Don't you just love good Christmas reads? I know I do; I can read them year-round. And I especially love this story. Not only does it have a great lesDon't you just love good Christmas reads? I know I do; I can read them year-round. And I especially love this story. Not only does it have a great lesson, but reading it just always gives me that warm, cozy Christmas feel. I don't think I need to give this book a summary, as I believe pretty much everyone is familiar with the story.
Enjoyed by people all around the world for generations (this year, 2023, marks the 180th anniversary of its publication), A Christmas Carol explores the heart of Christmas and the "Christmas spirit." It's relatable, thought-provoking, touching, encouraging, and just leaves you with such a satisfied feeling in the end. It's such a feel-good ending. And although nothing is said of a baby in a manger, of the Christ sent here to save us, it still conveys valuable messages in line with those of Christianity, tackling important themes such as greed, poverty, forgiveness, generosity, compassion, charity, kindness, love, repentance, family, and much more. And redemption—the saving from sin, error, or evil—is one of the biggest of the themes, evident in Scrooge's character and transformation, also correlating to Christian beliefs.
The story focuses on what's meaningful and leaves out all the commercialism and things so evident in today's society. People don't write like this anymore, sadly. Stories written today don't have the same morals and lessons that Dickens expressed in this short story. It's sad that a lot of people today have a distorted or confused perception of Christmas. We all too often get so caught up in all the business, the presents, getting things, or good food and stuff. It's not like those things are wrong, of course, but in all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we often get so focused on other things and inadvertently forget what Christmas really is all about. It's my belief that sometimes Christmas may very well be the time that we forget Christ or put Him on the back burner the most. This story, however, brings the right things back into focal point. It reminds you what's really important.
In conclusion, A Christmas Carol will always remain a beautiful, timeless, heartwarming Christmas story that everyone can enjoy, and it is one that never gets old, one which you'll find yourself coming back to time and time again, regardless of the time of year. ...more
[Before this starts, I just want to apologize how long this got—again. I don't know why, but whenever I try to write a review for Lewis' works, it alw[Before this starts, I just want to apologize how long this got—again. I don't know why, but whenever I try to write a review for Lewis' works, it always gets so long and becomes a long jumble of thoughts. ...more
This is a small collection of some of C.S. Lewis' essays and short works, mainly concerning education and history, as the title indicates, but also toThis is a small collection of some of C.S. Lewis' essays and short works, mainly concerning education and history, as the title indicates, but also touching on various other subjects such as theology, society, communication, and more.
It includes 15 pieces: 1. Learning in War-Time 2. Bulverism, or The Foundation of Twentieth-Century Thought 3. The Founding of the Oxford Socratic Club 4. My First School 5. Democratic Education 6. Blimpophobia 7. Private Bates 8. Meditation in a Toolshed 9. On the Transmission of Christianity 10. Modern Man and His Categories of Thought 11. Historicism 12. The Empty Universe 13. Interim Report 14. Is History Bunk? 15. Before We Can Communicate
To be honest, I listened to this at 2x speed while I was out shopping and while I worked, so I admit that some of it blew right over my head. However, the parts I did catch were as impressive and great as always with Lewis.
I love Lewis. He's a genius. I love reading his works. They're all just so deep and good and insightful, and this compilation was no exception. Lewis just has this knack for beautifully and eloquently expressing things that other people might also feel but never can put into the right words. (I feel like I may have already said that before in one of my other reviews, but whatever. It's true.) Not only that, but his words are as applicable today as they were back when he first wrote them. Sometimes even more so apt in today's day and age, in fact.
His insights into his subjects are always so true and eye-opening, and you can just tell that he truly understood and knew his topic and thought deeply about each of them.
I miss reading the Christmas story, since Mark starts with John the Baptist's ministry. Mark was the first gospel I read through when I was little (anI miss reading the Christmas story, since Mark starts with John the Baptist's ministry. Mark was the first gospel I read through when I was little (and yes, I admit I first chose it because it was the shortest), and it holds a special place in my heart.
This time around I decided to do a deeper study of it instead of just a casual reading, and it was very uplifting.
I guess I never really paid much attention before to just how much Mark added in his gospel that isn't in the other Gospels. For example, Salome—the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee—is only in the Gospel of Mark (15:40 and 16:1), and only Mark recorded Jesus prophesying that the rooster would crow twice (14:29-30, 68, 72).
Anyway, it's been an enlightening read for sure. There was a lot I learned, but it'd take too long to write it all here. So I encourage you to read through Mark yourself. ...more
This book was a little confusing sometimes. I often didn't really get what was going on. I noticed that the blurb doesn't d⚠️ Warning. Long review. ⚠️
This book was a little confusing sometimes. I often didn't really get what was going on. I noticed that the blurb doesn't do much in regards to explaining what the book is about, so here's a summary to give you some idea:
One autumn afternoon, Lewis, an Oxford scholar, goes to visit his friend Ransom, a Cambridge philologist. Ransom has been summoned to Perelandra (Venus) on a mission of which Ransom himself doesn't know the objective, and Lewis helps him set out on his journey in the space capsule. It's over a year later when Ransom returns, and he tells Lewis of his adventure, the tale of which makes up the whole book.
Ransom finds Venus to be an oceanic world with floating islands. There he meets a lady who looks human in every way except that she's green. Ransom and the Green Lady talk at length about everything from things about their respective worlds to Maleldil, or God in our speech. He finds out that there are only two beings on the planet, the Green Lady and someone whom she calls the King. They live in blissful peace and the joy of Maleldil, continually walking with Him in their love for Him and His perfect will. They are free to roam as they please, yet there is one command that Maleldil has given them about the land: they must never dwell on the Fixed Land, the only landmass on Perelandra that is not floating. The Green Lady doesn't understand why, but she is happy to obey anyway.
But when Weston, the man who took Ransom to Mars and whose main philosophy is to enslave or destroy the species of other planets in pursuit of human dominance and infinite survival in the solar system, arrives in a spaceship, Ransom realizes that it's for this reason he was sent to Perelandra. Weston is no longer himself and is now possessed by a dark force that is determined to lead the Green Lady into disobedience and rebellion against Maleldil. Day after day, Weston—whom Ransom begins to call the "Un-man"—talks to the Green Lady and tries to persuade her that Maleldil's command is one that is meant to be disobeyed in order for her to become "older" and wiser, that it is her duty to disobey. And day after day, Ransom works arduously to counter pseudo-Weston's arguments in support of Maleldil and His perfect will.
If the Green Lady succeeds in rejecting Weston's temptations, she and the Kind will rise to the throne as the first beings created in God's image who have not fallen into sin, and they will go on to become all that He has meant them to be. But if she gives in, then Perelandra will fall, just as Earth fell when Adam and Eve ate of the Fruit. The fate of Perelandra is in Ransom's hands. He must find a way to put a stop to Weston and his lies lest Perelandra fall and lose its innocence and perfect harmony with God.
A simple walk in the English countryside one night and a chance encounter is the beginning of Ransom's adventures in the mysterious world called MalacA simple walk in the English countryside one night and a chance encounter is the beginning of Ransom's adventures in the mysterious world called Malacandra. Practically kidnapped and thrown into a round spaceship, Ransom has no choice but to face whatever is coming next with what courage he can muster. To his surprise, however, Ransom doesn't find a hostile world filled with savage, uncivilized creatures, but a peaceful land occupied by friendly, intelligent inhabitants with an innocence that puts him to shame of his own human race's belligerence and foolish pride. He learns many strange things about Malacandra and the universe and discovers that maybe our world's myths and legends aren't as fictional as we thought they were. All this new knowledge and epiphany is great, but still, one problem remains: how in the world is he going to get back home?
"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you
"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation..." Exodus 19:5-6 NIV
So…the story's about a host of wackos, particularly one named Hamlet. … … …What in the world did I just read?
I seriously had no idea what the heck was goSo…the story's about a host of wackos, particularly one named Hamlet. … … …What in the world did I just read?
I seriously had no idea what the heck was going on 99.7 percent of the time. All I could make of it was a guy named Hamlet, a bunch of talking that I didn't really pay much attention to nor could make out, some girl singing and being horrendous at it, a lot of maniacal yelling and screaming and crying, and then everyone goes berserk and dies. What a LoVeLy story.
Okay, okay, so, in my defense, I listened to the audiobook as I cooked, and I couldn't make out what was being said at all because, well, I have a lot of brothers, and the noise they make can rival a stampede of elephants banging on pots & pans while belting out their favorite songs. I've known the story for a while—who doesn't?—and knew the basics of the plot. But I never actually read (or listened) to it or even watched it, so I never really had a good understanding of exactly what happens.
I can't really tell you anything about the characters because, well, I didn't get much from any of them in general, except that they all need to be checked out by a doctor and sent to mental facilities. There wasn't a single character I liked. They were all so odious, and I couldn't care less what happened to them.
The most I got out of the story was: • Hamlet's a jerk. He's also wack. Completely lost his marbles. In fact, they're all wacked. It's a shame they don't have good psychologists in the palace. • They all like to do a lot of the "i's." He cries, he sighs, he connives, he spies, he dies, and so on and so forth. • All these people are losers. A bunch of selfish jerks. • Never have the same taste in men as Ophelia. I don't even know what in the world she saw in that guy. I mean, yeah, he has a way with words, but still. • Ummm…that's about it.
Remind me why this play is considered a work of genius again? I have no idea. Because, to be honest, I would much rather read Tolkien than this. XD But that's just me.
Okay, I'm being called and gotta go. Be right back. . . . . Alright, so I'm back. I had to read a summary of each Act online to finally get what happened. I'm still pretty lost, but I think I get it a little better than before. Things actually started making sense!
I found that maybe it's easier to think of this as a video game? So let's do that, shall we?
Level 1 (Act 1) • King Hamlet is dead! Claudius, Prince Hamlet's uncle, marries Gertrude, the queen. Some weird ghost guy gives you your mission: get revenge on Claudius. • Your strategy? Act like you've totally gone bananas, of course! Brilliant!
※ Congratulations! You have leveled up to: FRUITCAKE
Level 2 (Act 2) • Boring stuff. Lots of talking. • Oh, look. A theatre troupe. Let's write a play about how your dad died.
※ Congratulations! You have leveled up to: PSYCHO
Level 3 (Act 3) • There's a big play, and Claudius can't take the heat and stops it right after the king in the play is murdered. Suspicious. • Spitfire with Gertrude. Hark! A sound behind the tapestry! Stab it! • Polonius—eliminated.
※ Congratulations! You have leveled up to: MURDERER
Level 4 (Act 4) • You're sent to England since you're a nut. • There's a letter calling for your execution, and you change it to have your childhood friends executed instead. Jerk. • Rosencrantz and Guildenstern—eliminated • Ophelia goes nutso and sings a bunch of awful songs that are a disgrace to all things musical. Someone call the shrink. • Ophelia—eliminated.
※ Congratulations! You have leveled up to: WORST FRIEND OF THE CENTURY
Level 5 (Act 5) – Two words: Boss Battle. • Gertrude—eliminated. (Drinks poison meant for Hamlet. What a loser.) • Boss battle #1: Duel with Laertes. • Oh no! Poisoned sword! • H, H, H, H, H, H, H!!! (Let my PC gamer friends understand.) • You get injured. • Laertes—eliminated. • Final boss battle. • H, H, H, H, H, H, H • Claudius—eliminated.
※ Congratulations! You have leveled up to: …DEAD
. . . .
Okay, I just did that for the fun of it. The gist of it is, this story had me so lost. Tbh, I never really paid much attention to this story before, so I had no idea what was going on. I honestly don't think I'll be rereading this any time soon, if not ever. It's not that it was super bad, I guess, but I just really didn't like the overall dark feel of it. It made me feel gross, you know? I actually regret not doing something else with my time. But, hey, it's a classic, and you gotta read it at least once in your life, right?
P.S. Sorry this review got so out of hand. It was really all over the place. I just didn't want to go through the work of reading through it and condensing it.
P.P.S. Also, does anybody else feel that the guy on the cover of this edition bears an uncanny resemblance to Charles Xavier? Anyone?? Like, don't zoom in or anything, but take a quick glance. Doesn't it remind you of him?? Yes, yes, I know. I'm tired, and I really should get to bed....more
This book has a lot of good insights, but it took a lot of effort to really dig deep into!
"21 This I recall to mind, Therefore I have hope.
22 The Lo
This book has a lot of good insights, but it took a lot of effort to really dig deep into!
"21 This I recall to mind, Therefore I have hope.
22 The Lord's loving kindness indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness, O Lord." – Lamentations 3:21-23
It's amazing that even though Israel messed up so much, God still loved them so much and had so much compassion for them. He's always waiting for us to come back to Him, and He blesses those who seek Him (3:25).
I think my biggest takeaway from this book was that God is a just God and judges fairly in all things. Moreover, He always keeps His word. We always hear this, but I don't think we understand it well enough. We haven't even scratched the surface of knowing how righteous and just He is.
"Lord has done what he purposed; He has accomplished His word Which He commanded from days of old." - Lamentations 2:17
I just finished an 8am to 7pm workday volunteering at an English summer school my workplace is hosting. (2 more days to go of this…) Gosh, I'm exhaustI just finished an 8am to 7pm workday volunteering at an English summer school my workplace is hosting. (2 more days to go of this…) Gosh, I'm exhausted. I don't even know what I just read as most of it didn't register on my brain. All I know is that I really liked the rhythm and it almost put me to sleep. I love the imagery and the vivid, florid language. It's just so beautiful. Every word, every line just rolls off the tongue so easily and fluidly. The language just flows. As for getting the poem, I don't really get it at all. My brain isn't working properly right now, so forgive me. I understand this poem about as much as…dang it, I can't think of anything right now. About as much as I understood why my 11-year-old brother insisted that the Bill of Rights is a famous mountain, I guess. As much as I understand why Aragorn didn't keep those green ghost guys around to help in the battle at the Black Gate (which would've been pretty awesome) or why Thor didn't go for Thanos' hand at the end of Infinity War. (Yeah these are the deep things I think of at night.) In other words, my understanding of this poem is zilch. I think my mind is just too tired right now to process it. I'll try to form coherent thoughts on it later. For now: sleep. ...more
Ella あいみ M.
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