The Notebook is Sparks' first ever-published novel! It deals with the forbidden love of two who had a young and passionate love when they were growing up but were separated for several years. Now that Noah is back and Allie is engaged to someone else, what is going to happen! Ah! Honestly, can I say something crazy and say that I prefer the movie? The book neglects a lot of the beginning of their love story and the end is much more... interesting than the sweet older couple shown in the movie. Allie from the book seems much more shallow and ditsy than my girl Rachel McAdams from the movie (I have not seen the movie in many years and hope I'm not romanticizing it in my head too much). But, It's a good beach read, not much substance, and is written with the lexile score to accommodate a fifth grader (850, if you were wondering. Harry Potter # 1's lexile score is 880). Read if you'd like! ((or watch the movie, honestly will be more enjoyable)) Pages- 214 Published- 1996 Author- Nicholas Sparks Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Podcasts- Carson Reads
Originally published as a series of pamphlets to teach money-smarts, The Richest Man in Babylon is a series of short vignettes that take place in Ancient Babylon! The main character's name is Arkad and he has a lot to say about personal finance! This is a book that I think everyone should read! We could all be more money-wise and this book does a really good job at teaching the how-to. One caution before you dive in is that Clason uses old-timey speak. Arkad speaks like he was really back in Ancient Babylon! I know that that can get on some people's nerves reading so many "thou"s and "thine"s. So there's a heads up! Otherwise, a really good book. I see why it is a classic of personal finance. Pages- 144 Published- 1926 Author- George S. Clason Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
When first opening the book it might seem like the pages are just filled with word vomit, but the message held within the pages is a beautiful one! I struggled a bit with this book's writing style and the number of times that it jumped around, but I do believe some important things can be gleaned through the chaos. It follows a young Jewish American who is on a quest to learn more about his now-deceased family, he discovers quite a bit as he travels to the opposite side of the globe and talks with many personality-filled characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a different perspective on what it is like to grow up Jewish. It is not a WW2 book! but provides many insights on Jewish tradition and the importance of family. Pages- 276 Published- 2002 Author- Jonathan Safran Foer Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell YouTube- Carson Reads
TRIGGER WARNING- Sexual abuse, and trauma are VERY prevalent in this book, Ms. Yanagihara holds nothing back and describes awful things in horrible detail. This book is the most devastating book I think I have ever read, it deals a lot with trauma, abuse, and moving forward when we don't know the answers. The main themes include friendship, addiction, loneliness, and happiness. Not a happy read by any metric, it is seriously so sad. This book is far from perfect, some of the story does seem like trauma dumping with no true purpose except the shock factor, but I don't regret my read. It teaches compassion and to treat all the people in your life with love. Be there for your friends!! More likely than not they need you. A semi-controversial book, I'm very interested in your thoughts on it, please leave a comment! Pages- 816 Published- 2015 Author- Hanya Yanagihara Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
I'm sure we all know the climax of the tale of Achilles, but do you know his true story? This was the first novel published by Madeline Miller, who, by the way, has her master's in Classical Studies. The book is GENIUS, I so thoroughly enjoyed it. It is narrated by Achilles' chosen friend, Patroclus, and tells the story of their boyhood all the way through to the battle of Troy. I loved this book. I would recommend this book to any and everyone, the writing is so vivid and beautiful, and the story is familiar enough but there were also things that I discovered I never knew. One of my favorite reads of this year! Pages- 416 Published- 2011 Author- Madeline Miller Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
The series finally wraps up, thank goodness! The last two chapters of this book are the best by far. I am so excited to be done reading and talking about this series. If you have been following along, you know I have some issues with it! But it was good to see Percy and the gang join forces and finally conquer evil. Would recommend it only if you're this far in the series and feel like there is no turning back, you have to finish now! Pages- 381 Published- 2009 Author- Rick Riordan Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
Dare I say that this is my favorite of the series? It feels like Rick Riordan is finally done throwing in more characters into the mix so the plot can settle and the action starts to pick up! That being said, there are still the classic Percy Jackson tropes and cheesiness oozing on some of the pages, but I came to the realization that it might come off that way to me only because I don't have the imagination necessary to fully enjoy. (Maybe?? Idk it's hard for me) Would recommend it only if you're this far in the series and feel like there is no turning back Pages- 361 Published- 2008 Author- Rick Riordan Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
What is up crazy kids, this week we are talking about the third of five Percy Jackson books!! (Why are there so many), in my most humble opinion, I think that this book is the weakest of the series. It feels like a ramping-up period for the bigger plot of Kronos slowly rising to more power. Nothing major major happens but more characters are introduced and the plot continues to thicken. Not a regrettable read! Recommended for those who have never read it or who are of the younger variety, yknowwhatImean Pages- 312 Published- 2007 Author- Rick Riordan Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
The second installment to the Percy Jackson series! Similar to the first but the plot thickens here a little bit. New characters are introduced and new adventures present themselves! We meet Tyson, who turns out to be Percy's half-brother, and we see into the overarching plot of the entire series. Luke is trying to bring back Kronos, the head titan, and overthrow the gods! Sheeeeesh. Again, I would recommend this book to those in grade school! The series is fun, it just doesn't hold up as well as other teen thrillers in my opinion Pages- 279 Published- 2006 Author- Rick Riordan Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
The Lightning Thief was one of the first "big chapter books" I read back in elementary school. I remember LOVING it. Since 2021 I have been trying to reread my entire bookshelf and that includes rereading this children's book hahah. I learned very quickly that it just does NOT hold up like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games do. Would recommend it to children around the age of 12 hahah if you do NOT fit that criteria you would really do best to go and read something else. Unless you want to be disappointed, I would recommend having the memories of your first time reading shine bright by leaving it on the shelf. And I say that so respectfully. Pages- 377 Published- 2005 Author- Rick Riordan Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
The Hiding Place is a true story written by Corrie Ten Boom. She lived in Holland during the era of WWII, and she shares her story and how through it all, her faith in God acted as her "hiding place". This was my second time reading this book and it is brilliant. Would recommend it to anyone! I'm fairly certain that this is one of those books on reading lists in high school- and for good reason! I think everyone should read this. It will be especially impactful if you believe in God as that is how Corrie and her family find hope throughout those many dark years. Pages- 243 Published- 1971 Author- Corrie Ten Boom Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! Instagram- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
I read the first installment of the Book of Mormon symposium papers and liked it!! In 1988 Jeffrey R. Holland gathered together scholars to write individual papers on an aspect of the Book of Mormon. This first book compiles the papers that teach about the Book of Mormon as a whole. Would recommend it if you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are curious about the symposium and what was discussed there. Other than that, I think there are more enriching teachings in the Book of Mormon, it might just be me though. Pages- 250(?) Can't remember and don't have it in front of me haha Published- 1988 Author- Various Let me know what you think! What book should I read next? Follow me on my socials, and let's chat books! ig- CarsonCampbell_ Twitter- Carson7Campbell Youtube- Carson Reads
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves art and art history and who has a basic understanding of who Michelangelo was.
The first half of this reads like a MOVIE it was so well done. The second half moves a little bit faster as it covers many more years, but I really do feel like I know who Michelangelo is now. He is a genius and I am completely astounded by his perspective and contributions. Humbling to see the works in person over this summer
Pages- 700+
Published- 1981
Author- Irving Stone
Let me know what you think!
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A Case for the Book of Mormon explores the truths of the Book of Mormon intellectually as well as spiritually. Tad R. Callister addresses the common arguments found against the Book of Mormon and looks at the pieces of evidence in favor of the Holy Scripture!
This book is a favorite for many! It was my third time reading it. Super simplistic writing and a vague cast of characters allow you to insert yourself into the story, which is why I think so many people are drawn to this story. It follows a boy living in the south of Spain who dreams of seeing the Pyramids one day and completing his Personal Legend, or his calling in life. Provides some cool insight into following your dreams, but I wouldn't say that this is a must-read.
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Christensen is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, after returning to his 5 and 10-year reunions he saw that many of the people that he graduated with were unhappy, whether that be in their marriages, in their jobs, or just with life in general. This confused him greatly because he knew these people and they were the most brilliant, wonderful people he had ever met. He set out to do a research project on how to have a meaningful life and thus this book materialized. He answers three questions over the course of this book, 1. How to find happiness in your career, 2. How to find happiness in your relationships, and 3. How to stay out of jail. I enjoyed this book! He acknowledges that "fundamental problems of life do not have a quick fix" but he teaches great principles throughout. Being the business man as he is, he also finds what makes businesses successful and how that can translate to our personal lives. Super interesting!
Published 2012
221 Pages
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The Trial by Franz Kafka was never supposed to be published. In fact, around the time of his death, Franz Kafka told one of his good friends, Max, that everything that was unfinished should be burned. Shortly after Kafka died at age 40, Max exerted much effort to make sure that his friend's dying wish was not upheld. The Trial was one of those unfinished works. And thank goodness Max disobeyed this straightforward direction! This was my first ever Kafka, and although it was unfinished and you can tell that it isn't finished, I am so glad that I read it. This book does such a good job of transporting you into the story and making you feel all of the anxiety and despair that the main character, Josef K. is going through. Josef K., without doing anything wrong, is arrested. The book shows his trial proceedings. Questions are unanswered, the court system and law are contradictory, and there is a sense of helplessness imbued in each word. It was a fantastic book and one that I think back to often. Would recommend it if you are wanting to dip your feet into the world of Kafka!
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The Devil's Arithmetic refers to the evils found in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany and the fragility of life. There are rules to stay alive, if they are kept you will see tomorrow. This book is heralded for its storytelling and has received the "National Jewish Book Award" and is deemed a "Puffin Modern Classic" right alongside Charlie and the "Chocolate Factory" and "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry". I would recommend this to anyone needing another World War II book to read. I wouldn't say it is the most impactful World Ward II book I have ever read but that is just my opinion. It is a short and a quick read! I would compare it to The Boy in The Striped Pajamas. It follows this young girl named Hannah, she is Jewish and she complains that all they ever do during their holidays is "remember". She is transported to the year 1941 is a small Jewish town in Poland, and she learns why it is so important to keep this story alive and to continue remembering. Great book.
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This is my podcast's first "do not read" given to a book. Do not read it! The book is published as a "journal" that chronicles the two years of this girl's life. It begins when that girl is 15 years old and ends around the time of her seventeenth birthday. Early on in the first journal she is exposed to drugs while at a party. She trips off of LSD when someone gives her Coca Cola that was laced. The entire diary follows the aftermath of that incident. She dabbles in other drugs and eventually falls from grace and runs away from home, becomes homeless, practices prostitution for a second, etc. The whole 9 yards. It sounds intriguing but what I found out this time around is that NONE OF IT IS TRUE
I first read this book when I was a sophomore in high school (around the same age as the diarist) and I remember being so impacted by this. I would think back on it all the time and for the last seven years, I would even recommend it to people! I'd tell people it was a true story and that it was crazy and that they had to read it.
When I was about 150 pages in, I flipped to the front cover and I discovered that it was purely a work of fiction. I did some digging on the internet and sure enough. We have been deceived! I am still in complete disbelief, the entire book was made up by a middle-aged woman! wow.
The Four Agreements is a book published in 1997 by Mexican author Don Miguel Ruiz. I felt that I had seen this book everywhereee, I needed to see what the hype was about. It is a "wisdom book" and draws upon the teachings of ancient American peoples, the Toltecs, for inspiration on how to live life more fully. Ruiz and the Toltecs say that the human spirit has been domesticated and that we are all chasing a form of perfection that does not exist. It is impossible to attain and ruins the quality of our life by running after it. To come to any conclusion we have to make agreements with information. Ruiz's invitation is to break all other agreements that we have made previously and to agree with the four pieces of wisdom in this book.
These Agreements are:
1. Be Impeccable with Your Word
2. Don't Take Anything Personally
3. Don't Make Assumptions
4. Always Do Your Best
At times this book felt too radical for my domesticated spirit, but I enjoyed the read nonetheless! At the end of the day, Ruiz is inviting us all to live more fully, and that is something I can get behind. I would recommend it for any who feel they need a jumpstart or are in a funk.
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