i'm hooked. on to book 3

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent! i'm hooked. on to book 3, The Amber Spyglass

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The Golden Compass - loved this story!

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book of Philip Pullman's that i have read, the first being The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ. The Golden Compass is an exciting, imaginative and well written tale. I was pulled into the story from the very beginning. There were many turns and twists and surprises along the way. The ending caught me off guard and guarantees i'll read the next book in the trilogy, The Subtile Knife. I loved this story!

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Fascinating, a must read!

The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why by Phyllis A. Tickle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is fantastic! It is a must read for anyone at all interested in Western Christianity, from those who are believers in it, to those who are disgusted with it. This book provides a broad yet detailed survey/overview of the significant changes underway in Western and North American Christianity, with just the right amount of depth; not too shallow, and not too detailed. It traces the history of the major turning points for Christianity, and relates them to the changes taking place now. That being said, the author covers much material which i found fascinating and interesting. I found myself not wanting to put it down. This is the best book I've read on this subject. It is excellent, and a must read!

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over-the-top outrageously zany!

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide by Douglas Adams

I'm on page 471 of 815 of The Ultimate Hitchhiker's:

This story is over-the-top outrageously zany! This particular volume is a collection of 6 shorter books which are part of the overall story. I've decided to stop halfway thru this collection, after the 3rd book. This is just too much fun to experience in a single reading! I'll pick it up later to finish.

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Boulevard Beer dinner - NICE!

Whoa! “@BLVD_Heff: Um, yeah, so, this might be the @Boulevard_Beer dinner menu of the year @ Bond Street Social pic.twitter.com/zBwzJqUA2v”
— Boulevard Brewing Co (@Boulevard_Beer) November 4, 2013

a myth worth reading

The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
(part of: Canongate Myths series)

This is an excellent story, or rather, myth. I loved the creativity and the issues that it raised.

A few of the many moving and insightful quotes that i liked:

"make history the handmaid of posterity and not its governor"- p.99

"Lord, if i thought you were listening, I'd pray for this above all: that any church set up in your name should remain poor, and powerless, and modest. That it should wield no authority except that of love. That it should never cast anyone out. That it should own no property and make no laws. That it should not condemn, but only forgive. That it should be not like a palace with marble walls and polished floors, and guards standing at the door, but like a tree with its roots deep in the soil, that shelters every kind of bird and beast and gives blossom in the spring and shade in the hot sun and fruit in season, and in time gives up its good sound wood for the carpenter; but that sheds many thousands of seeds so that new trees can grow in its place. Does the tree say to the sparrow "Get out, you don't belong here"? Does the tree say to the hungry man "This fruit is not for you"? Does the tree test the loyalty of the beasts before it allows them into the shade?" - p.199

This is a worthy read, i recommend it!

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Red October

The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This a great story! Loved the techie touches. I wanted to read it in memory of Mr. Clancey, and because i love the movie.

"In theory the National Security Agency came under the titular control of the director of Central Intelligence. In fact it was a law unto itself." p.69

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Wow!

The Idolatry of God: Breaking Our Addiction to Certainty and Satisfaction by Peter Rollins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow! I've never read anything like this before! Looking forward to re-reading it with a few select friends who share my intellectual curiosity and my disillusionment with the political and religious structures in our world. This book might be a first step in making sense of it all. I'm also looking forward to reading another of Peter Rollins books. Great stuff!

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a story told too soon

The Fallon Blood by Robert Jordan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Robert Jordan's 14 volume Wheel of Time series is one of my favorite stories ever. I've read "The Eye of the World" four times, and books 2-4 twice. I love the story, the characters, and especially the way it was told. The characters and the world are so 3D and real.

Which is one reason i picked up the Fallon trilogy to read. That and the fact that it is based in Charleston, where my kids live. Sadly, "The Fallon Blood" was a disappointment (it hurts to say it). The story concept, including the characters and setting, is very promising. But the story is not told well at all. It is somewhat random and flat (SO different than The Wheel of Time!) Jordan's writing style and technique improved greatly in the 10 years between writing this story and writing his classic "The Eye of the World".

I read this first book of the trilogy because i love Robert Jordan, but i probably will not finish this trilogy. It was a great story idea published a little too early in the career of RJ, before he was ready to tell it.

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Wil Wheaton (@wilw) on Pumking

Ho. Lee. Shit. The most complex pumpkin beer I've ever had. — Drinking a Pumking by @stbcbeer — http://t.co/GJT0JnPOzO
— Wil Wheaton (@wilw) October 2, 2013

Friends of the Durham Library Fall Book Sale

Fall Book Sale: October 4-6

Attention shoppers! Find great bargains on gently used books at the Friends of the Durham Library Fall Book Sale, October 4-6 at the Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St. Durham 27701.

Thousands of books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs are categorized for easy shopping in the library’s auditorium and garage, and under tents set up for the event. Book prices start at 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hard covers. Early shoppers will find the best selection of specially priced books in gift giving condition. Parking is free. Proceeds support Durham County Library programs and services.

The 2013 Fall Book Sale begins Friday, October 4, with a Friends members-only evening from 4 to 7. Friends members have first choice at the sale on Friday, and everyone is encouraged to join the Friends. Memberships can be purchased at the door beginning at 2 p.m. All are welcome Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 6, from 2 to 5 p.m. for the $7 bag sale (paper grocery bags supplied by the Friends.) Debit and credit cards are accepted.

Can’t make it to the Fall Book Sale? You can shop the Friends mini-booksales every day at seven Durham locations: American Tobacco Campus Strickland Building, 334 Blackwell St.; East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Ln.; Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.; North Regional Library, 221 Milton Rd.; South Regional Library, 4505 Alston Ave.; Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Rd.; and Stanford L. Warren Branch, 1201 Fayetteville St. Checks and cash only for the mini-booksales, please.

 http://durhamcountylibrary.org/2013/09/fall-book-sale-october-4-6/

The Poisonwood Bible

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an amazing story that takes my breath away as I finish its final pages. I'm awestruck by the last 2 chapters. Wonderfully written, this story shares a wide range of depth and perspectives of life of an American missionary family in Africa (specifically the Congo circa 1960). The story is told, with creativity and thoughtfulness, from the respective viewpoints of all the main, female characters. This approach yields many perspectives on the events recorded. I loved this book. It is not perfect, but is darned close. I recommend it to all, a wonderful tale, laden with real Truth.

"When I want to take God at his word exactly, I take a peek out of the window at His Creation. Because that, darling, He makes fresh for us every day, without a lot of dubious middle managers."

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excellent book!

The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings by Bart D. Ehrman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finally! After starting this book over two years ago, and after several pauses in the reading, i've finished it!

This is an extremely well written and researched book that I recommend to anyone interested in the history of what is considered to be the Christian New Testament. The historical and literary methods used by Dr. Ehrman are fascinating. I am left amazed by the vast number and significance of facts and history related to the Early Christian writings that are never discussed in the dominant "Christian" culture. It is baffling to me that these topics are seemingly never considered by people who claim to base their life upon the Christian scriptures. At any rate, this is an excellent introduction to the topic for anyone with the intellectual integrity and courage to deal with it.

I highly recommend this book with 6 out of 5 stars!

ps. this is an academic book which deals with the history of the early Christian literature in an objective, scholarly manner. It does not express opinions of the author, other than related to historical and textual criticism methods, etc. It is NOT to be put in the same category of some of Dr. Ehrman's other more "popular" books in which he clearly offers his opinions about matters of theology, faith, and philosophy.

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East of Eden by John Steinbeck

East of Eden by John Steinbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have wanted to read this book ever since seeing the movie years ago, and especially after a dear friend's book club read it last year as one of their selections. I recently saw the movie again on TMC and decided it was time to pick up the book and go for it. It was a well rewarded venture.

The first two thirds of the book are back-story for the characters and the families involved. Steinbeck's writing style is not the best I've read, and the early part of the book was somewhat tedious. But my efforts were richly paid off as I entered the last third of the story. The richness of the characters and the dynamics of their interactions with each other, the events around them, and even with themselves, drew me into the story such that I found it difficult to put the book down for the last 150 pages. The characters are real and complex, and I felt more human, finding parts of myself in many of them, whether protagonist, or antagonist, or secondary. The ending was very moving, and there are many unexpected twists and turns along the way that make this tale so much richer than a simple parable of good and evil, black and white. Compared to the more simplistic biblical story from which this story is based, I found East of Eden to contain more Truth and Reality than the biblical version. Really good stuff! I highly recommend this book, and encourage staying with it to the end. An excellent story.

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great quote from "East of Eden"

I'm on page 413 of "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck and found the following passage:

“In uncertainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved. Indeed, most of their vices are attempted shortcuts to love. When a man comes to die, no matter what his talents and influence and genius, if he dies unloved his life must be a failure to him and his dying a cold horror. It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try so to live that our death brings no pleasure to the world."

"We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the neverending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue is immortal. Vice has always a new fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.”

enjoying this story :) Kate creeps me out tho!

A Brief History of Time

A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fascinating book. Hardcore scientists will not be satisfied by the level at which Hawking presents the information, but for someone like me who loves technical things, but has not followed the last 25 years of discoveries in these areas of research and study, it was fascinating. I'd like to re-read it to get a bit more familiar with the subjects covered! I recommend this book to folks who appreciate and enjoy science but are not looking for details only comprehendible by specialists in the field. Hawking has a endearing sense of humor, and is not afraid to throw in some philosophical comments as well. An enjoyable read!

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Virtual light

Virtual Light by William Gibson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, another excellent tale from William Gibson! I love his story telling, his writing style, and his brilliant imagination. I can't wait to start the next book in this trilogy!

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The Last Book by Kay I Want to Read

The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I freakin' give up on this one. There are too many other books that I want to read for me to waste any more time on this one. Following the plot and the characters is like some sort of twisted puzzle or whodunnit mystery. As a result, after 232 pages, i couldn't care less about any of the characters nor about how this convoluted story will end. The first book that i read by this author was "Under Heaven" and it was excellent in every way that this book is found wanting. It was excellent! Unfortunately, other books i've read by Kay are not as compelling. This is the third i've read and I'm done with him.

Additionally, as a result of this book, i've implemented an overdue personal policy of NOT finishing a book unless it has won me in the first 25%. If i am not completely into the story by 1/4 of the way through, I'll spend the remaining 75% on another book that I want to read. Life is to freaking short.

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To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is a reminder to be mindful of our past mistakes, lest we be doomed to repeat them.
It is a great story, and i'm glad i finally took the time to read it!
Now i want to see the movie!

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Pale Blue Dot

Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a brilliant volume by Dr. Sagan, full of facts, wisdom, and foresight. The subtitle "A Vision of the Human Future in Space" is perfect. It is filled with hope, cautions, challenges, and inspiration. In just one sample of the multitude of wisdom contained in this book, speaking of our descendants who will make their homes elsewhere in our solar system, he writes:

"I do not imagine that it is precisely we, with our present customs and social conventions, who will be out there. If we continue to accumulate only power and not wisdom, we will surely destroy ourselves. Our very existence in that distant time requires that we will have changed our institutions and ourselves. How can I dare to guess about humans in the far future? It is, I think, only a matter of natural selection. If we become even slightly more violent, shortsighted, ignorant, and selfish than we are now, almost certainly we will have no future."

I highly recommend this treasure as required reading for all who are able to read it.  Loved it. Six stars!

ps. inspired to read it by this quote: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Blue_Dot#Reflections_by_Sagan

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