan.  And then I also remembered him sending people to watch out for her and her family, and returning her dog to her, and realized he had done nice little things for Meghan.

I really liked that at the end, there were study questions provided.  Fablehaven did the same thing and it makes it easy to use this book as a book club read, or just to ponder the book for yourself.

The questions are:
1. Ash begins his journey in The Iron Knight to keep a promise he made to Meghan Chase.  How important is it to keep promises when circumstances change?  Under what, if any, circumstances would you not keep a promise?

2. Ash and Puck have an intense relationship based on a friendship gone wrong.  We might call them frenemies.  Ash felt that Puck was responsible for Ariella's death in the past.  Do you believe Ash was justified in making his vow to kill Puck?  How would you handle having a close friend cause hurt to another friend, whether accidentally or on purpose?

3. In The Iron Knight, we learn of the many terrible things Ash has done in the past, including murder.  How did learning the details of Ash's past affect your opinion of him?  In real life, who do you believe deserves a second chance?

4. Through Ash's quest to gain a soul, The Iron Knight explores what it means to be human, to have humanity.  What are the key qualities of being human?  What traits do you value in yourself and your friends and family?

5.  In the gauntlet, Ash, Puck, Ariella and Grimalkin face mirror images of themselves that represent their dark sides.  Why is it important that they see what they might become?  How does it help Ash to succeed in his quest?  Why didn't Grimalkin's reflection fight with the others?

6.  Ariella chooses to give up her life so that Ash can have a soul.  How might that sacrifice affect Ash in the future?  In real life, what kinds of sacrifices are worth making, and what might constitute going too far?

7.  How does Puck change over the course of the story?  Why do you think he chose to come with Ash and support him in his quest to win the woman whom Puck also loves?  Who do you believe should be with Meghan and why?

8.  One of the premises behind Julie Kagawa's faery world is that faeries exist and become more powerful when humans remember them, tell stories about them and dream of them.  What kind of power do dreams and the imagination have on humankind?  How are they important in our lives?

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

I liked this book.  I'm not a huge fan of Shakespeare.  I mean I like the stories, but poetry form isn't my favorite.  I always am sure I'm skipping over something in it, but at the same time don't care to analyze it further.  With this fantasy book it addressed a few couples in love and some meddling fairies.  I found it entertaining and that there were things that could be learned from it (which I guess is true for all of Shakespeare's other works which I have read).

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Alright, so the first book I thought was like Twilight.  Two mythical beings that are love interests to one girl.  One pale, cold, dangerous and has a reason to kill her.  The other one warm and a much safer option.  The thing is- forbidden love is common and appealing.  There is something about it that I love- even though I did not marry the "bad boy" in my personal life.  There is something that makes a girl feel AMAZING to have the bad boy, the unreachable boy, to be able to be the one that he can love, the one that changes his demeanor- that's a very empowering thought.  In this sequel (official sequel Book #2 not #1.5) there is a similarity to Twilight or New Moon.  The pale, cold love interest has to go away (completely different reasons here)and the other one has a chance to make his move.  To me, that is where the similarities end.  I really liked this book.  I feel like it has more adventure to it than Twilight, and the girl doesn't become a zombie- when he leaves.  Life goes on, and she gives the other guy more of a chance.  I liked the twists- they weren't impossible to guess, but it still was interesting and I loved this book and look forward to the next book. :)

Winter's Passage (Iron Fey Series Book #1.5) by Julie Kagawa

Alright, so this book was book one and a HALF (#1.5) in the Iron Fey Series.  I don't know what I was expecting in a half book.  Obviously it's not part of the standard series but happens in between the first and second books.  As a result- nothing TOO important to the series can happen without having to renumber the books and call this book TWO. 

With that said- it was a good short book.  Enough action to make it worth reading.  Introduced a new character.  But no major conflict that I can see affecting the rest of the series.  It leaves off just when something is about to happen, but that something is the next step that was mentioned at the end of Book One.  So if a reader skips over Book 1.5 they won't miss anything crucial to the series.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Alright, so I must say I started this book and actually started laughing.  Not because the material was funny.  Her Dad disappears one day, reminding me of "A Wrinkle in Time".  She has a best- friend/mythical-creature-guardian just like in the Percy Jackson books.  I'm trying to remember exactly what it was- but parts of the first few chapters reminded me of Alice in Wonderland (maybe it was the talking cat that showed her the way).  You enter the other lands first by a door in a closet- like "The Chronicles of Narnia".  Other paths to that world are similar to windows mentioned in The Golden Compass Series (starting in the second book).  There are characters from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Shakespeare in it.  Within the first few chapters they take a picture of her with the popular boy and photoshop it where she's nude and make fun of her, making me picture Mandy Moore in "A Walk to Remember" when they photoshop her picture and make fun of her.  And then the part that made me laugh the most- she has a fun-loving best friend, one who is warm and has a sense of humor, and who seems to like her as more than a friend and she doesn't notice.  Then she meets a prince from the Winter Court (she's from Summer) and they're practically enemies.  Who does she fall in love with?  The mythical cold creature- who because of a past history- hates her 'warm' friend.  If that doesn't 'scream' Twilight- I don't know what does (oh wait, except the book Hush, Hush). 

I kept reading, thinking to myself, at least she was original in the way she combined all the aspects of the other books into one.  And before I got halfway through, I stopped noticing the similarities.  She actually did make something of her own, using tidbits of ideas from other stories, true, but combining them into a new story.  I got into the book and really enjoyed it.  Of course, I haven't read "A Midsummer Night's Dream" before, so now I'm reading that book, and then I plan on continuing with this series- she has written 5, I think.  I look forward to the others. :)

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

So, up til now I've heard a great many things about this book- how it's creepy- how it's weird.  Honestly, I've had friends who aren't fond of the movie.  As for me, I enjoyed it.  Alice falls asleep and has a marvelous dream.  Her subconscious takes you through a great many things- it shows her offending others and having to watch her tongue and temper and learning a few things herself.

"'Who are you?' said the Caterpillar. 
This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.  Alice replied, rather shyly, 'I--I hardly know, sir, just at present-- at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.' 
'What do you mean by that?' said the Caterpillar sternly.  'Explain yourself!'
'I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, sir' said Alice, 'because I'm not myself, you see.'
'I don't see,' said the Caterpillar.
'I'm afraid I can't put it more clearly,' Alice replied very politely, 'for I can't understand it myself to begin with; and being so many different sizes in a day is very confusing.'
'It isn't,' said the Caterpillar.
'Well, perhaps you haven't found it so yet,' said Alice; 'but when you have to turn into a chrysalis--you will some day, you know--and then after that into a butterfly, I should think you'll feel it a little queer, won't you?'
'Not a bit,' said the Caterpillar."

This lovely conversation with the Caterpillar talks about who we are- or who Alice is and is a good section to ponder our own self-esteem and self-worth.  Alice should make sense to anyone who isn't sure of who they are.  How can you define yourself if you aren't yourself?  How can you know who you are when things change so often?  Alice has grown huge and less than 2 inches tall in one day.  She feels like she doesn't know herself anymore.  There is one point where she convinces herself she must be someone else entirely- someone who is dumb, and as a result she can't seem to remember parts of her lessons and convinces herself she is not Alice anymore.  Who we are is not changed by things on the outside- growing, or shrinking or even turning into a butterfly.  Who we are is more than that- harder to change.  We are not defined by one action or circumstance.  We may change and grow as things happen to us and we choose to react to them- but who we are remains the same.  Life is still happening to the same person that first encountered a first obstacle. 

And then in talking to the Cheshire cat:

"'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'
'That depends a god deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
'I don't much care where--' said Alice.
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
'--so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation.
'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, 'if you only walk long enough.'"

What is our purpose?  Where should we go in life?  Many feel lost at one point or another- which path should they take?  Well, if you don't care, then it doesn't matter which direction you head.  But if you do care, make a choice- choose your destiny- choose where you want to go and actually WALK in that direction.

By being in a dream Alice is able to address many questions through a subconscious and metaphorical way that I actually really liked.  I would recommend this book to anyone.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

I really enjoyed this book. :)  My sister was reading it for school and I realized I never have.  It was entertaining.  Follows the adventures of a young boy as he gets mixed up with pirates.  Shows when he does something wrong (like leave his post) but how on a whim he ended up lucky and helping in the end.

It did get me thinking about pirates though.  Why do they bury their treasure?  I mean they're supposed to be greedy and after adventure, and burying the treasure creates future adventure... but really?  It reminds me of dogs burying bones in a backyard- to hide it for themselves for future use.  Why not hide it all in one spot?  Maybe to ensure if one is found you still have another store?  And how do you use any of it for anything you want if it's buried on some far off island?  Anyways, whatever the reason/motive, I like looking for treasure- buried or just hidden.  Sometimes that treasure is a 5 dollar bill I left in an old purse that I don't find til a few years later. :)  So I guess in some ways I'm the same.

Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3)

Still really liked it along with the first two, but the ending I thought was sloppy.  I felt like the author became lazy and just decided to wrap up things quickly and the easiest way.  In comparison to the writing up to that point in the book I was disappointed with the way the end didn't really slowly come to a conclusion, but seemed to try to wrap up everything in two pages (exaggeration implied).  I still liked the ending though and would still recommend all three to others to read. :)

Tamar the Tender Twig by Doris Charriere

It's been awhile since reading this book but I remember really liking it. It's placed back when Jeremiah was a prophet, right before and during when Jerusalem was captured. It's taken from a few facts and then a whole fictional story fabricated on how one girl might have escaped and further fulfilled the scattering of Israel. I just thought it was very interesting.

Children of the Promise Series

This review is for the whole series. I liked this Historical Fiction piece. It's centered around WWII. It concerns and LDS (Mormon) family and I liked it because it sought to give you insights into different aspects of the war. The family had an older son who served his mission in Germany who is sent back to fight against the people he taught. It follows a family he taught. It follows the home front. One of his sisters becomes a nurse and a younger brother ends up serving over in Japan. I don't remember who they tie in the Japanese but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing different sides of the same event.

Fablehaven

First off, I really liked this book and the whole series, but I'll have to admit that (first book only) at times it was a bit slow. About half way through the book I realized that I was very entertained by all the mystical creatures I was getting to know more about but felt like the actual story was just starting. I didn't lose interest though- I still was entertained throughout, and the rest of the series is great in getting straight into the story and the action. :)

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

I really liked this book. Each chapter is a new mystery and in it I gained an appreciation for mini stories- all with Sherlock Holmes unique way of thinking. Trying to think as Sherlock does proved of SOME help by the time I reached the latter chapters as I was able to at least guess, in part, what the conclusion was, or at least where the key point was in each story. Very fun read, and relatively easy. :)

I have heard one person tell me that Sherlock Holmes has some anti-Mormon sentiments- I did not see any in this book, though I have other Sherlock Holmes books on my to-read list, and I will write when/if I encounter them.