Book Review ...

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

This book was definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time! It was extremely thought-provoking. From the way he made you feel like you were right there in the 12th century to the vivid imagery of the time period!

By far the best part of the book was the realistic battle between good and evil. This was no magical Harry Potter version of good and evil ... but the real battle that waged for centuries, and still wages today, between those that who will stop at nothing to achieve power and wealth, and the good God-fearing people that were caught in the endless web of treachery and violence of the time.

At times in the book, it seemed a bit boring, but once the story started to come together it was difficult to put down. I even read the last 20 pages on my way to and from church on Sunday so I wouldn't miss the epic ending.

In the end like most stories of its kind, evil is destroyed and good wins out, but not in the typical fairy tale way we are used to. It ends with bloodshed, not only of the evil, but the good as well. Follett doesn't give us the Cinderella ending we have become accustomed to, but a feeling of peace that all has been resolved and evil has been outdone.

This was definitely an epic story and I believe will be considered a "classic" someday! If you haven't already picked up a copy head to your local bookstore or favorite book-buying website and get reading! It's an action-packed story of cathedrals, monks, war, love, and the desperate attempts of the wicked to prevail over the Godly.

*Also, if you are reading, or have read this wonderful book, check out the Starz Mini-Series that is airing right now. Mine are all DVRed and ready to go, but I haven't had an opportunity to check them out yet.*

Quote of the Week ....

Life is a storm. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when the storm comes.

-The Count of Monte Cristo

The best neighborhood library ...

Today I spent a little time in my neighborhood library. I admit for someone who loves books as much as I do, it is quite how long it has been since I’ve been to one. But, I think, after years of hanging out in stuffy university and law school research libraries, I decided to try my hand at the more fun upbeat book stores and cafes instead.

This library holds many memories of my school year summers. When I was in grade school, my mother would bring my sister and I to the library almost weekly to pick out different books and movies. I remember feeling overwhelmed and overjoyed at the same time at the number of magnificent and beautiful books on the shelves.

Even as I got older and could drive myself to the library, the feeling never changed. My best friend and I could frequently be found on Monday mornings at the library looking through the massive collections of books for something delicious to read while we lounged by the pool.

And now that I am an adult, the library has not lost its magic. The feeling of not even knowing where to begin, because there are so many shelves stocked full of books you have yet to read . . . the soft whispers of mothers reading to their children . . . the excitement of the children when they discover the “perfect” book . . . the beeping sound of the computer when books are checked out . . . and the gentle whispers of the librarians to shush noisy visitors. Libraries are truly places of wonder and excitement.

Today, my heart swelled when I heard a couple of young girls excitedly bring their book treasures to show their father. They sounded so proud to find such wonderful treasures, and so excited to find a comfy spot on the couch and begin to read them. One had a stack of about 5 books and proudly proclaimed that she was going to begin reading them right now!

In my lifetime, I cannot count the number of wonderful moments and feelings I have gotten from the hundreds (maybe even thousands) of books I have read. And the magic all started for me in this very neighborhood library . . . It’s so comforting to know that those feelings haven’t changed and to see a whole new generation feeling the wonder and awe of these great buildings, the way I learned to love books as a child myself.