South of Freedom

So this may probably be the worst book review I write, and not because the book was bad or anything, but because I was a bad reader. I began this book over a year ago when I had to write a History paper on it in the first half of my Freshman Spring semester. Then over the Winter break I read bits and pieces of it. A few days ago, I finally finished it. It was a very interesting book on how it was written by a black man who had grown up in the South and joined the Army, and then he moved North to work at a newspaper. He returned to the South to see how and if things had changed since he was a child. I feel as though some details weren't very accurate as he was biased against the South due to how he was treated, but I could be completely wrong because I have been raised in the South and usually the people are biased no matter where they are at. The book was kind of hard to read as the author used difficult words. I would recommend this book for adults who are particularly interested in History, especially the Civil Rights. I would not consider it a leisurely book to enjoy in the sun or for free time. Nonetheless, it was a very intriguing book. I would love to hear feedback from anyone who has read this book because I find it difficult to write my review on it. God bless!

Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea was a fascinating book. I would recommend it for people to read, although I would recommend it for adults because it is difficult to read at first because Greg Mortenson talks about foreign places and people that can often be frustrating. A tip would be to remember something of the name so that you will know who he is talking about throughout the book, but not to worry about all the different foreign names and places because it would just get you confused and lost. There is an easier version that may be helpful as well, especially if children are interested in reading it. But anyways, Three Cups of Tea is about a man, Greg Mortenson, who travels with a group of climbers to climb K2 (the second tallest mountain in the world) in the Middle East. Mortenson fails to reach the top, and on his journey back to the bottom, he gets lost and stumbles upon a village called Korphe. There he meets some really sweet people who help him regain his strength and health. In return for their graciousness, he promises them that he will come back and build a school for the children who desire an education so much that they will use sticks and the ground to do school work when they have no other tools. Mortenson goes back to the U.S. to try and raise enough money, which turns out to be more difficult than he thought. There are so many wonderful little details that I would love to write about, but I would suggest that you experience them yourself! In the ending chapters, things begin to heat up as 9/11 occurs which creates many different feelings for the readers as they embrace their own feelings from that day and the feelings that Mortenson shares. Even though there have been allegations that have recently come out against Mortenson, I still believe that what he did for the children in the Middle East is commendable. He may have not completely told the truth about many of the things in the book and may have used money in the wrong way, but as a future teacher, I am glad that schools are being built for children who desire an education and helping the people of the villages by creating water lines, giving scholarships, and providing a place to stay when they go to college. This book has become one of New York Times' Bestsellers. There are many websites and bookstores that sell this book new and used. I would personally recommending buying it used to save money, and then share it with a friend. A very good website in which I use often to buy textbooks for college currently has this book on stock as used for as little as a penny!!! You can also purchase the young reader's edition for under $8!! :) The website is: http://www.freetextbooks.com/. Feel free to use me, Chelsea Dutton, as your referral friend! Hope to post again tomorrow about another wonderful book I have also already read this summer! God Bless!!

2011 Summer Book Readings

So I have started to have my own Summer Book Club and blog about my experience of the books so that I can look back on them one day and see what I thought about books I read, and to also provide summaries and my opinion on the variety of books that I want to read till I head back to college. Some books on my list are books that I have started, but have not finished yet. Once I have read/blogged about a book, I will strike it out. :) So here goes my list:

Wicked by Gregory Macguire
For the Soul of Mankind by Melvyn Leffler
Radical by David Platt
Radical Together by David Platt
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
South of Freedom by Carl Rowan
Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks
A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
3 Willows by Ana Brashares
I Take This Man by Valerie Frankel
Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow
True Compass by Edward Kennedy
Women of True Grit by Edie Hand and Tina Savas
Why Women Should Rule the World by Dee Dee Myers
Professionally Polished by Dallas Teague-Snider
The Servant as Leader by Robert K. Greenleaf
Growing Up Colt by Colt & Brad McCoy
3:16 The Words of Hope by Max Lucado
Called to Coach by Bobby Bowden
City on Our Knees by TobyMac