Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonothan Safran Foer

The story of a young but extremely resourceful kid growing up in Manhattan. Though it never says he is handicapped, Oskar seems to be very peculiar and has a persistence in mystery reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes. His father has been killed in the 2001 September 11th attacks and has left behind a mystery that requires Oskar to travel all over New York and to talk to as many of the 472 Mr or Mrs Black's as he can. Being a naturally antisocial boy, his desperation in finding more about his lost father draws out the stories of many eccentric characters that would usually remain hidden in the sheer magnitude of New York. Simply an inspiring and interesting book about loss and isolation. The problem with big cities (where to start) manifests itself and is conquered by the persistent Oskar as he systematically explores every corner of the five boroughs and the inspiringly despondent and human characters that he finds along the way. This is a book that brings lonley characters a chance to share their feelings and let their stories be told, to change their lives of stagnation and achieve the things they always needed to.

Great style and riveting read.

Andrew

The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera

I once read someone who said that life was getting more complicated. He said that you used to be able to just read Dostoyevsky's Brother's Karamazov and you could get your fill of metaphysical knowledge. Dostoyevsky's book isn't about philosophy. It's not a text book or a book of arguments, but simply stories of peoples' lives. Since philosophies are simply ways to understand and live life, why would one not explain it through stories of life. This is how Milan Kundera's novel', The Unbearable Lightness of Being explains philosophy without getting too dense or aggressive. He does, however, quote directly from famous philosopher's such as Nietzche and Descartes, but Kundera does it in a way that the reader actually finds philosophical addages applicable to everyday life.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being is simply the intertwining lives of four czech citizens durring the Russian occupation. It deals with life and love and philosophy in such a light manner that it makes it livable. A quote that stuck with me was "If rejection and privilege are on and the same, if there is no difference between the sublime and the paltry, if the Son of God can undergo judgement for shit, then human existence loses its dimensions and becomes unbearably light." We seem to thrive on polarity. Uggh this book is so invigorating and enthusiastic and intruiging that I would be happy to talk about it for the rest of the night, but that would ruin your great reading of this fantastic book, so i shall leave you to it.
Have a great smiley night, and remember that life doesn't need a kitch or Grand March or idyllic purpose to be all that it can be.
Awesome, just awesome.
Andrew

The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

If you have read Oryx and Crake, then you already know the exact style of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Though I have not read anything but Sci Fi from Atwood, I found that they were written in the same fassion. Atwood fails to reveal any details and purposely adds an air of mystery surrounding the future, but unintentionally overdoes it and makes hokey sentences that over sentimentalize and sensationalize the work. Beyond that, The Handmaid's Tale was a fascinating insight into the role of females in society today. I found it very interesting to see the differences between this female dystopia and a more orwellian male dystopia. Beyond the obvious that females are subjected in The Handmaid's Tale, I found that it emphasized different values all together. For instance, while in Orwell's 1984, the protagonist is praised for his ability to skirt and endure physical pain and suffering, in the Handmaid's Tale, the protagonist (known only as offred - of Fred that is) is values for withstanding mental and emotional strain. It is seen as terrible that she has to submit her body to sexual debasement, but Offred is never actually physically tortured. Along with other minute differences, it was great to be afforded this insight into the plight of women, and to see how so many women feel here and now about how they are treated.
Great read for women but especially men.
Andrew

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a story about realizing dreams. Yeah it sounds really corny, but at the same time it's a fundamental aspect of each of our lives. Especially in rescent years, people are increasingly feeling a sense of worthlessness in their lives. Working jobs that they hate so they can have enough money to retire and die soon after doesn't sound like the best life to me. In reading this book, it says that no matter how hard the task, one should always try to realize their "Personal Legend." This is very similar to what Nietzche is saying when he talks about eternal recurrence. Maybe not in direct terms but still, he's saying that no matter what this world is, it's going to happen an infinite amount of times, so we should affirm everything that we do and everything we are and just be happy with it. He would say that even if there is some nerd sitting by himself in a dark room doing math problems all day, if that's his calling, he should go right ahead and do it. This is a very simple feel good book that is more a manual than a novel. At the same time, however, it is actually a manual that people should get their hands on.
Simple but good.
Andrew