Book Review: Percy Jackson

Fridays will be book review days. I think reading is one of the richest experiences on the earth. As I was growing up, I had trouble deciding what to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to be so many different things: a doctor, a veterinarian, a writer, a teacher, a scientist, a librarian, an archaeologist, a movie star, etc. I majored in literature because I can read about anything and everything! If I want to know more about fencing, I can read about it. If I want to know more about horses, I can read about them. If I want to know more about psychology, I can read about it. Books can be about anything, including "values based on religious beliefs."

Last summer, I blasted through the Percy Jackson books.

I love books like this, and so does my 11-year-old cousin, Jordan. He likes that they are action-packed, funny stories about a boy who is awkward. Percy has ADHD and dyslexia, but when he discovers that he is the son of a Greek god, he realizes that these weaknesses are actually his strengths. He was meant to have quick reflexes in battle (hyperactivity anyone?) and to read ancient Greek (hence the dyslexia). He is different because he is the son of a god, and all of his adventures help him to reach his potential as a demigod hero.

Though the story is based on pagan myths, it reflects many of the values that I live by. It reinforces the ideas that we are children of God, that we are the way we are for a reason, and that we have great potential that we can't even imagine. And it is just plain entertaining! These books will always have a special place on my bookshelves.

Lamppost

On Thursdays, I will post lampposts. Get it? A lamp-post? You're no fun. Anyway, I have collected pictures upon pictures of lampposts over the years. Why? Should be a no-brainer: "She began to walk forward, crunch-crunch over the snow and through the wood towards the other light. In about ten minutes she reached it and found it was a lamppost." Lampposts are important symbols of light. And obviously they lead to magical lands. So, every Thursday, look forward to a lamppost to encourage you to always seek out and stand in the light.

This first lamppost is from Toon Town in Disneyland!

Oh, look! There's me!

Poem: This Wondrous Sea

Wednesdays will be Poetry Days! My first poem is from one of my favorite poets, Emily Dickinson. She wrote a lot about eternity, nature, and love, even though she was kind of a strange person. If she were alive now, we would be reclusive friends. :) This poem is from her collection on time and eternity. I love the idea that life is a sea journey and that we can finally anchor safely with our Heavenly Father. Sail on!

CXLI

ON this wondrous sea,
Sailing silently,
Knowest thou the shore
Ho! pilot, ho!
Where no breakers roar,
Where the storm is o’er?

In the silent west
Many sails at rest,
Their anchors fast;
Thither I pilot thee,—
Land, ho! Eternity!
Ashore at last!

Let There Be Light!

Hi there! I was inspired by Elder Quentin L. Cook's recent conference talk to share the good things that I see in the world. He said that "in our increasingly unrighteous world, it is essential that values based on religious beliefs be part of the public discourse." My goal is to share my values here daily. I value beautiful things that make me feel happy and sometimes even make me laugh, things that remind me of heaven. I hope you can enjoy the things that I enjoy, and I hope you share with me the things that you enjoy!

I have a theme for each day. There will be Silly Socks, Lampposts, music and lyrics, poetry, book reviews, awesome allegories, and anything else I feel like sharing. Tuesdays will be music days. I have searched high and low, far and wide, for the right song to kick off music days. I finally chose the song that begins the new Narnia film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It's a very short song, but it is so pretty that I can't not share it. And I feel like it provides perfect background music to the grand opening of this blog. With no further adieu, here is Narnia!