Tag Archives: Literature

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

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Prince CaspianAfter the announcement was made that Walt Disney Pictures had decided to continue The Chronicles of Narnia series, I thought it be in my best interests to refresh my memory by re-reading the 2nd book in the saga entitled Prince Caspian. I haven’t read the Chronicles since my adolescence, so this refresher was actually very helpful in my recollection of what exactly happened in book two.

The story of Prince Caspian begins at a railroad station with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy preparing to leave for another year of boarding school. During their wait at the station, something magical happens and they find themselves wisped back into the enchanted kingdom of Narnia.

Although it has been only a year since returning to the world of men, the foursome begin to realize that many changes have occurred in their short absence from the Land of Narnia. As their adventure continues, they discover that their return was not a mere coincidence. The Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve had been summoned by a greater force to help save the enchanted kingdom from evil and utter ruin.

The actual literary work written by C.S. Lewis is really short. With just a little over two hundred pages in length, an experienced reader can finish this book in a single sitting during their spare time on a weekend of before going to bed.

I personally enjoyed re-reading the book primarily because it brought back many nostalgic moments for me and it was one of the first books that actually made me an avid reader of fictional stories.

Due to its short length, I’d highly recommend that you read the book before watching the film. The books are almost always better than the movie, and The Chronicles are so good you can’t afford to ruin it with the chance that Disney might release a poor theatrical version of the story. Although I did enjoy The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe in theaters, the book was much more fulfilling when I read it for the very first time. I am really hoping that Disney continues to stay true to the storyline and continues to wow its audiences like the book did for me the first time I picked it up.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

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spiderwickI typically like to preview the books in my classroom before I place them on my library shelves for students to read. So during my free time at work (lunch and teachers prep), I read through the entire Spiderwick Chronicles written by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.

The Chronicles are divided into five well crafted books. The Field Guide, The Seeing Stone, Lucinda’s Secret, The Ironwood Tree, and the Wrath of Mulgarath.

The first book, The Field Guide, introduces the the Grace children. They consist of two twin brothers and their sister who move into their aunt’s old estate and quickly find themselves caught up in an adventure filled with faeries and other strange creatures. In Book 2, The Seeing Stone, the story picks up the pace a little more as the three young children begin to learn the rules about their newly discovered world.

By book 3, Lucinda’s Secret, the kids are diving deeper into the history of the estate and their family, know that faeries are real, and find that many of these strange creatures are not as charming and well-mannered as portrayed in popular fairy tale stories. Book 4 becomes personal. A family member is kidnapped by several of the estate’s resident creatures and a rescue mission is in order. This sets up this series for the grand finale with a satisfying conclusion in the Wrath of Mulgarath.

Overall, this was a very entertaining children’s series. The story is creepy enough to keep a child interested, yet safe enough where children won’t have any sort of nightmares at bedtime. The plot and storyline had nice appeal to it, and the progression of the the story was continuous and did not drag at all. Children of all ages will love these books and I would recommend this to anyone with kids to pick up this series for a great bedtime adventure.

I’ve also found out recently that The Spiderwick Chronicles will be hitting the big screen sometime in 2008. So this will definitely be great books to read before watching the film with your kids!

Rich Dad Poor Dad

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rich dad poor dadI have always been very ambitious when it came to money. I’ve done MLM’s, direct marketing, and even tried a hand in traditional business. All these experiences have really built a foundation for my financial education. Through basically a trial and error process, I’ve lost big and earned big as well.

I feel that the key to financial success and freedom is to diversify, educate yourself, and keep up with the trends. There is so much money to be made out there, it is just a matter of finding the right outlets and strategies.

In the past years I’ve always risked spending for big rewards. Its part of the money game. No one gets rich without risk involved. After I married, my goals had changed and I lost sight of the bigger picture. Its not that I made the wrong decision (I love my wife), but I was just bumped off track with a different set of priorities.

This book, Rich Dad Poor Dad really helped me get back on track with my goal of attaining financial freedom. Reading this book helped rejuvenate my ambitions. I really do want to become my personal success story.

I want you to keep in mind that this book itself it not going to make you rich or provide you with comprehensive strategies to make money. It does however, provide you an oppotunity to think “Outside the Box”.

Some critics have complained that this book is too simplified and it’s more of an inspirational book than a financial book. You know what I say about that? Who makes the biggest bucks? Its those who are inspired by some outside force. Its someone who thinks outside the box. Its someone who starts with a “SIMPLE” idea and puts it into action.

This book is meant as a tool. A starting point to change your views about money and finance. If your tired of working just to survive, this book is for you. Dont listen to others who are not successful. They are always the ones telling you to think inside the box. Listen to a real millionare perspective. Read the Book. I highly recommend it.