Friday, November 28, 2008

Bedside Reading List

Almost as much fun as posting the top 10 results from your iTunes shuffle is telling what is on your bedside reading table.

I usually have 3 or 4 books that I am reading at any given time, depending on how the mood strikes me. Sometimes it's deep thought, sometimes religious reading, biographies or histories, and sometimes just plain popcorn reading.

Here is what's currently getting read. As far as the Nancy Drew goes, let's just say I was having trouble sleeping.


Intro Great Silence by Philip Gröning

Nestled deep in the postcard-perfect French Alps, the Grande Chartreuse is considered one of the world’s most ascetic monasteries. In 1984, German filmmaker Philip Gröning wrote to the Carthusian order for permission to make a documentary about them. They said they would get back to him.

Sixteen years later, they were ready.

Gröning, sans crew or artificial lighting, lived in the monks’ quarters for six months—filming their daily prayers, tasks, rituals and rare outdoor excursions. This transcendent, closely observed film seeks to embody a monastery, rather than simply depict one—it has no score, no voiceover and no archival footage.

What remains is stunningly elemental: time, space and light. One of the most mesmerizing and poetic chronicles of spirituality ever created, INTO GREAT SILENCE dissolves the border between screen and audience with a total immersion into the hush of monastic life. More meditation than documentary, it’s a rare, transformative theatrical experience for all.


Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know (Hardcover)
by Meg Meeker (Author)


With over 25 years of experience counseling girls, Dr. Meg Meeker has pulled together everything dads need to build - or rebuild - their bond with their daughters. Dr. Meeker demonstrates that the most important factor for girls growing up into confident, well-adjusted women is a strong father with conservative values. And this book helps move dads in the right direction.

She includes data, research, and practical experience to help you understand the role of fathers in a young girls life. And each chapter explains the how and why of being the best father to daughters that you can be.

Dads, you are far more powerful than you think you are. Your daughters need the support that only fathers can provide - and if you are willing to follow Dr. Meeker's advice on how to guide your daughter, to stand between her and toxic culture, your rewards will be unmatched. 267 pages. Hardcover.


Lord of the Rings: Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien


The War of the Ring reaches its climax as the dark lord Sauron sets his sights on Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor. The members of the fellowship in Rohan are warned of the impending attack when Pippin cannot resist looking into Saruman's palantir and is briefly contacted by the dark lord.

King Theoden is too proud to send his men to help without being asked, so Gandalf and Pippin ride to Minas Tirith to see that this request is sent. They meet opposition there from Denethor, steward of the city and father of Faramir and the late Boromir. Denethor's family has acted as temporary guardians of Gondor for centuries until a member of the true line of kings returns. This member is none other than Aragorn, who must overcome his own self-doubt before he can take on the role he was destined to fulfill.

Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam continue to carry the One Ring towards Mordor, guided by Gollum. What they don't know is that Gollum is leading them into a trap so that he can reclaim the Ring for himself. Though Sam suspects his deceit, Frodo is starting to be corrupted by the Ring's power and the mistrust of Sam this causes is fully exploited by Gollum.

The only way good can prevail in this contest is if the Ring is destroyed, an event that is becoming harder every minute for Frodo to achieve. The fate of every living creature in Middle Earth will be decided once and for all as the Quest of the Ringbearer reaches its climax.


Nancy Drew: The Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene

In the 1935 version, Nancy Drew finds out that she has won a rather unusual prize from a contest, a piece of land in Canada. She takes a trip to see what her new property is like. It is her first trip outside the United States.[1]

While she is traveling by train to Canada, she meets an authoress called Ann Chapelle who is also traveling to Canada. Suddenly, the train crashes, and everything is thrown into confusion. Nancy and her two friends, Bess Marvin and George Fayne, are all right, but the authoress that Nancy talked to is in the nearby hospital, gravely injured. When they find her, Miss Chapelle tells Nancy the reason she was coming to Canada, and asks her a favor: to give a message to Miss Chapelle's grandfather, and to a lost love who she hasn't seen since she ran away from home some years ago.

Along with this request, Nancy also has another problem. Two men have heard that there might be gold on Nancy's land, and are determined to get there first.

2 comments:

Patrick said...

How is the "Strong Fathers Strong Daughters?"

And really, Nancy Drew? ;)

Nod said...

Still reading it, but the two chapters I read have had a "strong effect", heh.

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