Promise Not To Tell

Promise Not To Tell
Jennifer McMahon

Pg 1....."My name is Kate Cypher and I am fourty-one years old.

I killed someone tonight."

Those are the first words in this book. It sucked me in and I was literally devoured. I loved this book. I couldn't put it down, all in all I think it took me about four days to read all 250 pages. Its a different type of book, an actual ghost story. Most of the book the author toyed with you making you think there were ghosts everywhere. I didn't mind this, standing on the brink of fear stance, however I was a bit disappointed that an actual ghost did make an appearance later in the book. oh well, you can't win all the time every time. I wish the author could have solved the mystery in this book without it, but all in all it didn't disrupt the fact that I was swept away. Speaking of mysteries, I was totally amazed that I made it more than 80 percent of the way through this book without knowing "who-dunn-it". I think that was pretty amazing considering this was a book and not an episode of CSI. I think authors are apt to dispell too much early on in an effort to keep you interested but really they spoil things all to early. Jennifer Macon did no such thing.

East of Eden

East of Eden
John Steinbeck

Pg 1...."Salinas was surrounded by and penetrated with swamps with tule filled ponds and every pond spawned thousands of frogs. With the evening the air was so full of their song that it was a kind of roaring silence. It was a veil, a background and its sudden disappearance, as after a clap of thunder was a shocking thing. It is possible that if in the night the frog sound should have stopped, everyone in Salinas would have wakened feeling that there was a great noise. In their millions the frog songs seemed to have a beat and a cadence and perhaps it is the ears' function to do this just as it is they eyes business to make stars twinkle."

Pg...268 "I think this is the best known story in the world because it is every body's story. I think it is the symbol story of the human soul. I am feeling my way now - don't jump on me if I'm not clear. The greatest terror a child can have is that he is not loved, and rejection is the hell he fears"

This was my first attempt at a literary classic. I was sceptical. I thought back to my 'Of Mice and Men' days in high school and wasn't sure if I wanted to do this, but I did. I am so happy I did. I loved this book. I rank in among my all time favorites. I think the effectual pull of this book it that it was written so long ago but is equally relevant today. I was drawn into the dysfunction of the family amazed that things that happen now had happened then. I guess I look back in time and imagine an idyllic past that was perfect and crisp and clean. What 'East of Eden' spelled out is that human drama is common through out the ages. I was pleasantly surprised. From the first page of this book I was sucked in. I highly recommend it!!!!!!

Night

Night
Elie Wiesel

Pg 32....."Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget the little faces of children, whose bodies I saw turn into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky.

Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever.

Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments which murdered God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God himself. Never."

Pg 109.... One day I was able to get up after gathering all my strength. I wanted to see myself in the mirror hanging on the opposite wall. I had not seen myself since the ghetto.

From the depths of the mirror a corpse gazed back at me.

The look in his eyes as they stared into mine has never left me."

'Night' is a book that is hauntingly sad. Its not poetic or polished up, it 100% real honest truth about the Holocaust. Its hard to imagine wanting to read this book, but its necessary. It is a very small book, and an easy quick read. You could probably read it in one sitting but for me its too intense. It took me three days, sometimes crying my eyes out. So why would you want to read it? To remember. To know. I highly recommend this book. I am not sure if there is ever a good time to read it. You just have to.

Where or When

I have always kept a diary per say of all the books I have read. I thought to switch from the paper sort to a web-log. I will go back at some point and re-list all the others I have read, but for now this is a new beginning and I just finished a book. So here it is......

Where or When
Anita Shreve

This book was about reuniting with your first love. Unfortunatly in the context of an adulterous realationship throwing caution and your kids to the wind. Needless to say I did not like this book at all. It was too sexual for a good piece of literature. Had I wanted what was in this book I would have went for a harlequine romance. The story was not good. I just don't really know why you would want to read this book??? Unfortuatly I did, but I don't know why.....