I don't enjoy being creeped out and won't read a book for that goal. I will put up with being creeped out it if I am fascinated enough by the ideas.

I think a similarity between That Hideous Strength and Abolition of Man is that they are both disturbing and both serve as a warning of sorts about science and the twisted principles that comes out of making a religion out of it.

I like that Abolition of Man draws from ancient mythology and older religions things that are worthwhile and worth thinking about and incorporating in day to day life. Both books warn about similar things but but Abolition of Man attempts to give an alternative meaning. I think I would need to re-read the space trilogy to see if he does that in those books too. I don't remember how that plays out in the 3rd books. I think I'll read it again.

I just finished reading the Shack. It was okay.

I just read the first and second 'Hunger Games' books. I can't wait to read the third!

On an interesting note, I read "Catching Fire" on a Kindle, the first time I've ever used one. I was so against these but I must admit - they're not half bad!

I got one for my birthday two months ago and have loved every moment of using it. The case I bought for it has a little strap/handle thing on it, so I can carry it and read it as I'm walking around in the house a lot more conveniently than a book. And the screen is absolutely amazing; it's easy to forget that I'm reading an ebook and not an actual book. I'd definitely recommend trying a Kindle or a Nook out at one of the stores that carries them, like Wal-Mart or Barnes & Noble. Personally, I preferred the Kindle, but the Nook is very good too.

Just finished "The Angel's Command" by Brian Jaques. This was my first time reading anything by him, and I really, really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading other books by him. And I think The Angel's Command might have had a previous book about the same characters... so I'll have to check that out.

Yeah, Queen Susan, you should really read books in order, shame on you.

The first book is Castaways of the Flying Dutchman. And then the third book is Voyage of Slaves.

I really enjoyed this trilogy, even though they always end kind of sad (especially the last one).

P.S."Brooklyn!"

Agreed, Ryan. They are great books, but always a sad ending. I wish Brian Jacques had written just one more.

I read Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians this week, and I have to agree with the front page critics that it is her most baffling (at least of the ones I've read).

I read Walter Wangerin Jr.'s Paul: A Novel this week, and found it to be rather like his Book of the Dun Cow. It's not as sad as I remember BotDC being, but it does seem to drive most of the major and minor players to a despondent note. Very well written and from where I sit I think it's well researched... but it's definitely a book you'd want to read with your Bible in hand to check and cross reference his use of quotations, because he'd cut passages that weren't relevant to the story he told.

In short, I respect Wangerin's writing -- but I don't enjoy it.

I read Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians this week, and I have to agree with the front page critics that it is her most baffling (at least of the ones I've read).

Is that the same as her film: "An Then There Was None"? I just saw that, it was SO good. But very confusing. I've seen AC movies, played the games, and read some books, and I have NEVER been able to figured her out. She was either:

a.) Very smart
b.) or a bit empty upstairs, if you get my drift, um, off...

(or both...)

I finally finished the Sil. I do like Tolkien's work, but Sil is heavier in style than LotR or Hobbit so it can be hard to get through. I found myself skimming on several occasions. I think it's mostly because certain events are retold over and over again but with a different perspective each time. So I'd finish a chapter about something, and then somewhere in the next chapter he'd tell what happened in the previous chapter.

Keeping all that in mind, I do like the background on the characters featured in LotR. Galadriel in particular is fascinating in the Sil because of her association with the Noldorin Kinslayers. And I didn't know that Elwing actually had wings! I must have missed that my first time.

Dot, you've just read one of my favourite Lord Peters! Murder Must Advertise is the first one I read as well--though, technically, it was a book on tape.

*is struck once again how similar our taste in books are* My sister picked up several Lord Peter paperbacks at the bookstore a couple weeks ago. If I can catch a breather in between studying for my final and packing for school I'm going to read one or two before school starts (hopefully).

Oh dear. I thought The Angel's Command had a somewhat sad ending... How will I bear the next one? Nah, it wasn't too sad... Just rather depressing that:

Spoiler

Ben and Ned can't stay in one place too long- so they have to always leave everyone else they know behind.

I read Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians this week, and I have to agree with the front page critics that it is her most baffling (at least of the ones I've read).

Is that the same as her film: "An Then There Was None"? I just saw that, it was SO good. But very confusing. I've seen AC movies, played the games, and read some books, and I have NEVER been able to figured her out. She was either:

a.) Very smart
b.) or a bit empty upstairs, if you get my drift, um, off...

(or both...)

Yes, it is the same one. And Then There were None is the alternative title for the book (several of hers have these because the original titles were considered "offensive"). I agree that she must have been smart, but I don't know how well the idea of her being mentally abnormal would hold up.

Agatha Christie insane? I doubt it. H.P. Lovecraft on the otherhand, quite possibly.

Ten Little Indians actually wasn't the original title either. The original title used a racial slur instead of Indians.

Agatha Christie insane? I doubt it. H.P. Lovecraft on the otherhand, quite possibly.

Very true, W4J.

Ten Little Indians actually wasn't the original title either. The original title used a racial slur instead of Indians.

Yes, I discovered that last night when I got curious. And apparently Christie was actually her last name. I had been told it was her middle name. Oh, well.

I'm moving into the fifth Dresden Files book for pleasure reading. Also reading Titus Andronicus in preparation for my Shakespeare course beginning in a few weeks.