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July 18
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Chad
gave
   
to:
The Night Trilogy: Night, Dawn, The Accident (Paperback)
by Elie Wiesel
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my rating:
   
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July 15
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Chad
gave
   
to:
The Secret Life of Bees (Paperback)
by Sue Monk Kidd
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my rating:
   
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read in July, 2008
Chad said:
"I've read this book twice now in one year--a feat for me. Usually doing that leaves me disappointed with the book, but this one is different. Lily's voice as a narrator is both believable as a teen and fittingly filled with the irony, humor, and fr...more
I've read this book twice now in one year--a feat for me. Usually doing that leaves me disappointed with the book, but this one is different. Lily's voice as a narrator is both believable as a teen and fittingly filled with the irony, humor, and frustrations that those years are filled with. One element of the novel I really appreciate is the well constructed symbols of womanhood--the bees, the moon, the river--all of it works to build on one another to create a strong, spiritual reflection on what it means to be a woman and a mother. Enlightening book, even for us guys....less
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July 14
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Chad
gave
   
to:
A Lesson Before Dying (Paperback)
by Ernest J. Gaines
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my rating:
   
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read in July, 2008
Chad said:
"I think this is a solid novel overall, but it won't go on "this book has revolutionized my life" shelf. Gaines does a good job describing life in the South during the 40s (as if I were there), and stylistically there are very strong elemen...more
I think this is a solid novel overall, but it won't go on "this book has revolutionized my life" shelf. Gaines does a good job describing life in the South during the 40s (as if I were there), and stylistically there are very strong elements to this novel. For example, much of this novel talks about trying to break free from cycles that keep individuals and groups stuck in mind-numbing ignorance, and one way this effect is heightened is by the repetitious nature of the story telling. If Gaines didn't make the readers go through the monotony of the existence he's describing, the lesson would be less poignant. Also, the whole idea of who's getting the lesson, Jefferson or Grant, really makes for interesting thoughts about the novel.
But then there's downsides. One is that the resolution isn't as strong as I'd like it to be. Without ruining it for others, the ending was simply unsatisfactory to me. Leaving things as he does is more thought-provoking, but in a novel I like a little more closure for all the characters. Also, I felt the short sex scene between Grant and Vivian was unnecessary. If it were relevant to the story, then I'd be fine with it. Maybe I'm missing something, but I felt it was a bit gratuitous, and that kind of pandering just doesn't do much for me. I should note that the scene is only half a page, so it doesn't ruin or overwhelm the novel, just unncessary.
Overall, though, I'm glad I've read this novel and I would reccomend it to others, though other novels about the South are much stronger. But then, what can really compare with To Kill a Mockingbird, anyway?...less
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June 01
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Chad
gave
   
to:
Perelandra (Space Trilogy, Book 2)
by C.S. Lewis
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my rating:
   
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Chad
gave
   
to:
Conference Classics (Hardcover)
by Thomas S. Monson
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my rating:
   
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Chad
gave
   
to:
Faith Precedes the Miracle (Paperback)
by Spencer W. Kimball
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my rating:
   
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Chad
gave
   
to:
The Miracle of Forgiveness (Paperback)
by Spencer W. Kimball
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my rating:
   
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Chad
gave
   
to:
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (Paperback and online)
by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The)
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my rating:
   
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Chad
gave
   
to:
Lectures on Faith (Hardcover)
by Joseph Smith Jr.
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my rating:
   
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Chad
gave
   
to:
Truth Restored (Paperback)
by Gordon B. Hinckley
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my rating:
   
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