Here you will find the following:
Book Reviews This will include a rating system
Author Reviews This will include a rating system
Book Quotes
Book Criteria. I.E. My criteria and reasons for recommending or rejecting books.
Where to read or buy books.
You can also ask questions about books or request a review by Commenting on the Home Page. A review request may or may not be granted depending on whether it fits with my criteria for reading a book.
The rating system will be 5 stars. For the Overall rating section 5 will be excellent, 4 good, 3 so-so, 2 bad, and 1 very bad. However for the rating of what is bad it will be the opposite. 5 is very bad, 4 is bad, 3 is so-so, 2 is mildly bad and 1 is very mildly bad. The rating system will also include an age range. More on the rating system can be found in the Book Criteria post of : Date: Wed. May 25, 2011.
Due to the limitations of blogspot, each 'post' will be separated by a dotted line. The most recent 'post' will be the one at the bottom of the page. Also, if I am working on a post, you will not be able to see the page.
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Date: Wed. May 25, 2011
Book Criteria Part 1
Part 1: What makes a book good or bad? How are books rated?
Part 2: How and why does the ability of the reader to discern between good and bad change what age group I recommend a book for? In other words, how are books graded for age appropriateness?
Part 3: How do I determine whether or not to read a book at all? and what are the clues for finding new good reads at the library? What makes me put a book down without finishing?
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Book Criteria Part 1
The ultimate criteria for determining whether a book is good or not can be found in Philippians 4:8:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
This is the standard for good, and I doubt most people would argue with it.
On the other hand, each household has their own standards for what is not acceptable. So, the easiest thing to do is to give my own standard of what is not good. I'll just give the top ones in order.
1st: Explicit immoral behavior.
2nd: Graphic Violence
3rd: Bad language
4th: Theology/Worldview
5th: Excessive romance
6th: Illustrations which reveal what ought not to be revealed.
7th: Fluff
Abbreviations for these top problems in a book are as follows.
#1: E.I. (This stands for Explicit Immoral behavior)
#2: V (This stands for violence and would include graphic torture scenes etc.)
#3: L (This stands for bad Language)
#4: T (This stands for Theology)
#5 R (This stands for Romance)
#6: Ill. (This stands for Illustrations)
#7: F (This stands for Fluff)
I'm sure number 3 may be a little difficult to follow. This will be dealt with later in Book Criteria Part 3. Also, a brief word on Fluff. By fluff I mean books that are really neither good or bad but are rather merely fun to read. Mysteries for instance, are high up in fluff. Fluff is not inherently wrong, but it's a danger to read too much; which is why I have listed it as a 'problem.'
So, how do I rate these?
Like I said, I'll rate using stars. Each book review should have an explanation or reason for its rating. However, since I may not be able to review every single book, the rating should look like this: Book title:______ ~ ** (L:4s, T:1s,) Ages 18+
Decrypted, this would read, Book Title:___ ~Overall rating: 2 stars (Language: 4stars, Theology: 1star,) Recommended for Ages 18 and up.
Remember! The Overall rating is a bit of a different system than the Parenthetical rating. The parenthetical rating is an easy way to see the main problems in the book, while the overall rating takes into account the good in the book.
How I rate a book depends largely on balance. For me to recommend it highly, the good must outweigh the bad without doubt. Some books may get a 'so-so' rating. These are likely to be books that I wouldn't recommend highly, but may have some value for reading. Like a good friend of mine says,
"There are very few books that have absolutely no redeeming value of some kind."If there are any questions, PLEASE feel free to ask them! Just comment on the Home Page!
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Date: Wed. June 8, 2011
Book Criteria Part 2
Part 1: What makes a book good or bad? How are books rated? PART 1 is the Above Post! Date: Wed. May 25, 2011!
Part 2: How and why does the ability of the reader to discern between good and bad change what age group I recommend a book for? In other words, how are books graded for age appropriateness?
Part 3: How do I determine whether or not to read a book at all? and what are the clues for finding new good reads at the library? What makes me put a book down without finishing?
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Book Criteria Part 2
How and why does the ability of the reader to discern between good and bad change what age group I recommend a book for? In other words, how are books graded for age appropriateness?
Suppose I read a book and notice something wrong with it, for instance, perhaps it has some minor-ish theological problems. Now, having noticed the problem, I hand it off to someone else, someone younger. After they read the book, I ask them if they noticed anything wrong with it. If they did, and can name the same problem, (sometimes they are able to notice other things as well) all is well. If they did not notice the problem, the minor issue becomes major. Why? Because it is far easier for Satan to work if we don't know he's working. If you can't see the problem that someone else does, subversive theology and other problems have a big chance to sink in. And often, what sinks in is what will come out later.
In this case, Theological problems are the main ones that are subtle like this. Most people know what bad language is. Since I don't know what level you're at I will try to review books with problems like this.
The second criteria for grading according to age is that of reading level. Everybody is at a different reading level. I admit that many homeschoolers have pretty high reading capabilities. For instance, I read Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea when I was 12 or so. And I read my first Charles Dickens book at about 11; and loved them both. (I do enjoy hefty books) However, the style is very complex. (Even I don't understand some of it)
Here are a few examples from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, a hard one and an 'easy' one.
1: "The portion of the terrestrial globe covered by water is estimated at 3,832,558 square myriametres, or 38,000,000 hectares. This liquid mass comprehends 2,250,000,000 of cubic miles, and would form a sphere of a diameter of sixty leagues, the weight of which would be three trillions of tons. To take in the idea of such a number we must remember that a trillion is to a thousand millions what a thousand millions are to unity--that is to say, there are as many thousand millions in a trillion as there are unities in a thousand millions."
There are tons of these scientific descriptions in most of Jules Verne's books. But, even the narration and dialogue essential to the story has complex sentence structures.
2: "We walked separately, stopping or going on according to our pleasure. For my own part I had forgotten the dangers that my imagination had so ridiculously exaggerated. The bottom of the sea sensibly approached its surface, and soon my head passed above the oceanic level."
3: "I think that hazard has made us masters of an important secret. If it is the interest of the crew of this submarine vessel to keep it, and if this interest is of more consequence than the life of three men, I believe our existence to be in great danger."
So, while I believe that most people should challenge themselves with complicated books, and writing style, I'll be erring on the side of caution for your sakes. I may age grade books a year or two ahead of what I might normally do because of the complexity of the book. Instead of recommending Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea for ages 12+, I would probably put it as 14+ because of the reading level difficulty.
Questions? Just comment on the Home Page!
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Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2011
Book Criteria Part 3
Part 1: What makes a book good or bad? How are books rated? PART 1 is: Date: Wed. May 25, 2011!
Part 2: How and why does the ability of the reader to discern between good and bad change what age group I recommend a book for? In other words, how are books graded for age appropriateness? PART 2 is the Above Post! Date: Wed. June 8, 2011.
Part 3: How do I determine whether or not to read a book at all? and what are the clues for finding new good reads at the library? What makes me put a book down without finishing?
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Book Criteria Part 3
In this post, let's pretend we're browsing a library. Together, we look at the titles on a shelf. A good title is important to determine whether I take the book off the shelf or not. After all, while it's on the shelf, that's all that I can see. Granted, some good books have poor titles, but, this is just on average. A good title should be intriguing. It should sound wholesome, interesting, and perhaps unusual. I don't normally read essays, but, if I were looking for some, I would be more likely to pick up a book with a title like My Life is an Essay than a book merely titled Essays.
That aside, let's pick up a couple of books together. First, we pick up "Me, Myself, and I by Jane Louise Curry. Sound's kind of interesting right? So, we move to the next step. First, we look at the cover. Now I know, 'You can't judge a book by it's cover,' but, sometimes you can. Some book covers just don't have the appearance of wholesomeness. For instance, I really don't think the book cover on the Harry Potter books look wholesome. They look cult-ish, or something.
So, this book we picked up. The cover looks ok, so we look at the back description, (or the front insert) Here we see a description that really looks interesting. All about time travel and going into the past and meeting yourself as you were four, or eight years ago. It can also help to read the author description as well. Although I don't often use this technique, my mom says to look at the publish date and the list of books also by that author. Books published earlier are often, not always, better. And, if you see that that author has written something like 'Hatred is better than love,' or 'Why Communism works,'...you get the idea.
Next, we scan the book. Flip through
Now, this particular book, I was not impressed with. The guy was stuck up, ultra selfish, had little character, and the book was not well-developed. It was a typical teen-age paperback. (I've learned to be a little more careful with 'teen-age books.' All in all, it was just not that great. But, it's a good example for this purpose.
What would make me put a book down? There are a few things. What will make me put a book down in the middle is all the problems I've listed in the big list, in excess.
Date: Wed. June 8, 2011
Book Criteria Part 2
Part 1: What makes a book good or bad? How are books rated? PART 1 is the Above Post! Date: Wed. May 25, 2011!
Part 2: How and why does the ability of the reader to discern between good and bad change what age group I recommend a book for? In other words, how are books graded for age appropriateness?
Part 3: How do I determine whether or not to read a book at all? and what are the clues for finding new good reads at the library? What makes me put a book down without finishing?
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Book Criteria Part 2
How and why does the ability of the reader to discern between good and bad change what age group I recommend a book for? In other words, how are books graded for age appropriateness?
Suppose I read a book and notice something wrong with it, for instance, perhaps it has some minor-ish theological problems. Now, having noticed the problem, I hand it off to someone else, someone younger. After they read the book, I ask them if they noticed anything wrong with it. If they did, and can name the same problem, (sometimes they are able to notice other things as well) all is well. If they did not notice the problem, the minor issue becomes major. Why? Because it is far easier for Satan to work if we don't know he's working. If you can't see the problem that someone else does, subversive theology and other problems have a big chance to sink in. And often, what sinks in is what will come out later.
In this case, Theological problems are the main ones that are subtle like this. Most people know what bad language is. Since I don't know what level you're at I will try to review books with problems like this.
The second criteria for grading according to age is that of reading level. Everybody is at a different reading level. I admit that many homeschoolers have pretty high reading capabilities. For instance, I read Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea when I was 12 or so. And I read my first Charles Dickens book at about 11; and loved them both. (I do enjoy hefty books) However, the style is very complex. (Even I don't understand some of it)
Here are a few examples from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, a hard one and an 'easy' one.
1: "The portion of the terrestrial globe covered by water is estimated at 3,832,558 square myriametres, or 38,000,000 hectares. This liquid mass comprehends 2,250,000,000 of cubic miles, and would form a sphere of a diameter of sixty leagues, the weight of which would be three trillions of tons. To take in the idea of such a number we must remember that a trillion is to a thousand millions what a thousand millions are to unity--that is to say, there are as many thousand millions in a trillion as there are unities in a thousand millions."
There are tons of these scientific descriptions in most of Jules Verne's books. But, even the narration and dialogue essential to the story has complex sentence structures.
2: "We walked separately, stopping or going on according to our pleasure. For my own part I had forgotten the dangers that my imagination had so ridiculously exaggerated. The bottom of the sea sensibly approached its surface, and soon my head passed above the oceanic level."
3: "I think that hazard has made us masters of an important secret. If it is the interest of the crew of this submarine vessel to keep it, and if this interest is of more consequence than the life of three men, I believe our existence to be in great danger."
So, while I believe that most people should challenge themselves with complicated books, and writing style, I'll be erring on the side of caution for your sakes. I may age grade books a year or two ahead of what I might normally do because of the complexity of the book. Instead of recommending Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea for ages 12+, I would probably put it as 14+ because of the reading level difficulty.
Questions? Just comment on the Home Page!
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Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2011
Book Criteria Part 3
Part 1: What makes a book good or bad? How are books rated? PART 1 is: Date: Wed. May 25, 2011!
Part 2: How and why does the ability of the reader to discern between good and bad change what age group I recommend a book for? In other words, how are books graded for age appropriateness? PART 2 is the Above Post! Date: Wed. June 8, 2011.
Part 3: How do I determine whether or not to read a book at all? and what are the clues for finding new good reads at the library? What makes me put a book down without finishing?
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Book Criteria Part 3
In this post, let's pretend we're browsing a library. Together, we look at the titles on a shelf. A good title is important to determine whether I take the book off the shelf or not. After all, while it's on the shelf, that's all that I can see. Granted, some good books have poor titles, but, this is just on average. A good title should be intriguing. It should sound wholesome, interesting, and perhaps unusual. I don't normally read essays, but, if I were looking for some, I would be more likely to pick up a book with a title like My Life is an Essay than a book merely titled Essays.
That aside, let's pick up a couple of books together. First, we pick up "Me, Myself, and I by Jane Louise Curry. Sound's kind of interesting right? So, we move to the next step. First, we look at the cover. Now I know, 'You can't judge a book by it's cover,' but, sometimes you can. Some book covers just don't have the appearance of wholesomeness. For instance, I really don't think the book cover on the Harry Potter books look wholesome. They look cult-ish, or something.
So, this book we picked up. The cover looks ok, so we look at the back description, (or the front insert) Here we see a description that really looks interesting. All about time travel and going into the past and meeting yourself as you were four, or eight years ago. It can also help to read the author description as well. Although I don't often use this technique, my mom says to look at the publish date and the list of books also by that author. Books published earlier are often, not always, better. And, if you see that that author has written something like 'Hatred is better than love,' or 'Why Communism works,'...you get the idea.
Next, we scan the book. Flip through
Now, this particular book, I was not impressed with. The guy was stuck up, ultra selfish, had little character, and the book was not well-developed. It was a typical teen-age paperback. (I've learned to be a little more careful with 'teen-age books.' All in all, it was just not that great. But, it's a good example for this purpose.
What would make me put a book down? There are a few things. What will make me put a book down in the middle is all the problems I've listed in the big list, in excess.
Now, here's where everybody has different standards. I will sometimes read books that have language problems of 3 or 4 stars. Although, I won't always recommend them because of it. For instance, there is a fantastic book called Failure is Not and Option by Gene Kranz. It's about Apollo 13. Which, as you probably know, is a great event in U.S. history. I'm sure what I'm about to say is controversial. I read books for the good I can get out of them. This book has swearing every few chapters. But, this book has a lot of good. It's a great story of heroism, history, courage, and is a good look at the inner workings of NASA (as it was in the 1960s) As for the language problem of 3 stars or so, I disregard it and skip it when I can. Use discernment. The good in this book outweighs the bad. And, here's something I've done. If you find such a book that is good and you would purchase it if it weren't for this problem, purchase it, and black out the bad stuff. Or, if it's a theology problem, pencil in notes. Your children will read them and then they will be able to see the same thing you do. It's a good way to teach discernment.
Excessive language would be some every paragraph. Like the autobiography of Audie Murphy. Murphy was a war hero, and the movie, To Hell and Back, is great. So, I got the book, thinking, it might be better. But there was bad language in almost every sentence. I put it down before I'd even finished the first short chapter. And, I'd mark it with a 5 star language problem.
Another thing that would make me put a book down is the writing style. Now, I'm not talking about dry writing styles. Sometimes those are very good, (although I must admit that there are a few like that that I haven't been able to stomach yet). I'm talking specifically about depressing writing styles Some books can have a great plot, great characters etc, but you get this feeling of utter depression as you read. Depression is not good. In fact, I just started and didn't finish one such book. The Face and the Mask by Robert Barr is a collection of short stories. Some were good, but with each one I felt more and more weighed down, so I stopped reading it. (Robert Barr is supposedly a classic author. It might be just me that has a problem with him. It might just be the cynicism of his writings that depressed me. Some people like such sardonic humor) A friend of my sister's used to work for Barnes and Noble. I overheard her talking one time about how some authors put curses on their books. It's evil, it's real. She said you could feel it as you walked down the aisles. If the writing style of a book is making you feel depressed, put it down. Now, some stories, can be depressing in a different sense. The classic story of The Man without a Country by Edward Hale is one of the most depressing stories, as a story, that I've ever read. It is however very instructive. I would recommend it. It's depressing because it's so sad to think about never getting to visit or even hear any news about your country. But it's good because it teaches patriotism.
Sorry for the long post, but, it had to be said. From now on, there will be very few posts about my criteria and many lovely book reviews instead.
A little note. I forgot in part 2 to address the issue of my bad language ratings. I have partially done so above, but I would like to clarify that a rating for language does not always only include swearing, but can also include crassness, coarseness, bathroom humor etc.)
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Date: Thursday, June 30, 2011
Book Review: Confessions of St. Augustine by St. Augustine ~**** ~ Ages 16+
I decided to go on a non-fiction splurge. I do that now and again.
I have to say that this book was excellent, but I must admit that it took nearly a quarter of the book for me to get used to the language. It was very complex. Nevertheless, St. Augustine had so many good insights into Scripture and human nature. He obviously loved the Lord very much.
I was expecting a biography. It was, kind of, but not really. In reality it was a book of praise to the Lord, admission of His goodness, confession of sin, (hence the title) logical analysis, (why should we believe in God etc.), and philosophy, with a little biography mixed in.
I think what made this book so good was the refreshing factor. Most people just don't go around anymore praising God for anything and everything. Most people don't have a habit of constantly confessing sin. I know I don't. It was refreshing to read such things. It sets a good example. God loves it when we confess our sins. He loves it when we praise Him. Just look at the whole book of Psalms! Unfortunately, our culture, or Satan rather, has done an excellent job of smothering these aspects of our walk with the Lord.
The other amazing thing about this book was the mind-boggling logic. Literally. St. Augustine was a teacher of Rhetoric in Carthage and Rome. He had formal logic down pat. Of course, the complexity of the sentences made it a little difficult to follow, but it was all there; mind-boggling because of it's truth, and mind-boggling the way he could take you from one point to the next until you arrived at a conclusion you would not have understood were it not for the steps in between.
I intend to read this again. In fact, I need to. The more I read it, the more I'll understand, because I don't mind admitting that I didn't understand even half of what was there. But challenges are always good.
St. Augustine was a Catholic. But remember, Catholics in those days were far less...liberal, and far more conservative than they are today. I didn't really have a problem with the theology. Although, I may have missed something.
I've given this four stars. It only lacks the fifth star because of the complexity of the language. It's really a four and a half. =)
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Saturday, July 23, 2011
Where to Read Books
There are two websites from which I like to read books. As a general rule, I like to read a physical book better. But, our library is so crummy that it often doesn't have the good ones in the system.
http://bibliomania.com/0/-/frameset.html has a great selection of books, but it is a smaller selection and a little less organized than http://www.classicreader.com/. Classic Reader has a huge selection and is more organized. It's possible it could be run by Christians. One thing to beware of on Classic Reader. It's covered in ads. They're pretty clean ones, but, ads just the same. (A filter system like Norton or Integrity, is an excellent idea.) My filter system does block some ads, so they can't all be clean. Just be careful.
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Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011
Book Review: The Federalist by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton ~***** Ages 16+
This was a fantastic book. Every American should read this. I highly recommend it. The Federalist Papers are an explanation of the U.S. Constitution. Unbelievably, they were compiled in a hurry. They were written to refute the arguments of those who were not in favor of ratifying the Constitution. Obviously, they succeeded. Scholars say that this work is the third most important document of America, after the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution itself.
For something written in a hurry, (Each "Paper" was really written as a newspaper article, so, there were deadlines. Usually, these deadlines were only two days apart.) the papers were extremely well-written and organized. These men knew what they were talking about, and it showed.
One thing I enjoyed was the foresight and insight. These men practically predicted some of the problems we are having today. They had solutions for them (some of them anyway,) and reasons why. Much of this book is very applicable to today's political sphere. Not only that, but they had amazing insights into human nature. It was just so fascinating and awesome. Definitely one of the best things I ever did.
Here are the cons: First, the reading style is difficult. I didn't understand all of it, I'm looking forward to reading it again in the future. I think each re-read I will understand more. Occasionally, I had to re-read sentences a few times.
Second, it was a big fat book. Normally this is not a problem for me. I revel in them. But, sometimes when I have a big, fat, non-fiction book, I get a mental block. I had that, so, it took almost a month and a half to read the first 3/4s. But, I did finish the last 1/4 in one day, (it was overdue at the library. =D)
Third, John Jay only wrote like, 6 articles. =(
Now, for the pros: I already mentioned several. But, 1st, the edition I read included the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of the Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, and the Amendments of the Constitution up to #27.
Also, it was so much fun to see the different personalities of the three writers. Alexander Hamilton came across as an inspirational orator. (He tied with John Jay for my favorite) I like John Jay a lot because of his organized detail. He came across as a lawyer. (Which he was. I believe he was the first American Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court) James Madison was the most blurred. I mean, all three sounded like lawyers, but James Madison came across 50-50 with lawyer and politician. (He was the 4th President.)
So, here are a few ideas.
1: Read it aloud. (If you have younger kids, it might take a lot of explanation along the way, but it would be worth it.)
2: Definitely read the Declaration of Independence etc. aforementioned, before you read the papers. It gives context.
3: It's a good idea to have some knowledge of current events in the 1780s. (I love history, so I didn't have a problem with that, but, I can see where people would.) For instance, look up the Shay Rebellion of Massachusetts.
4: A fun way to read this might be to begin on the date that that the first paper was written, and then read every article on it's corresponding date. It would take longer, (6 months?) but, it might be fun.
This book was so awesome, that I purchased it for my very own. If you don't want to do that, I highly recommend that you at least borrow it from the library and read it!
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Date: Thursday, August 3, 2011
Book Review ~ UnPlanned by Abby Johnson **** (V: 2s) Ages 16+
Abby Johnson was a former director of a Planned Parenthood facility. She quit her job just before the recent debacle (You may have heard of it) to become a heart and soul pro-lifer. How did this happen?
As a gullible young adult with a desire to help people, Abby was drawn into volunteering for Planned Parenthood after being told that 'it helps women. It gives them safe healthy options. Women need options. We're here to give it to them.' Abby was further led to help because of her personal experiences with abortion.
Abby worked her way up the ladder in Planned Parenthood and become a director. All this time, she had never actually seen an abortion. One day, she was asked to help with one. It changed her life.
I have marked this book for violence. If you are squeamish, you may want to skip the description of the abortion. It comes early in the book, about pages 4-6, (in the only? edition.) That, and the topic, makes this book inappropriate for younger children.
The thing I was struck with the most in this book, was how good motives can lead our actions the wrong way. Abby only wanted to help women, but a few smooth words geared toward that desire, led her to the wrong decisions. And that's another thing I noticed. Organizations like Planned Parenthood are often deceptive. Some, if not many of those people involved with Planned Parenthood, (as was evidenced in the book) knew exactly what an abortion is, but by choosing words like, for instance, 'preganancy,' or fetus' instead of 'baby' they make things sound good, healthy, helpful etc. When, in reality, it's not. Just an interesting thought there.
Overall, it was a very good book. It was written in an interesting style. Abby Johnson was obviously well-educated. I recommend it. (For those above 16 that is. ) =)
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Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Book Review: Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber **** (E.I.: 1s, L:1s) Ages: 17-18+
I must say, I really enjoyed this book. It was different. It did have some problems, but it also had good things.
Published this very year, the book is about Carolyn Weber and her journey to salvation. What I found different, and interesting, was that it was less of a biography of a person than a biography of a thought process.
As a poor, Canadian, feminist, agnostic with a scholarship to Oxford, Carolyn finds herself thinking and saying things totally antagonistic to her chosen view-point. Even before she decided to find God consciously, God was drawing her to Himself. Carolyn was challenged by a fellow student at Oxford to rethink her whole way of life. After the gospel was shared to her by this man, Carolyn, in her own words, could not un-think, un-say, or un-hear the Word. As Isaiah says, (Paraphrase): God's Word never goes out without a result.
Before I unequivocally recommend this book, let me say a few things. First, there was some bad language in one paragraph of the book. The rest of the book was clean. Furthermore, their were some references to Carolyn's and her friends' lifestyles which were inappropriate for children. This book is only recommended for mature 17-18 year-olds and up. Finally, the writing style, (it's a style, not a problem) wasn't my favorite although it was done much better than most books. It's the kind of style where things seem just a little disconnected. Really, that sounds like a problem, but it's a style. If you read it, you'd know what I mean. I got used to it.
On the good side however, this book was fascinating, intellectual, and very well-written. Carolyn was a literature student, so there were many quotes and pieces of poetry included. As a mostly non-poetry-appreciator, (I like prose so much better) I think the book actually made me appreciate poetry more. Further, it was almost like a course in apologetics. (Something everybody should have) Carolyn was a questioner. The whole book is pretty much the questions she worked through before she felt she could commit her life to God. Questions ranging from "what is love? what is the driving force in the earth? Who is God? How can a good God kill His Son? How can Jesus, as one of those men have anything to say to the liberated women?" Definitely a good read for adults and older mature children.
Here, I am required to state that I as not paid to write this review. As a member of Booksneeze, I was sent this book for free in exchange for my review.
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Date: Saturday, August 20, 2011
Book Review: Joyfully At Home by Jasmine Baucham **** (T: 1/2s)
This was a great book by the daughter of one of my favorite preachers: Dr. Voddie Baucham.
In a nutshell, it was a book about contentment. Contentment with the home. Girls today have been brought up to believe that as soon as school is over and done with, (or even before) college and a job is the only next step. Miss Baucham throws down this myth with the alternative of staying at home. For many, that is a strange concept.
I was pleased that Jasmine Baucham did not mean that we should stay at home and be slaves. Rather, we should use the home as a base of operations for ministry in and out of the home. We should use our time at home to be a blessing to our family and others.
Among other things, she recommended: hospitality, helping out with chores, babysitting, getting involved with the church and many more. These are all great ways to be a blessing from within the home.
I was also pleased that while she did not recommend 'going to college', she did recognize that each person and family is different and could and should make their own decisions. College is not for everyone, but it can be for some. Jasmine's recommendation is to pursue an online college degree if college is what you want.
Just about the only thing I didn't agree with was her view on women missionaries. While admitting that God used women such as Amy Carmichael and Corrie Ten Boom in mighty ways, she says these women 'should never have been missionaries at all.' 'Single women don't belong on the foreign mission field.' While I see her point of view that missions for single women is dangerous for them.' I still believe that God legitimately can and does call women to the field and can and does use them in mighty ways. I don't think it's wrong.
Other than that, this book was a great book. You should all read it!
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Date: Saturday, August 27, 2011
Author Review: Frances Hodgson Burnett ****
Frances Hodgson Burnett is one of my favorite authors. I like her books largely for the very wholesome quality which most of them have. Some books just have that. While personally, she may not have been the most admirable of women, her books are infused with life and character. Mrs. Burnett was most well know for writing children's books. Few people realize that she also wrote books for adults. (Although of those I have read, they are also suitable for children) Her most famous books are: The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and The Little Princess. My personal favorites are: The Secret Garden, T. Tembarom, The Marchioness, and The Little Princess.
Two books are of special note. The Lost Prince, another favorite, is one of the few that has a significant problem. This book promotes Buddhism. Little Lord Fauntleroy, my least favorite, is of note because it is the one she wrote based on her own children, whom she dressed in curls and furbelows.
Mrs. Burnett was married several times, was interested in Eastern Religions, enjoyed socializing and was extremely extravagant. Her first marriage, to Swan Burnett, was troubled. Her oldest son died before she did. Of her first husband, she wrote shortly after their marriage to a friend, "Men are so shallow... (Insert complaints)" Her second marriage was worse.
Frances began writing at an early age. Her first story was published before she turned 18. She was born in 1849, and died in 1924.
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Date: Saturday, September 3rd, 2011
Book Review: One Call Away by Brenda Warner (E.I. 3s, T:2s) ** Not Recommended in General
I'll be brief. First a synopsis and then a review. Brenda Warner, best known for being the wife of NFL quarterback Kurt Warner has been through a lot of tragic events. A special-needs son, parents killed in a tornado, divorce, criticism and more. The book is titled the way it is because for many of these events it was a literal phone call that changed her life.
I'll be brief here too. She made some good points. Like, God is always there. Do the right thing, make the best of bad things. It was a very well-written book. Poignant. (My new favorite word) But, I thought she was over candid in her descriptions of her choices. Like way. The second half was better than the first. Marginally. She claims to be a Christian. I'm going to say she isn't, I'm reviewing the book, not her. But, it did seem as though the choices she made didn't match the values she said she had. The theology and values she did present seemed wishy-washy. Things she said, like, "I only dated because I wanted a man, not because I needed one" made her come across as a feminist. I realize she did go through a lot. Her first husband did betray her. That would naturally cause her to distrust others. She admits it. I admire that she was honest in her assessment of her weaknesses. I don't know. I didn't like the book. She seemed to be complaining and justifying herself more than praising God for what He had done in her life; for how He had used her circumstances for His glory. It was well-written though. And all the candidness wasn't over the top. But, I really wouldn't recommend it. (I rather regret that I read this)
I received this book for free from booksneeze.com in return for this review. I was not paid for this review.
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Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Book Review: Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie **** (F: 4s, T:3s) Ages 10+
There are some books that everyone should read, not because they're the most wonderful books in the world, but because they are classics. Now, I'm not saying that all classic books should be read just because they're classics. Some classics aren't good. But, Peter Pan falls into the *must read* category.
Peter Pan is a fun book. It's light, very fluffy reading, but it's whole-hearted, genuine fun. It's a book most people have read or heard of. It's referred to in other books. (Another reason to read it, so you know what they're talking about)
On the other hand, Peter Pan himself is a self-admitted arrogant, vain, and prideful character. And the fact that this is never really specified as wrong behavior makes this book fall on the *not the most wonderful book in the world* side of things. That and it's fluffiness of course. Wendy, another character in the book, does remonstrate against Peter's pride. But, it's only cursory. And love of Peter and Never Land is upheld as better than love of parents etc.
But, it is a fun book. If you can recognize it's problems, you should definitely read it. Just make sure its problems don't rub off.
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Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Book Review: Let's Roll by Lisa Beamer ***** Ages 12+
There's really not much to say about this book except that you should read it. A biography of her hero husband, Todd Beamer, Lisa speaks about a topic that is close to the hearts of this generation of Americans; 9/11.
Lisa talks about how she and Todd met, their childhoods, and their struggles in a manner which is humorous, fun, and clear. Just read it. I confess, I do come close to tears sometimes as she describes 9/11. I remember 9/11, so, maybe that's why. Even if you don't remember it, it's a fantastic way to read a bit of modern American history. Everybody should know about it, even if they don't remember it.
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Date: Friday, October 7, 2011
Author Review: G.A. Henty**** Ages 12+
G.A. Henty was an author of historic fiction. He wrote over a hundred books about famous wars and battles in history. While after reading them once you may feel as though they were all the same, they have fantastic educational value. Mr. Henty was known by acclaimed historians across the world as a man who was meticulously accurate in his information.
Through his books, I have learned quite a bit about history and geography in particular. While from the fiction side, things may seem a little preposterous, from history side, they're awesome. Henty's characters meet famous people like, General Robert E. Lee, Josephus, Cortez, Sir Francis Drake and many many others. They explore Mexico with Cortez, they escape from Egypt during the time of Moses and the Exodus, they live through the Huguenot wars, the Thirty Years War, and more.
However, since they do all of this between ages 14 and 20, it's a little outrageous. Oh and did I mention that G.A. Henty was an evolutionist? It's obscure enough to allow these books to be sold on Vision Forum, but, it is there. And the book placed in the time of Moses? I said Henty was accurate. I should say rather that he was accurate with regards to the battles. Not really accurate with regards to the Bible.
My personal favorites happen to be The Cat of Bubastes, (That's the one in Egypt), The Dragon and the Raven (placed during the Norman Conquest of England), and With Wolfe in Canada, (I think this one is placed during the French and Indian War). My least favorite, for reasons of incredible dryness, is True to the Old Flag, (placed during the American Revolution).
Overall however, I would definitely recommend this author. Especially for those who are still young enough to overlook the sameness of them. (If you're too old to overlook this, you'll get less of the history and stuff out of it since you'll be more bored with them)
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Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Book Quote: Wulf the Saxon by G. A. Henty
"It is not everyone who has the wit to perceive that another has sharper wits than himself..."
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Date: Thursday, October 20, 2011
Book Review: The Wave by Todd Strasser ~**** (L:1s) Ages 14+
This book was gripping. Even though I had previously watched the movie (of the same name) and knew how it ended and played out, I was gripped from page one until the end. (It has a couple of bad words about three-quarters of the way in that brought it's rating down. I would have liked to give it five stars!)
The Wave is based on a true story. It's about an experiment that a high school history teacher made in 1969 down in California. The class is going through WW2. It's a typical class with typical teenagers. The students are always late, some are clowns, some are bullies, some are teacher's pets, and others are 'losers.' When the teacher of the class shows them a film revealing the Nazi death camps in all their horror, a student wants to know 'why?' 'Were all Germans bad? why didn't they just leave the Nazi Party? Why did they deny that they had known about the horrors? How could they keep going on?'
The teacher discovered to his chagrin that he did not have the answers. He decided to conduct an experiment, a new kind of game, with the class. At first, it appears to be highly successful and beneficial but when the teacher himself is caught up in the exhilarating tide of power, and when the 'game' becomes all to real, will he be able to stop it before it's too late?
I highly encourage you to read this book. It's a compelling lesson about the evils of power and how quickly one can be swept away by it at the same time as condemning it.
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Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011
Series Review: The Elsie Dinsmore Series by Martha Finley ~**** Ages 12+
I enjoy the Elsie Dinsmore series very much. They have good Christian values which they uphold and, particularly the first 3, are interesting to read. However, I must say that while I like to read them, the series, 26 in number, does not necessarily hold my interest for the whole series. Since it was written just after the Civil War, expect to see some 'racist' attitudes, even among the heroes of the books. For instance, Elsie was punished once by only being allowed to communicate with the servants. It's obvious from this that the servants were viewed as less than human.
A few other things, Elsie cries too much in the beginning, and she's just a little too perfect. Other than that, these are great fun reads! Enjoy!
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Date: Saturday, November 5, 2011
Book Quote
"No picture shall be published which shall lower the standards of those who see them." ~Norman Rockwell
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Date: Saturday, November 12, 2011
Author Review ~P.G. Wodehouse
P.G. Wodehouse was a contemporary of C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton and others. His writings are classic examples of comedy in all manner of forms, although most are romantic comedy. His writing style is what really makes the books. It is ripe with British idioms and humor, which I happen to enjoy. About the only thing bad I can say about most of them, is that it is pure fluff. 100%. You won't get any real information or long-lasting goodness out of them. Also, there are sometimes a couple of bad words, either written in full, or with those dash things. Still, they're a very fun read. I would recommend them as a way to loose your worries and anxieties for a while. P.G. works wonders in that line! Probably suitable for ages 14 or so. Enjoy!
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Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Book Quote
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." ~A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens
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Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Book Review: Strength and Honor, a Life of Dolley Payne Madison by Richard N. Cote ~***** Ages 14+
If you love details, this is definitely the book for you. I happen to love them. Therefore, I love this book. Dolley was born into a Quaker family, although, with her marriage to President James Madison, an Anglican, she was disowned by the Quaker church. I really enjoy the facts, many of which I didn't know before, regarding the beliefs of the Quakers.
I admire Dolley's courage and graciousness to everyone. As a wife, and particularly as a First Lady, she was an amazing woman. Like everyone however, she wasn't perfect. Her example as a mother is less than stellar in the disciplinary section.
Dolley outlived 11 presidents. If you want a good, thick, factual, awesome book, read this.
In a nutshell, it was a book about contentment. Contentment with the home. Girls today have been brought up to believe that as soon as school is over and done with, (or even before) college and a job is the only next step. Miss Baucham throws down this myth with the alternative of staying at home. For many, that is a strange concept.
I was pleased that Jasmine Baucham did not mean that we should stay at home and be slaves. Rather, we should use the home as a base of operations for ministry in and out of the home. We should use our time at home to be a blessing to our family and others.
Among other things, she recommended: hospitality, helping out with chores, babysitting, getting involved with the church and many more. These are all great ways to be a blessing from within the home.
I was also pleased that while she did not recommend 'going to college', she did recognize that each person and family is different and could and should make their own decisions. College is not for everyone, but it can be for some. Jasmine's recommendation is to pursue an online college degree if college is what you want.
Just about the only thing I didn't agree with was her view on women missionaries. While admitting that God used women such as Amy Carmichael and Corrie Ten Boom in mighty ways, she says these women 'should never have been missionaries at all.' 'Single women don't belong on the foreign mission field.' While I see her point of view that missions for single women is dangerous for them.' I still believe that God legitimately can and does call women to the field and can and does use them in mighty ways. I don't think it's wrong.
Other than that, this book was a great book. You should all read it!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2011
Author Review: Frances Hodgson Burnett ****
Frances Hodgson Burnett is one of my favorite authors. I like her books largely for the very wholesome quality which most of them have. Some books just have that. While personally, she may not have been the most admirable of women, her books are infused with life and character. Mrs. Burnett was most well know for writing children's books. Few people realize that she also wrote books for adults. (Although of those I have read, they are also suitable for children) Her most famous books are: The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and The Little Princess. My personal favorites are: The Secret Garden, T. Tembarom, The Marchioness, and The Little Princess.
Two books are of special note. The Lost Prince, another favorite, is one of the few that has a significant problem. This book promotes Buddhism. Little Lord Fauntleroy, my least favorite, is of note because it is the one she wrote based on her own children, whom she dressed in curls and furbelows.
Mrs. Burnett was married several times, was interested in Eastern Religions, enjoyed socializing and was extremely extravagant. Her first marriage, to Swan Burnett, was troubled. Her oldest son died before she did. Of her first husband, she wrote shortly after their marriage to a friend, "Men are so shallow... (Insert complaints)" Her second marriage was worse.
Frances began writing at an early age. Her first story was published before she turned 18. She was born in 1849, and died in 1924.
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Date: Saturday, September 3rd, 2011
Book Review: One Call Away by Brenda Warner (E.I. 3s, T:2s) ** Not Recommended in General
I'll be brief. First a synopsis and then a review. Brenda Warner, best known for being the wife of NFL quarterback Kurt Warner has been through a lot of tragic events. A special-needs son, parents killed in a tornado, divorce, criticism and more. The book is titled the way it is because for many of these events it was a literal phone call that changed her life.
I'll be brief here too. She made some good points. Like, God is always there. Do the right thing, make the best of bad things. It was a very well-written book. Poignant. (My new favorite word) But, I thought she was over candid in her descriptions of her choices. Like way. The second half was better than the first. Marginally. She claims to be a Christian. I'm going to say she isn't, I'm reviewing the book, not her. But, it did seem as though the choices she made didn't match the values she said she had. The theology and values she did present seemed wishy-washy. Things she said, like, "I only dated because I wanted a man, not because I needed one" made her come across as a feminist. I realize she did go through a lot. Her first husband did betray her. That would naturally cause her to distrust others. She admits it. I admire that she was honest in her assessment of her weaknesses. I don't know. I didn't like the book. She seemed to be complaining and justifying herself more than praising God for what He had done in her life; for how He had used her circumstances for His glory. It was well-written though. And all the candidness wasn't over the top. But, I really wouldn't recommend it. (I rather regret that I read this)
I received this book for free from booksneeze.com in return for this review. I was not paid for this review.
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Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Book Review: Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie **** (F: 4s, T:3s) Ages 10+
There are some books that everyone should read, not because they're the most wonderful books in the world, but because they are classics. Now, I'm not saying that all classic books should be read just because they're classics. Some classics aren't good. But, Peter Pan falls into the *must read* category.
Peter Pan is a fun book. It's light, very fluffy reading, but it's whole-hearted, genuine fun. It's a book most people have read or heard of. It's referred to in other books. (Another reason to read it, so you know what they're talking about)
On the other hand, Peter Pan himself is a self-admitted arrogant, vain, and prideful character. And the fact that this is never really specified as wrong behavior makes this book fall on the *not the most wonderful book in the world* side of things. That and it's fluffiness of course. Wendy, another character in the book, does remonstrate against Peter's pride. But, it's only cursory. And love of Peter and Never Land is upheld as better than love of parents etc.
But, it is a fun book. If you can recognize it's problems, you should definitely read it. Just make sure its problems don't rub off.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Book Review: Let's Roll by Lisa Beamer ***** Ages 12+
There's really not much to say about this book except that you should read it. A biography of her hero husband, Todd Beamer, Lisa speaks about a topic that is close to the hearts of this generation of Americans; 9/11.
Lisa talks about how she and Todd met, their childhoods, and their struggles in a manner which is humorous, fun, and clear. Just read it. I confess, I do come close to tears sometimes as she describes 9/11. I remember 9/11, so, maybe that's why. Even if you don't remember it, it's a fantastic way to read a bit of modern American history. Everybody should know about it, even if they don't remember it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Friday, October 7, 2011
Author Review: G.A. Henty**** Ages 12+
G.A. Henty was an author of historic fiction. He wrote over a hundred books about famous wars and battles in history. While after reading them once you may feel as though they were all the same, they have fantastic educational value. Mr. Henty was known by acclaimed historians across the world as a man who was meticulously accurate in his information.
Through his books, I have learned quite a bit about history and geography in particular. While from the fiction side, things may seem a little preposterous, from history side, they're awesome. Henty's characters meet famous people like, General Robert E. Lee, Josephus, Cortez, Sir Francis Drake and many many others. They explore Mexico with Cortez, they escape from Egypt during the time of Moses and the Exodus, they live through the Huguenot wars, the Thirty Years War, and more.
However, since they do all of this between ages 14 and 20, it's a little outrageous. Oh and did I mention that G.A. Henty was an evolutionist? It's obscure enough to allow these books to be sold on Vision Forum, but, it is there. And the book placed in the time of Moses? I said Henty was accurate. I should say rather that he was accurate with regards to the battles. Not really accurate with regards to the Bible.
My personal favorites happen to be The Cat of Bubastes, (That's the one in Egypt), The Dragon and the Raven (placed during the Norman Conquest of England), and With Wolfe in Canada, (I think this one is placed during the French and Indian War). My least favorite, for reasons of incredible dryness, is True to the Old Flag, (placed during the American Revolution).
Overall however, I would definitely recommend this author. Especially for those who are still young enough to overlook the sameness of them. (If you're too old to overlook this, you'll get less of the history and stuff out of it since you'll be more bored with them)
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Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Book Quote: Wulf the Saxon by G. A. Henty
"It is not everyone who has the wit to perceive that another has sharper wits than himself..."
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Date: Thursday, October 20, 2011
Book Review: The Wave by Todd Strasser ~**** (L:1s) Ages 14+
This book was gripping. Even though I had previously watched the movie (of the same name) and knew how it ended and played out, I was gripped from page one until the end. (It has a couple of bad words about three-quarters of the way in that brought it's rating down. I would have liked to give it five stars!)
The Wave is based on a true story. It's about an experiment that a high school history teacher made in 1969 down in California. The class is going through WW2. It's a typical class with typical teenagers. The students are always late, some are clowns, some are bullies, some are teacher's pets, and others are 'losers.' When the teacher of the class shows them a film revealing the Nazi death camps in all their horror, a student wants to know 'why?' 'Were all Germans bad? why didn't they just leave the Nazi Party? Why did they deny that they had known about the horrors? How could they keep going on?'
The teacher discovered to his chagrin that he did not have the answers. He decided to conduct an experiment, a new kind of game, with the class. At first, it appears to be highly successful and beneficial but when the teacher himself is caught up in the exhilarating tide of power, and when the 'game' becomes all to real, will he be able to stop it before it's too late?
I highly encourage you to read this book. It's a compelling lesson about the evils of power and how quickly one can be swept away by it at the same time as condemning it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011
Series Review: The Elsie Dinsmore Series by Martha Finley ~**** Ages 12+
I enjoy the Elsie Dinsmore series very much. They have good Christian values which they uphold and, particularly the first 3, are interesting to read. However, I must say that while I like to read them, the series, 26 in number, does not necessarily hold my interest for the whole series. Since it was written just after the Civil War, expect to see some 'racist' attitudes, even among the heroes of the books. For instance, Elsie was punished once by only being allowed to communicate with the servants. It's obvious from this that the servants were viewed as less than human.
A few other things, Elsie cries too much in the beginning, and she's just a little too perfect. Other than that, these are great fun reads! Enjoy!
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Date: Saturday, November 5, 2011
Book Quote
"No picture shall be published which shall lower the standards of those who see them." ~Norman Rockwell
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Date: Saturday, November 12, 2011
Author Review ~P.G. Wodehouse
P.G. Wodehouse was a contemporary of C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton and others. His writings are classic examples of comedy in all manner of forms, although most are romantic comedy. His writing style is what really makes the books. It is ripe with British idioms and humor, which I happen to enjoy. About the only thing bad I can say about most of them, is that it is pure fluff. 100%. You won't get any real information or long-lasting goodness out of them. Also, there are sometimes a couple of bad words, either written in full, or with those dash things. Still, they're a very fun read. I would recommend them as a way to loose your worries and anxieties for a while. P.G. works wonders in that line! Probably suitable for ages 14 or so. Enjoy!
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Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Book Quote
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." ~A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens
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Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Book Review: Strength and Honor, a Life of Dolley Payne Madison by Richard N. Cote ~***** Ages 14+
If you love details, this is definitely the book for you. I happen to love them. Therefore, I love this book. Dolley was born into a Quaker family, although, with her marriage to President James Madison, an Anglican, she was disowned by the Quaker church. I really enjoy the facts, many of which I didn't know before, regarding the beliefs of the Quakers.
I admire Dolley's courage and graciousness to everyone. As a wife, and particularly as a First Lady, she was an amazing woman. Like everyone however, she wasn't perfect. Her example as a mother is less than stellar in the disciplinary section.
Dolley outlived 11 presidents. If you want a good, thick, factual, awesome book, read this.
