Some Mini Reviews

I'm tempted to just say "Good, Excellent, Ok" and leave it at that as far as mini reviews go :p It just hasn't been the best week or couple of weeks for mini reviews for a number of reasons. One reason because I just finished Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and it's almost UNFAIR to read a book after a book that good and secondly just because of all of the crap life has put on my plate lately. But I figure I owe it to myself to continue to keep a record of what I read for when I want to look back on it. So here's what I've read lately. Three paragraphs about three books.

 First was the first book in the 39 Clues Series which was written by Rick Riordan. This was actually the first book I've read by Rick Riordan too and I actually really liked it too. Much more than I thought I wood. The first book is called The Maze of Bones and it follows Amy and Dan as they set off on quite an adventure after their grandmother dies and leaves them with the option of either taking a million dollars each or going on a dangerous quest involving 39 clues which will eventually lead them to be one of the most powerful people in the world...if they choose to accept. Of course they choose the quest or we would have no book. This book just covers the first clue and it was QUITE an adventure I must say and really educational on the topic of Benjamin Franklin as well!! Really enjoyed it and I'll be continuing with the series :)

Second up was Maya Running by Anjali Banerjee who I've come to just love so much as a person and an author. She's just awesome and that shines through in her writing. I discovered her after reading Looking For Bapu a couple of years ago and loving it. Maya Running is her first novel and is about a young girl named Maya who lives in Canada and feels like her life is a mess and that she doesn't fit in anywhere. She's not Indian enough, she's not Canadian enough, she's not good enough for her parents, the boy she likes doesn't like her, and she's called names at school. So when she gets the chance to change everything by wishing on a statue of Ganesha, is it worth it? You'll have to read the book to find out ;) I absolutely adored this little gem. Such a very wonderful short read and it was just what I needed during these last couple of weeks.

Finally, I read Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh. It's a book about Buddhism and I thought it might do me some good, calm me down some during all of this...but the truth is, as beautiful as it was, I just couldn't let it sink in :( One part of the book DID stick out and I though "How ironic is this." He talked about concentration...and how we're doing something wrong if we're unable to concentrate. And I thought...I can't concentrate for the life of me on this book! I KNEW what I was reading was beautiful and poetic, but it just wasn't sinking in. It goes over some principles of Buddhism, has some beautiful poetry in it and reminds us to smile and take time to meditate. Unfortunately, I'm just not there yet...though I wish I were.


Want some quick music reviews? I've downloaded two albums recently that I'm absolutely in love with! The first, I'm listening to right now...it's Frankie Rose's new LP, Interstellar. Very mellow indie rock with a sort of hazy sound that reminds me of 80's shoegaze type stuff. Really enjoying it. Another great album is Grimes' new one, Visions. This one has more of a newer, electronic vibe to it, but wow...it's just awesome. Both female led bands. Worth listening to IMO.

And that's all I've got!