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some insight

The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism by Kate Winslet
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book provides a short account of the genesis of the Golden Hat Foundation ( http://www.goldenhatfoundation.org/ ),

"a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the way people on the autism spectrum are perceived, by shining a light on their abilities and emphasizing their great potential."

The proceeds of the sales of the book go to support the foundation.

Additionally, it provides some insight in to the challenges faced by people who communicate non-verbally due to autism, by sharing some of their first communications. The focus is primary on Keli, the son of one of the co-founders of the foundation. The additional insight is welcome and appreciated.

see also "Mother's Courage, A: Talking Back to Autism" and "The Reason I Jump".

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The Hunger Games trilogy

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is another well written volume of The Hunger Games trilogy. As compelling as these books were to read, I want to say that i don't like the overall story, nor how it ends. But it's not my story to tell. And i believe that it leaves the thoughtful reader with much about which to think; many lessons to ponder. In the end, i might have to concede that a story like this can't end any other way. The history and arc of the events lead in a very specific direction, and although details may vary, the overall end is the same. I hope never to be a part of a story such as this, and if i'm already a part, i hope it is not too late to change its course.

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Catching Fire!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! Another exciting and well written installment of The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins . Within the context of adult responsibilities like going to work, etc, I could not put "Catching Fire" down. Many, many unexpected twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. As with the conclusion of first book, I'm looking forward to what the third book in the series, "Mockingjay" holds.

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Cathedrals of Kudzu - a delight!

Cathedrals of Kudzu: A Personal Landscape of the South by Hal Crowther
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is an absolute delight. I had forgotten how much i love to read Hal Crowther. I was sorting papers and cleaning up in my home office and ran across this book that i had picked up at the Friends of the Durham Library book sale a few years back. I just happened to be between books so I placed it on my night stand and started reading it that evening. What a treat! The essays contained in this book, now about 15 years old, are wonderful to read. And, being a Californian and Midwesterner transplanted to North Carolina 28 years ago, I appreciated the selections that gave me a deeper insight into the South, and into North Carolina. Loved, loved this book. I'm resolved to get my hands on the other books Mr. Crowther has published, and also, to be more deliberate in reading Mr. Crowther's articles in our beloved hometown paper, The Indy Week. Thank you Mr. Crowther.


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The Hunger Games - Excellent!!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent, fast moving, exciting, suspenseful, thought provoking, and well written! I couldn't put it down once i started! Loved it. Hope to read the others in the trilogy.

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an unexpected treat

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wow, this book was an unexpected treat. Very creative situations, places, and characters! As embarrassing as it feels, this children's book holds much that i did not fully grasp. I think that a repeat read is definitely in my future :) Looking forward to seeing what other adventures are in store for the Murrys.

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I love this series

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this series. This third of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy was a wonderful conclusion to the story! All the resolutions were not as i had hoped, nor did everyone live "happily ever after" in the end, but the conclusions resonated well with real life and with Truths i've come to know and embrace in my own life. What a great series. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

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Chatham County Line Electric Holiday

cool photo collage of the fantastic Chatham County Line Electric Holiday show last night at the The Haw River Ballroom

The Reason I Jump

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

this is a fascinating, inspiring look into what it is like to live with Autism. I hope everyone has a chance to read this book. It is wonderful.

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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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