So I was thinking the other day, I really should do a list of all the books I’ve read this year, now that I’m getting back into reading for me. And then the thought occurred – where do I keep the list so that I don’t lose it? Answer: a blog.
So while I’m thinking about it today, I’m currently reading ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ by Erich Maria Remarque.
The writing is surprisingly modern, clean and direct, despite the fact that it was translated from the German many years ago. Very readable, very enlightening, and amazingly relevant, even today. Looking forward to finishing it to see how it all pans out.
Over the next week or so I’ll start listing the year’s other reads. Feel free to argue with me if you don’t like my opinions!
Update 18 November 2011
Well, I finished All Quiet on the Western Front this morning and I truly believe this should be compulsory reading for all school children, politicians, economists, psychologist and psychiatrists, and war mongers in general. Sadly, while we have humans on the planet, we will have wars, human nature being what it is. There will always be someone willing to bully someone else into doing or giving whatever, but after reading this book, which is not maudlin by any means, I was all too painfully aware of the evils of war.
I bought this book in paperback in a department store for just a few dollars. If you should ever see it yourself, or can borrow it from the library, then do.
Highly, highly recommended.