Reading Log 6

In And If You Play Golf, You're My Friend, Harvey Penick shares his extensive knowledge and infinite wisdom. Harvey's simple and down to earth views of golf portray the games majestic and mysterious qualities. The author teaches on terms that provide positive reinforcement for his patient. His life lessons cultivate and mystify the audience. Harvey nails in the idea of the responsibilities one has as a golfer. However, what separates Harvey from his peers is his never ending love for the game. His gentle love for his students is similar to the love a father deems to his son. Penick's immense passion and affection creates a sense of unconditional love for a sacred game.

Reading Log 5

After emerging myself back into Tuesdays with Morrie I find myself more and more intrigued by the message of the story. Morrie is filled with wisdom and knowledge that he has accumulated over his lifetime. It's as if he's a book just waiting to be read. Morrie drains every last drop of advice to his friend Mitch. If not for these lectures, Mitch would have led a life that is sub-par to his capabilities. I feel that wisdom can be achieved from the elderly in many situations. By the time we're on our deathbed, everyone has something to say about life. Tuesdays with Morrie is a book that captures this concept and leaves the readers re-accessing their lives.

Reading Log 4

I heard some good things about this book so I thought I'd give it a try. I found Tuesdays with Morrie to be an extremely touching story. The narrator, Mitch Alborn was Morrie's former student at Brandeis University. After having abandoned his dreams of becoming a famous musician, he pursues his desire for financial success and material wealth. Morrie was Mitch's favorite professor from Brandeis University. He was diagnosed with ALS, an incurable disease which ravages his body and leaves him intellectually lucid. As Morrie begins to degenerate one day at a time, he keeps his spirits soaring. Each Tuesday, Morrie teaches Mitch how to reassess his life, and to value love over money, and happiness over success.This book touches the reader deep down and really makes one question the fulfillment of their life

Notes 2 and 3

The Legend of Bagger Vance

In this sequence of The Legend of Bagger Vance, Will Smith plays a mysterious yet wise caddie for Matt Damon. After the great Walter Hagen sends his drive screaming down the fairway, Bobby Jones sets to tee off. Smith encourages Damon to study and analyze Jones' approach to his shot. Jones' relentless focus on his practice swing makes it seem as if he's "searching for something." The harmony of the swing clears his mind of the atmosphere around him, directing all focus to the next shot. As Jones delivers a powerful blow, his ball is flown through the sky and falls to the fairway. While Damon meanders to his ball, he conducts the same focus and attention to his "perfect shot." The surroundings seem to disintegrate from his view as the wind streams over the hills. The melodious music creates a solemn and majestic tone to the atmosphere. The world silences, awaiting the "perfect shot."   

A Step Forward

Tom Rinaldi's essay A Step Forward illustrates the excitement after Tiger Woods' latest victory. The desperation Woods had to win another tournament was unimaginable since he hadn't won in 923 days. Rinaldi stresses that in golf the importance lies on the "next". "The next swing, the next lie, the next read, the next stroke." The repetition of the phrase "the next" emphasizes a golfers need for a short term memory. Tiger's desperate yet confined expression leading up to victory hinted at his longing for the current moment. Woods' continuous ability to strike the accurate shot, eluded to the trust he had built into his swing. The beautiful spring Sunday symbolized what could be the resurrection of the greatest golfer ever lived.

Reading Log 3

The Hunger Games had an ending just as fast as its beginning. By the time I got to the homestretch on this book it was impossible to put it down. The action that the author is able to pack into each and every page astounds me. This was a novel that truly got my heart rate up due to the extensive imagery that made the readers feel like they were actually there. I felt having both Katniss and Peeta winning was a unique twist to the plot. I look forward to reading the next 2 books of this series. 

Reading Log 2

Since my last reading log post I've made some promising progress. I keep having that recurring issue with this book, where I start reading and just can't seem to stop. The thrill and excitement that this story has is unmatched by any book I've previously read. I really appreciate the characterization in The Hunger Games. The imagery used to express both major and minor characters gave me a keen visual of each one of them. Descriptions such as "my long tangled braid fell at ease upon my shoulder," really created an image that I could hold on to for the course of the book. The author also had a unique way of building up a particular scene. Specifically in an action scene, through intense language you'd find your heart racing as you read line to line as if you were in the book. The story is able to consume the reader in this way.  Well I'm glad I'm reading this book and look forward to reading more of the series in the future.