Chicken Soup for the UNSINKABLE SOUL..


Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul will show even those of us with the seemingly heaviest burdens that no matter what obstacles lay before us, determination and perseverance can guide us toward a happy and fulfilling life.

It may take some time before we agree on a title..

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The Pessimist complains about the wind.
The Optimist expects it to change.
The Realist adjust the sails - William A. Ward

Now, I haven't read this book myself. But I found it linked to the other book I posted...And for those interested about discussing conflict literature, I think this might be to your liking...

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

On one level, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is the story of two boys in Afghanistan and Afghan immigrants in America. It is a story set in a culture that has become of increasing interest to Americans since the September 11, 2001 attacks. On this level, it provides a good way for people to learn more about Afghan history and culture in the context of story.

Looking at The Kite Runner as a story about culture, however, misses what the book is really about. This is a novel about humanity. This is a story about friendship, loyalty, cruelty, longing for acceptance, redemption and survival. The core story could be set in any culture because it deals with issues that are universal.

The Kite Runner looks at how the main character, Amir, deals with a secret in his past and how that secret shaped who he became. It tells of Amir's childhood friendship with Hassan, his relationship with his father and growing up in a privileged place in society. I was drawn in by Amir's voice. I sympathized with him, cheered for him and felt angry with him at different points. Similarly, I became attached to Hassan and his father. The characters became real to me, and it was difficult for me to put the book down and leave their world.

Yep, that it will. But we do have a great list of books to start with, and in due time will eventually be one of hopefully many more future discussions...

But always deciding on which one to do first is the hardest.

Seems I've heard of it and at the time my interest was sparked . But I never read it. I'll have to order anything we decide on, so any more suggestions anyone?

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"You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life."

The Killing of Bonnie Garland: A Question of Justice

Willard Gaylin

"Willard Gaylin is a gifted writer who is also a psychiatrist with long years of practice. The book is about an awful murder, but more than that it's about the inability of institutions of society -- Yale, and the criminal justice system -- to deal effectively with immorality and cruelty. The murder is the lens through which Gaylin brings social, moral and psychiatric issues into focus. Twenty years after I first read this book it remains vivid in my mind."

I admit that I've read this book three times,it's one of the best books I have ever read. Yes...I could read it "again" and so should you..

You can order a used copy for just $4.00

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The Pessimist complains about the wind.
The Optimist expects it to change.
The Realist adjust the sails - William A. Ward

Don't get me wrong. I think understanding ourselves is THE most important intellectual pursuit there is after we raise the level of discourse on the most important issue facing mankind and which could result in the end of all life on Earth.

After we gain a greater insight on that score the absolute most important issue to discuss is the condition of self.

The purpose of discussion is not to simply remain at odds and in a state of confusion. The idea is to gain clarity. What is missing from the political discussions in these political discussion forums are two things.

One, a willingness to find the truth. And that has much to do with our opponents who wish to subvert Americans who haven't the knowledge to recognize their enemy's tactics and so they remain obstinate no matter what the evidence that's presented. The net effect is that someone trying to discern the truth might find it difficult to know which side to support simply because the other side never admits it is wrong.

That's one reason discussion can only go so far in helping to achieve clarity on the issue of the WoT and Islam and Jihad.

The other thing that's missing from these political discussions is the limitation of the shallow, soundbyte, human reaction people have when dealing with information, especially information which runs counter to their particular beliefs. When I find myself having to post the same information over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again it becomes clear to me that some people simply do not read anything that contradicts their world view. And if you are content to have this dysfunctional stalemate clashing and grinding on here while we discuss books that teach us about ourselves when we will only have a need for that IF we can prevent the world from blowing up, then it's clear to me that you have more of a need to read, and seriously read, books on Jihad than anyone else.

Why?

Because you think there is time to dawdle.

And that's proof positive you aren't seeing things, the most urgent and important things to mankind, clearly.

One closing remark...

How stereotypical is it that at a time when WWIII and the possible end of the world is being discussed that some people want to self-indulge and learn more about THEMSELVES?

bhkad

I've read both of your responses fully. And from what I'm grasping of both of your explinations, is that you want the Book Club to discuss not literature, but be yet another discussion forum for others to air their political stances on current issues...In a more achedemic manner.

I respect that. I honestly do. BUT, what you're wanting is not what the forum was asked to be designed as...

Literature discussion is about discussing what the author is saying through their characters. Of how the person feels reading the book, in regards to their identifying with the different characters of the book itself.

That is in no way 'dawdling' as you put it. Just like songs often speak a personal message to people, so do the characters in a book. And that was what IP, KOS, and myself were discussing about what would make a good book forum.

I wish I could explain it better to you then I have. I'd really love to see you participate in this forum. But from the two posts you've put up here, from what I'm reading from your words, you're more interested in making a political statement then anything else.

And as such, going that route would unintentionally do what Redd was fearing would occure...Of individuals being at odds in opinions on those very subjects, meaning a more then likely a 'you're wrong', 'no you're wrong' type of responding that goes on in the debate forums themselves. That the 'debate' would become personal attacks if opinions differed...

You did this very, very quickly infact.
You quickly went into attack mode, attacking myself or anyone that dare question your thoughts of whether disscussing these political, controversial subjects in literature was what was wanted...Something you can easily already do in the other forums created for such discussions.

Fact is, you don't know at all what my stance is about the war, Islam, or anything else. All you do know is that I'd perfer not to read a book about it, or discuss that book about it. Cause I'm satisfied to discuss the war and politics in forums already designed to discuss such things. But because myself and another said that we'd perfer not to do so, you immediately felt it appropriate to attack assumed beliefs as a defense for your imagined threatened stance on those issues. You decided to take and make it a personal thing, in the form of attack and retaliation response.

This forum wasn't invisioned for making a political stances. It's supposed to be about how one views a book on a personal level. Of how they feel a similarity to the characters within that book and the overall message the author is trying to project through his/her characters. It's about personal truths found in literature and it's characters, of how the individual relates to it on a personal level of conciousness.

The Kite Runner is a big hit right now - they even sell it in Starbucks

It's the book that was filmed - and caused all the problems for the family of the boy who stars in it, because there is a rape scene in it (the boy is raped). The family has received death threats because of allowing their son to be in the movie.

I still think that ANIMAL FARM might be an option