#1, #2, #3

      Another spectacular failure. I managed to get in about 3 blog posts before coming to a screeching halt. The good news is, I did just about manage my book-a-week goal so I will probably renew it and try to blog accordingly . My goal is to read 50 books this year that I at least mention here. Ultimately, writing about the books is just my way of being accountable to A. Read instead of watch tv, B. Read good books that I'm not ashamed of posting here and C. Try to think critically about books and formulate opinions. If someone reading feels inspired to take on one of these, so much the better.

      My first book of 2015 I started reading at a New Year's Eve party. 

      Yup! I read at a party. Anyone who knew me as a kid or teenager won't be surprised but for the most part this was a guilty pleasure I've weaned myself off of ( see previous post about how I'm not an introvert). However in a moment of weakness I flipped it open and I couldn't put it down. I surfaced long enough for a midnight kiss, champagne and a ride home. I finished it before the end of January 1.

      I love reading a book that takes off with you.Divergent was a very easy adventure  read but with a nice flavouring of thought and ideas. Geared to the young adult reader, it nonetheless deals with difficult topics of identity, belonging (as so many YA books do), values and virtues, and politics in a dystopia society that runs based on factions. The factions are based on the personality strengths and weaknesses and dictate every aspect of life, from education, focus, career, friends and more. Although it is very easy to identify with at least one of the factions, ultimately the idea is that we all have multiple strengths and weaknesses and shouldn't be defined or valued based on one or two of them. I didn't enjoy the second and third books as much but of course, finished them off promptly!

Each faction has its own manifesto. The Abnegation faction eerily reminded me of some of the more conservative Mennonites and maybe that's why their manifesto (albeit not their personalities or focus) resonated with me.

"I will be my undoing If I become my obsession.

I will forget the ones I love If I do not serve them.

I will war with others If I refuse to see them.

Therefore I choose to turn away from my reflection,

To rely not on myself

But on my brothers and sisters,

To project always outward

Until I disappear.

And only God remains"

Good way to start 2015!