Books of 2018: January to April

Now that April's Camp NaNo is over, so is my hiatus! Yay! And, now that I'm a bit tired of writing (for the moment only), what better way to start up the literary blog again than to think about reading instead. :) So I'm posting a list of the non-school books I've covered this year so far, all the way up to the end of April.

Crusader King

by Susan Peek

I was reading this one with mia famiglia, but if I had known how good it was, I would've taken it up on my own ages ago. An historical fiction detailing the crusades under the young King Baldwin IV, it was golden to someone like me, who's fascinated by the crusades. Though it is a children's book, its insight was quite occupying enough for the adult reader as well. The main character, Baldwin, was absolutely lovable, and his best friend, Theo, inspired laughter from the whole audience more than once, I can tell you.

My favorite character - Baldwin

The ending - 3/5 stars for a novel period, but considering the historical element, 4/5.

Overall rating - 4/5 stars

Real Music: A Guide to the Timeless Hymns of the Church

by Anthony Esolen

Prof. Esolen's books are always a thrill to me, and this one was no exception! Detailing some of the richest, oldest, and most beautiful music known to mankind, it was quite a journey to delve into the beautiful tunes I knew so well from Masses over the years, and even the ones I didn't know. Though nonfiction, I found it every bit as exhilarating as Crusader King.

The ending - 4/5 stars

Overall rating - 4/5 stars

Princess Academy

by Shannon Hale

This was a fair book. Compared to its sister, The Goose Girl, it was below expectations, but in general, it was quite an enjoyable read. A fantasy about mountain girls being suddenly rushed into the life of nobility, it was refreshing in the world of fantasy (I don't think it copied LotR or CoN at all... which is very impressive for a fantasy book). I could definitely tell it was a children's book, but it was nonetheless entertaining for its own self. I would read it again if given the chance.

My favorite character - Prince Steffan (although Peder and Britta were also high contenders)

The ending - 3/5 stars

Overall rating - 3.5/5 stars

A Midsummer Night's Dream

by William Shakespeare

Despite the fact that I may be reading it again for school soon, I cannot even imagine getting tired of this book. It was love at first sight. One read was all it took, and this book immediately shot up to my top ten, I think. For those who haven't read it yet, it is a romantic comedy play (one of the first defined ones) in a fantasy setting, telling of the misadventures of a couple of ill-matched pairs of lovers. I can't even say how much I loved it. Hopefully, if all goes according to plan, I'll go and see it when my friends' theater group puts it on this summer.

My favorite character - Demetrius (no, I'm not kidding)

The ending - 5/5 stars

Overall rating 4.5/5 stars

Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power

by Josef Pieper

This was a gem. Granted a rather short and compact gem, but a gem nonetheless. It brought to my attention something that I'd been pretty much ignorant of - the abuse of language in our present day, and the practice of ulterior motive speech and calling things what they aren't, as well as hazy ambiguity. And thinking about it, it really is a root of some big problems in North America especially, so it really hit home when I delved into it. Pieper's insight  and foresight are crystal clear, and I look forward to reading his next book.

The ending - 5/5 stars

Overall rating - 4/5 stars

L'Incorazione di Poppea (the Coronation of Poppea)

by Giovanni Francesco Busanello and Claudio Monteverdi

This was another historical fiction, but one of a different type. You see, this was an opera libretto. But - as it told a story, and just more or less in play form - I count it among my readings for the year. Naturally, as it tells a romanticized but basically adequate version of something stupid that really happened, the ending was pretty stupid, but at least it was poetic. It tells the story of Poppea - an ambitious and somewhat cruel woman - making her way up to the top, eventually becoming empress of Rome (as well as dispensing with all her enemies along the way). It was definitely interesting, and the music was quite fascinating, but still. That ending.

My favorite character - The page and his girl (no, they don't really have names... they're just side characters that appear in one act and are pretty much irrelevant in the acts after)

The ending - 0.5/5 stars

Overall rating - 3/5 stars

Light, Love, Life

A Photographical Biography of Elizabeth of the Trinity

This wasn't really much of an ordinary book, per se, so much as a picture book, honestly, but I'll still count it for its worthiness of mention. It was definitely inspiring to read about such a young and hard-headed saint, but I've got a friend from schola to thank for that. She remembered that I play piano, and so lent me a book about a saint who was a pianist. And I am determined that somehow, Elizabeth of the Trinity must become us pianists' patron saint someday, because it was pretty cool to hear about (and see!) a saint sitting at an old baby grand.

The ending - 5/5 stars (it ended with her sainthood - what better ending is there than that???)

Overall rating - 3/5 stars

Beorn the Proud

by Madeleine Polland

This is another read with my family, but it's pretty good so far. Perhaps a bit disappointing after Crusader King and preceding Rolf and the Viking Bow (which is one of my favorite children's books ever, btw), but still good. The setting is absolutely stunning, though, (the setting and story being Ireland during the days of the Viking raids) and it plays with an idea I've wanted to use in a story for a long time, so it has been quite entertaining.

My favorite character - not quite sure yet... possibly Beorn himself or Nis

The ending - this, we have not yet reached, so I shall leave this unrated for the moment

Overall rating (so far) - 3.5/5 stars



Philosophy of Mind

by Edward Feser

Feser is a genius. That is all you need to know. This is one of the fastest-paced books I've read, on one of the toughest subjects I know. Feser is just a genius to be able to create a book on possibly the biggest philosophical obstacle ever that is readable to the average Joe. Anyone in the house over the age of twelve probably could've picked up this book and understood it. Feser answers all the questions concerning what the mind/soul is, how we can know it, what does it mean, and how did it begin. How do you know you're really reading this post? Read the book. It'll tell you.

The ending - I actually have not quite finished it yet, so again I will reserve my rating on the end for now.

Overall rating (so far) - 5/5 stars

That's all at present. Once I finish Philosophy of Mind, I am finally going to acquiesce my sister's long-awaiting request that I actually read Inkheart, I think, but after that - who knows? :D

What did you think? have you read any of these books? Would you like to read any of them? What are you reading right now? Have any suggestions for me after Philosophy of Mind and Inkheart? What have you got lined up to read? Don't you just love A Midsummer Night's Dream?! :D