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Last month I read this really interesting book called  Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan. I really enjoyed it, even though I'm not a huge fan of science fiction. The story takes place in the future at a time where the human body is easily replaceable. Basically human (the soul?) memory and life experiences are stored in computer chips. When people go to prison, they lose their physical bodies and are trapped more in an electronic type prison. When (if) they got released their chip could be planted into another body. They would be the same person, but in a different body. There was a market for bodies.... you could pay a lot of money and have yourself cloned to have a new shell waiting for you, or you could get someone else's shell.... it's just such an interesting concept. It definitely feels like the author was trying to push the idea that the electrical impulses in our brain can be contained and digitized. Has anyone ever pondered that idea? Would something like that be unethical? Do our ethics and moral even have a way to question that type of science? I really liked the fact that people could in fact die, but only if their computerized chip was destroyed (and even then, smart people had back up copies.....). Let's get a good discussion going on this topic, I'd like to hear what others think.

Out of all the books I somehow missed reading in High School and College, I am so glad I picked up this classic. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an excellent look at the lives of the wealthy class of the 1920's in the Long Island area of New York. The story is about Nick who moves to New York in order to learn about stocks and bonds. He doesn't live in an extremely extravagant home, but his eccentric neighbor, Mr. Gatsby does. Gatsby threw crazy parties every weekend and entertained many of the communities wealthy folk. However, we find out that his parties are really only a weak attempt at impressing a married woman he has a desire for. This book does an excellent job of showing how morally corrupt people can be not only because they have a lot of money but because they are selfish and do not do enough good things with their lives. In the end Gatsby dies and no one shows up to his funeral. How sad is that? I definitely want to read this book again. What do you all think of the Jordan and Daisy characters?

Reading Anthem by Ayn Rand gave me a very interesting viewpoint on  Communism and how bad it is for humans. Anthem was a short story but had such a big impact on me. I thought it was really cool how everything was written in third person to express the fact that there is no individuality within communism and that everything is done for 'we' and 'us' and 'them'. Everyone was placed in to certain jobs that they would be good at. No one was able to be creative or think for themselves. The cool part was at the end when the main characters escaped her voice changed from third person to first person to show that these people are now able to think for themselves and not as a hive mind. For some reason people think Communism is such a great idea because it provides for all people in the society no matter what their slot in life is. After reading Anthem I definitely had a strong dislike for communism and am glad I do not live in a communist environment.  Did this book have an impact like that on anyone else?

I have a ton of red raspberries growing in our garden. We harvested a quart and a half just today! NE1 have any good suggestions on what to make using raspberries fresh from the bush? We also have really nice smelling things like Lavender and Lemon Balm. I am thinking of making those into little sachets to give to friends and family. I think I will run up to the store today and find out the cost of doing that. It can't be TOO expensive. I think making things from the garden is a great way to make presents for people without spending too much time and money. I'm really interested in making lavender scented bath oils. Does anyone know any good websites or books I can look at to teach myself how to make those type of goods?