Clear, concise, interesting, and edifying, this Lutheran guidebook explains the key points of the faith in a simple (but never patronizing) manner. SpClear, concise, interesting, and edifying, this Lutheran guidebook explains the key points of the faith in a simple (but never patronizing) manner. Sprinkled with moments of humor and warmth, and containing personal anecdotes of the author's life, this book has much more of a human connection than many theology texts. It also offers guidance (that is, "tools") that can help Christians understand their faith and live accordingly. Very well thought-out and quite thought-provoking!
Merged review:
Clear, concise, interesting, and edifying, this Lutheran guidebook explains the key points of the faith in a simple (but never patronizing) manner. Sprinkled with moments of humor and warmth, and containing personal anecdotes of the author's life, this book has much more of a human connection than many theology texts. It also offers guidance (that is, "tools") that can help Christians understand their faith and live accordingly. Very well thought-out and quite thought-provoking!...more
What a joy! This book was a delight from start to finish!
The story takes its time, moving slowly but with great atmosphere and nuance. The depictions What a joy! This book was a delight from start to finish!
The story takes its time, moving slowly but with great atmosphere and nuance. The depictions of the relocated British children during WWII were very well-rendered, and this book struck all the right notes of sorrow and hope and fear and loss. The novel's plot is absolutely beautiful—sad but not bleak—with memorable characters on a quest for life and redemption. The author did a phenomenal job of imbuing the whole book with a fairy-tale-like quality, without ever once drawing on any supernatural element. The novel reads almost like a journey, taking its readers on a long adventure through dark and perilous places, and as the tale goes on, the tension grows and the drama unfolds, until finally the readers reach the journey's end and its thoroughly satisfying conclusion....more
Well, this book isn't about the Titanic, it isn't about surviving, and it isn't about books. How sad to witness such a unique premise devolve into yetWell, this book isn't about the Titanic, it isn't about surviving, and it isn't about books. How sad to witness such a unique premise devolve into yet another run-of-the-mill love triangle! If you're interested in love triangles, you might find something useful here, although I doubt there is much to set this one apart from the crowd of romances. The characters are mildly interesting, the pace at some points isn't egregiously slow, and prose is only distractingly over-written in a few places. So it's okay. Mediocre, sure, but definitely okay. I was perhaps most disappointed by the historical setting, which seems to fall flat, at least to me, as the characters feel quite modern. The whole book seems a little out of focus: the Titanic elements are good, but shoved into the background; the love of books is alluded to but not allowed to shine (which was just a constant reminder to me, the reader, that I could be reading something else); and the supporting characters in the book club scenes are so much more interesting than any of the three leads. If you got something out of this, good for you. I found I didn't care enough about the characters even to make it to the end....more
Interesting premise, and overall well-written. The characters were quite nuanced, and the story was gripping enough to keep me reading to the end. I hInteresting premise, and overall well-written. The characters were quite nuanced, and the story was gripping enough to keep me reading to the end. I had no problem for the first part of the novel suspending my disbelief enough to accept the concept, but it got so bogged down in the middle by trying to sell the "science" behind that it really just succeeded in making the premise seem kind of ridiculous. This might have been a nice parable or fantasy story, but by over-explaining and by taking itself way too seriously, it just made it harder for me to accept the story on its own terms. I started getting bothered by how little regard Nora has been showing the other Noras, swooping into their lives, pushing them into limbo (or something?), screwing things up for them, and then ducking out when things get bad, leaving them to live with the mess she made. The theory of the multiverse is—to my understanding—debated in scientific circles; it is not a universally (ha ha) accepted fact the way this book seems to imply. The more seriously the book would take itself and its premise, the harder it would be to gloss over stuff like this. I also didn't enjoy the last part of the story very much; it leans pretty hard into an atheistic worldview and then gets preachy. This doesn't mean it's objectively bad writing, but it isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea. Certainly not mine....more
A collection of urban legends gleaned from period newspapers. This book would be worth reading for the introduction alone, in which the author describA collection of urban legends gleaned from period newspapers. This book would be worth reading for the introduction alone, in which the author describes the nature of an urban legend and outlines his process for finding and sorting them. The legends themselves range from the ridiculous to the merely implausible to the I-don't-quite-believe-it-but-would-like-to variety. Some of the legends here are physically impossible, and Young takes great pains to explain the science involved and the exact lengths to which it could go. A few of these chapters were a little disturbing in terms of subject matter, but many centered on human interaction, rather than gore, and were ultimately thought-provoking. People interested in print culture, in newspapers, or in urban legends will almost certainly benefit from this, but Simon Young's matter-of-fact style and eclectic topics will likely entertain any reader. A fun book of stories that didn't really happen . . . or did they?...more
Fantastic book, with clear writing and good explanations for the basic tenets of the faith. He does a fine job of explaining things for laymen, and heFantastic book, with clear writing and good explanations for the basic tenets of the faith. He does a fine job of explaining things for laymen, and he does not stray from the topic at hand. The result is a beautiful, concise read that neatly outlines the faith and is full of tremendous insight. I can't say that he fully answered all of my questions, but he answered a great many of them, and he gave me quite a lot to ponder. He has a knack for presenting old information in new ways, yet without abandoning church doctrine. The explanation of justification, given early on in the book, remains one of the loveliest I've ever read. His chapter on the sacraments was likewise enlightening. Highly recommended!...more
I tend to like long books, but this was one novel that should have been a short story. Possibly, as a novella, it might have been all right. 3.5 stars
I tend to like long books, but this was one novel that should have been a short story. Possibly, as a novella, it might have been all right. But this? It just felt so stretched and thin and insubstantial, which is too bad because the plot is amazing. It must be hard, as a writer, to pare down the plot and keep focused on the important stuff. Here, there aren't countless unrelated subplots and tangents; in fact, I would have preferred a bit more information on some points. This should have been a tightly-written story. Unfortunately, even the simplest actions take many pages to unfold. It's just too tedious to be gripping. I think the story was also hurt by having multiple timelines; there wasn't enough happening in each chapter to keep up interest, at least for me. I did like the characters very much; even the minor characters were interesting, and the main characters' drama stayed with me well after the last page. One of the timelines, a series of mini-chapters set apart by their italic font, has some of the best writing in the book, possibly because each chapter is a standalone vignette. Together, they make a series of beautiful, horrifying, tragic snapshots. Overall a solid read, but it could have been a little stronger....more
Not much depth of information here, but the book's broad scope is sure to entertain many. Full of clear, concise information and a plethora of photogrNot much depth of information here, but the book's broad scope is sure to entertain many. Full of clear, concise information and a plethora of photographs, this book's discussion of specific hoaxes from history will likely have something to intrigue most children. Not all the hoaxes are "creepy"; the one about the Cottingley fairies, for example, is rather cute. Enjoyable for browsing, and still short enough for kids to read it in a single sitting....more
How interesting! This charming book conveys a great deal of information about the country's first bookmobile and the remarkable librarian who made it How interesting! This charming book conveys a great deal of information about the country's first bookmobile and the remarkable librarian who made it possible. Clear and informative—but never condescending—this book can be enjoyed by youth and adults alike. The many photographs included add to the enjoyment....more
Great resource for anyone who leads (or would like to lead) a mystery book discussion. Full of information about successful discussions, examples of uGreat resource for anyone who leads (or would like to lead) a mystery book discussion. Full of information about successful discussions, examples of useful questions, and explanations of some of the unique challenges posed by the mystery genre, this book is sure to enlighten and inspire. A broad list of mysteries is also included, along with a mini discussion guide for each. Terrific tool for any mystery buff!...more
This book had absolutely no business being this good. Interesting characters, lots of action, good moments of humor—this wild ri4.5, easily rounded up
This book had absolutely no business being this good. Interesting characters, lots of action, good moments of humor—this wild ride was a blast from start to finish. I mean, literally, there were some pretty big explosions. I'm not a huge fan of books about assassins, and certainly I could never condone this in real life, but I found I could suspend disbelief easily for this one. It's well-plotted, and in a few places, the author seemed to be actively trying to avoid falling into cliché. I also greatly appreciate that the author didn't depict 60 as old. These characters are women who have more back pain than they used to, who can't keep up with what their younger selves would have been doing. But they also are still active, still mentally sharp, and still healthy. It's not a story about four old women who come out of retirement for one last huzzah. It's a story about modern women who have never stopped doing things. In one scene, a couple of the women don grey wigs and use make-up to make themselves look older. That's a nice detail. Thoroughly enjoyed this story!...more
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