Welcome to Litsy!

Second read and I have been reminded why I love this book so much. For someone who has lived in a communist regime, I resonate a lot with this book. In only a few pages, it encompasses the reality of collectivism and the wrong that there is in forbidding individual intellect and success. The lack of the self is the lack of freedom, and there is beauty on differences, whether it is physical, of thought, or achievement.

It was interesting to read Anthem right on the heels of 1984. I enjoyed Anthem more. It is certainly more optimistic. Some might argue unrealistic, but what do we have without hope?

Aight, so hold your fire; I know this author is...controversial, to say the least, and I‘m not some blind disciple, but I do find her endlessly fascinating and, like it or not, I actually did learn a couple things from her. So I wanted to revisit Anthem, a book I initially had to read in high school, and damn if it ain‘t pretty good. Say what you will about her, she could in fact write. Anyway, full review here:

https://youtu.be/Xruzmr1o0e8

Book 13

I just finished listening to another audiobook. I‘m counting this book for 1 reading challenge.

☑️Good Book, Bad Cover - #beatthebacklist

#Bookaday Book 8.
Yay or nay?

My physical bookshelves are overflowing and I want to Marie Kondo them a bit.
So, I‘m posting #abookaday of my “maybes” and I hope you can help me decide.
Have you read this book? Should I? ❤️ or a hard pass? Is it on your wish list? Let me know below.

#Maywrapup from most favorite 🙂 to least favorite 😞

This novella tells the story of Equality 7-2521, a young man living in a collectivist society in a dystopian future. One day he finds a artifact from the past which changes his life.

My copy of this book also contained the marked-up 1938 first copy of the book, which was interesting to read bits of and compare to the 1946 version. Rand re-wrote Anthem for its 1946 American release.

A good friend of mine recommended this book a few weeks ago, and since I loved “Atlas Shrugged” (by the same author) I knew I should give this one a try. And honestly, this has become one of my favorite books of all time. It‘s about finding identity, individuality, and freedom in a dystopian dark age.

#FallFinds #Freethinker
@Eggs

Loved it!!! Totally different from what I read, but it was excellent! Lessons learned from this read. This was also my first read by Ayn Rand.

We totally loved it. 👀 It took a little adjusting to follow the “we” language but ultimately it‘s a story advocating for capitalism as the story is built around a socialist structure...I appreciate this classic story and can‘t wait to read her others. stories!

The world is interesting and the main character, Equality 7-2521, is equally interesting. I love the way he paints the world and his discontent with it and the path his discontent takes him on. In a world where you cannot make your own decisions or be your own person, what happens when disagree with your path?
Picked this one up for #readharder, a sci-fi novella.

Awkward to read but an effective use of prose. Relevant today as it was when written

Current read

I read this graphic novel adaptation of Anthem for the graphic novel prompt in #booked2019. I really enjoyed this rendition and the artwork. It really illustrates the message and kept with the original story. I recommend this if you enjoyed the book! #graphicnovel

A small book with a big message; amazing how literature can capture concepts that are still prevalent and relevant a century later.

Anthem was one of my favorite books growing up. It‘s a dystopian SF novel that focuses around a character who‘s “different” than the rest of his society. I would highly recommend this book as a guided reading because some parts are hard to understand based off of the pronouns the characters use- everyone is we or us because there is no individuality in the society. Using ESOL 13 with students would help with comprehension before and after reading.

This was the second audiobook listened to on today‘s long trek across #Pennsylvania and back. Sometimes short books are more satisfying. Amirite? 😁

My first time reading Ayn Rand! I picked the smallest of her masterpieces, but I think it was an excellent introduction. I highly enjoyed this book. It's your typical dystopian novel, but it was the first of its kind, I believe. It's beautifully written, I loved Rand's prose. It was so well thought out and precise. Rand tends to be a controversial author but I think her works can produce some insightful discourse whether it be good or bad. 4/5 ***

re-reading an old favorite. I try and read at least 30 minutes every night and my goal for the summer is 20+ books.

I really liked it. I love the dystopian genre, and this is classic dystopian. Emphasizes the corrupting influence of power and how any philosophy, taken to extremes, is dangerous and destructive. This book focuses on a futuristic nightmare of a collective society where the individual does not exist outside of the needs of the group. The protagonist‘s journey leads him on a voyage of self-discovery; he discovers the concept of “I.”

I haven't been doing nearly as much reading lately, and I blame this guy. :P I think I've spent more time outside in the last few weeks than I did in the last 6 months! #dogsoflitsy #poodle #rocketman #mrfloof

Ayn Rand is trash. Not worth reading.

This was a great dystopian classic! I really enjoyed getting to know the MC and watching him change and grow.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

These are the first and last books on my bookshelf. #24in48

A reminder that you owe the world nothing, you are not required to do a damn thing. We choose to because we want to, and that is wonderful but don't ever let anyone back you into a corner. #myowntwocents

A favorite read this year! The Anthem takes place in a society where everyone is a We, instead of an I. When one citizen starts to question what he has been told he begins to ask the definition of individuality and humanity. Ayn Rand tells this story with power and purpose, I was blown away by how fitting this message is for our current society. You are one person, and is enough to change our entire reality. Humanities flaws are every changing. 💡

Familiar themes. Presented simply.

Bureaucracy in a nutshell 🤣

Decided to give Ayn Rand another chance after failing to finish Fountainhead three times. #serialreader

I am on this novella short story kick. Can‘t remember where or when but was told to read this once upon a time.

So I enjoyed the tone the book set from the beginning.
I enjoyed the descriptions of daily monotonous life that Prometheus describes. The fact that this was written more than 50 years ago blows my mind. It feels so relevant and like a current best seller. 9 stars
#immigrantreads

Oh Ayn Rand... I bet she was fun at parties.
So this story wasn't terrible but it really illustrated Rand's philosophy. I've read worse! #TeamEgo

My afternoon painting project for the Halloween party at school & I decided to listen to some uplifting Ayn Rand while basking in the sun. I think my subconscious is being affected by the skeletons on the tree... lol, it will resemble a Tim Burton creation by the time I'm done, hopefully!
#NightmareBeforeChristmas

• finished part 4; ready to see where this is leading •

#classics #aynrand #literature #currentlyreading #SerialReader #apps #digitalreads

I'm not positive that this book was banned but it was the first thing that popped in my head when I thought about this tag. I read it in high school and aging a few years later and loved it both times.
#bannedbooklove #backtoreading
@JoeStalksBeck @Tiffy_Reads

A brilliant, philosophical story about a future world where "I" does not exist. We are one, and individuality is a sin. Reminiscent of Yevgeny Zamtatin's "We," "Anthem" is a quick but powerful read. Check out my full review here: https://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/anthem-book-review/.
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#aynrand #anthem #classics #philosophy #dystopian

A unique dystopian novella focusing on the power of I, or individual freedom and personal satisfaction.

It gives a distinct perspective of focusing on one's own self and avoiding the constraints of collectivism.

We, Equality 7-2521, were not happy in those year in the Home of the Students. It was not that the learning was too hard for us. It was that the learning was too easy. This is a great sin, to be born with a head which is too quick. It is not good to be different from our brothers, but it is evil to be superior to them. The Teachers told us so, and they frowned when they looked at us.

But what is freedom? Freedom from what? There is nothing to take a man's freedom away from him, save other men. To be free, a man must be free of his brothers. That is freedom. That and nothing else.

I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them. I ask none to live for me, nor do I live for any others. I covet no man's soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet.

I am neither foe nor friend to my brothers, but such as each of them shall deserve of me. And to earn my love, my brothers must do more than to have been born. I do not grand my love without reason, nor to any chance passer-by who may wish to claim it.

What is my joy if all hands, even the unclean, can reach into it? What is my wisdom, if even the fools can dictate to me? What is my freedom, if all creatures, even the botched and impotent, are my masters? What is my life, if I am but to bow, to agree and to obey?

My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose.

At first, man was enslaved by the gods. But he broke their chains. Then he was enslaved by the kings. But he broke their chains. He was enslaved by his birth, by his kin, by his race. But he broke their chains. He declared to all his brothers that a man has rights which neither god nor king nor other men can take away from him, no matter what their number, for his is the right of man, and there is no right on earth above this right.

#retrocoverfun #riotgrams #day27

When "We" takes over and "I" no longer exists. #ruletheworld #junetunz

Just read this in one sitting. The writing is amazing and the allegories and references to other literary works and political ideologies is amazing!

Haven't read any of her books yet, but if this is the attitud, l think l should really seeks her out.

Anyone read anything of hers?