Books and thoughts

I must apologize to my readers (which unfortunately are very few) for my blogging delinquency. Since reading a bunch of excuses for mediocrity is not especially gratifying for a writer nor a reader, I will refrain from such compunctious behavior. It is time, however, to write my thoughts and experiences of recent days.

I have again completed several books recently and feel compelled to mention them. One of my favorite books I have ever read is called The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. This fascinating book is set in Barcelona, Spain and draws upon a complex family history mixed with politics, romance, fear, dark humor, and relationships for a spell-binding comprehensive story about a writer whose books were one by one deliberately destroyed by a mysterious stranger. Stories within stories are interwoven and juxtaposed in a style loosely reminiscent of the Tales of the Arabian Nights where the reader is so drawn in by the current plot, he tends to forget the broader scope until he is returned to current times. The rich characters, attention to detail, and the psychological impact of the narrative leave the reader breathless in anticipation of the next page and the next revelation. The dark, Gothic qualities combined with a highly charged yet sophisticated writing style make this book a satisfying and emotional read that although not life-changing certainly not easily forgotten. The Shadow of the Wind is a vastly entertaining and personally enriching novel worth the time and energy it takes to read.

Another book recently completed is The Night Journal by Elizabeth Crook. Set primarily in Pecos, New Mexico with several documented historical events, including the horrific Mountain Meadow Massacre that occurred in Utah in 1857, the Spanish American War, the novel tells the story of three generations of women struggling to deal with the effects of the past. This intelligent and complex book is replete with adventure, sadness, terror, human frailty, buried emotions, and romance on several human levels. The refreshing honesty of human expression provides a comforting look at how a wide range of external experiences form the internal psyche and ultimately affect how we respond to events. The seemingly small impressions of the world are often coterminous with the constantly shifting psychological impulses that make up our inner being. The Night Journal is a satisfying journey through time that gives the reader opportunity for self-examination and reflection of his own march through joys and sorrows. In the end, we are taught to avoid taking for granted the many blessings that come our way.

I am also concluding a book called Beethoven's Hair and another book called The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. Both of these are history books about two incredibly gifted men whose contributions to culture and society continue to influence countless generations. These men had an indefatigable commitment to excellence and garnered respect as doyens in their chosen fields. Their creativity could not be harnessed and their progress could not be stopped as they both reached beyond the parameters of expectation to achieve greatness.

I find reading to be a way to be enlightened and educated. Although I continue to learn from my mistakes, I keep hoping that reading and learning will prevent me from making unnecessary and futile mistakes in the future. The knowledge of the world can be found in books if we but look and the world, in all its glory and with all its challenges is a wondrously big place. I am grateful to the great writers who continue to give gifts of books to those who read.

WHO HATH A BOOK

Who hath a book
Has friends at hand,
And gold and gear
At his command;

And rich estates,
If he but look,
Are held by him
Who hath a book.

Who hath a book
Has but to read
And he may be
A king indeed;

His Kingdom is
His inglenook;
All this is his
Who hath a book.

--Wilbur D. Nesbit