by Jefferson Bass (ISBN: 9780060759902)
This is the third in the Dr. Bill Brockton and Body Farm series of books written by these two men (Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson). I like to read books that are a part of a series. But normally you read a couple and then they all become predictable or they are very similar in nature. That has not been the case with this group of books. I read the first two (Carved in Bone, Flesh and Bone) earlier in 2011 before I began this blog. I will read the next one in the series Bones of Betrayal (looks like there are two more in print after this one).
Dr. Bill Brockton is a forensic anthropologist working in the lab at University of Tennessee with an intern, Miranda. He is also the founder of the Body Farm - a place where human remains are studied - a part of the UT. In real life there is a place just like this - you can read more about it at their website: http://www.jeffersonbass.com/bio.html
The stories have revolved around the science that is accomplished to help solve murder cases and the situations that are created by these cases. They are interesting and give enough detail that a lay person can understand what is happening, but not so much detail that you get bored with it for lack of understanding. As you read the books you get to know the main characters. They are very likeable and down to earth individuals who encounter some shady people because of their work. This is sort of like watching CSI, with less science detail. (I like CSI, by the way.) I like the way the story flows and how the segments of it are introduced.
Thank you to Mr. Jefferson and Dr. Bass for providing enjoyable reading. These books couldn't be without the expertise you bring to them.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Flight to Heaven
by Captain Dale Black (ISBN: 9780764207945)
A young pilot survives a plane crash and has significant spiritual outcomes along with his injuries. This story is listed as an autobiography - Black is the young pilot. I enjoyed reading the story immensely. His faith has really taken him so far, I hope I have even a smidgen of it. He has quietly been going about God's work with the humbleness of a Godly man. I am proud of him for that and for waiting so long to share his fantastic story. Once you begin reading the book, it becomes difficult to put it down. He keeps you engaged from the beginning. His wife, Paula, is correct, read the book with an open mind. Especially if you come to the book with skepticism - I don't know how you can walk away from it still unsure of whether there is a God or if Heaven really exists. There is no doubt that Dale Black is a changed man and has much to share with us, and we can learn from him if we are open to his story. Thank you for sharing it Dale.
Dale Black's website is here: www.daleblack.org
Order the book here: http://daleblack.org/order-book.asp
A young pilot survives a plane crash and has significant spiritual outcomes along with his injuries. This story is listed as an autobiography - Black is the young pilot. I enjoyed reading the story immensely. His faith has really taken him so far, I hope I have even a smidgen of it. He has quietly been going about God's work with the humbleness of a Godly man. I am proud of him for that and for waiting so long to share his fantastic story. Once you begin reading the book, it becomes difficult to put it down. He keeps you engaged from the beginning. His wife, Paula, is correct, read the book with an open mind. Especially if you come to the book with skepticism - I don't know how you can walk away from it still unsure of whether there is a God or if Heaven really exists. There is no doubt that Dale Black is a changed man and has much to share with us, and we can learn from him if we are open to his story. Thank you for sharing it Dale.
Dale Black's website is here: www.daleblack.org
Order the book here: http://daleblack.org/order-book.asp
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
by Ransom Riggs (ISBN: 9781594744761)
Here is another young adult fiction book. This story has an interesting twist. Throughout the book are actual photographs that were saved from the ultimate destruction - the garbage heap. They are random photos that have nothing to do with each other, but were the inspiration for the story. One of Riggs' hobbies is collecting photos of people that are unknown to this writer. He has incorporated these photos into books of different genres. (I read this book on my Kindle, these photos don't translate well to that media.)
The pictures were woven into the fantasy story to become a part of it. This story has it dark places, nightmares and creepy characters. But mostly it is a group of orphaned children stuck in a time loop on a mysterious island that resets on a daily basis. A land that was thought to be only in the imagination of the unstable and peculiar grandfather. There is a little bit of mystery, lots of adventure and it is a fun story that could have a sequel - though I have not seen anything about that. BUT it has been announced that it will be a movie.
Wouldn't you like to have a name like Ransom? No one really knows if you are male or female. This one is a male.
Ransom Riggs blog
The use of vintage photography in a novel
Here is another young adult fiction book. This story has an interesting twist. Throughout the book are actual photographs that were saved from the ultimate destruction - the garbage heap. They are random photos that have nothing to do with each other, but were the inspiration for the story. One of Riggs' hobbies is collecting photos of people that are unknown to this writer. He has incorporated these photos into books of different genres. (I read this book on my Kindle, these photos don't translate well to that media.)
The pictures were woven into the fantasy story to become a part of it. This story has it dark places, nightmares and creepy characters. But mostly it is a group of orphaned children stuck in a time loop on a mysterious island that resets on a daily basis. A land that was thought to be only in the imagination of the unstable and peculiar grandfather. There is a little bit of mystery, lots of adventure and it is a fun story that could have a sequel - though I have not seen anything about that. BUT it has been announced that it will be a movie.
Wouldn't you like to have a name like Ransom? No one really knows if you are male or female. This one is a male.
Ransom Riggs blog
The use of vintage photography in a novel
Thursday, June 23, 2011
I am the Messenger
by Markus Zusak (ISBN: 9780375836671)
This book is listed as 'young adult fiction'. I usually find these reads superficial and not very engaging. This book however was different. There are no sorcerers or vampires, only plain old people. But the story is interesting. Our leading character follows clues that he is given on playing cards and each clue brings a different situation to deal with. They are not far-fetched situations, probably situations we could find in our own neighborhoods, hidden behind the front doors of the homes that we never see into. Each is solved in its own way and each time I was surprised.
The characters could use a bit more development, but that is sort of the point. We don't really get to know the people we think we know and we claim as our friends. My life is no different, I don't know anything about my neighbors, I'm not even sure I could pick them out of a line up if I had to.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book and in a week or so I will find out if my reading group did as this was the book to read in June and discuss in July.
Happy Reading - Cheri
This book is listed as 'young adult fiction'. I usually find these reads superficial and not very engaging. This book however was different. There are no sorcerers or vampires, only plain old people. But the story is interesting. Our leading character follows clues that he is given on playing cards and each clue brings a different situation to deal with. They are not far-fetched situations, probably situations we could find in our own neighborhoods, hidden behind the front doors of the homes that we never see into. Each is solved in its own way and each time I was surprised.
The characters could use a bit more development, but that is sort of the point. We don't really get to know the people we think we know and we claim as our friends. My life is no different, I don't know anything about my neighbors, I'm not even sure I could pick them out of a line up if I had to.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book and in a week or so I will find out if my reading group did as this was the book to read in June and discuss in July.
Happy Reading - Cheri
Thursday, June 16, 2011
An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith
by Barbara Brown Taylor (ISBN: 978-0061370472)
I read this book because it turned out the author lives somewhere in Georgia and the title interested me. As I began reading, I was concerned that she was going to tell me I did not need to attend church to be a Christian. However, thankfully, I was wrong. Her thoughts complement anyone’s church going ways and upbringing. I enjoyed this book for its down to earth goodness. Taylor took every day, taken for granted things and situations, and turned them into worship. As an example: the process of digging potatoes out of the garden with a wide-eyed youngster through eating those same potatoes for dinner. There is spirituality in everything whether it is a thing, an experience, or a process; you just have to be on the lookout. Everything is an altar in the world. It is an inspirational book helping you notice those altars in our lives.
Seven Laws of Spiritual Success
by Selwyn Hughes (ISBN: 9780805440485)
I picked up this book (and it was difficult to find, bought used through Amazon.com) because our pastor decided to do a sermon series on it.
Right up front I am going to give you the 7 laws (no surprise - they are listed in the table of contents):
1. First Things First
2. Count Your Blessings
3. Keep On Keeping On
4. Remember to Forget
5. Give Yourself to Others
6. Stay Close to God
7. Cultivate Your Soul
Each of these laws could be a book of their own right, but Hughes figured out how to narrow them down to a chapter each. The last part of this book is actually a workbook based on the chapters by Jennifer Oldroyd. It can be used by you personally or with a group.
There is nothing "out there" in this book, just good solid Biblical based information. It is a good basic book with some good parables and easily understood information. Basic is the key word. I enjoyed it nonetheless, but I think the sermon series enhanced the reading greatly. I hope others in our congregation actually read the book, but they would have gotten enough from the sermons.
Happy Reading.
C
I picked up this book (and it was difficult to find, bought used through Amazon.com) because our pastor decided to do a sermon series on it.
Right up front I am going to give you the 7 laws (no surprise - they are listed in the table of contents):
1. First Things First
2. Count Your Blessings
3. Keep On Keeping On
4. Remember to Forget
5. Give Yourself to Others
6. Stay Close to God
7. Cultivate Your Soul
Each of these laws could be a book of their own right, but Hughes figured out how to narrow them down to a chapter each. The last part of this book is actually a workbook based on the chapters by Jennifer Oldroyd. It can be used by you personally or with a group.
There is nothing "out there" in this book, just good solid Biblical based information. It is a good basic book with some good parables and easily understood information. Basic is the key word. I enjoyed it nonetheless, but I think the sermon series enhanced the reading greatly. I hope others in our congregation actually read the book, but they would have gotten enough from the sermons.
Happy Reading.
C
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