The Horse and His Boy

 Book 3 (in chronological order) of the Chronicles of Narnia focuses not so much on the four children (adults in this book as they are still Kings and Queens of Narnia and haven't made it back to England yet), but on a boy named Shasta, a Tarkeena (daughter of a noble) named Aravis and two talking horses named Bree and Hwen. 

Bree comes to meet Shasta when Bree's owner, a Tarkeen, asks to buy Shasta from his "father" to work as a servant or slave in his house. Shasta overhears that he isn't the son of the fisherman whom he'd believed to be his father. He is too fair skinned to be of Calormen and must actually have come from the north. So upon finding that the Tarkeen's horse can talk and is actually from Narnia, one of the barbarian lands to the North, they make plans to escape and run away to the north so they won't be slaves anymore, but free horse and boy. 

In their travels they bump into a Tarkeena and her talking horse who are also looking for a way north so then she doesn't have to marry the ancient Vizier to the Tizrok (their emperor-sultan-type person.) In order for them all to get into the northern countries, they have to pass through the capital, where Shasta gets mistaken as a visiting dignitary--meeting King Edmond and Queen Susan along the way--and must find a way to escape with his friends. 

There are may little adventures throughout this story, and, like the other two books, it made reading it to my son really easy. Chapters were long enough to fill about 20 to 30 minutes before we had to head off to school or for a good bed time adventure. 

I liked Shasta and the other characters. I wish there was more of Aravis and Hwen, and that their parts in the story were more full. Bree's character arch was good, especially toward the end. Corin was an interesting character and it would be interesting to have had more about the royal connections he has. I do think that Rabadash was a bit Ridiculous, haha, he seemed somewhat unbelievable in his manners toward Queen Susan and his whining. Adults who whine irritate me. 

It was nice to see King Edmond, Queen Susan, and Queen Lucy. I liked the fact that Lucy went out to war as well. I feel like that is something that C.S. Lewis did well before many others did. My knowledge in how often women went to war is stories of the past is rather limited, but from what I have read it's not something that was done often. Even "staying with the archers" wasn't something I aware happened often. 

It was interesting to find that so many other types of people (not just the Narnians) are there on this world. It wasn't something I realized was the case until this book. Calormen does have a very "stereotyped" Arabain culture. I realize throughout history (and probably through modernity too), it is what people pulled to in order to have something be exotic. I also realize that this book was published quite a while ago (though not that far ago). I was saddened by, what I felt, was a lack of imagination. I love world building and this seemed somewhat like a let down. 

Aslan is always there and made my son happy to have Him back. It was a good instructional point for me to have with my son, because Aslan represents Jesus Christ/God. And to start to have the conversation of "Jesus is always with you and watching and will help lead you to where you're supposed to be and sometimes you won't come out unscathed" was good. Hooray for morals of the story. 

Over all, I enjoyed the story. Slow at parts, somewhat predictable, but it was nice good. 

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

 The second official book of the Chronicles of Narnia and the one that most people know. 

During the Bombing of London, the Pevensie children are sent to live at old Professor Digory Kirke (the Magician's Nephew). In his home in the country, Lucy finds a wardrobe and in the back of it is Narnia instead of the back of the wardrobe. Narnia, a whole new world covered in a thick layer of snow. Finding a lamp post and a faun. Once her siblings find their way in they find there is more than they thought. A witch is hunting them so they can't fulfill a prophecy and Aslan, the Mighty Lion, is coming back to face the witch. 

I enjoy this story, though sometimes the way C.S. Lewis writes can be hard some times and doesn't flow as "nicely" as the more modern writers do. But that just comes with the times. 

I love the metaphor for the Atonement of Christ. In explaining what was happening to my son and the parallels between Jesus and Aslan, I think it helped him better understand what Christ had done for us. I also like that at the end the all become Kings and Queens. Not one of them is subservient to another, just like I believe will be the case after Christ returns. I also enjoy how playful Aslan is with the children, and that the witch is absolutely terrified of him (which wasn't the case in the movie). 

The Magician's Nephew

The first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. Having never read these books, I found them quiet interesting and I wasn't opposed to the Christian metaphors. 

Two children become friends over the summer and decide to go exploring in the attic crawl space between the townhouses. Instead of going to the empty house, they find themselves entering into Digory's uncles study who gives them magical rings. Being tricked by his uncle, they find themselves in the world in between worlds. Before finding their way back to their own world, they find their way to another. A dead world where the only people "living" are sleeping. They wake one woman, the most beautiful  and terrifying  of them all and she comes back with them to London. Jadis, Witch Queen, in the middle of London. Digory and Polly were able to get her back to the place between worlds  and found themselves in a new world that was just created by Aslan the Lion. Narnia is created and Jadis is terrified. 

Knowing that this is a metaphor for Jesus Christ and Satan and even the Garden of Eden, I liked it. The beginning of the story was very different from what I expected and the similarities were not so in your face to be hideously obnoxious. 

There were times that were rather humorous and the fact that I could read a chapter to my son within 20 minutes to a half hour makes for good bedtime stories. 

This is one that I might not be super excited to jump into again, but I'm ready for the rest of the series. 

The Giving Tree

 I normally don't rate children's books, but this was just awful. 

I remember seeing this in the library as a kid, but because I didn't like to read much I never picked it up. Shel Silverstens' poetry books were fun and interesting to listen to in my elementary school, so when my son brought this home from his school library I was kind of excited. It would be new for the both of us. I had heard some not so favorable critics without much of an explanation as to why they disliked it, but "hey, we'll give it a chance."

A boy and an apple tree. She, the tree, was happy when the boy played around her, climbed into her branches, eat the apples she produced, and slept in her shade; he even carves his "Me + T" with a heart around it, like people do. (Okay, that's sweet.) But then he grows up and she is sad. He comes back older and she asks if he'll play like he used to. But no, he's too busy and wants money. "Can you give me money?" (My thoughts: "We'll he's a selfish brat. I hope he learns a lesson.") "No, but you can take my apples and sell them for money." ("Okay...") So he does and leaves. "And she's happy." (Alright...) He comes back again and again and she keeps giving, he branches so he can build a house, her trunk so he can build a boat, and now she is left seriously only being a stump. ("What the heck, book?!)

By the time he said he wanted a boat, my son started crying. He didn't want to finish it because now this kind tree has given everything and now she is practically nothing. "He killed her," my son said. I'm like, "Yeah, what the crap." 

At the end, he comes back as an old, hunched man and (not even apologizing) ends up sitting on her, the stump, so he can rest. "And she's happy." 

No, she's not happy. She has used up everything that she has--he has literally chopped her down--to "help" this ungrateful boy. Yes, he played and had fun at the beginning, but all he did was take and take and take and gave nothing in return. Ever. The tree's thought process was pretty much, "If he's around, it's enough." No the heck it's not. For a small moment of him being a child, he was kind, but decades pass without him around and when he does, all he wants is a little "some'em some'em" and that's enough for her. No. He is a toxic, abusive person who only wants money, houses, boats, and he literally sits on her in the end. He uses and abuses her. 

I've seen enough ladies around me who are being abused domestically, some don't know how to get out, some refuse to see it as abuse saying "I can change him" or "If I give more he'll love me like he used to" or "I'm here for the kids" or whatever other variation there is. That is exactly what this tree is doing. She's giving permission to be used and abused and, again, literally chopped down. She's no longer a tree! 

Women, and men, all over the place give up so much of their energy, time, at points their whole being for the relationships in their life. For mom's and dad's, we give so much even bringing them into the world where we have the high possibility of dying. We stay up late. We get up early. But for the most part, there is a constant love from our children which makes it all worth it. There are constantly times that let us know that having kids is worth it. We watch the children become men and women and have children of their own. We get things back. We get time and Mother's Day and Father's Day cards and weird paintings or drawings or super odd play-do statues, and good night hugs and kisses. We don't just give and get nothing in return. 

For healthy relationships in a marriage, there is time together, conversation, intimacies in all their variety, dinners, dates, folding laundry together, spring cleaning and repair projects, and so many other things. Good, healthy relationships aren't something that you go 50/50 on. Both people put 100% into their marriage. They constantly show their love, devotion, and loyalty. You give just as much as you are given. 

I saw other critics of this book saying that it shows "perfect altruism," which is "a belief in or practice of disinterest or selfless concern for the well-being of others." That is well and good, in my opinion, for short term relationships or the beginning of relationships. But for long lasting, healthy relationships, this is a horrible idea. This is a way of abuse. If someone were to do this all the time, they would be left with nothing. They would be a heap on the ground, a stump in the dirt, and are then left with the ability to not help anyone at all. This tree is no longer a tree, no longer has apples or branches or trunk. A person isn't a person anymore. All of their once hobbies fade, their longer lasting cheer recedes, and they become hollow and beyond unhappy. 

I would be all for this book being banned because there are so many people who already thing this is okay, "normal," "if I just do a little more..." It's not okay. These are unhealthy relationships that need counseling or to be stopped and ended. 

It's not worth it ladies. 

It's not worth it gents. 

Kids, don't me selfish. Be giving. But also know that self care is important too. Monitoring your own self and not becoming a stump is more important. If you don't, then you will end up with nothing more to really give. 

***

How it should have ended: not using a friend for money or gain, but as he grew older, he could have brought his own children to the tree and let them play in her branches. Then "she was happy." 

The Law of Sarah: A Look Into the Celestial Doctrine of Plural Marriage

 Marriage, relationships, and laws are topics that are discussed all the time, especially in this social/political climate. Often they can cause a lot of strife and tension between communicating parties. Many do not see eye to eye as others people, for good or bad. 

This book is an informative piece on how the Law of Sarah, also known as "plural marriage" or polygamy, is supposed to be done under the Laws of God. Here evidences are given using scripture, General Conference talks, Journal of Discourses, as well as life stories from non-apostolic persons who followed this Law. 

There are many things about polygamy/plural marriage that I didn't understand before I'd read the book. The misconception that it was only for passive women and overbearing, lusty husbands who wanted a haram is often what people instantly assume is wrong. Under God's Law, that is not how it is supposed to be.  It also lists out very plainly the qualifications, accountabilities, responsibilities, and social and economical benefits of living this law. 

The biggest and most comforting things I've found is that it is a Calling from the Prophet. Not everyone will be called to do it, and those who are will be asked by the Spokesmen of God. It's not just something a couple can decide and do on their own, whether or not the husband is pushy toward it. I also like the idea that is brought up that if someone would be gungho to jump into this (lusty idea in tow), that they wouldn't be asked. They would obviously need to work on their own self before adding in another member to their family in such a way. 

I also liked the emphasis on how much God loves His children, His daughters specifically. That potentially do to a lack of worthy men who wouldn't be able to take their wife to the Celestial Kingdom, women are given another choice. Instead of settling with a lowlife or abuser (whom I've seen my fair share of recently), they could join in a family to someone who has already proven themselves to be a good Father, Husband, and Priesthood Holder. When looking for a spouse to claim for eternity, the women "will take a terrible chance" on the man they marry (President Gordon B. Hinkley, April 1998). But in a society that accepts plural marriage, the chances are far less terrible. 

Another part I find comforting is in "The Benefits of Living the Law of Sarah," and how it focuses mostly on the benefits for women. It's important for all sides of this relationship to know what they are getting into, and to see that there are multiple benefits for the ladies involved is comforting. The ones that are listed here are: Personal Liberties, Mental Health, Emotional Strength, Physical Wellbeing, and Spiritual Development. Being a stay at home mom can be rather isolating. Bombarded by homework and tears, or absolute silence for many hours where all I want to do is go back to bed can be exhausting (mentally and physically). But to have someone else around, who is my friend--because who else would I have join in my family for eternity--that I can talk to whenever I want, someone to help with things around the house or who can watch the kids while I go to work or vice versa. The comradery, friendship, and assistance one could get in a world that expects so much out of the "mom"--which honestly no one can live up to that expectation--would be elevating and comforting. 

Plural marriage is an interesting topic that ends up getting people really fired up. Many dislike it, from what I've seen, because of thoughts of potential disloyalty or favoritism. They are valid concerns and come with any relationship, marriage or otherwise. But when all parties put God first, remember always the covenants they made to their spouse and to God, and communicate often and openly with one another in counsels things will work. 

God places laws to help us stay safe, so we can come back to Him, and to help us be happy. This is a Celestial Law, marriage is a Celestial Law, and He wouldn't give us commandments or laws if they weren't for our eternal good. 

Wayside School is Falling Down

This is one of the children's classics that I remember listening when my teachers just could not think of anything else to do with us crazy elementary school kids. 

Wayside School is a school that was built vertically instead of horizontally, like most schools are. At the top of the school on the 30th floor is Mrs. Jewls class with a very interesting assortment of children--as there are in most elementary school classes. These are their silly, punny adventures and the fears that come to life for so many elementary school kids. No one eats the lunch ladies food because it might do things to you, everyone in class keeps calling you the wrong name and you don't have the courage to correct them, picture day and looking weird in a suit, the scary basement in the building, the room/floor that doesn't exist, and that your school might fall down in all the natural disasters you can think of. 

Simply written with a whole cast of characters, this is one that early elementary school kids will enjoy without a doubt, and older kids (ie. adults) can reminisce too. 

I really liked how when we were introduced to someone they weren't just forgotten once "their chapter" was done. Instances and people were reapplied to the story and their quirks helped us remember who they were and the story they belonged in. Even Mrs. Jewls got her chapter, which made my son and I laugh. 

Great simple stories with a light dose of pun that probably escaped me when I was younger, so it was a great read now that I'm not in the second grade. ;) 

Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds

 Brandon, can I call you Brandon? Brandon has done it again! 

Way to make me cry, dude... 

Stephen Leeds is... different. Not schizophrenic, doesn't have multiple personality disorder... He has something else. He knows his Aspects aren't real, many of them know they aren't real, too. But it doesn't mean they aren't there and they aren't helpful. Stephen is a detective of sorts who, with his Aspect's help, solves odd mysteries and tries to stay out of the press. Each of his Aspects are experts in their own fields. Historian, gunslinger, psychologist, photographer, crime scene investigator, computer tech, and 36-ish others who've helped him solve things in one way or another. They are how his brain processes the knowledge he gains. 

Brandon, at the beginning of the set of novellas, says that this was a very personal story for him to write and it hit in a squishy part in my heart for the writer part of me too.  This is a very interesting way to show what it's like to have so many "people" in your head, talking, knowing things you wouldn't know, or doing things you definitely wouldn't do. Brandon has put his own "People" who are in their own "worlds" and "influences" like I had very prominently in high school when I was writing many fiction and fantasy pieces and it was kind of a game with my friends--for me a game, for them (particularly certain people) maybe not so much. But it was fun and Brandon put a type of my world into words and got it published. Which is fantastic. 

For the story...ies, he has to find a guy, find a dead body, and find a girl. This three novellas in one was awesome and I'm glad I was able to listen them all together. The reader was great and he was really good at keeping me sucked into the book. It was well written as Brandon does. 

I am also BEYOND pleased with the ending, although I was crying as I was doing dishes, listening. It  made me sad, tender, and then happy. I love the characters so so so so so much. Well done, Brandon. This is one that I'm definitely going to be reading again.