Phil Lemons
This is a powerful little book. Michael Card's exploration of the word hesed is shining a beatific light in the Old Testament in a way I hadn't seen parts of it before. Further, he has shown me a reality of God in a deeper, fuller definition than I have seen before, even though the word God chooses to describe himself with is still beyond definition!
This is a favorite that I will be coming back to. I initially borrowed this ebook from the library, but have purchased a copy while reading it because it is such a rich treasure to me.
I enjoy the graphic novel as a format to read when I'm mentally worn and focusing on regular reading is tough. Still, I find some of the stories to be shallow and drawn out. R2-D2 reading C-3PO worked as a simple story drawn out a bit, as well as the Sandpeople story. Another thing I like about graphic novels is to enjoy the artistry. I don't like the art where people's faces look like photos rather than art. It feels out of place when the rest of the panel doesn't look photorealistic.
I took two months to read this. That by itself shows that the stories didn't pull me back to it. Fortunately, the fact that each story was self contained made coming back and reading one here and there worked just fine. In the end, it was fun but I don't think these stories will stick with me long.
This was a fun book to read with the boy. The boy got into this book more than previous reads and wanted to hear more when it was time to stop for the night. I love to see that.
Cleary addresses the desires of growing up and getting to do grown up things. She cleverly brings things around to show how it isn't just age or size that matters, but learning to be responsible for things and to think of others that is more important.
As for the boy, the idea of a mouse riding a motorcycle is an immediate sell!
I really enjoyed this book. Not as much as I remembered from 25 years ago, but it is a fun detective story. The world is a unique world which seemed more plausible as a future reality in the early 90s. Now it feels like high tech versions of outdated ways of operating today. The writing is very accessible and moves well, but there were a few times I had to reread a section to understand what is being said. There are some cultural generalizations that seem to carry through to the next century.
This was fun to revisit after so many years and I may read another installment or two and see how they go, as I didn't read further before. Which goes to show that while the book is setup well for a sequel, a person can be quite satisfied with reading this one by itself.
This is not what I expected after listening to the first book in the series. The book follows Luke's perspective for most of the book–in second person perspective. In other words, you get to experience the story as Like Skywalker. I found it a bit odd at first, but I found it to be an interesting, fresh perspective.
I believe the reader is the same performer at the first book, continuing a top notch performance with character voices and bringing energy to the story telling. One thing that I took some exception to early on is that the author does not follow the dialogue in the movie exactly. A bit jarring when one gets different words than expected in well known sequences.
Overall, the author captures the spirit of the story and presents it in a package that my ten year old self would have loved. (Although I would have complained more about the dialogue changes back then!)
How do I review this book? The writing is fantastic. It keeps the flow going and brings the voices of the characters to life. My one complaint is that I don't particularly care for current day swearing showing up more. Especially the f-bomb. I like Star Trek without it. This book did not have many, but it feels awkward to hear a member of a non-human race using it.
I enjoyed getting the a glimpse into the histories of Raffi, Dr Jurati, and others. I would like to have learned the story behind the two Romulans who are employed by Picard at his vineyard, but the book doesn't go there. This book sets the stage for the first episode of Picard and would likely feel incomplete without the television series to follow.
This was an easy book to listen to. The reader was superb and really brought the story to life. I found myself routing for the protagonist and second guessing the outcome several times throughout the story. I especially enjoyed the interaction between the two best friends, even considering how unnatural it was. The writing has a natural flow and doesn't sound formulaic. I found myself ready to get back into it to find out what happens next.
I deliberated between these three and four stars. I really did enjoy my time in this world. I particularly liked that characters refused to let their lives be determined for them. I did struggle with the gods. Perhaps part of this is my unfamiliarity with the Greco-Roman gods mythologies. Part of it is that I didn't like the gods themselves.
The mortal characters win the day for me. It was a fun adventure. It wasn't a boiler plate story. And it had something to say about life beyond the story. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the fantasy genre. For those friends who are sensitive to reading books that do not line up with fundamental beliefs, they may want to skip this one. (Greco-Roman pantheon of gods, and all.)
This book addresses points I've wrestled with over the years. It's easy to have a quick answer, to quote a scripture, and to presume to know God's opinion on so many things and people. Most of us want to be in the know and have control over it all. Most of us would not have the character of Job to trust God when we don't understand. I don't say that to shame us, only to speak the truth of where we are. Most of us want to be rescued if we do right, pray right, or believe right.
I needed to be reminded that is exactly where I need to be. To let go and trust God to be in control while I look for ways to simply be with Him. To speak honest truth about my thoughts and feelings. To stop and listen. To invite Him to be part of every part of the day.
This is a book I can see myself coming back to more than once. Thank you, Skye Jethani for reminding me that life with God is the greatest treasure in the universe.
This audiobook was really fun. The narrators do a fantastic job, especially capturing the voices of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Obi-wan Kenobi. The soundtrack mixed in along with sound effects made the overall experience most entertaining.
I didn't expect to enjoy this book this much. It's a retelling of the first Star Wars movie made, which I've seen a million times and had practically memorized at one point in time. However, the author did a fantastic job of expanding on the movie narrative to fill in character perspectives in the times between their time on screen and diving into the characters' thoughts in particular moments. I felt the author stayed true to the characters and added depth to them. I count this as a fantastic, fresh retelling of a story I've long enjoyed.
Unlike the previous installments, this was mainly one contiguous story starring Yoda. A second story featuring Leia follows. I would say this has been the weakest of the series, so far. I found myself looking to see how much remained. I doubt I would have kept with this story in a full length novel, but it was entertaining enough in this format. I call this a one and done. It felt like a filler between the last collection and the next.
There are a lot of good thoughts in this book. I am all on board with owning things that have use and meaning rather than being owned by a bunch of stuff that collects dust. I love the ideas of living in a way that brings meaning to my life or other's lives. Miller shares what he has learned on his path in embracing minimalism that is useful for those who want to embrace a life with less.
I did find a number of the essays to be repetitive. I imagine if I were reading these as they were published on the author's website, more time would fall between readings, and they wouldn't feel as repetitive. At times the essays feel as though I'm reading from his journal rather than something meant for public consumption. Other times, while Miller's advise is good, it feels as though the narrative is praising the author more than sharing his experience.
At the end of the book, I find that I enjoyed reading the book and appreciate learning from Miller's experience. I did feel that this is fundamentalist minimalism, teaching the reader how to be a true minimalist and how not to get off the straight and narrow. Miller does come back to point out that the main point is to be in control of your life rather than having your life be in control of you. I can't help but think that the determination and focus Miller had that helped him succeed in the corporate world is the same trait that he used to be successful as a minimalist. This isn't a criticism, mind you, just an observation that not every reader has the same determinate and focus. So I would encourage a reader who feels overwhelmed to be patient and take things one step at a time.
This was a fun read. It isn't something I'll remember as a fantastic story, but I did enjoy my time here. The banter between Han and Leia sometimes feels silly, but it felt like it kept the spirit of Empire Strikes Back. And, of course, everything is possible in a comic book, so it turns into an improbable, but fun ride if one is willing to suspend belief for awhile.
I might file this one under guilty pleasure. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and the way it unfolds. The narrator read brilliantly bringing the protagonist to life, especially. The book might be twenty pages shorter if all the f-bombs were removed. And another 30 shorter if half the smoking was removed. I get that people smoke and talk like that in reality, but it's like having one's tomatoes salted for the first time. It stands out because I'm not used to it being there.
The lives of the rich and famous don't interest me much, and if anything, this book reenforces that stance. For me, this is all about the mystery and the work of solving it. I like this one well enough that I would read the next in the series.
Okay, I feel compelled to say that I have a hard time giving a graphic novel more than three stars. I realize this is a bias on my part, but I've grown enough to allow myself to read them. :)
Overall this was fun. Two of the stories dragged and felt repititious in the dialogue, but then we are talking about a graphic novel, so one should keep that in mind. This may be criticism coming from someone who has read more graphic novel content as an adult than a kid.
The story captures the feel of the Star Wars movies and the art is fantastic. I'm invested enough to borrow the next issue.
I found this on Hoopla last night while perusing the library. It showed 96 pages and thought this would be a good quick infusion of John Eldredge encouragement. Much of this book was familiar to me. At the end, I came to discover this book is John's super condensed version of Wild at Heart. Perhaps a small taste for men who might not be willing to commit to a 250 page book. For me, it was a great refresher on the core concepts of Wild at Heart.
Wild at Heart is a big influence on my life. Reading this has reminded me of some truths I needed to be reminded of. It has me wanting to read through Wild at Heart again.
This didn't turn out to be a story that captivated me. I think I kept on out of curiosity more than anything. Although there are a number of elements in the story I identify with, I found I didn't connect with any of the characters. I imagine that is due to looking at life through a different lens.
Patchett's writing is fantastic. I would not have made it through the book otherwise. She has a narrative that has a natural, easy flow. I can easily imagine this story being told by someone over a number of conversations. I had hoped for some kind of redemption in the end for someone. It seems the house is the only character that finds redemption. I never invested in the house, personally, and so I more easily identify with those who tried to engage with those who were fascinated with the inanimate and ignorant of the living sharing the space.
This book sometimes feels like it will never end for me. I struggled with some of the detail in the aftermath of the battle. Listening to the audio, I found Rob Inglis to be a fantastic reader. Names, songs, he does them all without missing a beat.
So how does one write a review for an iconic book released after this time with so many other reviews? I suppose I can only say what it means to me. Reading this series is an epic journey for me as a slow reader. Listening to the audiobook makes it more attainable.
As I get older, I see more and more how Middle Earth is influenced by small, insignificant acts performed by seemingly insignificant people. I see how those who saw themselves as helpless came to find bravery in their own fashion, away from the safety of home, that enabled them to make a better world at home. I hope to encourage my boy, that he will find his time and his strength to make his world a better place.
Another fun installment in the series. I'm not sure I will remember the story long, but it was fun to escape to for awhile. The author continues a mastery of the voices of the characters.
What I liked:
- Obi-Wan Kenobi's journal from Tatooine.
- Luke's search to learn to become a Jedi.
- All the fantastic artwork.
What didn't work for me:
- A muscular Hutt.
- The duration of the interaction among Han, Leia, and Sana. It was an exchange in the spirit of the movies, but it started to get a bit old but the time it resolves.
I had fun, but this isn't a story that will stick with me for very long.
This installment seemed to move faster than some of the previous stories, but I still enjoyed it. I wouldn't have minded this story to be a bit longer to have more meat to the story. Not as much word play and puns as previous installments. In some cases they are there, but it took me a minute to make the connection (a better quality pun, perhaps?) A quick, fun read. Just what I need between longer reads to cleanse the palette.
All is grace. The title is simple, the words in a way feel inadequate, yet it is the essence of this book. I've often said it is a dangerous thing to meet or learn about people one admires. We tend to create an idea of a person that is unrealistic and are disappointed when we discover they are human like the rest of us after all. Manning has long been open about some of his weaknesses, most notably his battle with alcoholism. I suspect there are more shortcomings he does not share. These shortcomings actually make the point more poignant, more real, more true. God loves us the way we are, not the way we should be, because none of us are as we should be.
How to review this book? It's a bit of a challenge, as there are threads of story finely woven throughout to create a tapestry of a grand story in the end. Ah! That right there is the work of a master at work! Not to mention the idea that Death could fill in as the Discworld equivalent of Santa Claus and it is not at all morbid or weird. In fact, I rather enjoyed Pratchett's portrayal of Death in this fashion.
I like that for Pratchett there are no sacred cows and he illustrates so well how imagination and a belief in the impossible helps us to attain more than we could otherwise while helping us to maintain our sanity in the face of all we cannot control. (How's that for a run-on sentence?)
This month has been a challenging month in the real world, disrupting the normal flow of reading. As such, the effect of the plot based on certain details sometimes caused me to backup and reread some sections to refresh my memory so I understood what was going on. The plots come together in a fashion I didn't see coming that I think I will enjoy all the more on the next reading.