2021 Reading: Almost a Psychopath

 #3 A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover

This book was really very interesting to read. It read very much like a text book and I suppose that makes sense since it was written by two people from Harvard Medical School. It was very easy to follow (for a layman) and I learned some new things along with being reminded of some things that I had already learned in the past when I have studied (albeit on my own) psychopathy and sociopathy.

2021 Reading: Kissing Doorknobs

I read this book once when I was in middle school, I think. I remember that my friend Willow recommended it to me and I remember being so wowed by it. This book and the subject matter stuck with me for such a long time and I don't think I ever read a book that quite took on the subject matter of OCD like this until Turtles All the Way Down by John Green.

I don't know what reminded me of this book, I just know that it came up in conversation while I was talking with a coworker and I wanted to reread it so badly that I had to inter-library loan it from somewhere else because we didn't have a copy at our library. It's so heartbreaking but also hopeful and eye opening especially when you remember that it was written so long ago that the concept of having a name and proper diagnosis for OCD was still uncommon and the fact that it made such an impact for me after all this time really speaks highly.

2021 Reading: The Odd Sisters

 #48 A book from your TBR list chosen at random

I am determined to finish this book series this year. I love it so much so far. This book was just a tad confusing, I must admit. There were twists in here that I was not counting on and so much was revealed that it's going to take some getting used to in order for it all to make sense in my head. SO MUCH HAPPENED IN ONE TINY BOOK! I honestly don't know how it is going to go on from here or how they are going to resolve it. Or if they even can. I know the next book is about Cruella DeVille, but is there even magic in her story? How will it tie in with the rest of them? What will become of Circe and the triplets? I am so confused and yet so ready for more that I have no idea what is going through my head at any given moment when I think about these books anymore.

Can't wait!

2021 Reading: Not My Father's Son

 #4 A book by an author who shares your zodiac sign

I love Alan Cumming as an actor but I had no idea the trauma that he went through growing up. He seems like such a happy individual (and he is) that hearing the things from his past just breaks my heart and makes me grateful for my own childhood. I'm also glad that he was able to overcome it and go on to live his life and do what he wanted to do. Like I said, I'm a big fan and I hope he plans to do more in the coming years.

2021 Reading: Different Seasons

 #23 A book set somewhere you’d like to visit in 2021

I know at some point I attempted to read 'Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption' but I don't think I ever read any of the other stories, so I figured this would be a good time to dive into this book as a whole. And since there will be no traveling at all this year, why not indulge in a fun fantasy that I will visit Maine one day and pretend that I am in a Stephen King novel.

It amazes me how the film writers turned Shawshank Redemption from this short story into a movie. I guess I can say that about most of the stories. I'm always amazed at things like that. I've never seen the movie for 'Apt Pupil' but I'm sure that it is just as good as the others.

2021 Reading: Of Human Bondage

 #41 The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list

Surprisingly, I have owned this book as well as the movie adaptation starring Bette Davis for THE LONGEST time, but have never once picked either up until this year. Now that I am done with the book, I plan to watch the movie as well and then I can scratch both off of the list.

There was a particular passage in this book near the beginning that really struck me and I knew that I needed to get it down so that I remembered it.

"[...]It is an illusion that youth is happy, an illusion of those who have lost

it; but the youth know they are wretched, for they are full of the truthless

ideals which have been instilled into them, and each time they come in

contact with the real they are bruised and wounded. It looks as if they

were victims of a conspiracy; for the books they read, ideal by the ne-

cessity of selection, and the conversation of their elders, who look back

upon the past through a rosy haze of forgetfulness, prepare them for an

unreal life. They must discover for themselves that all they have read

and all they have been told are lies, lies, lies; and each discovery is another

nail driven into the body on the cross of life." (pg. 106)

I also kept thinking about the Persian carpet that Cronshaw gave to Philip in Paris and said that it held the answer to the meaning of life but it he had to figure it out for himself otherwise the answer would be meaningless. I wracked my brain about that for so long until I suddenly, and out loud, said "IT REALLY TIED THE ROOM TOGETHER" and then immediately face-palmed with my fist. *sigh*

Despite my wanting to smack the main character in the face for his constant indecision and lack of self preservation in the face of toxic women, I really enjoyed this book.