March Reads
Categories: work, study, reading
Date: 01 April 2009 08:59:58
As I suggested in February, I did have a fair amount of reading for uni to do -- and I will not bore you with those as it is a rather dull subject. In fact, even one of the books I read referred to IT Governance as "...perhaps not sounding like the most exciting topic..." [Broadbent & Kitzis 2005, The New CIO Leader, p. 106, Harvard Business School Press, Boston(*)]: no "perhaps" about it for me -- dull does not even begin to describe it; though, as they continue, "...[it is] absolutely crucial..." More's the pity!
Anyway, on to the more enjoyable reads. And I did read more than I thought I would.
Clouds of Witnesses, Dorothy L Sayers was my second Lord Peter Wimsey mystery, after reading Strong Poison last month: certainly not reading these in order! For me, another great book. Entertaining and 'real' characters make this a very enjoyable read -- my imagination runs wild with the vivid descriptions and I feel as if I am there, and more than that, I feel that I know the characters intimately. The change in narrative from novel to courtroom script and letter was also very well done. Recommended.
The Church of the East: Apostolic & Orthodox, Mar Bawai Soro: warning -- effusive praise coming. This book is not only exceptionally informative, but exceptionally readable -- and very few authors I find can do both with deep research and theological theses. Looking at this most ancient Christian Church, I was informed of not only its origins but also its theologians -- and what wondrous theologians and poets they are and they deserve to be more widely known. Mar Bawai [whom I have the pleasure of meeting and whom signed my copy of this book] has two aims with this book: to demonstrate the apostolicity of the Church of the East [stressing the direct connection between Jerusalem and Adiabene, rather than from Antioch as is current thought] and also to demonstrate its Orthodoxy, in the 'rehabilitation' of her Saints, Theodore and Nestorius in particular. I, as a humble layman, can make not comments but my own that it does seem other factors were at play, and can but hope and pray that this book helps to heal the sad rift between the Church of the East and other Churches, and that, in the words of Christ, the Church may be one. As I know Mar Bawai, perhaps people may think my views are overly positive, but I did truly did find this a most wonderful book: the Church of the East is of great interest to me, and this book helped me understand her a great deal more: and want to read more and more. And, on the advice of a friend, I bought another book on the Church of the East which I am almost finished reading, The Mesopotamian School & Theodore of Mopsuestia by Fr Andrew Younan. Expect more praise next month.
The 10th in the series The Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith, and this most wondrous series shows no signs of slowing down. As Auntie Doris commented on Morality for Beautiful Girls [#3], "I love these stories." and "...when I have read loads of crap books, I can rely on the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency to cheer me up." Amen. Once more Mma Precious Ramotswe, a 'traditionally built' [i.e. large] lady who loves tea [and donuts] with her assistant, Mma Grace "97%" Makutsi, are required to do some private investigation [this time for the manager of a football team that is now continually losing], and on the way we find out about love ["There is plenty of work for love to do" as Bishop Mwamba says in a conversation with Mma Ramotswe], life and the transcience of all things -- and yet hope does spring eternal. The pace is slow in these books, be warned, which may frustrate some, I find it calming and enjoyable, again quoting [stealing? :)] from Auntie Doris, the pace is like "...the gentle meander through the culture of Botswana.". While issues such as AIDS are mentioned and brought to attention in an indirect way, the overall theme of these books, in which the investigations do play second-fiddle, is on the general goodness of people and the joy of life. This is a worthy addition to a series I can read over and over again and enjoy more and more each time.
I read about the The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields on a blog entry by Ferijen, and thought, I must read this. So I did. And was not disappointed. For me, this wonderful book was as much a painting as it was a book: Carol Shield's descriptions are so intense, so vivid and so dramatic that I could not help but visualise the scenes in my mind. The style of the book, a series of reflections from key moments of her life, and different style of writings from deep narrative to short reflections to letters, suited this story of a 20th century Canadian woman [Daisy] well. As Ferijen wrote in her review, "In essence, it's the story of ‘an ordinary life’, of Daisy Goodwill. The sort of anonymous person who lives everywhere." -- and who makes her way through life, encountering joy, tragedy and run-of-the-mill experiences. This story is told with such detail and such care and love for the character, that while she may be an "ordinary" person, she may be you, or me, the story itself is extraordinary. I will definitely look out for more books by Carol Shields.
The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome - Chris Scarre was loaned to me by my Godfather after a day spent with him in February. He is fascinated by Roman history, well, history in general, and after me expressing my ignorance he said he'd loan me this introductory book [with the promise of meatier fare if I desired it later: and I may take him up]. This was a great introduction to Ancient Rome and, while not a perfect book [some typos: sorry, they annoy me], I found it interesting and educational enough for me. But it is probably a book for those with no knowledge only: I was left wanting more and I suspect anyone with a basic knowledge of Rome and its history will not be informed much by this book. Some fascinating illustrations and photographs, however.
Finally: Great Lent: Journey to Pascha - Fr Alexander Schmemann is a book I have read before, and return to each Great Lent. As with many books, particularly those of a theological nature, on each reading I find new depths and new insights and new callings [or perhaps I simply forget them from year to year!] And, as with many books, I am left wanting more and more and am sad when I reach the end. Reading this every Great Lent reminds me of the purpose of and my calling for the journey of Great Lent to the Feast of Feasts, Pascha. Fr Alexander Schmemann details every aspect of Great Lent, the services, the fasts, the prayers, and more, to give this most exhaustive and wonderful explanation of the true and proper spirit of Great Lent.
(*) another result of me returning to acadamia is my obsession with referencing everything: I even did it in an e-mail I sent at work referencing our Internet Use Policies!