The eNotes Blog eNotes Best Books of2018

Best Books of2018 As the year comes to a close, its time for us to take a look at the past 12 months to see what we can learn for the next year. Around the office, we decided to share the best books we read in 2018 and why we think you should read them in 2019. Whether youre looking for a new piece of fiction, works of poetry, or thought-provoking nonfiction, we think youll enjoy adding a few of our favorite books to your 2019 to-read list. Image via Amazon.com The Martian by Andy Weir This past year, I fell into a sci-fi rabbit hole. I devoured countless books that playfully toy with ideas of humanity, push the limits of technology, and craft exciting adventures. But between the adventures of Old Man’s War and the tales of MaddAddam, one particular novel stood out above the rest. I’ll admit that I love fantastical, unrealistic sci-fi novels- but, surprisingly, one of the things I loved the most about The Martian was how uncomfortably realistic it was. I never expected to drink up pages upon pages of scientifically reasoned solutions to realistic problems that arose. And it’s impossible not to fall in love with the snappy, hilarious writing. The plot moves quickly, despite the fact that protagonist Watney does very little in the way of adventuring. It’s a simple story about a man using all his wits to survive, but don’t worry- the novel is packed with twists and turns, lovable characters, and more than enough moments to keep you a t the edge of your seat. I blew through this novel in about a week, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting, original sci-fi novel- especially if they’re tired of your run-of-the-mill â€Å"White Dude Fights Aliens† stories. - Kate, Marketing Coordinator Image via Amazon.com New and Collected Poems, 1952-1992  by Geoffrey Hill Geoffrey Hill’s New and Collected Poems, 1952-1992 is the best book of poetry I read this year- and contains a handful of the greatest poems I’ve ever read. This volume gathers Hill’s first five books, which together represent his strongest writing. For modern readers, Hill’s poems may appear to come from a distant, even ancient, world. Indeed, his work is steeped in the traditions of English poetry and history, drawing upon the masters of Renaissance verse and ignoring the latest vogues. However, Hill was a modernist, and so each of his poems bears the mark of an experimental mind at work. There is no context which renders his poems anything less than deeply strange and chilling. In Mercian Hymns, a personal exploration of Hills childhood in Mercia burrows down into a meditation on the landscape’s violent past. In â€Å"Funeral Music,† a sequence of elegiac sonnets about the Hundred Years’ War transforms into a haunting lament for the human condition. Unfortunately, Hill passed away in 2016. What remains is his work is perhaps the richest contribution to English poetry in the last century. In our age of glib political bluster and â€Å"Instagram poetry,† I can think of no better balm than Geoffrey Hill. - Zack, Associate Editor Image via Amazon.com The Story of Philosophy  by Will Durant My current obsession is authors Will and Ariel Durant, two of this century’s most prolific historians and pure joys to read. This year I read The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant, a work which reminds me that the past is not so unlike the present and that the problems of humanity now are the same problems humanity has always faced. The Story of  Philosophy tells the story of fifteen Western philosophers, from Plato to Dewey, explaining the ideas of each through the lenses of their personal experiences and cultures. Of each, my favorite is Spinoza, a Jewish philosopher who envisioned a god beyond that of his youth. For that, he and his progeny were literally cursed by his peers and his people, forcing him, as an exile, to seek refuge among the Dutch. While I disagree with Spinozas metaphysics, Durant so masterfully presents a paramount human that I cannot but fall in love with his ethos: tolerance and benevolence that leaves humans free to express convictions peacefully. Th e Story of  Philosophy stimulates the mind with both rich ideas and eloquent prose as it brings great ideas and great thinkers to the layman. It has earned its place well on my list of favorite books. - Nicholas, Senior Developer Image via HarperCollins Why Poetry  by Matthew Zapruder One of the best books I read this year was Matthew Zapruders Why Poetry. As a poet, I found this an invaluable resource for helping me continue to define my own idea of what poetry is- but I think theres something here, too, for people who have been scared away from poetry by the way its often taught: as some kind of code, something that â€Å"means† another thing that we have to excavate. Zapruder takes care to dismantle this common notion; instead, he speaks to reading poems as an experience that creates a certain â€Å"poetic state of mind†: a â€Å"dreamlike, associative† awareness that is, at heart, a means of somehow communicating what cant quite be said. â€Å"A poem is like a person,† he writes, â€Å"The more you know someone, the more you realize there is always something more to know and understand. . . . This is why we come back to certain poems, as we do to places or people, to experience and reexperience, to see ourselves for who we truly ar e, and to continue to be changed.† - Emma, Editorial Intern Image via Amazon.com The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison In her 2014 collection, The Empathy Exams, Leslie Jamison explores and advocates for the practice of empathy through essays ranging from unflinching analysis of her own heartbreak to meditations on the suffering of others- and how close we can ever really get to honestly saying â€Å"I feel you.† This is an often unsettling but always deeply humane book, one whose pages I filled with sticky notes to mark passages I didn’t want to forget. (I found myself jotting down whole sections of Jamison’s â€Å"Grand Unified Theory of Female Pain.†) One of the most striking things to me was Jamison’s insistence on empathy as an intentional, and perhaps even radical, way of approaching the world. As she writes in the title essay, which recounts with surprising poetry her former job as a medical actor, â€Å"Empathy isn’t just something that happens to us- a meteor shower of synapses firing across the brain- it’s also a choice we make: to pay atten tion, to extend ourselves.† I’d recommend The Empathy Exams to anyone curious about the possible uses, limits, and rewards of attempting to inhabit that choice. - Jules, Editor Image via Target.com Circe by Madeline Miller The sea witch Circe, probably best known for (hilariously) turning Odysseus’s men into pigs, takes on new life in this feminist reimagining of one of the most interesting figures in Greek mythology. Exiled by the gods for her witchcraft and â€Å"mortal† tendencies, Circe is forced to navigate a dangerous world of Olympians, Titans, and mortal heroes by herself. In doing so, Circe comes to terms with her own power while also shaping the stories of many of the most famous figures in Greek mythology, including Odysseus, Medea, Daedalus, and the Minotaur. Engaging and wonderfully written, this novel explores larger themes like family, self-doubt, identity, and fate through a nuanced and unexpectedly relatable protagonist. Though she’s an immortal goddess, Circe’s insecurities and inner struggles are all too human, and this story about the awesome power of the gods ends with some truly beautiful reflections on what it means to be mortal. Go read it- you wonâ⠂¬â„¢t be disappointed! - Caroline, Managing Editor Image via Goodreads.com Lighthousekeeping by Jeanette Winterson This year I read Jeanette Wintersons Lighthousekeeping, which I heartily recommend for its lyrical prose, unique narrative voice, and enduring thematic content. Its a story about light and dark, love and loss, and the dangers of pride and isolation. Wintersons engaging, complex narrative is replete with symbols and allusions that create a memorable, intricate tale about the transformative power of storytelling. After her mothers death, Silver and her dog, DogJim, are taken in by Pew, the ancient, blind lighthouse keeper of Cape Wrath. Adrift in her own world of darkness, Silver takes solace in the stories that Pew tells her, which center around a man named Babel Dark, a 19th-century clergyman leading two lives, in an effort to chart a new course through her own life. As Silver grows up and learns to tell her own story, we recognize that the tale of Babel Dark- his public and private lives, his pride and isolation- raises questions about hypocrisy, purity, and public perception. Pews stories take us through longing, passion, betrayal, place, and time, all in service to a simple question: What makes life worthwhile? Ill let you find out the books answer, but heres a tip: Read this when its raining. - Wesley, Managing Editor

Report On Product Costing For Dumbellow Ltd Essay

Report On Product Costing For Dumbellow Ltd - Essay Example Furthermore, the production manager considered re-organization of production activities and also the use of a cheaper component of product Z. though all these proposals are viable; they have various shortcomings which may outweigh their expected benefit. In addition, a comparison of marginal costing and full costing (absorption costing) is dealt with in this report. The advantages of using marginal costing instead of full costing, in decision making, are discussed. In conclusion, the shortcomings of the analyses of various proposals examined in this report are identified. Recommendations on the best way to handle the case of product Z are also discussed at the end of this report. Key strategies that were recommended include reorganization of the production processes and the termination of the product. 2.0 Background Information Dumbellow Ltd is a manufacturing company that produces three industrial valves which are incorporated into equipment used in the Oil and Gas industry. The boa rd of Directors of the company is meeting on 3rd of October to discuss the draft budget for the following year, a few months before the start of that calendar and financial year. They are concerned about two issues; the deterioration of product Z in terms of its profitability in the present period and the financial year and the failure of the company to make a total profit of at least ?400k to meet their required 20% return on capital. Owing to the dissatisfaction of the board, the managers of Dumbellow Ltd raised varying proposals on ways to boost the profitability of the company. These diverse views prompted the formation of a group of five members with an objective of writing this report and making recommendations to the board on the most optimal course of action (Lewis, 2001). 3.0 Marginal Costing and Absorption Costing Marginal costing, unlike full costing, focuses on the additional costs of producing one ore more units of a product or service. Under this method, the cost of ma terials and labour are the only components which make up the marginal cost. Other costs such as rent and taxes are considered fixed since they will have been covered. For this reason, marginal cost is easier to compute and thus preferable for quick decision making. Besides saving on time, marginal costing it helps in the generation of additional profit. Every organization aims at maximizing profits which in turn facilitates growth of the business organization. One of the ways of maximizing profits is through reduction or minimization of costs, mostly the costs of production. Dumbellow ltd, for example, through marginal costing can utilize the spare capacity available to produce more of their products. In this case, fixed costs will not be considered since they are already paid; only labour and material costs matters. This enables managers to see quick means of generating extra profit. However, if full costing is used by the company to access the cost of producing extra units, it wil l be found unprofitable or t result in negligible profits because of fixed costs included and it will require a lo of time (Elliot & Elliot, 2004). Marginal costing brings about better performances but significant risk is experienced. Businesses using full costing sets their prices by ensuring that all costs are covered and a profit margin is also included. This calculated profit

Lawrence Heights Youth Gun Violence Research Paper

Lawrence Heights Youth Gun Violence - Research Paper Example The theme of both the essays deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of soldiers involved in war and both try to emphasize on the grueling effects that war could bring upon the soldiers. Apart from the theme, there are quite a few similarities in the ideas discussed in these two essays and they are detailed below. An account of The Things They Carried O’Brien, the author of this essay, tries to bring out the emotional burden that the soldiers carry during war, through the space of opportunities created by the explanation of physical things carried by these soldiers. The mirage of fantasy that confounds their consciousness by feeding them misconceptions of reality is clearly described by the author through the character of Jimmy Cross. Cross accuses himself for the death of his team member Lavender, because, he was the person who failed to protect him in that grave hour. At that time, Cross was completely swept off from his feet by fantasy thoughts about his love, Mar tha and his doubts over whether she is virgin or not. If this story is considered to be a description of war between love and war, then the death of Lavender clearly signifies the victory of war over love. (O’Brien, 2009) O’Brien brings out the cynical nature of war through the depressive attitude shown by Cross after Lavender’s death. Through the description of those thoughts, the author also tries to indicate the fact that most of the people who were involved in war were young and youthful – people who should have experienced the joyous life of college, in their age. Instead, the emotional guilt and coward thought haunts them in every second of their life. However, the author ends up the essay on a positive intent by elucidating the thoughts of Cross who tries to erase the memories of his girlfriend by burning her pictures and decides to believe that, to lead is better than to love. Overall, O’Brien effectively persuades the reader to think deep and relate directly to the effects felt by the burden these soldiers carried day in and day out. (O’Brien, 2009) The Ecstasy of War and its Similarities Barbara Ehrenreich tries to distinguish the two needs of war – the material advantages and psychological dominance through this essay. Although she excludes discussing about the former need, she presents a critical thought and analysis of how the psychological impact presides itself in every human’s mind. The first similarity between the two essays is how the two authors present the emotional struggle that every person faces while going to war. Barbara here presents those points with the description of how people go to the level of committing suicide to avoid the struggles they have to face in war. The second similarity is in how Barbara expresses the experiences that a youthful person could have in leading a normal life rather than fighting in war. According to her, boys become men ready to face society only th rough their experiences with social interactions but the soldiers who are completely devoid of such experiences are bound to fear and feel emotionally stressed. Third similarity comes in the idea of inhumanness in approaching. As Cross chooses to lead leaving his love, Barbara also emphasizes on people leaving out all kinds of common human emotions and fight in the war like an animal, confronting everyone with

Historical Vacation in Nevada Essay Example for Free

Historical Vacation in Nevada Essay At present, Nevada is one of the largest and the best states in the U. S. Visiting this state simply means not finding a shortage of action. Nevada is one of the only places in the States where it is possible to perform morning ski world-class runs and afternoon world-class green walks. Nevada is also famous for Tahoe Rim Trail, Truckee River, Sand Mountain, and world-class shows and dines and world-famous casino and resorts. Aside from these, Nevada is also a state rich in culture and history. This is the reason why with my time machine, I decided to visit Nevada with my History professor. I chose to visit Nevada with my History professor because I thought that he is the best person who can help me understand special places and people in this state. However, with so many periods and so many places to explore, I asked my History professor, where should we begin? Historical Vacation in Nevada I had quite a long discussion with my professor about the places, period, and events to visit. After a long discussion, we both agreed to take my time machine and go back to the 19th century where some of the famous Nevadans, in the field of politics and arts, existed. For our first destination, my professor asked me to set my time machine to the 19th century. With a wink of an eye, we landed on a very beautiful place. I was very surprised to see mansions, 19th century houses, imported furniture, stylish fashion which seem to have come from the Orient and Europe. I had the impression that this place was a very boisterous town. I asked my professor if he knows this place. At first, he didn’t have any idea until we saw gold in the hills and dollars being made. I saw my professor’s eyes widened while saying â€Å"We are in Virginia City, Nevada! † We walked around the beautiful town and we saw a man walking on the street. My professor’s face brightened up and he told me that this man is a very important man in the history. I looked at the man’s face and realized that I saw it once in one of my history books. I suddenly remembered; this man is none other than William Morris Stewart! My professor explained that Mr. William Morris Stewart was one of the participants in the mining litigation in Virginia City, Nevada in 1860. He also helped and played a big role in the Comstock Lode’s development. Nevada became a state in 1864 and Mr. Stewart helped in the development of the State’s constitution (Smith, 1943). However, his role in the state as a politician and lawyer had always been very controversial. He was accused by his opponents of bribing juries and judges (Plazak, 2006). Despite this, Mr. Stewart was still elected as a Republican in the United States Senate in 1864 and served until 1875. He was again elected to the United States Senate in 1887 and was reelected in 1893 and again in 1899. During his term in the Senate, Mr. Stewart co-authored or drafted important legislation, including land reclamation laws and mining acts. However, he became famous for authoring the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution in 1868. This amendment promotes the protection of people’s voting rights regardless of color, race, or previous servitude condition. It was a great pleasure to learn about the contributions of Mr. William Morris Stewart but of course, it was really a great pleasure to experience visiting Virginia City. We went back to my time machine and went to a slightly different setting but also in the same period, the 19th century. When we landed, what I saw was not at all as beautiful as what I saw in Virginia City. I had the impression that we were in a ghost town. It was so dusty, hot, humid, and all I could smell was dust. I asked my professor where we were and he told me that were in Goldfield, one of the important cities of Nevada. I was surprised because it was so different from the Goldfield I know of during my time. While wandering in this ghost town-like place, we saw Mr. George Wingfield, the man behind the Nevada business mining camps. Once again, my History professor explained that Mr. Wingfield converted the useless mines of Nevada into great mines. He was one of the greatest organizers that put mining companies into operation (Time US, 1937). My professor further explained that Mr. Wingfield’s first mining venture in the State was in Golconda copper mines. It was a hard time for him as he was practically stripped off and had a gold fever but he was not discouraged. He was also the man behind the fight against the Western Federation of Miners and Industrial Workers of the World. These two organizations controlled the situations in the mine and George Wingfield was so determined to go against the orders and he succeeded, giving freedom to majority of miners in the mines. Again, it was a pleasure for me to know that Mr. George Wingfield was behind the success of Goldfield. For our last destination, my professor decided to go to early 20th century of Reno. I was so fascinated to see that Reno in the early 20th century was not at all so different from the Reno I know of. I was entertained by the peculiar neon marquees as they cast an outlandish nighttime glow on Nevada’s ever famous Truckee River. From a distance where my professor and I were standing, we could see the hotel towers as they punctuate the high-desert setting of the city between the arid Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada’s eastern slope. However, what I won’t forget about this early 20th century to Reno is my encounter with Mr. Robert Cole Naples, one of the famous painters of the USA. My professor and I agree that he had contributed a lot in the American art. References Smith, Grant. (1943). The History of the Comstock Lode. Univ. of Nevada Bulletin, 37(3), 69. Plazak. Dan. (2006). A Hole in the Ground with a Liar at the Top. Univ. of Utah Press 10: 0-87480-840-5, 26-27. Time US. (1937). King George. Retrieved 04 May 2009 from http://www. time. com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,770884-2,00. html.

Free Essay on Macbeth - The Guilt of Lady Macbeth :: GCSE Coursework Macbeth Essays

The Guilt of Lady Macbeth Everyone is influenced by other people, including leaders or authority, to make the wrong decisions at some point in their lives. In the play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is responsible for the evil doings of Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is responsible for this by using his love for her to persuade him into killing King Duncan. Because Macbeth loved and trusted his wife, he was vulnerable to her opinions and suggestions. We also know that she is responsible for these heartless things because she has so much guilt that she commits suicide. Macbeth would never have done any of those horrible things if it were not for the murder of King Duncan, which was forced on by Lady Macbeth. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a trusted soldier, who is honest and noble. Unfortunately, he meets three witches who tell him three prophecies; that he will become thane of Cawdor, that he will become king and that Banquo’s sons will become kings. These three prophecies slowly change his opinions on life and turn him into a greedy, dishonest, tyrant, full of ambition. Lady Macbeth’s thoughts change as well when she is told about the three prophecies that were told to Macbeth. In the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is ambitious, controlling and domineering. She is the one who encourages him to kill the king, she not only encourages him, she makes all the plans herself, which shows her determination and persistence."Yet I do fear thy nature, it is too full o’th milk of human kindness. To catch the nearest way thou wouldst be great. Art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it." (Act 1, scene 5). Lady Macbeth is the force behind M acbeth’s sudden ambition and she tries to manipulate him into feeling guilty and unmanly for not following through with the murder, by using her husbands emotions, she manages to convince Macbeth to murder Duncan. After the death of King Duncan, Macbeth becomes the more controlling one, and Lady Macbeth’s guilt eventually becomes too much for her to handle which leads to her death. Lady Macbeth is in fact the one that performs the preparations for the murder of King Duncan, but still shows some signs of humanity by not committing the murder herself because he resembles "My father as he slept". After the murder has been committed, she also shows signs of being a strong person because she calms Macbeth down in order to keep him from going insane.

Immigration Restriction Act Essay

Immigration restriction act- 1901 The Immigration Restriction Act (1901) can be argued was a policy enacted to reflect the prejudices in Australian society at the time. The Immigration Restriction Act consisted of the Australian Parliament limiting immigration to Australia, which came to be known as The White Australia Policy. The White Australia Policy consists of various historical laws that favour immigration to Australia from Britain but strongly discourage non-whites or people who are not of British descent. At the turn of the Century Australia was still a relatively new country. It’s population was 4 million, somewhat small, compared to other world populations. At the time the general public consensus was that Australia should be a white country and allowing indiscriminate immigration could threaten its identity. The White Australia Policy had overwhelming support from Australia’s white population, so it could be argued that its introduction was merely a reflection of the public’s ideals at the time. This is reflected by historian Myra Willard: â€Å"†¦no motive power, operated more universally on this continent, or in the beautiful island of Tasmania†¦ than the desire that we should be one people, and remain one people, without the admixture of other races.† Myra Willard, ‘History of the White Australia Policy to 1920’. Melbourne University Press, 1923. p 119 It is clear that white Australians were passionate about preserving a white Australia. Undoubtedly the Federal Government was under a great deal of public pressure to conform. By analysing the reasoning behind the Policy it was more than just an attempt to preserve white culture. As the Parliamentary debates at the time convey, there was an argument that the white race was superior and non-whites were deemed inferior. The Prime Minister at the time Edmund Barton delivers this message to Parliament. â€Å"We are guarding the last part of the world in which the higher races can live and increase freely for the higher civilisation. I place before the house a measure of definite and high policy.† Although the White Australia Policy did have overwhelming support within Parliament and the public there were some who opposed the new policy. Some objections were made on moral grounds citing that the Laws were brutal and offensive. â€Å"I have already admitted that it is our duty to restrict the immigration of Asiatics†¦ I cannot bring myself in the face of appeals like that, and in the face of the knowledge I have of India and Asia generally, to do anything in the insulting and brutal  way proposed by the Bill†¦.† Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates’, November 13, 1901. p 7158 Opposition was also met with from Britain, which many Australian parliamentarians were concerned about. The British Government had warned against an outright ban based on race and colour. The Immigration Restriction Act would be contrary to the British principle of equality and would deeply offend their Indian subjects and their Japanese allies. Despite Britain’s clear objections many were still prepared to support the Bill even if it meant breaking ties with Britain. This is clearly expressed by William Morris Hugh es: â€Å"We want a White Australia and are we to be denied it because we shall offend the Japanese or embarrass His Majesty’s ministers? I think not†¦ If we are to go on making things smooth for His Majesty’s Government- if our first and only desire is to shape a policy to suit our own ends, then we know where we are. We have come, it appears to me, to the parting of ways.† William Morris Hughes, ‘Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates’ September 12, 1901. p 4825 Prior to 1901, immigration was controlled by the colonies. During the gold rush in the 1850’s many migrants came to Australia from around the world and wanted to settle there. While the majority were from Britain, 60,000 came from Continental Europe, 42,000 from China, 10,000 from the United States and just over 5,000 from New Zealand and the South Pacific. By the time of Federation the total population was close to four million of whom one in four were born overseas. The Australian colony was soon shifting to a population of different migrants. This left Australians introduce policies that would control migration. The Australian colonies were particularly concerned with the amount of Chinese migrants and the conflicts that had arisen between the Chinese and white Australians settler. Prior to 1901 the Colonial States gathered to discuss ways of prohibiting Chinese migration and other migrants. Thus when Australian Federation was formed, the Immigration Restriction Act was introduced as solution to the problem the colonial states had been facing. As a result the number of Chinese migrants decreased instantly. At face value the Immigration Restriction Act was arguably racist and exclusionary. However in early 19th Century Australia it was widely viewed as a necessity. Australia was still a new country with a relatively small population. It was viewed worldwide as a land of prosperity and became popular for many to migrate there and seek their fortune. Had not the Federal Government implemented laws to regulate  immigration Australia could have potentially lost its identity as a predominately White Nation. The Immigration Restriction Act appealed to people’s fears and the need for self preservation, and at the time this argument was fairly plausible. In each and every avenue of life we find the competition of the coloured races insidiously creeping in, and if we are to maintain the standard of living we think necessary, in order that our people may be brought up with a degree of comfort, and with scholastic advantages which will conduce to the improvement and general advancement of the nation, some pause must be made in regard to the extension of the competition of the coloured aliens generally. (Member of parliament 1901). This quote clearly states that the majority of Parliament felt strongly about protecting Australia’s white identity. This was done in the face of opposition from Britain and the likelihood of upsetting other countries like Japan. It was a bold step but the majority of Australians were determined. . The White Australia Policy was an important chapter in Australian history. It had its benefits and limitations. It affected not just Australia but many people around the world. It was something that many coun tries were against and is very different to what Australia’s immigration policy is today. BIBLIOGRAPHY Immigration Restriction Act 1901 – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Restriction_Act_1901 USED ON: April 14th The Establishment Of The Immigration Restriction Act – ABC http://www.abc.net.au/federation/fedstory/ep2/ep2_events.htm USED ON: April 26th White Australia: Immigration Restriction Act 1901, Australia to 1914 http://www.skwirk.com.au/p-c_s-14_u-127_t-350_c-1213/history-of-racist-attitudes-and-fear/nsw/history/australia-to-1914/white-australia-immigration-restriction-act-1901 Copyright  © 2013 Red Apple Education Ltd. All rights reserved. USED ON: April 14th White Australia policy – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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