Finished Dorian Gray

It ended exactly like I knew it would. Really, there's only one possible way it could end. But I don't want to say too much and give anything away. ;)

It did get me thinking, though, about our influence on others. Do we inspire those around us to be better people, to take the high road, to feel good about making right choices? Or do we try to make them our partners in crime, encourage our friends to say things they shouldn't, feel justified for the wrong things, or involve themselves in things they wouldn't normally? Are our intimates and acquaintances better people for knowing us? It's an interesting thought, although I don't think there are many of us who have the kind of power or sway over others to influence them as much as was in the book.

What does influence have to do with a book about a painting? Read it and find out!

Next on my list: a whirlwind skim through Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka (I originally got it to read with a friend who isn't going to have time for it), and then a book about Maria Montessori, which I'll be summarizing as I go.