Lately...

I've been incredibly busy recently and have not had the time to post. Nor have I had the time to read many books. Here's what I've managed to find time for:

American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in the New China - Matthew Polly

This was a really interesting book. It's an autobiography about an average guy who decides that he's going to fly to China and learn how to fight like the Shaolin monks. He drops out of Yale, angers his family, and flys to China in the 80's. I really enjoyed it because it not only discribes a lot of different aspects of Chinese culture, but Matt is not afraid to tell you about the stupid mistakes he's made and the embarrassing moments that I would never have the curage to discuss with even my closest friends. I've never been interested in any type of martial arts in my life, but he made me actually consider it for a few moments. Although, give me an opportunity to live in another country and participate in its customs and I'm generally more than willing, as long as I can handle the food. (I hate being a picky eater!)

River God: A Novel of Ancient Egypt - Wilbur Smith

I loved this book. I really got behind the characters and loved the heroins and hated the vilians. I was fully engaged in the book while reading. There was a bit of a love story envolved, but it was interesting because it was told from the perspective of a slave rather than a pharoh or warrior. Now, of course, this slave is supposidly the most talented person to have ever lived in Egypt, but at least that provides an opportunity for Smith to bring in art, architecture, advances in warfare, and technology. If you're interested in Egypt you might enjoy it. If you're an Egyptologist, you'll probably find an error or two.

The Book of Useless Information - Noel Botham

Hehe. Fun. Cute to keep you entertained on a long car ride.

The Book of Merlin - T.H. White

You know, I get it, but I still didn't like it. I tried reading this in high school and I got stuck on the communist ants. Again, I couldn't really get past it. I guess after The Once and Future King I was expecting a little more. I can just imagine how much trouble this book caused when it came out. If you love debates over which governmental system is best, here's a book for you.

The Aeneid - Virgil

This book reminded me a lot of The Illiad without the major listing of people. I loved the first part of the book, but my interests kind of tapered a bit after Dido's death. I had been wondering why schools don't make kids read this book over The Illiad since it was more entertaining, but after Dido's death, I stopped questioning the choice. I spent most of my time compairing the styles between Virgil and Homer and how writing had changed from Ancient Greek to Anciet Rome. It's an interesting comparison.