Alright, it’s been a while since I posted about anything
(not that I've been posting long enough to have a general rhythm, but still…).
Around here, lots of life has been happening what with finally unpacking boxes
to fill our apartment, working on appointments and paper-work to re-pack and
re-locate to Italy (no big deal, really…more on this later ^_^), planning a
trip to visit a certain adorable little niece, (check out Steph's Blog to see just how adorable she is and get some insight into the life of a new mommy here), and still getting done daily life things like dishes and
laundry and more dishes. A few weeks ago if you would have asked how I was, I
would have told you I was great…just a wee bit bored since my days are pretty
long with not a whole lot to do. Now,
that couldn't be farther from the truth. I have to do lists, a budding social
life (yay for new friends!) and did I mention I have lots to do?
Before things really started moving here, I kept myself busy
with crochet, Netflix, and the old fashioned past time of reading…and by
reading I mean a bound set of pages to be held in your hand rather than a
digital download onto an electronic device (Not that I have any qualms with
e-readers, in fact I think they are great for getting people to read again, but
there is just something wonderful about the smell and feel of a good book).
I’ve been catching up on many of the novels that have been recommended to me
over the last few months and let me just say I’ve read some real gems. I was reminded of how much I really enjoy
reading and how much I missed it after spending 3 ½ years reading nothing but
textbooks and articles for school. Now that things are picking up around here,
I am determined to put forth my best effort at continuing to make a habit out
of reading a good book for fun, no matter how busy life gets.
Before I sign off for the night to
work on my “to-do” list, I wanted to give you a “review”, if you can call it
that, of one of the books I read most recently. Perhaps it will inspire you to
read it as well, or to pick a book on your list of novels you keep saying you
will get around to eventually:
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One novel that has been on my list of “books I WILL read someday” is a
wonderful story called Ender’s Game by
Orson Scott Card. If you aren't familiar with the story, let me just say that
this novel basically set a standard for great science fiction. If you recognize
Card’s name, it’s probably because this book launched his career in the world
of sci-fi literature. Admittedly, the
beginning of the book didn't hook me in, but I was surprised by the depth and
complexity of character and plot the book offers. By the end of the novel you
are not only left with a plethora of ways to relate to the characters, but also
to the varying big ideas and themes. (If
I ever find my way into an English classroom as the lead teacher, we are
definitely reading this book).
Ender’s Game is set in a futuristic world where we are united
globally under one goal – defeat the Buggers. This war against beings from a
far off home world in space has been waging for years and years and years and
if we are to win it we need a new kind of soldier. Enter Ender Wiggin, 6 years
old, potential saviour of our world, along with the many, many other children that have been recruited as the
future of our armies. As the plot unfolds, we are left to ponder ideas such as
the person hood of children and what they are capable of (especially when they
are gifted with abilities beyond our understanding or appreciation); what it
means to be ‘human’; ethics and politics during war time; what makes an
exceptional soldier; and (from my own understanding of the novel) the power of
effective communication, the tragedies that follow when communication fails and
the healing that it can bring.
I won’t give away any more than
that to avoid ruining such an adventurous reading experience (especially since
the movie is coming out – I always recommend reading the book first). However,
I will say that what I believe to be the best attribute of this book is how much
one reader can take away from it and how vastly different that can be from the
next reader. In his introduction to an anniversary edition of the novel, Orson
Scott Card had this to say:
“The Story of Ender’s Game is not this book, though it
has that title emblazoned on it. The story is the one that you and I will
construct together in your memory. If the story means anything to you at all,
then when you remember it afterward, think of it, not as something I created,
but rather as something that we made together.” – Orson Scott Card, March 1991
If that is not the definition of a
good book, one that allows you and the author to connect through story and
character, then I don’t know what is.
So, if you have been contemplating
about whether or not you should take that long forgotten book off the shelf or
make a trip to your local library – don’t wait – do it now!! I have this
feeling that life is always going to be just a little ‘busy’, but I think it is
too short to pass up spending time with a good book, especially when there are
gems out there like Ender’s Game.
What books are on your “someday”
list? I’m always looking for suggestions of books I never would have thought to
read myself, so share some of your treasured stories in the comments below.
As always, thanks for ‘reading’.
(That’s ironically pretty punny, if I do say so myself).
