Being a postgraduate student, the entire world seems to revolve around books. It seems we all gain knowledge through reading and listening, and it's such an interesting thing to think about. I can't so much as explain my thoughts on the subject, as they are not yet concrete, but books and learning are such a wonderful thing.Trinity College has one of the largest libraries in the world. They have over 5 million books and receive about 275 additional books a day. FIVE MILLION. This is because the Trinity College library is a Legal Deposit Library and it entitled a copy of every book published in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The library system is so big that on 20% of the books are available on the shelf. The rest of the books (especially novels, I've noticed) are available by online request from a book depository in another part of the city. This particular depository in Santry holds 3 million volumes. I received two books from Santry today: The Giver and Divergent - I'm in a dystopian mood.
There are 6 on-campus libraries, 5 only available to access with your student ID (as there are SO many tourists!!). The one public library is the Old Library which holds all of the really old books, including the Book of Kells, a mint copy of the four Gospels of the new testament written by clergy in the 9th century. Because the line for admission to this library is daily about 1 mile long, I still haven't visited. The other libraries are as follows: The William Hamilton Science and Engineering library, the John Stearne Medical Library, the Glucksman Map Library, and then the Berkeley, Lecky and Ussher Art libraries (All connected to eachother, commonly referred to as the BLU).
Seeing all these books really gives you perspective on the importance of reading.
Because Claudio started classes this past week and I do not begin for two more weeks, I have taken up reading. Reading is truly wonderful, but I'm so lazy it seems. Nonetheless, I have made it to finish a few books before my term begins. I started the Giver this afternoon, which I haven't read since 5th grade, and am already 75% of the way done. What are some books that have changed your perspective or life?
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ReplyDeleteOh my….that is an interesting question…..Many years ago, I kept a list of the books I read, but it only lasted for a few years….how sad, I wish I had continued it. Gail and Mike Willliams went on their mission 2 years ago, and when Gail left she asked if I had a list of books that she could read online, that were uplifting and would be appropriate for mission reading…They are as follows:
ReplyDeleteCaleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks : Historical Fiction. And all of her books, they are great.
Faith among Shadows by Malcolm Leal his story of his conversion.
These is my Words by Nancy Turner (trilogy of Pioneer historical fiction)
All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulgham. Any of his books. FUNNY stories.
My Destiny by Georgia Gabor her story of Holocaust survival.
The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter. Stories from the Author's Indian childhood.
Seeing Voices by Oliver Sacks, The language of the deaf.
The See Runners by Ivan Doig. historical fiction. Takes place on our Oregon, Washington, Alaska shores. And all of his other books.
Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano. historical fiction of an Italian emigrant family in New York.
Man on a Raft by Kenneth Cope, true story of his survival at sea.
All the books by James Alexander Thom, historical fiction, some titles are, From Sea to Shinning Sea, (Lewis and Clark), Follow the river.
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The Living by Annie Dillard, Historical Novel based from Bellingham Washington.
ReplyDeleteTreasure Forest by Cat Bordhi: a children's mystIcal tale
Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher, The story that the movie "Grizzly Adams" was based on
My Old man and the Sea by David Hays and Daniel Hays. a story of survival on the water, and of a father son relationship.
Chicken Soup for the Grandmother's Soul, by Jack Canfield. ( I am reading this right now, and am getting warm fuzzies)
The first two thousand years; the Third Thousand years; The Fourth Thousand years, all by W. Cleon Skousen
The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti, A Dickinson -like tale.
Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet by Jamie Ford. a Seattle- Tacoma story based from the1940's interment of American born Japanese at the Puyallup fair grounds.
All of Geraldine Brooks stories below:
Caleb's Crossing-Taking place in the 1660′s this story is inspired by the fist Native American Indian to graduate from Harvard University.
People of the Book- Inspired by the true story of a mysterious codex known as the Sarajevo Haggadah, People of the Book is a sweeping adventure through five centuries of history.
March- Continues the Story of The Little Women, with Mr. March and his tale.
Year of Wonders- This story is based on the true story of Eyam, the “Plague Village,” tucked in the rugged mountain spine of England. In 1666, when an infected bolt of cloth carries plague from London to the isolated settlement of shepherds and lead miners, a housemaid named Anna Frith emerges as an unlikely heroine and healer.
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Widow of the South-by Rob Hicks: Historical Novel of those that remained after the Civil War.
ReplyDeleteA Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdaell a story of an undercover FBI agent in Russia.
Night Circus- by Erin Morgenstern. A competition/duel between two young magicians .Science Fiction/Fantasy
As I was compiling this list for her, and looking back through my journal where I have made my reading lists through the years, I noticed that I tend to read fictional History books. I marvel at the strength, both mentally and physically that it took to forge new territory in new lands, both in the America's and lands far away. I marvel at the strength that we have as children of our Father in Heaven to do what is right in the face of danger and persecution. So to answer your question I don't think I have ONE particular book that has changed my perspective, but in reading the history of mankind, I love to read about the trials and challenges that people have gone through and the positive outcomes that have come from their trials.
And I can't end this without mentioning the best historical book that I keep rereading every year, The Book of Mormon which is my favorite book of all time. :)
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