May's Reading List

I'll admit it. I'm a weak-willed individual, especially when it comes to books. I finally broke. Caved in. Capitulated. I read the Twilight Series. There's more... I did it in 5 days. Yeah, I'm a little obsessive/compulsive when it comes to sequels, trilogies, and series. I insist that the series be complete before I begin so that if I find I enjoy what I'm reading I don't have to wait 9 months for the next addition. Think of it as delayed instant gratification. The down side is that I'm never a part of the first wave of excitement. With that said, I'm guessing that you've all already read the phenomenon but if you haven't then be warned: spoiler alert!

Of course, Twilight was the first. I found it interesting and fast paced. The teenage romance was almost a bit much for me, but whatever. By the end of the book I was fed up with the whole "stay-away-from-me-cause-I'm-dangerous" stuff, and okay, I get it- Edward is beautiful, but it was still interesting, fun to read, and I was hooked.

I liked New Moon. I have to give to credit to Stephenie Meyer- I think she did an amazing job describing the all consuming pain of a lost love. I couldn't help but smile when she used up an entire page for just the word "October" and then followed with the other months. What a brilliant move because I've been there and there just aren't any words for that kind of depression when for a brief period of time you stop existing but keep breathing. I finished this one in a mere 5 hours. Good thing I had the next one by my side.

I loved the action in Eclipse but by this time I'm getting a little frustrated with Bella for being Bella. And when she breaks Jacob's heart for like the hundredth time at the end- I'll admit it- I cried a little for Jacob. This one took me a little more than 6 hours to read.

I took a little longer to read Breaking Dawn because I knew the story was over after this and I wanted to drag it out a little bit longer, not wanting it to end. I loved hearing Jacob's voice in the book, especially since I thought he was the most realistic character out of all of them. I was absolutely breathless when he imprinted on Renesemee. I was waiting for the imprinting thing to happen during the last book and for him to finally become the Alpha. I'm with my brother-in-law on this one- I really, really, really wanted to read all about a knock-down drag-out fight and watch the Volturi destroyed or at least disbanded a bit. I wanted to see all those so-called "dangerous" vampire powers played out that I had been reading about for the last few days but instead I got nothin'. Nothing but a truce and another Stephenie Meyer style introduction into another character and another possible show down followed by the words "The End". Booo! But it ended just as it was suppose to with a happily ever after for Edward and Bella, Jake and Nessie. I hope the movie does the book justice.

And then...

I know, random, right? I suppose Science-fiction is Science-fiction but still, how could one go from a lovey-dovey teenage vampire romance to.... this? I don't know what to say other than I am a sucker. Don't let the movie fool you (but you Twilight lovers already knew that didn't you?) this is another one of those cliche cases where the movie is nothing like the book. Somehow they were able to take a few names and one or two small events in the book and turn it into a movie of sorts. It sadly didn't do the tiny 200 page book justice. It's an interesting thought if you take the idea of a having a permanent military to the next level. What happens when you create a civilization and economy that is dependent on military? I'm not talking about the military governments that we already have. I'm talking about a democratic military government where your citizenship depends on if you serve in the military. It's an interesting idea and Robert Heinlein does a really good job.

And then this book may seem even more random but oddly enough, it ties perfectly into the last 5 books.

Brian McLaren proposes an interesting theory. Perhaps, we are not so far away from what Robert Heinlein wrote about back in the 1960s. Perhaps, we are a part of a suicidal social machine that is running out of control, consuming our natural resources at an alarming rate, dumping destruction in its wake and forgetting that every person regardless of his nationality, race, gender, religion, or country affiliation is important, worthy of love, respect, and is to be taken care of. Isn't that part of what the draw to Twilight is all about? We all want to be loved and taken care of unconditionally in a way that has no bounds and yet is healthy and sustainable. Isn't that what Jesus wanted for us too? McLaren's book is fascinating and has undoubtedly changed the way I see people and the message of Jesus to the world.

I'm not sure what I'll be reading next month. I'll be starting on Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand today. I've put it off a little too long. I'm hoping to get in some historical works and maybe a little more classic literature too. I'd love to hear about what you've been reading. As I said before, I'm a bit of a sucker and easily swayed! :)