Pet Sematary by Stephen King
1984/465pgs

Not as gripping the cold clawed hands of It. It doesn’t hold you close and whisper creepy tales like The Shining. Pet Sematary does something that none of the other King books made me do (so far)…say WTF and look up if he ever stated what happened after the end of the book.

This one tugs at your heart strings if you are a parent, the death of a child. King was inspired by a near death experience of his son and the “What If’s” built the background of Pet Sematary. King cleavery builds the story up with the daughter Eileen’s nightmares that really foreshadow events to come. Events for many pages build to what you are hoping to not happen in the great climb to the climatic moment. Gages (the son) actions don’t surprise the reader when you understand, this is King telling the story, so no holds barred baby!

However, the part that truly made the skin crawl was the end. The WTF moment that also shouldn’t shock anyone since, yes, this is King telling the story.

This isn’t as scary as It. However, what will tear at you and the fear that much of us have….Kings look at death with in the family.

Enjoy the coffee…

Lopaka

The European Union: Readings on the theory and practice of European integration by Nelson, B. F., & Stubb, A. (Eds.)
2014/403pgs

Another reading for my graduates degree. Yes, that’s three books for one class. This one was the roughest of the three. Although, the direction of it is interesting, it can be very very difficult to get through. It is simply about policies and views from leaders and other politicians on the good, bad, and ugly of the EU. Who liked it and who didn’t. Why does it seem like Germany and France really run things.

Also, after reading this, one truly gets a better understanding on why England never really joined the EU “all in”.

An interesting read when it comes to political theory, although, some of the articles chosen makes one reach for a razor blade screaming, please just conclude your theory and stop droning on!

Happy Reading,

Lopaka

Markets and Moral Regulation: Cultural Change in the European Union by Paulette Kurzer
2001/210pgs

Another class required reading, however, unlike many other textbooks, this one has a different view on what the EU has done for cultures. It examines how policies within the EU has change long held cultures or is possibility changing national identities within the next generations.

The author looks at the Drug policies in the Netherlands, the ban on abortion in Ireland, and the Alcohol identity of Nordic nations. It examines the before the EU policies, exemptions, and where the culture is moving today. It is very fascinating to see nations evolve with the creation of the EU.

If one is fascinated with how the EU has impacted a few cultures, this is an interesting read.

Happy Reading,

Lopaka

The European Union: Politics and Policies by Jonathan Olsen and John McCormick
2017/378pgs

How does the European Union work? How is the Bureaucracy crafted? What is the power of the Parliament? What power does the European Court of Justice truly have?

This is a text book that breaks down how the EU works. Also, a little of the history of the EU and how it was shaped to what it is today.

This was a required reading for my Graduate degree.

I would recommend if someone is very interested in how the EU works.

Happy Reading,

Lopaka

Carrie by Stephen King
1974/248pg

The book that started Kings reign over our fears. Although, it’s not scary today as it would have been, it’s still enjoyable to read. Not fear like “It”, more of makes your ass move in your chair when you think of treatment of others.

This is the infamous story of Carrie White and the two incidents that cause her to use her unknown but ungodly power to get revenge on those who laughed at her.

The method that Stephen King tells the story is through a narration and also reading reports, interviews, and even books excerpts from after the incident is already complete and still studied.

Grab a good cup of coffee and enjoy a good book!

Lopaka

Citizens’ Media Against Armed Conflict: Disrupting Violence In Columbia by Clemencia Rodriquez 2011/265pg (reading)

What a wonderful easy and sometimes inspiring read! Although not a fast paced book, this a breakdown of how media has greatly assisted Citizen populations in Columbia during the many years of Gorilla/Military/Paramilitary violence.

One chapter that truly made the hair on the back of my neck stand was Chapter 2 and the Communications Collective and how they inspired youth and adults to create programs for the radio of their own design. The lessons that many youth learned that is still talk about 10 years later is inspiring.

Another great story is how a teacher changed the boys from drawing penises in the girls bathrooms to writing love poems and forever altered how boys and girls interact and also communicate.

This is not a fast read, but very inspiring and shows how imagination, inspiration, and finally determination can change not only the spirit but the moral of society from the power of Media even in times for great conflict.

Although it was required read for my Graduates class, I would still recommend it because some of the stories are very inspiring.

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a novel!

Lopaka

The Pink Tide: Media Access and Political Power in Latin America edited by Lee Artz 2017/229pgs

This novel/text book is about the Pink Tide, or the Socialist Movement that was rolling over Latin America in the last 20 years and how Media access has assisted in the tides movement and how it still is attempting to keep the tide from going low and away.

Pink Tide, for reference is the Socialist Revolution that happened in Latin American from roughly 1990’s-2010’s. The main reason is Pink instead of Red is to show that they are not going to the Communists rule, however, most Socialist economics/Democratic political system.

If you are a Capitalist, this is not the book to read at all!

As with others in my Reading list, this is a required reading for my Graduate degree. Taking the socialist view with the grain of salt, it does have some wonderful examples on how Media and equal distribution can affect and should be focused for the betterment of society.

Lopaka

The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War by Gioconda Belli
2002/369pgs

An inspiring biography about the revolution in Nicaragua. From the rebellion against the dictatorship that reigned over the nation from 40 years to the final fall and take over of the government to the creation of the social programs within Nicaragua.

The story is told from the eyes of Goiconda who at the time was a young revolutionary who, like a modern day superhero, was during the day a loving wife and mother and at night a freedom fighter who kept the secret from her family until she couldn’t anymore. It moves from lover to lover as she goes through the challenges of her first husband who is a recluse and quiet man to the the lover that for her family was everything she wanted.

Also, it shows the revolution from another view that American’s who only got the story from the news that according to President Reagan was illegal and part of the evil communist world. However, the novel shows this from another angle that keeps the saying, there is always two sides to every story, true.

Another novel for my Graduate degree, it was a slow paced reading, not boring by any means, but not something that would grab a hold and keep you until it’s complete.

Lopaka