swingbeat: 21/26: The Frozen Coast - Sea Kayaking the Antarctic Peninsual by Graham Charles, Mark Jones, Marcus Waters, with Sarah Moodie

This was a pretty short coffee table book talking about the adventure that three kayakers had - sea kayaking the Antarctic Peninsula. At first I felt, "why are these guys doing it? what's the big deal?" I had forgotten about the thrill of being in the outdoors and camping outdoors. By the end of the book, I was ready to head down to Antarctica myself! (well not really). I did feel like I wanted to go out camping though.

These guys took a month off and paddled down the peninsula. They talked about what they did to prepare, how they got funds (sponsorship), and how they trained. They talked about the people they met at the various bases along the peninsula, and took lots and lots of photos (baby penguins are so cute)!

The kayakers as well as an editor each wrote one or two chapters, and their writing wasn't bad, but truly, the pictures are what make the book interesting to read (did I mention baby penguins?).

Recommended, if only for the beautiful photgraphs. Now I have a hankering to watch March of the Penguins!

Rich (9/26) On The Road by Jack Kerouac.

The big city represents opportunity for all those that live and grow up in the same small town. For those city-dwellers, the road is their escape, and Kerouac's two heroes bounce from city to city like little kids in a toy store, unable to focus on any one thing. When we see signs that declare "Los Angeles: 500 miles," we smile and, for a moment, leave our lives. But, others let their impulses lead them and refuse to be anchored by job, money, or relationships. These creatures continue on their Neverland journey without real purpose.

Or, are these the real men and women and the rest of us slaves to our own need for security and order? Kerouac seems to think so and simultaneously romanticizes the penniless wanderer for his uninhibited passion and condemns him for being self-absorbed and unable to care about anybody but himself. This tragic hero never fails to appreciate the beauty of a sunrise, but can never find peace. It is the curse of being halfway enlightened to spurn the futile pursuits of the working stiff, yet be unable to obtain any greater goal. This was the red pill/blue pill choice of the 1950s, and this was the book that inspired many to live out their dreams. Fifty years later, the questions are still unanswered, and the choices equally unclear.

From the editor:

Haha - I am so behind!

Meanwhile, I've been blazing through the Bible. I've read Genesis thru 1 Kings. That's (counting...without looking...) 11 books! But I'm not going to count them towards my 26...

1Samuel and 2Samuel are highly recommended.

- K

swingbeat: 20/26: The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

My church recommended this book for people to read, after a sermon series on "giving". It was only $3 through the church so why not :).

It's a small book, not unlike The Prayer of Jabez, and like Jabez, it's directed at Christian readers. The basic premise is: "why put your wealth and money into material things when it will be gone when you die? Give your money to those that need it, and you will be rewarded in heaven." It then goes on to talk about the joy of giving.

It was a quick, enjoyable read. Maybe it's me at my stage of life. I know that I've been blessed in the material sense more than 90% of the world's population, so I've always had a sense of thankfulness twinged by shame. Without going into too much detail, I do give, but always think about giving more, but am held back by fear. So for me, this book is encouraging in that it tells readers to trust God in their giving, that He'll take care of you; that the more you give, the more you get in return. If not in this life, then in heaven.

This book also goes on to talk about giving even if you are not wealthier than most people you know. Easy to say, but the author talks about his experiences and it's pretty darn encouraging.

So in general, I recommend this book. Especially if you are a Christian, take a peek.