Fantasy novels everyone should read

 

Fiction has always been the escape people go to as a hobby. Through novels, readers can become different personalities, embody various desires, and discover something new about the characters they read and themselves in the process. While there are several genres in fiction, no other genre sends the reader to wild adventures more than fantasy does. Fantasy novels introduce readers to new worlds, unique characters, and plots that are often symbolic of real-world strife. If you haven’t had the chance to read fantasy before, here is a quick guide to fantasy novels everyone should read. John Eilerman St. Louis. 

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The Lord of the Rings series by J. R.R. Tolkien Considered as the greatest fantasy masterpiece ever written, The Lord of the Rings series is a masterful collection of fantasy novels set in Middle Earth. Its cast of characters consists of fantasy staples such as humans, dwarves, elves, hobbits, as well as supernatural elements like orcs, ents, ogres, goblins, ghosts, and a plethora of monsters. The main story revolves around Frodo Baggins and his quest to destroy a magical ring. John Eilerman St. Louis. 

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling One of the most successful modern fantasy novels, the Harry Potter series tells the tale of a young boy who discovers his magical capabilities. It chronicles his education at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft as well as the trials he faces as a murderous wizard seeks revenge. What makes the Harry Potter series especially endearing to its audiences is that it also a coming-of-age story. John Eilerman St. Louis. 

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The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis An epic fantasy series that emphasizes child-like imagination, The Chronicles of Narnia tells the story of siblings escaping World War 1 and finding themselves in the middle of another war in a fantasy world behind a cabinet in their home. The Chronicles of Narnia is also known to be filled with Christian symbolisms embedded into the narrative. John Eilerman St. Louis

A quick escape: The popularity of baseball during the Second World War

 

John Eilermann. In the US, the Second World War greatly affected the lives of the people. As many of the able, young men went off to war, the absence of loved ones caused loneliness and anxiety to those who remained home. While baseball was already famous before the war, it even gained more popular during the wartime years. Even if some of the sport's biggest stars like Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra had to serve during this time, people still found ways to enjoy the sport. 

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The endorsement of President Roosevelt to continue the sport sealed its popularity. Though there were less players, the stadiums were still filled with spectators. Major League Baseball helped people forget that the war existed even for a short time. John Eilermann.

Aside from the Major League, the minor league also suffered a significant loss of members. University teams also experienced the same, with their up-and-coming players being drafted to defend their country. During this time, however, baseball welcomed female athletes. The All-American Girls Professional Ball League became popular with 14 teams playing in the Midwest. Despite its start as a softball league, multiple name changes, and rule modifications, the league became popular among spectators recording almost 900,000 audiences in their biggest game. However, as the men's leagues got their players back and with poor promotions of the games, the AAGPBL ended in 1955. John Eilermann. 

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During the wartime years, the rise of various leagues and the popularity of baseball games even among the young have proven the sport's status as America's favorite pastime. In the time of rationing, warfare, economic turmoil, and other uncertainties, people turned to the sport for a good time. John Eilermann.

All the good reasons to read every day

 

With the world in shambles, picking up a book and reading it for sheer pleasure seems counterintuitive. Over the past few years, reading books has been replaced with other hobbies and activities that offer less opportunities for individuals to learn. But reading offers a ton of benefits one should never miss out on. John Eilermann St. Louis. 

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Reading develops the brain. The activity requires the involvement of a complex network of signals and circuits in the brain. While reading offers mental stimulation, getting better at the activity requires exercise and discipline. Daily reading reduces stress. Reading takes one to places they’ve never been, offering a sweet escape from the stressful realities of life. John Eilermann St. Louis.

Each individual has their own vocabulary. The only way to enrich it is by reading every day and giving the brain the exercise it needs. When something isn’t made richer, it will become poorer, something the “Matthew Effect” suggests. Be sure to read daily for a rich vocabulary. Depression symptoms can be alleviated through reading regularly. People who suffer from depression often believe they have nothing in common with other individuals and have nobody to turn to. Reading can become their way to escape their own world and feel a sense of belongingness with the characters. John Eilermann St. Louis. 

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Individuals who read daily have an appreciation for knowledge and are intrigued by topics they know nothing about. Instead of leaving topics untouched, readers dive deep, giving themselves the chance to keep on learning. A person who is well-read maintains an appreciation and respect for education, qualities that are often overlooked these days. John Eilermann St. Louis.

Featuring a number of great American WW2 war heroes

 

World War II ended successfully because some tough decisions had to be made at the right time. Arguably, there are only a few who can this, which is why they are considered great leaders. We mention some of them today. John F Eilermann Jr. 

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1. George Patton

Patton was already a household name in military affairs in WW1, easily earning for himself a reputation as an expert in tank warfare. However, WW2 was his greatest moment. In 1943, he used unprecedented assault and defense tactics, which won the victory for the 7th U.S. Army in the invasion of Sicily. Nicknamed "Old Blood and Guts", he led the 3rd Army across France, capturing one town after another. He was one of the most feared among the enemies of the Allied powers. John F Eilermann Jr.

2. Douglas MacArthur
Gen. Douglas MacArthur was well-known in the war as a great man who kept his promise. In 1941, with his air force decimated by a Japanese surprise attack, the Philippines was conquered easily. Upon orders from then President Franklin Roosevelt, MacArthur, his family and members of his staff fled the Philippines to head straight to Australia. Before he left, he was quoted as he promised to the Filipino people, “I shall return.” In October 1944, he liberated the Philippines. John F Eilermann Jr. 

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3. Dwight Eisenhower
Gen. Eisenhower is best known as a brilliant strategist. As a planning officer in Washington, D.C., he masterfully crafted the Allied invasion of North Africa named Operation Torch. He also directed the amphibious invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy that eventually led to the fall of Rome in 1944. nAlready made a full general in early 1943, Eisenhower was appointed supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces that culminated in the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. John F Eilermann Jr.

Story development: Some tips on making a character more interesting

 

Writing a story is truly not a simple task. For this reason, character development is key to making the story interesting. Discussed in this blog are some suggestions on how to do this. John Eilermann St. Louis 

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A character should represent a number of things. One way that makes a character interesting is that he or she belongs to a particular life context that makes it easy for the audience to relate. Forrest Gump was effective as a character because of his ordinariness, which is a trait that audiences can easily relate to. This is also why it made perfect sense for Cinderella to come from the poor and the oppressed. John Eilermann St. Louis

Another thing that makes a character more effective is a flaw. A character flaw is important to the character’s success, because this is the handicap that the character must live with throughout the development of the story, making redemption much sweeter in the end. In some cases, the character’s flaw is part of the problem that must be solved. In other cases, the character gains some sense of victory despite having the flaw. Either way, the flaw shows its importance in a character’s success. John Eilermann St. Louis 

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Finally, it helps for the character to have a lot of internal dialogue. Internal thoughts have an elaborate way of showing who a character truly is. Intrapersonal thoughts also work wonderfully in a number of ways. First, it is a reflection of the character’s own journey and growth. Second, it is an aspect of the character that only the audience is fully aware of. John Eilermann St. Louis

Train like a baseball player: Workouts for improving endurance and mobility

 

John Eilermann. Those who want to improve their physical fitness can try to train like a major league baseball player. As a sport that requires speed and strength, athletes must condition their bodies to avoid shoulder and elbow injuries that are common in their sport. Fitness experts say that some workouts MLB athletes do can also benefit the average person. Here are some MLB player workouts worth trying out. 

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Medicine ball overhead stomp

John Eilermann. While this looks like an easy workout, this step is important for athletes who need to get the ball to base. As a power workout, this routine trains the shoulders, triceps, calves, back, and especially the core. For baseball players, this can help them gain upper body strength and flexibility while developing their balance and endurance.

Fitness ball with cable rotations

This exercise involves holding the fitness ball up to the chest with the rope handle on the opposite side. Starting at a slightly bent position, the rope should be gripped with the outside hand while the other hand should stay open to balance the ball. This workout focuses develops a player's rotational strength while also training their core. John Eilermann.

Weighted backward bear crawl

Perfect for batters, this workout specifically trains the legs and the back muscles with a full range of motion. Focusing on these two areas allows batters to improve their bat speed and strength. For the pros, two weighted plates are used but for those who are new to this routine, using one weighted plate is enough. John Eilermann.        

Six books that are perfect for beginning readers

 

Reading is a great way to have one's mind open to different cultures, worlds, and languages. Not everyone has the privilege of developing good reading habits from childhood, which may become a disadvantage when a person enters adulthood. Here are six books every beginning reader should have on their list. John Eilermann St. Louis. 

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"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White is an incredibly crafted novel that fits all age groups. Part of most school curricula, "Charlotte's Web" is a beloved classic with principles children can carry throughout their adulthood. "Meiko and the Fifth Treasure" by Eleanor Coerr is not exactly a popular choice. However, it does teach beginning readers a few things about Japan and its culture. John Eilermann St. Louis.

"Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie is popular among people of all ages for its familiar story. While aimed at kids, the book still captures and recaptures the hearts of adults. It's a true testament to the belief that reading is a means to travel. "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemmingway is a school staple that almost all English speakers have read it. Reasonably short, the classic inspires readers to grab a dictionary as it has a challenging vocabulary. John Eilermann St. Louis.

"A Wrinkle in Time" written by Madeline L'Engle is yet another classic that is easily a part of every early reader's life. The novel is composed of short and long sentences, engaging readers and letting them rest at times—great for pacing. Lois Lowry's "The Giver" has an easy-to-understand vocabulary and is free of confusion. With those qualities, the long novel can be finished in a breeze. John Eilermann St. Louis.