Christin Ditchfield
From the dustjacket: "Do you read The Chronicles of Narnia sensing that the stories are full of biblical parallels, even if you're not always sure what they are or where to find them? This user-friendly companion to The Chronicles of Narnia is written for readers like you who want to discover the books' biblical and Christian roots. Read it, and you'll find that this chapter-by-chapter, book-by-book examination of The Chronicles will widen your spiritual vision."
From me: I don't know about widening my spiritual vision, but this really is a book I wish I had had when I was reading Narnia to my kids. The short chapters give just enough insight into the Narnia chapters as to be helpful without being burdensome. I could see reading a chapter of Narnia to the kids, then talking about the corresponding chapter in Family Guide.
Page 56/Sentence 5: It made for an interesting explanation for the White Witch's origin in a fairy tale, but as C. S. Lewis knew well, the Bible says Adam's first and only wife was Eve (Genesis 3:20).
Carol Kent
"Carol Kent and her husband, Gene, are now living what some would call a heartbreaking life -- their son, Jason, a young man who initially had so much promise, is now living out a life sentence for murder in a maximum-security prison. All their appeals have been exhausted at both the state and federal levels -- humanly speaking, they have run out of options....a riveting journey of facing the impassable obstacles of life and discovering the last thing ever expected -- the sweet spot of grace."
This is another book that I read little by little - usually during an unexpected wait when I happened to have my iPad with me. The result of that is not picking up on any progression through the book, but I'm pretty sure there isn't one anyway. Each chapter is just another example of some silver lining found behind the cloud of the author's son's incarceration. But I don't mean to make that sound ho-hum. The subtitle of the book is very appropriate and a fine message to internalize: Divine Surprises in the Tight Spots of Life.
56/5: Landscape - The sound [cats] make when they are fearful or forced into situations they dislike is a strident wail that assaults human ears. Portrait - [God] uses folks like Nurse Betty; my best friend, Jan; and even strangers and supposed "enemies" to help us make it through the most difficult challenges of our lives.
Daniel Ryan Day
"Daniel Day could tell you all about his love for God and his desire to live as a follower of Jesus. yet it took a simple but radical experiment to move from merely talking about it to actually living it. For ten days at a time, Daniel chose to abandon a certain "necessity" - a coat, his voice, shoes, media, furniture, legs, touch - and to blog about it to raise funds and awareness for organizations that are doing amazing things to make a difference in the world."
Thoroughly intriguing book and one I wish I had not read...because now I have to ask myself, "What's keeping you from doing this yourself? How could YOU make a difference in some of these issues?"
56/5: I recently sat next to two older women in a coffee shop, one of whom was talking about her husband.
Norman L. Geisler & Frank Turek
"Clear, complete, compelling - this terrific resource will help both Christians and seekers understand the rational basis for Christianity. I wish it had been available when I was an atheist - it would have saved a lot of time in my spiritual journey toward God! (Lee Strobel, author of The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith)"
I'm not sure it's possible for me to over-recommend this book. It is a clear, organized, unemotional setting forth of reasonable, logical, historical...dare I say it...scientific reasons why a belief in God, creation, miracles, Jesus' resurrection, etc. doesn't require the checking of one's brains at the door. Just as all my atheist friends want me to read Richard Dawkins (and I've tried...oh I've tried), I want anyone who is honestly open to going where the evidence takes them to read THIS.
56/5: Just as the same gravity keeps all people on the ground whether they believe in it or not, the same logic applies to all people whether they believe it or not.
Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
"The Mary Tyler Moore Show is one of the most beloved and recognized television shows of all time....[this book] tells the stories behind the making of this popular classic, introducing the groundbreaking female writers who lent real-life stories to their TV scripts; the men who created the indelible characters; the lone woman network executive who cast the legendary ensemble...and the colorful cast of actors who made it all work."
Laying aside the fact that the show's actual title was mary tyler moore (not "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"), this book is otherwise full of tasty facts and engrossing stories. It reminds the reader that this show that now seems so tame was once considered ground-breaking. A thoroughly enjoyable read for a behind-the-scenes junkie like me.
56/5: Other women in the business looked to her as an example - if she could do it, maybe they could, too.
Philip Gulley
"Once again, through deft storytelling and his own irresistible brand of humor, Phil Gulley explores the depths of the heartland's heart. (Paul Harvey, Jr.)"
This is the third Gulley novel based on the fictional town of Harmony, Indiana. I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. It's a bit of a misnomer to call it a novel, however. It's more a collection of short stories with intertwining characters...and hilarious commentary on small-town life; particularly small-town church life. One of this book's laughs had to do with questioning the wisdom of having the town's funeral director also be the ambulance driver...doesn't give him much incentive to get to the hospital quickly. There's also plenty of merriment in the story about the annual pumpkin toss being won by the former Sausage Queen.
56/5: It's about the only time Dale Hinshaw is bearable.
James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
From Amazon: "Michael Bennett, is a detective with the New York City Police Department and has been for more then twenty years. He is always involved in high profile cases and this book is probably his biggest case. Thru some very intricate and upsetting moves Michael had caught Manuel Perrine, a drug lord. Unfortunately, in the mission he will lose one of his dearest childhood friends. Nobody is safe now that Perrine is in custody and he has enough money and contacts to dictate from jail who and when to kill people."
Not really sure I should say I read this...to be truthful, I listened to the audiobook (while commuting to my part-time job). I randomly borrowed it from the library in order to do a little research on audio books' formatting. The possibility of voicing audiobooks is interesting to me. It only took a couple chapters to get wrapped up in the story, though. It was a nice bit of escapist action/suspense.
Stephen Mansfield
"It is the most fiercely debated murder of all time. Its symbol is worn by billions of people worldwide. Its spiritual meaning is invoked daily in time-honored rituals....Approaching the story at its most human level, Mansfield uses both secular sources and biblical accounts to bring fresh perspective to the human drama, political intrigue, and criminal network behind the killing of the world's most famous man."
Almost reading like a novel, the book almost lives up to the dust jacket blurb. It IS an engrossing telling of the behind-the-scenes motivations of the major players in Jesus' crucifixion. I can't say it was really all that revelatory for ME, but it would be a great introduction/explanation for someone who's never really looked into it before.
56/5: He passes his eyes over Jerusalem as though seeing her for the first time.
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