Fall Into Reading 2012 Results

As the first days of winter speed by us carrying us quickly to Christmas, it's time to say goodbye to the Fall Into Reading 2012 Challenge hosted by Callapidder Days. The challenge was to make a list of all the books you wanted to read and then see if you were able to accomplish that task.

My challenge list held only five books, so it was quite easy for me to finish the list. The book that had me scared I wouldn't finish was Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. You don't realize how long it will take to read this doorstop of a book, as I've heard many people call it, until you actually start it. I even had to take notes for every chapter so that I could remember what was going on.

But it was definitely worth it in the end! Especially since I did successfully finish the Fall Into Reading 2012 Challenge.


My Fall Into Reading 2012 List: (Click Title to read review)
01. The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
02. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
03. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
04. The Rules of Life by Richard Templar
05. Bone Blind by Abigail Padgett

How did everyone else do?!

The Rules of Life

The first edition of The Rules of Life: A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Life became a global phenomenon, topping bestseller charts around the world. This revised edition includes nine new rules to take you further, faster. Author Richard Templar brings together 106 practical rules that happy, successful people follow, even if they've never thought about it. These are realistic, commonsense things you can do differently, starting today... small things that make a powerful difference.

Templar offers real wisdom on:
Deciding what's important and what isn't
Focusing on changes you really can make
Using your intuition
Learning positive lessons from your regrets
Having great dreams and making practical plans
Staying young
Forgiving without becoming a pushover
 Follow The Rules of Life. You'll feel better. You'll be a better friend, partner, and parent. And you'll leave the world a better place.

**

Refreshing, motivational, and all around happiness-inducing, Richard Templar presents his rule book, The Rules of Life. Numbered 1-106, Templar outlines various rules to live by, or at least to apply to life. Broken down into four sections: Personal, Partner, Friends, and Social, this book covers it all. 

Some are simple and easy to follow in everyday life. While others are more intrinsic, requiring thought, decision, and dedication. Most of these, readers will find are morally astute. We often already focus on bringing these "rules" into our everyday actions. However, some are more difficult to understand and therefore apply. These rules reach deeper into lifetime commitments of change for the better. 

Of course, not all rules can be followed at all times. Templar knows and shares that truth throughout his book. After all, I'm breaking the first one as I write this review: Keep it Under Your Hat. The fact that failure happens, was a refreshing attitude to read about in a rule book for life. But as long as there is the attempt, there is only failure, and it doesn't seem as degrading or embarrassing when put into perspective. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone. Even if not for application, this book gives perspective. And I like that, it's quite helpful at times. =)

And with this review, I am also happy to say that I have completed my Fall Into Reading 2012 Challenge. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

The Rules of Life, Expanded Edition: A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Life (Richard Templar's Rules)

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England--until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight.

Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear.

*May Contain Spoilers*

After a month of juggling this book with many others, I can finally say that I read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Clarke writes an intricate story, where all characters play a part, about English magic and how it is brought back to life. The two main characters are, you guessed it, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Though, there are some wonderful minor characters who captured my heart including Arabella Strange (wife of Jonathan) and Stephen Black. 

Mr Norrell is the character the first part of the book reflects upon. It is his wish to be the only magician in England. He is incredibly stubborn, secretive, terrified of fairies, and hates The Raven King (the nameless slave who ruled England, Faerie, and other places). He isn't a very easy character to like, but he is quite humorous. Readers can connect with him based on his pursuit to be the best at what he does and his love of books. =) 

Jonathan Strange comes into the story around/near part two. He is a little unbalanced, has trouble focusing on multiple tasks at once, loves his wife, is an apt pupil, and wants to share magic with the world. He is definitely more open and friendly than Norrell, but is bound to fits of madness which he creates for himself using magic. Readers will connect with him based on his courage (helping England win the war with Napoleon), his love of Arabella (though sometimes he is a bit distracted from her), and his pursuit of knowledge and first hand experience. 

The plot of this book was a lovely in-depth look at the lives of the two English magicians. However, it did take more than half of it for a clear story line to emerge. After Strange and Norrell part ways, the plot evolves into a heroic journey to save three characters from the enchantment of a fairy. Though the first half was quite interesting, the second half was faster-paced and very intriguing. The only main downfall of this book was the length; it requires more than the average commitment. But I do have to say, it was definitely worth it. Such an enjoyable book filled to the covers with magic and a beautiful other-world. 

Rating: 4/5 cups

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

(Third book in Fall Into Reading 2012 Challenge) 

Fall Into Reading 2012

The leaves are turning to gold and the air has a slight chill. Must be autumn! And time for another Callapidder Days challenge: Fall into Reading 2012. This challenge runs from today (Sep. 22) to December 21st and is open to anyone who wants to participate. Below is my list of books I'd like to finish before December 21st for this wonderful Fall into Reading challenge. :)

For the last Callapidder Days Challenge (Spring 2012), I chose the series A Song of Fire and Ice. So this time I tried to make my list include several genres and I'm pretty excited, though it is only five books. :)

My Fall Into Reading 2012 List:
01. The World Without Us by Alan Weisman [X] review
02. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke [X] review
03. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss [X] review
04. The Rules of Life by Richard Templar [X] review
05. Bone Blind by Abigail Padgett [X] review

Ready, Set, Fall into Reading! :)