The Abolition of Man

The Abolition of Man
By CS Lewis
0020867905

"To 'see through' all things is the same as not to see." If everything is transparent, there is nothing to see. So you must know what is a window and what is a landscape. The quotes at the end are great, so many places where the same thing is said in so many ways.
8/10

Atonement

Atonement
By Ian McEwan
0385503954

What??? Okay #1, how in the world do you make this into a movie? Everything takes place in people's heads, well almost everything. #2 the ending. The last 2 pages. (I'll try to be vague for anyone who hasn't read)- so what is truth? And does it matter? Does it matter for a movie more than for a book? I liked the set-up, over all I just wasn't satisfied. Not enough of Robbie to feel for him- especially the section in the London flat.
7/10

Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots
By Lady Antonia Fraser

Very moving portrait of a woman who seemed to have everything but ended with nothing material. The best passage- after her death, her son bows to pressure and calls for mourning, "the earl of Sinclair appeared before him dressed in steel armour in place of black. When James asked whether he had not seen the general order for mourning, Sinclair sternly replied: 'This is the proper mourning for the Queen of Scotland.'"- meaning apparently that they should be at war over her death/murder.
8/10

A Lifetime of Secrets

A Lifetime of Secrets
By Frank Warren
9780061238604

Loved it!! As always, these books are awesome.
Some of my favorites:
"I loved her when I was six. She threw my most valuebull stuff out the window (I sill love her.) and now I'm ten."
A door "I didn't walk you to the door after a 9th grade dance... I have regretted it ever since."
Picture of soldiers "Our nation is spoiled, corrupt, & ignorant... but I would die to protect it."
Mailboxes "When I was younger, I used to write letters to imaginary men ending affairs that never happened. I would address them to 'resident' and mail them out to addresses I picked at random."
Picture of 2 paths in woods "I made the wrong choice."
Sunset "I still wonder how different my life would be if I had taken that sunrise walk with you."
French Unicorn Tapestry "I want things back the way they never were."
10/10

A Preface to Paradise Lost

A Preface to Paradise Lost
By C.S. Lewis
0195003454

I that that he references the Disney movie Snow White and Jane Austen's Emma, among others, to make his points. I haven't read (or not in a long time) Paradise Lost, but this makes me yearn to read it!
9/10

The Everyday Guide to the Bible

The Everyday Guide to the Bible
By Carol Smith
1586604791

Well written, amusing, clearly written. Definitely a great overview of the Bible.
9/10

Timeline

Timeline
By Michael Crichton
(book on CD)

So can you change history or not?? This book wants it both ways. Either is it an "alternate world" or it's not. But good anyway, good story and characters.
8/10

The Problem of Pain

The Problem of Pain
By C.S. Lewis
0020868502

No Latin. Always good. Interesting theories on pain. I like his writing style too, very lecture hall/professor like. (Which makes sense, my point is it's a good style!)
8/10

The Allegory of Love

The Allegory of Love: A Study in Medieval Tradition
By C.S. Lewis

I don't know Latin, which hurt me while reading this. And I don't especially like poetry. And I haven't read Romance of the Rose, Faerie Queene, or anything else he talks about. Romance of the Rose is now on my list, however, I will be reading it (in French) in the next few weeks or months.
7/10

Scarlett

Scarlett
By Alexandra Ripley
0446515078

Very good. The beginning is not- Scarlett, crying at everything? And the end- when has she ever needed someone to protect her? But the middle (which is most of this long book!), is definitely her. And Rhett, oh for a man like him in my life!
9/10

Sea Swept

Sea Swept
By Nora Roberts
0515121843

I always love her dialogue, the amusing things her characters say. Seth is great, glad the next 3 books in this series will still have a lot of him. I'm guessing Cam and Anna will be on the sidelines, barely seen. Nice set up for Ethan for the next book, at least I already know who his love interest will be.
8/10