LDS Freedom Forum

Posted: **February 17th, 2015, 5:07 pm**

Yes...it's a goofy title, but apropos to the subject I'm hoping to discuss with you all here on LDSFF

Personally, I enjoy several genres of books...from biographies and autobiographies, to history, to fantasy and sci-fi, self-help, and religious/spiritual. To my mind, fiction and non-fiction alike can be appreciated. Passionflower introduced me to Gothic horror on another thread and I really admire works from authors in this classification including; Austen, Dickens, and the Bronte sisters. I have "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley on my list of novels to read. Some other examples of the authors and books I've taken delight in reading include:

History (non-fiction)-Alison Weir...several wonderful tomes including "Eleanor of Aquitaine", "The Six Wives of Henry VIII", and "The Life of Elizabeth I". Does anyone share my passion for Medieval and Renaissance (especially Tudor) history? Would love to discuss this further.

Fantasy-Terry Brooks...The Shannara series, "Magic Kingdom For Sale-Sold!". I've heard/seen it said that he is a rip-off Tolkien (who is an amazing author), but I believe he has created complex and enchanting worlds of their own autonomy.

Autobiography-Esther Williams..."The Million Dollar Mermaid: An Autobiography" was at turns inspirational, heart-breaking, and shocking. She was sometimes called "America's Mermaid" and helped popularize synchronized swimming through a string of hugely popular films in the 1940s and '50s.

Self-Help-John Gray..."Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus". I read this in my early 20s, several years after it had been published, but it helped me to see myself and relationships from a different perspective at that time in my life. I would recommend "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary D Chapman if there are troubles with communication or understanding in a marriage. Lots of praying together is helpful, too!

Religious/Spiritual...for me the BOM and KJV Bible are a given. I have just received "I Need Thee Every Hour:The Joy of Coming to Christ" by Blaine M Yorgason and look forward to gleaning some spiritual insights. A couple books by John Pontius are waiting to be read as well.

I eagerly await your responses/recommendations and to the conversation it creates

Posted: **February 17th, 2015, 5:10 pm**

Religious / spiritual - Believing Christ and The Screwtape Letters.

ETA - Self Help (I guess) - How to Think Like a Boss and Get Ahead at Work. Best book I've ever read about how to improve your economic value if you plan to work for someone else.

Yes the book Believing Christ is by Stephen Robinson (sp?) Great book. I heard his classes at BYU are / were a bit of a letdown. One of my more cerebral kiddos had him a few years ago and was expecting more than she got. Her expectations were fueled by this this book.

Posted: **February 17th, 2015, 5:14 pm**

I will get back to you.

When I really respond, I expect it will be a long post, as I not only make recommendations, it turns into more of a review. And I love many of your choices and have some that I think you will also love if you haven't read them.

Posted: **February 17th, 2015, 5:32 pm**

Obrien wrote:Religious / spiritual - Believing Christ and The Screwtape Letters.

Believing Christ by Stephen Edward Robinson? Looks like several people have really been inspired by reading that book...I just added it to my amazon wish list

I like C S Lewis and apparently so do many church members because he gets quoted frequently, lol. Thanks so much!

Original Intent wrote:I will get back to you.

When I really respond, I expect it will be a long post, as I not only make recommendations, it turns into more of a review. And I love many of your choices and have some that I think you will also love if you haven't read them.

That would be marvelous, OI! I always appreciate your thoughtful posts

Posted: **February 17th, 2015, 6:14 pm**

History-The History of Mexico by Parkes. A very well written work about the history of the ancient Mayans, Aztecs, etc, conquests by Spain, etc. through to modern day Mexico-at least as modern as the book. Another is called View of the Hebrews by Ethan Smith. It is about the modern native Americans.

Fantasy-I don't think I've ever read a fantasy book except maybe when I was a boy, but that was decades ago. I do have Lord of the Rings, but haven't cracked it open. But I suppose Sci-fi, at least what I've read qualifies as fantasy. The Jedi Trilogy and also The New Jedi Order series. I also read the Starship Troopers book, which the movie was loosely based on. The book was different though, and thought provoking. Oh, I enjoyed Ender's Game by O.S. Card

Autobiography-Haven't read one. Maybe I have, but in high school-decades ago. I do have a biography called Joseph Smith-Rough Stone Rolling, which I look forward to finishing.

Self Help-How to Win Friends and Influence People. Sounds manipulative, but it is well done and teaches interpersonal relationship skill. Another good one is The Slight Edge by Olsen. If money is your thing, then The Richest Man in Babylon is a good read.

General fiction-1984 by Orwell. Everyone should read it. Period. I read Jonathan Livinston Seagull when I was a kid. I've been meaning to reread it as it sits on my shelf today.

Religious-This is where my list is long. I'll just mention a few:

-The Book of Mormon. Ok, the entire cannon
-Isaiah Decoded by Gileadi
-The Second Comforter by some guy
-Come, Let Us Adore Him by some dude

Posted: **February 17th, 2015, 8:52 pm**

coachmarc wrote:Autobiography-Haven't read one. Maybe I have, but in high school-decades ago. I do have a biography called Joseph Smith-Rough Stone Rolling, which I look forward to finishing.

I've heard of this book, although I don't know much about it. Are you in far enough to have an opinion or would you rather wait until you've finished to give a judgment?

coachmarc wrote:Self Help-How to Win Friends and Influence People. Sounds manipulative, but it is well done and teaches interpersonal relationship skill.

Yes, "HtWFaIP" is a book I recognize as well, but haven't perused. That could be an interesting read...relationship (romantic, familial, etc), introspection, and communication manuals are almost always engrossing to me.

coachmarc wrote:General fiction-1984 by Orwell. Everyone should read it. Period.

Again, a novel I'm aware of...this has something to do with government being "big brother", right?

coachmarc wrote:Religious-The Second Comforter by some guy
-Come, Let Us Adore Him by some dude

LOL! Cheeky

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 12:00 am**

OK, it's late and I got lazy and found a previous post that I listed my top ten fiction and non-fiction books. Sorry, no book reviews, but if you have any questions about any of them, I can give you an overview without spoilers.

Top ten books, non-fiction, excluding scriptures, which have profoundly affected my life

1. The Law by Bastiat *tied with* Following the Light of Christ Into His Presence by John Pontius
2. 2nd Treatise on Government by John Locke
3. The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
4. God in the Dock by C.S. Lewis
5. The Majesty of God's Law by Cleon Skousen
6. An Enemy Hath Done This by Ezra Taft Benson
7. The Book of Mormon and the Constitution by H Verlan Anderson (everything of his that I have read I have loved)
8. Latter-Day Liberty by Connor Boyack
9. The Revolution: A Manifesto by Ron Paul
10. Everything I have read so far by Hugh Nibley

Top ten fiction

1. The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis (also loved Screwtape Letters, The Narnia books, pretty much anything he wrote)
2. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (14 book fantasy series that weighs in at about 12,000 pages total)
3. Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune by Frank Herbert
4. The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien
5. The DragonRiders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
6. The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind (they did get a bit racy for my taste but overall great books)
7. The Last of the Renshai trilogy by Mickey Zucker Reichert
8. Thomas Covenant The Unbeliever double trilogy by Stephen R Donaldson (depressing but epic)
9. The Amber Novels by Roger Zelazny
10. The Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 12:20 am**

I agree with a lot of these. I love pretty much anything by CS Lewis, but my personal faves are The Great Divorce and the Screwtape Letters. Believing Christ by Robinson is also amazing. I love Harry Potter too and I agree that everyone should read 1984. My very favorite fiction book, however, is The Giver by Lois Lowry. I recommend it to everyone. It's an easy read but has a lot of layers of complexity to it. I know not everyone here is a fan of Denver Snuffer, but The Second Comforter it's my favorite spiritual book outside of the scriptures. It was absolutely life-changing for me and was written when he was still a member in good standing so it shouldn't be offensive to those who think he's trying to lead others away from the truth.

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 12:24 am**

Original_Intent wrote: An Enemy Hath Done This by Ezra Taft Benson

I have seen this mentioned several places, Need to get my hands on this.

Have you read "The Cleansing of America" by Skousen? If so, what are your thoughts?

Original_Intent wrote:The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (14 book fantasy series that weighs in at about 12,000 pages total)

Wow! Sounds like quite an epic...this intrigues and terrifies me at the same time, lol. Terrifying in the sense that I can see myself constantly reading and letting household responsibilities slide ;)

Original_Intent wrote: Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune by Frank Herbert

Viewed these as films, but I bet the books are better

Original_Intent wrote: The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind (they did get a bit racy for my taste but overall great books)

Sounds familiar, wonder if I've read these, hmmmm

Have you read Anne Bishop's Ephemera series? Really liked the 1st book "Sebastian", have yet to read the following 2. They might be a bit risqué though, it's been some years since I read "Sebastian", so it's hard to recollect, all I remember is enjoying it at the time.

Thanks

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 10:08 am**

I have some favorite books as well as favorite authors. They include:
Joseph Conrad ( for fiction) particularly " The The Heart of Darkness "
Margery Wilson ( self-help ) I also like Helen Andelin
Leo Tolstoy ( non fiction ) particularly Anna Karenina )
Fyodor Dostoevsky (fiction) particularly "Crime and Punishment"
James Talmage (religious) Jesus the Christ
Eddie Rickenbacker(biographical) particularly "Seven Came Through"
William Shakespeare (theatre) particularly "Macbeth"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (poetry) particularly "Evangeline"
Homer (Greek)" The Odyssey"
Washington Irving " The Legend of Sleepy Hollow "
Margaret Mitchell (historical fiction) Gone With the Wind
Corpus Hermeticum ( alchemical text )
The Meditations of Marcus Aureliius (philosophy)
The Autobiography of Booker T. Washington
Aldous Huxley (health) "The Art of Seeing" ( yes this is the author of "Brave New World" )
Kenneth Graham ( children's literature ) The Wind in the Willows
And of course "Dracula" By Bram Stoker (gothic horror)
And my brothers' book, which can be found selling online which is a haunted house story ( family history)

And right now, I am reading an encyclopedia on the Middle Ages. Previous to this I read a book on the Magna Carta, and after finishing this, I will be reading a book on the Templars, and another about life in the Middle Ages in general. So, yeah WCITFP, I am on your subject right now, and would love to learn anything more I can about it.

I have a whole library, and I love all my books( or they would not be there). My books are friendly and are very good company. A great thinker will share his creative genius, or innermost thoughts with me anytime I bring him down from the shelf. What luxury!

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 12:52 pm**

Religious/Spiritual...
I promoted on another thread two fiction novels by a new author: Stephen Fritz
They are LDS based religious fantasy. They can be read by young readers, but anyone will enjoy these two stories.

Wind of Fire - Second Coming story based on prophesied events at Adam-Ondi-Ahman
Natiya's Garden - Three Nephites story set at 700 AD - a bit of love and adventure mixed in with teaching gospel principles

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 2:19 pm**

WhereCanITurn4Peace wrote:
Original_Intent wrote: An Enemy Hath Done This by Ezra Taft Benson
I have seen this mentioned several places, Need to get my hands on this.

Have you read "The Cleansing of America" by Skousen? If so, what are your thoughts?

I pretty much love anything by Cleon Skousen, and I consider this one of his best. Loved it.

Original_Intent wrote:The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (14 book fantasy series that weighs in at about 12,000 pages total)
Wow! Sounds like quite an epic...this intrigues and terrifies me at the same time, lol. Terrifying in the sense that I can see myself constantly reading and letting household responsibilities slide ;)

It's an amazing series. It was very tough waiting the 20 years for them all to come out. It was first intended to be something like 6 books - and I got the impression around book 4 that he was on a gravy train. It is still incredible writing, but there were books in the middle that out of 40+ chapters, maybe only two or three were about the protaganist and the main plot line moving forward. Don't get me wrong, all the sub-plots, etc. are intriguing and really add depth to the world - but there are times when it gets to be a bit of a chore, lol. All that said, I would highly recommend it. Side note: The original author, Robert Jordan, passed away and his estate gave his notes to Brandon Sandersen who did a great job of writing the last three books from notes and discussions he had with Jordan. The last three books, while huge, are very fast paced and are essentially tying up all the sub-plots as well as the main story!

Original_Intent wrote: Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune by Frank Herbert
Viewed these as films, but I bet the books are better

If you watched "Dune" without having read the books, it is amazing that you had any idea what was going on. There are a lot of other Dune books, many written by Frank Herbert, and many by his son. The original trilogy is in my opinion, as good as sci fi gets.

Original_Intent wrote: The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind (they did get a bit racy for my taste but overall great books)
Sounds familiar, wonder if I've read these, hmmmm

The first book is "Wizard's First Rule" - it's a pretty good read but gets a bit racy at times. Also it did seem like there are a TON of similarities between the Sword of Truth series and The Wheel of Time.

Have you read Anne Bishop's Ephemera series? Really liked the 1st book "Sebastian", have yet to read the following 2. They might be a bit risqué though, it's been some years since I read "Sebastian", so it's hard to recollect, all I remember is enjoying it at the time.

I haven't heard of them. There are seriously probably a thousand books on my "I'd love to read them when and if I find the time" list. Hugh Nibley joked in his 90's that he spent his life collecting all of his books, and now had no time left to read them! - I can relate!

Thanks

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 2:38 pm**

Historical: A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman, initially because I also love medieval history. She is such an excellent author that I later read everything she wrote.
I also enjoyed Iris Chang The Chinese In America as well as The Last Emperor (I don't recall the author). I'm a big history buff, so there are dozens of books I have enjoyed.
Fiction: Isaac Asimov is one of my favorite authors as well, but in light of my fascination with mediaeval history, I loved his Foundation series. I admit to a sci-fi streak. I have also very much enjoyed a number of books by Orson Scott Card. My very favorite was the Alvin Maker series, but Saints was a powerful look at Joseph Smith and polygamy that changed my view completely.
I'm currently working my way through Hugh Nibley's collection. His insights are very powerful as well. I have learned a great deal about the gospel through his works.
Thanks for the suggestions! I love reading and will be making a list of many of these suggestions for my next library run.

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 3:30 pm**

Darn, there's something wrong with my quoting, so my replies are in blue.

[quote="passionflower" ]Leo Tolstoy ( non fiction ) particularly Anna Karenina )[/quote]

That is a work of true genius and complex motifs, yet I feel so miserable and depressed after it's finished that it results in my finding it hard to be a favorite. I do find Leo Tolstoy a remarkable man with a captivating personal and family life.

I sincerely believe Hugo was inspired by God when he wrote "Les Miserables". Forgiveness, self-sacrifice, courage, grace, revenge, manipulation, devious and conniving behavior, treatment of the poor and homeless, and redemption are just a few of the several important themes of life contained therein.

[quote="passionflower" ]James Talmage (religious) Jesus the Christ[/quote]

Definitely heard high praise for this book. It will go on my "to read" list...which is growing at an alarming pace!

[quote="passionflower" ]William Shakespeare (theatre) particularly "Macbeth" [/quote]

His works are exceptional, but some of the language and societal/cultural norms of his day can be confusing, so it helps to have discussions and guides. "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Taming of the Shrew" are my picks.

Shakespeare's life and the man himself are quite interesting to learn about. Among the tidbits, he was an important tool of propaganda for the Tudor State...funny how the more things change the more they stay the same, haha. Apparently, "History of Richard III" by Thomas More was heavily relied upon to produce his play "Richard III". Personally, I haven't decided if Richard III was a monster as the previous 2 works suggest or if he was a paragon as the Richard III Society believes. In all likelihood, he was a product of his time and neither hero nor villain. Did you see that his remains were found in a Leicester car park (or as we would say, parking lot) in 2012?! How riveting!

[quote="passionflower" ]Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (poetry) particularly "Evangeline" [/quote]

I remember having to memorize and recite "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" in school. I was petrified of public speaking during that particular period of my life so I had a difficult time getting it out. Ah, wonderful childhood memories. Lol. I appreciate "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost

[quote="passionflower" ]And my brothers' book, which can be found selling online which is a haunted house story ( family history)[/quote]

Oh yes, I think there was a mention of this on another thread...what's the title?

[quote="passionflower" ]And right now, I am reading an encyclopedia on the Middle Ages. Previous to this I read a book on the Magna Carta, and after finishing this, I will be reading a book on the Templars, and another about life in the Middle Ages in general. So, yeah WCITFP, I am on your subject right now, and would love to learn anything more I can about it.[/quote]

Did you see on the news recently that the original copy of the Magna Carta was found in a scrapbook in Kent, England?

Utterly absorbing to discover the history of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, especially the kings and queens of England, including Richard I (the Lionheart) and the great Plantagenet English kings from King Henry II (1154-1189) and his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204)...to King Edward III (1327-1377) and then the Medieval kings and queens of the royal houses of Lancaster and York and the ensuing Wars of the Roses, followed by the Renaissance era ruled by the Tudor dynasty. Of course, history is written by the victors, so I suppose there's only so much "truth" we can learn about this and many other time periods.

The Knights Templar are an intriguing study.

[quote="passionflower" ]I have a whole library, and I love all my books( or they would not be there). My books are friendly and are very good company. A great thinker will share his creative genius, or innermost thoughts with me anytime I bring him down from the shelf. What luxury![/quote]

Truer words have never been said

I knew you would have many jewels to share, passionflower...Thank you!

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 4:05 pm**

Desert Roses wrote:... I have also very much enjoyed a number of books by Orson Scott Card. My very favorite was the Alvin Maker series,...
...I'm currently working my way through Hugh Nibley's collection. His insights are very powerful as well. I have learned a great deal about the gospel through his works.

Of course, how could I have overlooked Orson Scott Card - agree with Desert Roses completely, The Alvin Maker series was a great read and also some of the "Ender" books were great, including most of the "Shadow" books.

And I am also reading a lot of Nibley lately, and loving it. I do not have his entire collected works (I have three or four of the volumes from it, and pick up ones I come across at yard sales, DI, etc.) I think it is great to read some Skousen and then some Nibley - they had such widely different views and yet both are very scholarly and kind of provide two different views of Zion.

Posted: **February 18th, 2015, 6:45 pm**

Desert Roses wrote:Historical: A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman, initially because I also love medieval history. She is such an excellent author that I later read everything she wrote.

Fabulous...another medieval buff! I could discuss this subject for ages (The Middle Ages...har har!) Sorry, bad pun. Thanks for the recommendation, looks like I'll have enough reading material for months to come!

Another favorite writer is Margaret George. Especially liked "The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers", "Elizabeth I: A Novel", "Mary Queen of Scotland and The Isles", and "The Memoirs of Cleopatra". She also authored "Mary Called Magdalene" which I haven't read, but am curious about.

Desert Roses wrote:I also enjoyed Iris Chang The Chinese In America as well as The Last Emperor (I don't recall the author). I'm a big history buff, so there are dozens of books I have enjoyed.

Have done some reading on the relationships between Chinese mothers and daughters, but it was some time ago. It may have been Amy Tan. I do remember liking them immensely. I feel it is tremendously important to learn about other cultures and people because it allows us to understand others and see how we are all God's children, just in different parts of the world with varying beliefs, customs, and traditions. Hope this doesn't come across as sanctimonious.

Desert Roses wrote:Saints was a powerful look at Joseph Smith and polygamy that changed my view completely.

Oh, interesting! Polygamy is an endlessly gripping subject which seems to lead into many endless battles. Will have to check out that book

Desert Roses wrote:I'm currently working my way through Hugh Nibley's collection. His insights are very powerful as well. I have learned a great deal about the gospel through his works.

Have heard so much about him, but not too familiar with his literary efforts. More to add to my list!

Desert Roses wrote:Thanks for the suggestions! I love reading and will be making a list of many of these suggestions for my next library run.

Thanks to you as well!

Has anyone here read "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel? It's a historical novel set in the period from 1500 to 1535, "Wolf Hall" is a fictionalized biography documenting the rapid rise to power of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII. The first in a trilogy.

Been watching the BBC Two produced TV series over the past month and have really been taken with it, so now I'm wondering how the books compare and contrast with what I've viewed.

Posted: **February 19th, 2015, 3:11 pm**

-delete-

Posted: **February 19th, 2015, 3:21 pm**

Oh, that reminds me. I did read Tolstoy's War And Peace. I read the first two books. I couldn't take it anymore. BOOOOOOORRRIIIIIIIIING! @-) @-) @-)

Posted: **February 19th, 2015, 4:16 pm**

I greatly enjoyed the first half or so of "the wheel of time". However, I grew extremely bored and disgusted around book 8 and stopped reading. Gravy train indeed. When robert jordan died before the series was done, I felt like I had lucked out in bailing out early. But when the series was finished, I slogged through to the end, and though there were some rewarding moments it mostly felt like work. I would steer you away from it.

When Brandon sanderson took over the series, he did a fine job really; but i just hated the last book. Battle, battle, battle, battle, battle, battle, win, bye. Very little reward.

I would recommend mistborn by brandon sanderson, far more. And elantriss

LOVE Edith grossmans don quixote, read by george guidall. Genius. Halrious. Educational. Nothing like any modern adaptations.

Posted: **February 19th, 2015, 4:42 pm**

Posted: **February 19th, 2015, 4:44 pm**

WhereCanITurn4Peace wrote:
coachmarc wrote:Autobiography-Haven't read one. Maybe I have, but in high school-decades ago. I do have a biography called Joseph Smith-Rough Stone Rolling, which I look forward to finishing.

I've heard of this book, although I don't know much about it. Are you in far enough to have an opinion or would you rather wait until you've finished to give a judgment?

I've only read the first 16 pages, but it's already blown me away. You just can't beat this for the price. I highly recommend it.

coachmarc wrote:Self Help-How to Win Friends and Influence People. Sounds manipulative, but it is well done and teaches interpersonal relationship skill.

Yes, "HtWFaIP" is a book I recognize as well, but haven't perused. That could be an interesting read...relationship (romantic, familial, etc), introspection, and communication manuals are almost always engrossing to me.

coachmarc wrote:General fiction-1984 by Orwell. Everyone should read it. Period.

Again, a novel I'm aware of...this has something to do with government being "big brother", right?

Yup!

coachmarc wrote:Religious-The Second Comforter by some guy
-Come, Let Us Adore Him by some dude
LOL! Cheeky

Posted: **February 19th, 2015, 7:00 pm**

coachmarc wrote:Oh, that reminds me. I did read Tolstoy's War And Peace. I read the first two books. I couldn't take it anymore. BOOOOOOORRRIIIIIIIIING! @-) @-) @-)

-delete-

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