The War On Choice: Day 1

So I've decided that in order to keep this blog more active, I will make posts about books I am reading AS I am reading them.
I'm not sure how well this will work, but I'm very bad at summarizing things after-the-fact. I feel like writing about my readings this way will give me less to think about and therefore, give me the chance to be more concise...

Today I started a book by Gloria Feldt entitled The War on Choice: The Right-Wing Attack on Women's Rights and How to Fight Back

Off the bat, I am taken in with the stories and passionate writing-style of Gloria Feldt. I would actually like to do some research on her, and discover whether or not she is more one-sided than she would obviously like her readers to believe.
The reason I am reading this book is because I have decided to re-explore my feelings and opinions on feminism. In truth, I barely even have actual opinions on the issues. I feel strongly about a good many things, but I do so without the proper background knowledge. This lack of knowledge makes me feel uncomfortable and unsure of myself. Therefore, I am trying to be as wary as possible about this book (for now,at least) in order to keep a diplomatic opinion on the issues. As much as I would love to believe everything that Feldt has to say, I feel that in order to be true to feminism, I must be true to myself and not automatically eat up what others are providing. At least not without some research.

One strongly worded sentence written in the book's Intro by Sally Blackmun really really stood out for me.
"Since 1986, the wind has continued to blow ever harder-- with each new legislative erosion of the right to choose, each federal judge that President Bush has appointed, each attempt to give rights to the fetus at the expense of the woman carrying it."
This simple sentence helped me put into words my very basic feelings on abortion and the woman's right to choose. I have always felt confused and torn on the issue of abortion, instinctively wanting to protect the unborn. I am pro-choice and have always been such. That sentence has made me feel less confused and more sure of myself on this issue. On a very basic level, many issues concerning women's reproductive rights are as simple as this: the woman's absolute right to choose. No one can determine whose life holds more value, the mother or the child, but it is up to the mother to decide the fate of herself and her unborn. As sad as that is, it is the truth and the right.

Another very obvious point written in the book, something which has actually never even crossed my mind is the idea that mostly older men are the ones who are deciding what laws should be made concerning women and their bodies. This decision should be made by none but the individual woman. Not detached old men who make choices based on church falsities and propoganda. The book pointing this out to me really shed light on how terribly easy it is for a complete stranger to take my rights away from me. Someone who does not know me and does not care about me. These men do not care about the women they affect, nor do they give second thoughts to the unborn children they have set out to "save."
I strongly support the idea of adopting out unwanted children. But those who make it to adoption centers are the lucky few. Those who are actually adopted are even luckier. There is no lack of children on this earth, unwanted or no. Who can condone allowing for more?
That sounds callous.
That's why I need to keep reading....

hah.



endpost.

Invisible Monsters

Read this book if:
-You like sassySASSY people
-You like people who like themselves
-You love drama and soap operas

Do not read this book if:
-You don't like gay people

MOST DYNAMIC book of my life. Seriously. Weirdest, most bizarre characters in the best way possible. REad read read it (but only if you like or love any of the above!)

I forget the author. He wrote Fight Club. Chuck P.


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The Fifth Sorceress

Biggest con about this book? The ridiculous amount of drama. Dare I say that I enjoyed (even loved) the book and sort of developed a hatred toward the author and his terrible writing style???? I do. Wow. Liberating.

Anyway, the book's storyline was almost on par with The Wayfarer's Redemption by Sara Douglass...which is a pretty huge deal for me in a great great way. However, if you don't appreciate violent sex and completely perverse characters, do not read this book. I'm not saying that it's anywhere near being A Clockwork Orange (which I suggest everyone do NOT read) but there are still some pretty harrowing scenes going on throughout the book.
Now, I was able to deal with the author's ridiculousness (sorry author!) but some of you may not be prepared to handle that either. If you hate seeing this sentence 20 times :: "What he saw next would change his life forever." and this sentence 73 times :: "He looked at Wigg with a look that left no room for argument (or even:: "Wigg looked at him with a look that left no room for argument." ... then I would highly suggest not reading this book.

If you can get over these things, as I did, then READ IT READ IT ABSOLUTELY READ IT. Who knows, maybe the next book in the series will show a great improvement in the author's writing? And so not only will you be reading a book, but also experience a life changing event in the realm of one author. I can't guarantee this though, since I haven't read the second book. But I will do!



So The Fifth Sorceress by Robert Newcomb will receive 3 1/2 stars from me (That's almost 4!)




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The Wayfarer Redemption

Definitely my newest favorite fantasy book outside of the Golden Compass, Harry Potter, and LOTR...those are my top three untouchables.
Anyway- this story was amazing, and it is a series which I LOVE. It's got some romance, but mostly just really awesome characters and a story line that did not completely imitate Tolkien in terms of the fantasy world.
LOVE IT. Definitely going to read it again many times...

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Brisingr - Christopher Paolini

The third book of Inheritance in the series that started with Eragon. The last 50 pages of this book were great for me because of the emotional factor, and I tend to connect positively with books that evoke strong emotions (won't betray which kind) from me.
I did find myself getting very frustrated with this book though. One of the reasons was because I didn't realize there would be a 4th book, and could not understand why nothing was getting resolved for this 3rd. Mostly though, not a lot happened.
There was literally a point in the book that was so repetitive and long-winded that I actually skipped it (which I never ever do, especially to a series that I am loyal to). I really do think that only one major occurrence took place from page 1 to the end, and that was during the last 50 pages which I've already mentioned.


All-in-all it was just Good with a tinge of disappointment because I was expecting Awesome. I would say it was only about a 6 out of 10 and that's because I feel bad for rating it low. Of course, I am 20 years old and I think the target readers are probably in the 13-year age group.
Whatever.


I am starting (at this very moment) a book entitled Wayfarer Redemption by Sara Douglass. I've never read anything by her so I'm really looking forward to it:)
I'm also still working on Three Cups of Tea, but that could potentially continue as a work in progress through til the summer.


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PERFUME

WHOA.
Seriously good book here, people. Seriously.

Admittedly, I have avoided reading this book for the entire summer, for the fear that it would be too disturbing and disgusting for my emotional brain (ridiculously so) to appreciate. In my defense: My close friend who lent it to me was also the person who recommended reading A Clockwork Orange. For those of you who have read this book, perhaps you understand why my fears were justified.

Well anyway, I finally had nothing left to read (no more excuses!) so I picked up Perfume. It started off surprisingly slow, and came to a HURTLING halt by the end.


COMPLETLEY SENSATIONAL. Literally.
It isn't my favorite book (The Fountainhead/The Golden Compass), but I have never been able to apply the word sensational to anything I have ever read.

As a natural-born critic, and someone who is consistently hard to impress (I'm not saying you should try to impress me), this is a big deal.

Like, big deal.

All in all: read the book (please!!!!!) and then comment this post and tell me what you think.


!!!!


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Uglies

Okay, so I did borrow the book from my 12 year old sister, but it was about a 16 year old, making me only 4 years its senior.
Anyway, it's a good book and it took an interesting take on the whole "perfect futuristic society without our version of mankind" thing.
To be honest, the position it took had a lot of creativity and didn't seem to borrow from books like 1984, Anthem, or Farenheit 451.
Also, it was nice on my brain after the long haul of The Fountainhead. Plus I've always been a sucker for sci-fi fantasy, and this fell nicely into that category.