So I told you how awesomely awesome Agatha Christie is right? And an awesome author writes what? Awesome books. Therefore, logically speaking, since this book is by an awesome author, this book has to be awesome. There, now I went through the logical reasons why this book is awesome, now let's get through the HOW. How is this book awesome? Let me explain...
This book starts with a millionaire (Mr. Rufus Van Aldin) thinking about someone special in his life (no, not his non-existent wife). His daughter. Ruth Van Aldin, who has recently been named, Mrs. Ruth Kettering, has of late, been quite depressed. Her father, not bearing the thought of his daughter depressed, goes to visit her lovely little flat (actually not little since she too is quite well-off) . While visiting his daughter, he gives her a trifle of a present in order to cheer her up. What is it? Only the most famous jewel in the world, that's all. Trust a millionaire to get his hands on something like that then give it to his daughter as a cheer up present. Ruth is quite pleased with her gift, however an expensive stone still does not lift the heavy weight that seems to be weighing her down. Apparently, her husband, Derek Kettering, has been leaving his wife's company more and more, and has been in the company of a more dexterous woman. A lovely dancer by the name of Mirelle has captured Derek's attention entirely, which was, of course, meant to be for Ruth.
Ruth tells her father of this, and he, in rage, convinces her daughter to file a divorce. Ruth tells her father she would, however not immediately doing so.
Rufus Van Aldin decides to have a little chat with his son in-law to give him a little heads up on what his wife is planning to do. Derek seems not to be ruffled, but truly, he was nervous. If Ruth left him, he would once again be the same middle class man he was before marrying Ruth. And Mirelle was only a rich man's luxury, so in the process of him divorcing Ruth, he would not only loose his wealth but also Mirelle.
Days after Mr. Van Aldin had his chat with Derek, Ruth decided to go on a luxury train, Train le Bleu, to go to the Rivera. Unfortunately while on the train Ruth is murdered. Fortunately Mr. Hercule Poirot is also on the train and is there to solve all the questions presented.
There are many suspects, yet so little clues, so it is hard. But Poirot, never failing, solves the case!
Find out how in The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie. This book is a must read for all, so please, what are you waiting for???
Saturday, August 25, 2012
To Be A Slave by Julius Lester
My dad got me this book since I have, of late, been watching the TV series, Roots. It's based on an African-American man who decided to be awesome and trace back all the way to the first man in his family who stepped foot in America. Kunta Kinte. Kunta Kinte was a young man when he was brought to America, but unlike other Africans, he did not lose his African identity when in America. He stayed strong to his people, his name, and his customs. He passed down his culture to his daughter, who passed it down to her son, to passed it down to his son, who passed it down to his daughter, and on and on until the message reached the man who decided to be awesome.
Well, you might imagine why I am going on about some TV program when I really should be talking about our lovely book here. Reasons being are, firstly, the book and the TV series concern the same topic (slavery) and secondly, I felt I understood the book two million times better after watching Roots. So there, makes sense right?
Ok, so I might as well give a little of what I think of To Be A Slave. Basically this book encompasses a collection of entries from journals of slaves during their hard times. Reading this book really made me look at slavery in way I never looked at before. Sure, I knew it was cruel and wrong, but why? What were the customs that the whites did to the blacks in those days? How did it feel like to be roped to a tree. Helpless, awaiting a cruel whipping you didn't even deserve? How did it feel like to be stacked on other human beings, like books on a shelve, for several days? Well, obviously we all know the answers to these questions. Terrible. But reading personal journal entries from slaves really put things to a different perspective. I felt like I was living their experience, working tirelessly in the field on a 100 degree day for a person who treated you like dirt, living in a small dark room, getting only scrapings of food, being frightened of "massa", being taken from your home and stacked (literately) onto a ship to be a slave.
Just imagine what those people were feeling. The feeling of being torn from your family, never to see them again. To have a child you love and care for separated from you at birth to work on another plantation. I read somewhere in this book that a mother kept having children, and her children kept being sold, so at one point when she had another child, she killed her newborn to save him from the torment of being a slave. Observe how desperate mothers got to save their children.
This is only a fraction of what slaves experienced. In this book, you are not only reading their experiences but living them. It really opens your eyes to the cruelty that had taken place many years ago, which is hopefully over. It's pretty sad actually, to know that human beings can treat each other like that solely based on the color of their skin. It's such a selfish thing to do, to overwork and abuse someone for the sake of what? Yourself.
Well, please, please, please read this book. I feel that everyone should live the life that the slaves lived, to feel every feeling that went through their body. To feel a whip at your back, then a sting in your eyes, and all the while hearing your mother begging "Massa, please massa, you can whip me, just don't whip my baby!" How cruel is that, to let it even get that way? Anyway, one million stars. Seriously, this book really is the perfect read, and I think every single human being on earth, whether black or white, should read this.
Well, you might imagine why I am going on about some TV program when I really should be talking about our lovely book here. Reasons being are, firstly, the book and the TV series concern the same topic (slavery) and secondly, I felt I understood the book two million times better after watching Roots. So there, makes sense right?
Ok, so I might as well give a little of what I think of To Be A Slave. Basically this book encompasses a collection of entries from journals of slaves during their hard times. Reading this book really made me look at slavery in way I never looked at before. Sure, I knew it was cruel and wrong, but why? What were the customs that the whites did to the blacks in those days? How did it feel like to be roped to a tree. Helpless, awaiting a cruel whipping you didn't even deserve? How did it feel like to be stacked on other human beings, like books on a shelve, for several days? Well, obviously we all know the answers to these questions. Terrible. But reading personal journal entries from slaves really put things to a different perspective. I felt like I was living their experience, working tirelessly in the field on a 100 degree day for a person who treated you like dirt, living in a small dark room, getting only scrapings of food, being frightened of "massa", being taken from your home and stacked (literately) onto a ship to be a slave.
Just imagine what those people were feeling. The feeling of being torn from your family, never to see them again. To have a child you love and care for separated from you at birth to work on another plantation. I read somewhere in this book that a mother kept having children, and her children kept being sold, so at one point when she had another child, she killed her newborn to save him from the torment of being a slave. Observe how desperate mothers got to save their children.
This is only a fraction of what slaves experienced. In this book, you are not only reading their experiences but living them. It really opens your eyes to the cruelty that had taken place many years ago, which is hopefully over. It's pretty sad actually, to know that human beings can treat each other like that solely based on the color of their skin. It's such a selfish thing to do, to overwork and abuse someone for the sake of what? Yourself.
Well, please, please, please read this book. I feel that everyone should live the life that the slaves lived, to feel every feeling that went through their body. To feel a whip at your back, then a sting in your eyes, and all the while hearing your mother begging "Massa, please massa, you can whip me, just don't whip my baby!" How cruel is that, to let it even get that way? Anyway, one million stars. Seriously, this book really is the perfect read, and I think every single human being on earth, whether black or white, should read this.
Death On the Nile by Agatha Christie
I have to say, reading this book was like a new awakening to me. I never knew how much I really liked mystery until then. Before, I thought I only had eyes for romance and nothing else. Now, my whole reading experience has changed; it's amazing!
Basically at first glance this seems like the typical cliche romantic mystery. However, after finishing the book one will have a completely different view of things.
Linnet Ridgeway, a rich, blonde beauty, has a best friend called Jacqueline de Bellefort. It's pretty ironic because Jackie's practically the opposite of Linnet. She's got the most intense of personalities, while Linnet can be calm with just anything she pleases. Also, Jackie's not very well off, Linnet on the other hand got the world right under her pretty little toes.
The mystery starts out with Linnet calling her best friend, asking what she's been up to. They converse together in the most intimate and dearest of ways, just like best friends should converse. Jackie surprises Linnet by telling her that she's got herself engaged to man called Simon Doyle and she is terribly in love. She says that she would kill herself and him if he ever leaves her. Jackie also asks her rich friend if she could visit with this Mr. Handsome and if Linnet could aid him in some financial matters while they were at it.
Linnet agrees, saying it would be "her plesure"
Now, lets see it from our famous detective's side of the story. Hecule Poirot, the well-known detective of England, is going to a restaurant. At the restaurant, he notices a very perfect couple sitting but a few seats away from him. The girl, she has the most serene look on her face, yet, it seems faintly edged with constant alarm, a sort of worry. Something must be bothering her. It seems the couple are discussing their honeymoon plans. "And, as I say, we'll go to Egypt for our honeymoon. I've always wanted to see the pyramids and the sand..."
Poirot contemplates within himself. This woman, she seems too much in love, as if she could never let it go.
You might be wondering how this is important, this little scene that Poirot catches. As our detective says, "Time will tell, time will tell."
Now, let's go back to the two best friends. We are fast forwarding now, later, to what becomes of Jackie and her most excellent fiance. Poirot finally meets both the couple and Linnet in Egypt, where a they are having their honeymoon. They, as in Linnet and Simon. Jackie seems to be following them, in a revenge. The plain, terrible truth is, our handsome Mr. Doyle fell for Linnet on meeting her, and broke off his engagement to Jackie, instead marrying the rich, lovely Linnet. So Simon is going to Egypt for his honeymoon, and in the company of Jackie, (to his greatest anger) but his trip companion a completely different woman. Ms. Linnet Ridgeway, also known as Mrs. Linnet Doyle. And Ms. Jacqueline de Bellefort, formerly known as Ms. Jacqueline Doyle, has accompanied the poor couple with them, tormenting Linnet with guilt in the process.
Who knows what the infamous Jackie will do to the man she loves to death, and of course, the woman who stole the man she loves to death? Find of by reading Death on the Nile, by Agatha Christie. I recommend reading this book in a cold, darkened basement at the dead of night; it really gives you the thrills and shivers! (that's what I did, no kidding) Well, exit real, innocent world and enter the intriguing world of Agatha Christie, Queen of Crime!
Basically at first glance this seems like the typical cliche romantic mystery. However, after finishing the book one will have a completely different view of things.
Linnet Ridgeway, a rich, blonde beauty, has a best friend called Jacqueline de Bellefort. It's pretty ironic because Jackie's practically the opposite of Linnet. She's got the most intense of personalities, while Linnet can be calm with just anything she pleases. Also, Jackie's not very well off, Linnet on the other hand got the world right under her pretty little toes.
The mystery starts out with Linnet calling her best friend, asking what she's been up to. They converse together in the most intimate and dearest of ways, just like best friends should converse. Jackie surprises Linnet by telling her that she's got herself engaged to man called Simon Doyle and she is terribly in love. She says that she would kill herself and him if he ever leaves her. Jackie also asks her rich friend if she could visit with this Mr. Handsome and if Linnet could aid him in some financial matters while they were at it.
Linnet agrees, saying it would be "her plesure"
Now, lets see it from our famous detective's side of the story. Hecule Poirot, the well-known detective of England, is going to a restaurant. At the restaurant, he notices a very perfect couple sitting but a few seats away from him. The girl, she has the most serene look on her face, yet, it seems faintly edged with constant alarm, a sort of worry. Something must be bothering her. It seems the couple are discussing their honeymoon plans. "And, as I say, we'll go to Egypt for our honeymoon. I've always wanted to see the pyramids and the sand..."
Poirot contemplates within himself. This woman, she seems too much in love, as if she could never let it go.
You might be wondering how this is important, this little scene that Poirot catches. As our detective says, "Time will tell, time will tell."
Now, let's go back to the two best friends. We are fast forwarding now, later, to what becomes of Jackie and her most excellent fiance. Poirot finally meets both the couple and Linnet in Egypt, where a they are having their honeymoon. They, as in Linnet and Simon. Jackie seems to be following them, in a revenge. The plain, terrible truth is, our handsome Mr. Doyle fell for Linnet on meeting her, and broke off his engagement to Jackie, instead marrying the rich, lovely Linnet. So Simon is going to Egypt for his honeymoon, and in the company of Jackie, (to his greatest anger) but his trip companion a completely different woman. Ms. Linnet Ridgeway, also known as Mrs. Linnet Doyle. And Ms. Jacqueline de Bellefort, formerly known as Ms. Jacqueline Doyle, has accompanied the poor couple with them, tormenting Linnet with guilt in the process.
Who knows what the infamous Jackie will do to the man she loves to death, and of course, the woman who stole the man she loves to death? Find of by reading Death on the Nile, by Agatha Christie. I recommend reading this book in a cold, darkened basement at the dead of night; it really gives you the thrills and shivers! (that's what I did, no kidding) Well, exit real, innocent world and enter the intriguing world of Agatha Christie, Queen of Crime!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
I know there are a lot of books which are like this (teen advice/help) but I've got to say, this book rises above the rest. Why? Because teens can relate to the author, which is rare for any kind of book.
Covey's book is full of his experiences as a teen, which of course is very similar to the average teen. For example, Sean Covey tells the reader about the dangers that are out there for teens by illustrating it into a little drawing with a speech bubble on the side of the book. Also, Covey writes the book in a way that seems like his story as a teen, which makes the book 100x more interesting than it would have been if he was just spewing of what to do and what not to do as a teen. All these little changes in the book add up to make it very prominent and helpful. Personally to me this book was helpful, and I found myself nodding in agreement a lot of what Covey was saying. Like, "Yeah, I know right?"
I think what makes a good book is a good author, and what makes a good author is a good person, and what makes a good person is good role models. In Sean's case, his role model was his father, Stephen R. Covey, who I'm sorry to say died quite recently. He was a very good man, and in fact wrote a book very similar to his son's. It was called, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and Sean based his book on his fathers. How amazing is that?
Their motto is, "Habits: They Can Make You or Break You" and the message that the Covey's are trying to send out to the world is; you can choose if you want your habits to make you or break you. You've got the willpower to make the right choices. Everything comes from your heart so listen to it. And I'm not talking about the petty desires you think your hearts asking you for, I'm talking about the inner heart, dig deeper and you will find the real desire.
Sometimes though a human can make icky choices once in a while, but this book tells you what teens can do to avoid those choices, or if you already made them, how to not make that same mistake again.
The Covey's realize that every human being is not flawless, but they're not hopeless either and there are certain things you can do to improve yourself greatly and just let yourself thrive.
Well, was that encouraging enough? If it wasn't, then let me tell you, grow up already and open your eyes! And if it was, happy to say you can safely be called that strange word which is "normal" whatever that is.
Anyway, I send my condolences to this genius author's even more genius father, and hope he's happy up there in heaven if God wills him to be.
Well, that's the way life goes, you're born, you live your life, and then...you die :(
Okay, don't want to end it on that sad note so just read this book and it will do you tons of good okay?
Sayonara people!
Covey's book is full of his experiences as a teen, which of course is very similar to the average teen. For example, Sean Covey tells the reader about the dangers that are out there for teens by illustrating it into a little drawing with a speech bubble on the side of the book. Also, Covey writes the book in a way that seems like his story as a teen, which makes the book 100x more interesting than it would have been if he was just spewing of what to do and what not to do as a teen. All these little changes in the book add up to make it very prominent and helpful. Personally to me this book was helpful, and I found myself nodding in agreement a lot of what Covey was saying. Like, "Yeah, I know right?"
I think what makes a good book is a good author, and what makes a good author is a good person, and what makes a good person is good role models. In Sean's case, his role model was his father, Stephen R. Covey, who I'm sorry to say died quite recently. He was a very good man, and in fact wrote a book very similar to his son's. It was called, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and Sean based his book on his fathers. How amazing is that?
Their motto is, "Habits: They Can Make You or Break You" and the message that the Covey's are trying to send out to the world is; you can choose if you want your habits to make you or break you. You've got the willpower to make the right choices. Everything comes from your heart so listen to it. And I'm not talking about the petty desires you think your hearts asking you for, I'm talking about the inner heart, dig deeper and you will find the real desire.
Sometimes though a human can make icky choices once in a while, but this book tells you what teens can do to avoid those choices, or if you already made them, how to not make that same mistake again.
The Covey's realize that every human being is not flawless, but they're not hopeless either and there are certain things you can do to improve yourself greatly and just let yourself thrive.
Well, was that encouraging enough? If it wasn't, then let me tell you, grow up already and open your eyes! And if it was, happy to say you can safely be called that strange word which is "normal" whatever that is.
Anyway, I send my condolences to this genius author's even more genius father, and hope he's happy up there in heaven if God wills him to be.
Well, that's the way life goes, you're born, you live your life, and then...you die :(
Okay, don't want to end it on that sad note so just read this book and it will do you tons of good okay?
Sayonara people!
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