The Twelfth Planet by Zecharia Sitchin

Wow! I finally finished this book. I started it a looong time ago. The thing about this book is that most people won't be able to sit down and read it all at once. Sitchin is a smart writer and he definitely did his research. This book isn't for the faint of heart and it isn't an easy read either. There's a lot of theories and information in this book.

Sitchin pulls from old texts such as the Bible, Mesopotamian writings, Akkadian writings, tablets, hieroglyphs, and pictographs as well as some of the research done more recently regarding ancient times and findings thereof. Using all of these sources he postulates a theory, and in my opinion a fairly valid one, of where man came from and how that affected such events as the Biblical fall of man and the Great Flood. What I like also is that he doesn't tear down the fact that God may (or in some opinions may not) exist. But he does "play" with the idea that man may have been created by another source.

To me, his theories are very intriguing and Sitchin backs them up well with all the written, recorded evidence and ancient stone carvings. A very good read and the first in a series of 9 or 10 books, just don't expect to curl up with it when you're tired and in bed because you probably won't keep your eyes open for too long.

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox

I recently finished reading Michael J. Fox's Always Looking Up and found it pretty insightful. I don't usually read many autobiographical type books but was pleased by this one. I'm not even sure why I picked it up and bought it to begin with. I think truthfully it may have been the title. I've always strived to be optimistic and though that has gotten harder for me reading this book makes me realize a bit more that everyone has hurdles and challenges in their lives. Fox dives right into all of the troubling times he's had living with Parkinson's and pushing for stem cell research to find a cure. Some of the people he's had to face are just plain ignorant but he's faced them with a certain style and dignity that they probably aren't worthy of.

Fox doesn't just talk about Parkinson's and research and his foundation but also delves into his family life and even his beliefs (it's hard for me to even talk to other people about my beliefs let alone write about them for thousands of people to read). I love that through it all he retains some kind of humor about him. He's had his share of difficult times but he's able to reflect on them and come to a place that's both light-hearted and poignant.

Purpose

I'm an avid reader and have been for most of my life. I grew up first with my grandma reading to me and then me reading to her as I got older. As it is I have more books than bookshelves and often will buy books knowing that there are already two or three or six or seven I've bought and haven't read yet. I read mostly fiction books, lots of fantasy and supernatural, and I love poetry. So, here's where I'll give little reviews of some of the books I've read and recommend. Also, I do have a GoodReads account so look me up!