Watership Down by Richard Adams

In 1939, MGM released a somber cartoon titled Peace on Earth. The title, based on the Christmas song of the same name, tells a despairing story of the categorical annihilation of mankind.

The song lyrics incorporate the words "Good will to men," which leads to the history of humans as told by a grandfather squirrel to his grandchildren.  He reveals the insanity of  men's desire to slaughter each other until there isn't a single human left breathing.

Watership Down tells the story of a group of rabbits wanting to live in a free society as far away from their former cruel leaders, yet the beings they despise with absolute disrespect are homo sapiens.
The book reveals that animals believe humans have a lack of regard for each other and the earth, which is revealed in the following quote.

In both the cartoon and book, human's destructive nature will end life and our nature will never change. War and murder are still prevalent on our earth, and men still look for elaborate ways to kill others who disagree with the ideas they possess,or for greed and enjoyment, but unlike the rabbits and squirrels, I still have hope that mankind may one day shed its malignant skin and respect and appreciate the differences that create humanity.

“Men will never rest till they've spoiled the earth and destroyed the animals.” 
― Richard Adams, Watership Down

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

The story of insurgents fighting to eradicate oppressive overlords is as old as time, and many people may neglect fictitious stories since their lives are lived under insane, evil regimes today.

Governments are taking control of our personal freedoms at an alarming rate with sophisticated technology and "big brother" watching every word and action we take. Hopefully, one day the human race will defeat their love of power and greed, and the world will genuinely be free.

An Ember in the Ashes tells a story about a dystopian society controlled by the government, where everyone lives in fear. Most are too afraid to fight, and this is a book about those who are ready to give their life to end the tyranny.

I found a great quote in the story and think of all the dreams we could accomplish if fear didn't interfere.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“Fear is only your enemy if you allow it to be. Too much fear and you're paralyzed. Too little fear and you're arrogant.” 
― Sabaa Tahir, An Ember in the Ashes

After You by Jojo Moyes

"After You" is the second book in the series called "Me Before You" (a rather selfish title of the first book).
The following quote is part of the philosophy which holds the theory that the "fake it until you make it" attitude allocates a happier life to the discerning mind.
Whether this premise holds true or proves ineffective is a debatable question, which individuals must discern for themselves.
Should positive thinking triumph over negative thoughts if those thoughts present the truth?

Please let me know what your "thoughts" are after reading, and what you thought of the book.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“Sometimes the illusion of happiness could inadvertently create it.” 
― Jojo Moyes, After You

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale is a book that I would normally contemplate reading and promptly proceed to move on, yet the reviews on Goodreads (my favorite book site) are outstanding. Normally, if a rating on that site is a 3.7 or up, the author should feel extremely blessed, yet this book received a 4.53 which is exceptional.

The setting of the story is WW2 in France and there appears to be love in the air, perhaps with the enemy. Romance books are a dime a dozen and the same could be said for books set in wartime, so the writing must appear remarkable beyond expectations.
Perhaps one day, when I can afford a few extra dollars, I will buy the book on my Kindle and uncover why the rating is notably higher.

I agree with this quote and hopefully, most people are in harmony with the message it imparts.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“But love has to be stronger than hate, or there is no future for us.” 
― Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

As I sat in the dark theater, watching World War Z, my thoughts centered around the excellent book of the same name, and that story wasn't appearing on the big screen.

Though I still loved the film, I wanted a movie that originated from the mind of Max Brooks, and hopefully, the next WWZ will correspond to the book in a greater degree.

There are many quotes from the book that are worth looking at. The following contain thoughts on lies, fears, monsters and human nature and more. Human beings show their true nature in a crisis, and what better crisis than a zombie apocalypse to push these qualities into the spotlight..

Please let me know what you thought of the book and the quotes.

Original link to pictures can be found by clicking on pics.

“Lies are neither bad nor good. Like a fire they can either keep you warm or burn you to death, depending on how they're used.” 
― Max Brooks, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

“I think that most people would rather face the light of a real enemy than the darkness of their imagined fears.” 
― Max Brooks, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

“The monsters that rose from the dead, they are nothing compared to the ones we carry in our hearts” 
― Max Brooks, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

I've contemplated the reaction of Ms. Hawkins on reading the reviews stating "The Girl on the Train" is the new Gone Girl --did she feel elated at the comparison to a best seller, or sad that comparisons were inevitable.  

I assume only the people closest to the author will know her thoughts on the matter, but she should feel proud that her book was on the New York Best Seller list and will also entertain in theaters this October.

I cheated by going to Wikipedia and reading the detailed synopsis of the story, and though there is an interesting premise, I'm not positive if I can gather enough enthusiasm to sit through the reading, though I found a quote that deserves a look at. 

I agree with these words since it's not the holes that bring you down, but how you create a life that can fill in the gaps or at least maintain them. 

Please comment on the following quote, and also let me know what you thought of the book. 

Clicking on the picture will link to the original source without the words.

“The holes in your life are permanent. You have to grow around them, like tree roots around concrete; you mould yourself through the gaps.”    ― Paula Hawkins