The BFG, Roald Dahl

As part of my goal to read all of Dahl's work, I tackled this book. Unfortunately, I found it to be a bit disappointing. Generally, I really enjoy Dahl's narrative and stories. Even when they are written for children, I find that his works can be rewarding reads. However, I fail to see why this seems to be one of his most treasured works. The dialogue was a bit tedious to read. Further, I failed to see any clear themes. I supposed that it could be described as 'unlikely heroes,' 'unlikely friends,' or 'little people change the world.' As far as I'm concerned, this is not one of Dahl's better works.

RATING: 2 out of 5
DATE COMPLETED: 06 Jan 2008

Howl and Other Poems, Allen Ginsberg

This is a book that I have had since high school, when I was going through that typical teenage phase of infatuation with the Beats. I was pleased to discover that Ginsberg stood the test of time, in that I still find reading his words rewarding. These poems resonate with me now in a way that they never could have as a teenager. The imagery is powerful, gritty but simultaneously beautiful. I definitely felt like this was worth the read. My mind is still swimming in the images and ideas. Read it for "Howl," "A Supermarket in California," and "America."

RATING: 4 out of 5
DATE COMPLETED: 03 Jan 2008

Oedipus Rex, Sophocles (trans. G. Young)

Although I like this play, I really didn't enjoy this translation. I found Young's language a little too obtuse at times, and could not determine if this was due to the translation being dated or a poor translator. If you're looking to read this play for the first time, I strongly recommend finding a better edition. This is the type of translation that makes modern readers dread the Greeks.

RATING: 2 out of 5
DATE COMPLETED: 02 Jan 2008

Strange but True: 22 Amazing Stories, Donald J. Sobol

This is a book that was purchased from the Scholastic book club, although I don't remember whether it was originally mine--or if it was my brother's. Either way, over the years, it ended up in my possession, and I had no memory of having read it. It's clearly written for children, with simplistic prose and an inability to build suspense. Also, it's the first time in ages that I could genuinely indict a text for abuse of the exclamation point. I cringe at the title's claim to truth; while Sobol includes a disclaimer for the three ghost stories included, he fails to point out the lack of evidence for some of the other tales. In particular, I was surprised to find that he knew the identity of Jack the Ripper, when to the best of my knowledge it is still highly disputed. Still, some of the stories did pique my interest, and I'd be interested in finding better accounts. In particular, I think I'd like to read more about the Octavius and Potemkin's villages in the Crimea.

RATING: 1 out of 5
DATE COMPLETED: 02 Jan 2008

The Wisdom of the Sufi Sages, Timothy Freke

I originally bought this book for one of my Honors classes at the University of Southern Maine. Although it's quite brief, it gives an excellent introduction to and summary of the core of Sufism. It provides a nice little gateway to the philosophy, without being cumbersome or intimidating. Most of the book consists of quotations from some of the most renowned Sufi mystics. These quotations are meant to exemplify Sufism, since many of the ideas are ineffable, and can not be conveyed through scholarly language. What I liked about this book was that it was full of lovely ideas that really challenged me to think about the nature of deity and how people experience the religious.

RATING: 3 out of 5
DATE COMPLETED: 02 Jan 2008

Tomorrow: Adventures in an Uncertain World, Bradley Trevor Greive

My mother gave this to me when I graduated from university in May. After thumbing through the photos now and again, I decided to finally read the accompanying text. I'm one of those people who generally scoffs at inspirational works as sentimental drivel. So, it's a little embarrassing to admit that I actually enjoyed reading through this. A lot of what is said is clicheed and familiar, but it's also the sort of stuff that is good to remember once in a while. Perhaps not a life-changing read, but certainly a thoughtful gift.

RATING: 3 out of 5
DATE COMPLETED: 02 Jan 2008

Scattered Poems, Jack Kerouac

I think that this volume is a perfect example of why so many people are so dismissive toward the Beats. Kerouac's poems are often uninspired and rambly, reminiscent of the drivel produced by stoned teenagers. There are some gems among the many lines, but they are few and far between. The redeeming aspects to this volume were moments of homoeroticism, references to Buddhist philosophy, and snapshots of the culture of the 1950s and 1960s. However, it might be worth the read simply for the "Western Haikus" at the end. This sampling of verses made me giggle, and seemed to display a real sense of humor.

RATING: 3 out of 5
DATE COMPLETED: 02 Jan 2008

In order to be a better reader and keep track of my thoughts and feelings on what I've read (without feeling like I'm subjecting my friends list to excessive posts on books), I've decided to revamp this old journal and put it to use as my book journal. Here I'll be making posts for the books that I complete, sometimes with broad reviews, and sometimes with personal commentary. So, if you're interested in following along, please do!