The Secret of the Old Mill, by Franklin W. Dixon

A traditional detective and adventure story for young boy.

Published by Grosset & Dunlap.

The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck

A great book!

It is mainly about spiritual growth, and has numerous insights through the entire book.

Section II is particularly interesting, which discusses the relationship of cathexis, falling in love, love, ego boundary, and spiritual growth. My personal experience in recent years can support this theory.

The discussion of unconsciousness and original sin of laziness in Section IV are equally interesting. A friend once pointed out to me during our after-dinner stroll that resisting/denying/rejecting/suppressing/isolating the instinct and animal side of human nature (which I do not like) will cause big harm later, and this section explains why. My two world model does not reject the external world, but allows the impact from the external world to go/pass through the inner world. However, I still isolate the two worlds and recognize their opposing forces. Basically "you dislike human being" as he pointed out. Will this be an issue? This book challenges me to think about it.

Peck has a different perspective of what is religion, This is a topic that I have been interested in but feeling confused for a long time. I think Peck's definition makes most sense. Buddhism or Christian, they are just different tools (appropriate for some people) to achieve spiritual growth. 

Peck also points out that the end of the spiritual growth is with the God. To this, I have a similar but vague feeling.

If you happen to read this review, I hope you will pick up a copy of the book, read at least Section II. Be open, and examine yourself. I believe most people will benefit from the book.

I will definitely read the book again, again and again.

ISBN 0671240862. Simon & Schuster, 1978.

唐宋词欣赏 夏承焘

收集了39篇夏承焘面向一般读者写的唐宋词欣赏方面的小文，原是陆续发表在多个报刊上的。所以本身不成体系。尤其是词的选择上，非常随意。

前几篇介绍词的发展历史和演变，主干选择了一些词讲解，以豪放词为主。辛弃疾词的比例非常高。最后几篇介绍词创作方面的知识，比较特别。

优点是夏承焘有深厚的词学知识，有自己的见解和视角，所以读来有收获。其中有几首词的讲解特别精彩，比如温庭筠的《梳洗罢》。缺点是很多解释有隔物瘙痒之感。

ISBN 9787200084436。北京出版社。2011年。

古书之美 安妮宝贝, 韦力

分三部分。第一部分是安妮宝贝对藏书家韦力的采访录，第二部分和第三部分是韦力介绍藏书的基本知识，以及他的一些藏书。
 
其实应该是韦力的作品。绝大部分的话语和文字出自韦力。安妮宝贝的提问没有出彩的地方，换别人采访，可能更好。偶尔安妮宝贝也会抒情一下，是一种酸酸的小资文。

韦力是一个读了很多书，对人生，对社会，对很多问题有自己思考，有自己看法的人。内心丰富，沉稳、内敛。听这样一个人说话，读这样一个人的文字，是一种享受。

韦力对儒家思想很推崇。我虽然对儒家思想不太了解，但是不喜欢，甚至反感它。也许在孔子时代有它的意义，但是我觉得它本质上是虚伪的，不讲人性。觉得孔子就是一个虚伪的人。看到柏杨在“中国人史纲”上大骂儒家思想，很痛快。


佩服韦力对藏书的执着。但是他似乎执念颇深。也许应该体会佛家思想，学会放下。


新星出版社。2013年1月1日。ISBN: 9787513305853。