Summer Reading

One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2012 was to read more books this year.  I have always been a reader and whether it is a magazine article, or an internet news-story or a book, I try to spend sometime everyday reading.  Reading, in my opinion, is probably one of the most taken for granted skills we possess.  Look no further than my customers at the restaurant.  I have not done a formal count, but I would estimate that at least half are not going to read the menu, specials board, or any piece of written information I place in front of them.  I am sure when I go into work this evening I will be asked, "what looks good?" at least three times.  This phrase is a wide open door for my salesperson skills, yet it tells me that this customer cannot be bothered to use their eyes to find a description of something yum-tastic in print.  If you are that customer, do not be surprised when I sell you the most pricey items on our menu (filet, veal, something beefy-and you should know I am an animal loving vegetarian).  Reading will save you money (if that is your goal). 

Anyways, reading more books; that's where I was heading.  As the wife of someone who owns lots of books I have not read, I started there and have picked up some things I either found terribly entertaining, or learned some kernel of information I did not have before.  I also own a Nook and from time to time I find a title while shopping online that is too irresistible to pass up (if you are the loved one of a Nook owner, there are almost no better presents than Nook gift cards that can be used to purchase Nook books).

I started off my summer in the middle of Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer.  Half history, half criminal justice; the book tells the development of the Mormon faith in America (with a strong focus on the fanatical fundamentalist section) while telescoping on the story of a double homicide by fundamentalists  Ron and Dan Lafferty.  It is a fairly quick paced book and moves back and forth between the two focuses.  It is a worthwhile read especially at this point of time when Americans will be heading to polling places and possibly putting their votes toward a Mormon Presidential candidate.  I try to be aware of what is going on politically, but amidst the hate filled barbs each party throws at each other, and the hidden agendas driven by the candidates' high priced lobbyists, it is hard to get a true, clear picture.  In fact as voters at the bottom of the economic totem poll, we are probably not supposed to see the truth, but rather I think the candidates want us to vote using the emotions they have stirred up within us.  I find it sad that a story about a Christian faith and the political battle between two candidates who fervently defend their own Christian backgrounds are really both extreme struggles of power.  While strong positive leadership is a great thing, especially in a country where so many people depend on the decision making of leaders, power is the opposite of the message of Jesus Christ.  Wasn't Christ a strong leader through his weakness?  And in being more like Christ aren't we supposed to give up our own power and also take to the cross (be weak like Christ)?  Maybe perhaps this is why, at the biggest levels of government, we are seeing all this power and yet so few progress/results to help people.  I am sure there are no easy answers to fix what I see as a broken system drunk on its own power, but I have to believe there is something better than the hate filled struggle for power that preys on peoples' emotions rather than appealing to their rational ability to think.  This is why I read, because I am hopeful that when I learn more, I can be better for myself and better for others.  Maybe political leaders need to pick up more books.