Monday, June 30, 2008
Sole Survivor

This weekend when I finished Dean Koontz books "Sole Survivor" I was sad because it was over. I had such an interest in the developments of the characters in this story. There was such growth and so many intertwined stranger connections that once the story was finished I continued thinking what could happen in their future.

Unlike many of Koontz's books this particular one was less of a thriller and more of a thinker, so to speak. There was never a doubt something scientific was happening throughout the story even though it isn't until the latter half when this is confirmed.

The deaths were murders even though all sources were saying suicide. Each victim did indeed die at their own hands, but they did not die of their own choice. You would have to read it to really understand.

For those of you, like myself, who know with certainty that there are spirits among us then you will be intrigued by this book. But it's also important to know there are human beings among us who have "spiritual-esque" qualities (for lack of a better word.)

This story discusses religion, but not in a bible thumping way. The main character, Joe Carpenter, does not believe in God. His wife and daughters were killed in a plane crash on their way home to him. His life ended then too, but his body carried on in spite of his broken spirit.

Things take a turn when he meets a woman, Rose, who claims to have survived the plane crash which incinerated all the passengers aboard. Rose walked away from the scene with a child, Nina, who matches the description of Joe's daughter Nina who was on board.

While it turns out not to be the same Nina, there is indeed a strong connection. And Rose did indeed survive this tragedy as she claims.

But will Joe, Rose and Nina survive the real killers? Read. Believe. See if you are strong enough to survive.

BUY A Dean Koontz BOOK!!!

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    Friday, June 13, 2008
    The Four Agreements

    It isn't the first time I have read Don Miguel Ruiz's book "The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book". In fact, I have read this book three times over the last several years. I am in the process of listening to it as well.

    The four agreements are these: Be impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best.

    You'd think the agreements would be easy to embrace and practice, but they are not. I am not surprised at how these agreements are not made in my life. I need to work on them, all four, and improve the quality of my life. Being aware is only a baby step.

    Some of the book I have a very difficult time coming to terms with because I was raised in such a way that I always put everyone else around me first. I am easily guilted into doing something I don't want to do and I guilt the people around me. I definitely assume and I almost always take things personally. The only agreement I feel I strive to fulfill each day is the last one, which is to always do my best.

    Always going your best is a great chapter because it explains that "your best" will surely change on a daily basis. When you're sick you're best will be less than when you're 100% healthy and so on.

    The entire philosophy is based on Toltec beliefs. Ruiz, the author, was born into a Mexican family of traditional healers, became a surgeon in adulthood, then underwent a near-death experience that made him reexamine his life, his beliefs.

    He talks about emotions, misconceptions, best practices and how each person allows external influences to guide them through life.
    From the cover of the book:

    Be Impeccable With Your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

    Don't Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

    Don't Make Assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

    Always Do Your Best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
    I love this book. I am sure I will read it many more times. I recommend it to everyone in my life regardless of your background, religion or current beliefs. Even if you end up disagreeing with the messages I do still think it is a beneficial read and well written. Or you can listen to it, you can buy it on iTunes or audible.com and it's very short so it takes less than 3 hours to listen.

    Buy the book!

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    Thursday, June 5, 2008
    The Oxford Murders

    Murder mysteries normally keep me enthralled from start to finish and while this was a good book I can honestly say nothing about it was enthralling.

    The Oxford Murders, written by Guillermo Martinez, focused on the deaths of three people who were all already dying. The deaths appeared to be of natural causes but it turns out they were murdered by someone who wanted it to look natural. A smart someone.

    You go through the entire book following the thoughts of the detective and the narrator. Our narrator is a student of math named Martin, from Argentina. Arthur Seldom, good friends with the narrator, received a series of notes which were meant to be warnings of a murder. Each note had a symbol which he claimed could be a mathematical challenge. Seldom being a mathematical genius, received these notes because in his recently published book he had a chapter on serial killers and how they can be "calculated" just like a math problem.

    I found this thought process to be quite intriguing. I am not good at math and don't know much about theorems and such. This book discusses many mathematical symbols and the theories behind them. As I read along I realized just how smart the serial killer in the book really was and it added a sort of heightened fear to the mix.

    ***SPOILER***

    So when it turned out that all the murders were separate and not a serial murderer at all I was sort of disappointed. Each murder was explained and one of them really wasn't a murder at all.

    Plus, I was troubled by the bus crash which killed ten children who had Downs Syndrome. The bus driver died as well and it was he who planned out the bus crash. His daughter was in the hospital dying and on the top of a list for a lung transplant. He contemplated committing suicide so she could have his lung, but he found out they do not transplant the organs of people who have killed themselves. So he orchestrated a bus crash. It's very sad.

    I'd give The Oxford Murders 3 stars out of 5. If you are not interested in reading you can watch the movie, Elijah Wood plays Martin. It was an international film released in Spain earlier this year. [trailer]

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