Jess Reads May

Here's everything I read in May as well as what I have on request from the library:


Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life


I'll be the first to admit that this sounds ridiculous, but it was actually a really fun read.  You learn a whole bunch of stuff, one of the most useful is how to escape from duct tape which is the number one way criminals will tie up people.  The book is worth it just to learn that (and I highly recommend that you do!)  Written by a former CIA officer, it's filled with tips on how to basically save yourself from horrible situations, and given today's society, not a bad idea.

Out of the Silent Planet


The first book in CS Lewis's space trilogy.  It follows a man named Ransom who's forced to go to Mars and encounters other beings that know God but aren't human.  I've read a lot of Science Fiction in my day and in terms of that I would say that this isn't fantastic.  There are some great ideas and thoughts, but it doesn't really compare to other SciFi that I've read. However, Lewis isn't writing it to be just another SF book.  He's writing it because there is a lesson there (because of course there is!).  I just participated in a study on the book of Revelation, and someone asked about the possibility of other things created in other parts of the universe.  I mentioned that I was reading this book, and the Pastor said it is his belief that this was Lewis's way to talk about the possibility that God created other beings that also knew Him in a way that wouldn't end up with Lewis being labeled a heretic. Interesting thought at the very least.  I'm currently working through the second book.

The Enneagram Made Easy


I love Myers-Briggs, and am an ENFP.  This is a book that classifies people into 9 different categories, with "wings", strong parts of you that can be another type in itself, but affect you in certain ways.  I had never heard of this before, but when I answered the questions in the book, oh my goodness was it right!  I am an 8 (Asserter or Challenger based on what book you are reading) with a 7 (Adventurer) wing.  Actually, I was almost a 7 with the 8 just pulling out ahead by a couple points. Chris is a 3 (Achiever) with a 2 (helper) wing.   The upshot is that we have to work harder to have a good relationship!  Favorite tip for those who deal with 8 type people- We often speak assertively, don't assume its a personal attack.  And the other one is- give me space to be alone.  So true.  If you love personality stuff you will love this.

Eligible


I was really looking forward to this book after seeing a fair amount of hype on the internet. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.  Eligible is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice.  That alone interested me.  But the book was not at all what I was hoping for.  Liz and Jane Bennett are 38 & 39 in this book.  A bizarre age assignment if you ask  me.  The whole thing seemed to one giant story about people who are highly immature and ridiculous.  The casualness and frequency of sex in this book is excessive, and not at all in line with the original.  Now I get that it's a retelling, and shouldn't expect it to be very Austen-like, but this is a horrible version of it.  This book is horrible even if it wasn't an Austen adaptation. I kept finding myself thinking why doesn't everyone in this book just grow up?  You're 38 years old!!  This book is easily the worst book I've read in a long time.  As one reviewer on Amazon put it "I read 400 pages for this?!"  Indeed.

The Ship That Sailed to Mars


Published in 1923, this is probably the most beautiful book I've seen.  William Timlin wrote the stories in calligraphy and did the drawings which are amazing, weird and totally gorgeous.  They seem light years ahead of their time.  The story is about an old man who travels to mars on a ship- an actual sea-fairing ship, not a rocket ship, built by fairies.  The story is only so-so, but the 48 pictures in this book are, in my opinion, what it's all about.  Add it to your library as soon as possible.

As the Days of Noah Were


For the open-minded only!  This book focuses on the Nephilim mentioned in the Bible and the history of giants in other cultures around the world. (Actually, if you google giants you will find tons of information about huge skeletons that have been dug up all around the world, but also in places like Wisconsin and Ohio.)  It also delves into aliens and supernatural happenings around the world in what the author believes is due to the angels that fell with Satan when he was kicked out of heaven.  It also looks closely at what Jesus said in the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 about how the end times would resemble closely the days of Noah as well as Lot.  Very interesting, but sometimes exceedingly hard to really think seriously about certain aspects of it.  I literally have no idea where I came across this one from!  At the very least it will make you think about things in a different way.

The Road to Little Dribbling


I love Bill Bryson.  Originally from Iowa, he married an English girl and has spent the last 40 years living in Britain.  This book chronicles a whole bunch of English places he went to and is filled with wry and dry humor.  Just the type I like.  Everything I've read from him has made me laugh.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children


I've seen this book in stores for years but never read it because if the creepy, levitating girl on the cover.  I finally decided to at least read the dust jacket and it seemed intriguing.  The book has a series of original, untouched photos, many of which are quite bizarre.  The author built a story based on the pictures (unique idea) about an orphanage that housed kids with peculiar abilities.  It's hard to say much about it without giving too much away.  The story ended up becoming something I wasn't really expecting, kind of science fantasy, and I'm feeling neutral about it.  There is a sequel (2 actually), which I may or may not read depending upon my mood.  What I would like to know is the history of some of the photographs.  That would make for an interesting book.

And a list of what I have currently requested from the library.

1. The Weird Sisters
2. One True Loves
3. The Forgetting Time
4. Before the Fall
5. The Nightingale
6. Orphan Train
7. Jane Steele
8. Lab Girl (25th on the library waiting list!)