Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Before Faulkner and Tolstoy and Dickens and Lewis, one author had a profound impact on my life. In fact, we might say he started it all. With his whimsical characters and silly rhymes, he showed me the power of words, imagery and imagination.

His name is Dr. Seuss.

My first Seuss book was Green Eggs and Ham. If I remember correctly, it was a gift from my Uncle Grant. My parents read it to me before I could talk. By the time I was a preschooler, I had it memorized, and my dad and I would go back and forth reciting it to one another.

"That Sam I am! That Sam I am! I do not like that Sam I am!"

Even as I write this post, the refrain is playing in my head: "I do not like green eggs and ham! I do not like them, Sam I am!"

Later, of course, there were other Seuss books, Horton hears a Who!, The Grinch that Stole Christmas, Hop on Pop. The list goes on.

And there were other authors and other books. A Child's Garden of Verses was one of the next books my parents added to my collection. And yes, nearly 50 years later, I still remember lines from Stevenson's poems,

"Oh, how I love to go up in the air, up in the air so high..."
"When I was sick and lay abed, I had two pillows at my head..."

And one about a barn loft that my brother and I used to recreate in the top of my grandfather's barn.

The point is books matter. Reading matters, and yet, according to the Literacy Project Foundation, illiteracy has become such a problem in the U.S. that 44 million adults are unable to read a simple story to their children -- a book like Green Eggs and Ham. Six out of 10 households do not buy a single book a year, and 44 percent of American adults do not read one book a year. Obviously, these trends have significant impacts with far-reaching implications on the national economy and on society as a whole.

So, what can you do about it? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Read to your kids, and take the time to read for pleasure yourself. Turn off the television, get off Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and any other social media venues I may have missed and open a book. (By the way, it's OK to use an electronic device to read a book. Just turn off the notifications while you are reading.) 
2. Check out your local library. Many now provide the opportunity to check out books online. 
3. Don't know where to start? Look over the New York Times Bestseller List, Pulitzer Prize winners from the last several years and National Book Award finalists. Those lists are where I found treasures like The Orphan Master's Son and All the Light We Cannot See. 
4. Join a book club at your local library or with a group of friends. Talk about what you are reading with others. 
5. Start a "book club" with your kids. Set aside an hour or two one night a week to read a book together aloud. Then talk about what you are reading. 

If you aren't a reader, start today! In honor of Dr. Seuss' 111th birthday and "Read Across America Day," carve out a few minutes of time to read a book to your kids. 

Open new worlds and let the fun begin!

My dad and Fifty Shades of Grey

Those who know me know my parents aren't just great parents; they are exceptional. Those who know me also know that I love to read. I love words. I love stories. I love books. I've always been a reader, and I will read anything from any genre any time. My parents nurtured this. There were no such things as "banned books" at my house; in fact one of my summer pastimes in high school was to read at least one book from the banned books list. That's how Catcher in the Rye came to be a favorite. Still, there is a big difference between good writing that makes you think and trash writing that warps your mind. I credit my dad with helping me discern the difference.

It happened one summer in middle school. I bought a book with my own money that in the most genteel terms can only be described as "inappropriate." It was really much worse. I thought I'd done a good job hiding it as I devoured every trashy image, word and sentence. 

Sometime that week my dad came into my room and sat down. He didn't ask what I was reading. He didn't mention the book. He didn't freak out and confront me. He said simply, "You know, what you read affects you. A lot of things you read are not 'real life.'" I came to understand later that the "real life" statement meant, "You don't want to live that way. It's not the life I want for you." 

The next morning, I threw the book away. With just a wee bit of calm, gentle guidance, my dad changed the direction of my thoughts. He taught me I was better than that. He taught me to discern bad from OK and good from best. He taught me not to settle.

Later, I also came to realize the Apostle Paul taught the same thing, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable -- if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise -- dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8, HCSB).

That's why I'm not freaking out about Fifty Shades of Grey. I haven't read the books and I won't see the movie. It's trash, pure and simple. I don't need to speak into the conversation.

But I think maybe my dad should speak into the conversation. On behalf of good fathers everywhere, I think he should say to young women everywhere,

"Remember, what you see affects you. You're better than this."

Review of "Principles of Preaching"

Principles of Preaching: A Guidebook for Communicating Biblical Truth by Mike Boyd

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Principles of Preaching: A Guidebook for Communicating Biblical Truth" is an excellent source not only for pastors but for missionaries, Bible study leaders and others who seek to share God's word with others. The small but powerful book is full of practical insights and principles for those preaching to large groups, facilitating small groups or sharing in one-on-one discipleship. Writing out of 37 years of pastoral and preaching experience, Mike Boyd honestly shares mistakes he's made and lessons he's learned in a way that readers can relate. His simple, direct, point-by-point style makes this book a great resource for Bible students at all levels. It's one I intend to read (and underline) again and again.


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A review of "The Curve of Binding Energy"

The Curve of Binding Energy: A Journey into the Awesome and Alarming World of Theodore B. Taylor by John McPhee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

McPhee is an excellent writer. I realized this when I couldn't put this one down -- a book on U-235, Plutonium-240 and the nuclear fuel cycle. Written in 1973, when the AEC was still pursuing "peaceful uses" of nuclear energy, this book comes before the advent of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, Chernobyl, Three-Mile Island, and God help us, 9-11. Yet, the story of Ted Taylor's life's work from building the smallest atomic bomb in the 1940s to becoming an advocate for nuclear materials safeguards later in his life is chilling in its prophecies. I came to realize as I read that much of Taylor's advocacy work for nuclear materials safeguards, and McPhee's documentation of it through this book, may well have prevented terrorists -- then and now -- from obtaining the nuclear materials necessary for a dirty bomb. Obviously, it may be a more important work than anyone initially realized.

Now, if we could only employ Taylor's brains and McPhee's pen to figure out how to regulate pressure cookers and fertilizer.


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Review of "Breakfast with Bonhoeffer" by Jon Walker

Breakfast with Bonhoeffer

By Jon Walker

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: One of my favorite books of the year, “Breakfast with Bonhoeffer” is the story of one man’s struggle to navigate family, financial and emotional hardship in the face of economic downturn, job loss, divorce and mental illness. Honest and often heart-wrenching his stories may leave those desiring simplistic answers to life’s most difficult questions feeling uncomfortable. 

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Review of "A Thousand Pardons" by Jonathan Dee

A Thousand Pardons

By Jonathan Dee
Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Self-absorption, narcissism and destructive behavior typify the characters in Jonathan Dee’s astute novel on depravity, recklessness, redemption and forgiveness. In a culture that breeds abandoning family responsibility for the sake of personal “freedom,” A Thousand Pardons is hauntingly familiar.

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Review of "The Bridge" by Karen Kingsbury

The Bridge

By Karen Kingsbury

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Like hot cocoa, a warm blanket and a crackling fire, The Bridge is the kind of book to savor in a comfortable chair on a cold, wintry night. Sure to become a Christmas classic, the story combines elements of It’s a Wonderful Life with You’ve Got Mail, yet weaves its own unique tale, one that is sure to capture the hearts of romantics and booklovers alike.

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Free Copy! One Year Be-Tween You & God devotionals for girls

The One Year Be-Tween You and God devotions for girls

By Sandra Byrd

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: I received a complimentary copy of One Year Be-Tween You & God for review purposes and gave it to my 11-year-old daughter, Alli. She was immediately drawn to the look and feel of the book, but beyond the pure aesthetics, I have noticed that she is continuing to read it every day. When I asked her opinion, she said, “I like the wording.” When I pressed further, she explained that the devotions are easy to understand and she enjoys reading them. From a middle-schooler, I’ll take that as a five-star review any day.

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Free copy of "The Breakthrough" for you!

Thanks to the fine folks at Tyndale, I am pleased to offer a coupon for a complimentary copy of "The Breakthrough" by Jerry Jenkins. Just be the 10th person to send an email to me at seoulwriter@gmail.com requesting the book along with your name and mailing address, and the book could be yours!

A review of "The Breakthrough" by Jerry Jenkins

The Breakthrough: A Precinct 11 Novel

By Jerry B. Jenkins

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: The Breakthrough, the third in a series of Precinct 11 novels by Jerry Jenkins, is an excellent story that will keep readers engrossed to the end. Jenkins, already a respected author, outdid himself with this mystery and suspense novel, creating characters with authentic voices addressing themes, such as human trafficking and international adoption, that are both relevant and timely.

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Review of "The Harbinger" by Jonathan Cahn

The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that holds the secrets of America’s Future

By Jonathan Cahn

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Review:

I read this book at the urging of my father-in-law, a 72-year-old Christian from the Silent Generation with a strong interest in Biblical prophecy. Since his normal reading fare is non-fiction, I was intrigued when he told me, “It’s written as a story, but it’s all true.” As a moderately conservative (or conservatively moderate) Christian from the Gen-X generation, I was immediately skeptical with the description on the book’s outside cover, “Though it sounds like the plot of a Hollywood thriller – it’s real,” and from the inside dedication page, “What you are about to read is presented in the form of a story, but what is contained within the story is real.”

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Review of "The Final Assault"

NOTE: This book has been removed from circulation as the author continues to revise the text. 


The Final Assault: A Novel about Finishing the Task
By Steve Smith
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Category: Christian Fiction

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Pub Date: 2012

Kindle Format: 8140 lines
Kindle edition: $4.99

Product Description from the Publisher: Christopher Owen pastors a small church in Los Angeles. His life has settled into the mundane of a maintenance mentality. In a time of reflection he ponders the question: "Why can't life be more like a quest?" Suddenly his world and that of Church in the City are rattled as he stumbles upon an ancient mystery that has confronted the worldwide church for ages -- how to finish the task of world missions and live in that last generation -- the one that welcomes Christ's return.

Learning the lessons from his parents and grandparents from World War II, Christopher and his group adopt a wartime mentality to prepare the way for the King of Kings to return. In this spiritual war, no price is too great and no destination too remote as they rally disciples and churches worldwide in this final assault on the enemy's ground. But the enemy is bitterly entrenched and determined to the end. Intrigue, intimidation, charades, counter-attacks and power plays mark this age-old adversary and his human minions as he battles the Kingdom Preparation Force. A centuries-old secret society and politicians at the highest levels unite to thwart the advance of this growing mission force.

Too fantastic to be real, yet this is a realistic picture of the end times of Revelation and what it will cost the church to finish the task of the Great Commission. With 3,674 people groups YET to be reached with the Gospel, the Kingdom Preparation Force realizes that the disobedience of a church with a peacetime mentality has prevailed for too many centuries, resulting in so many that have yet to hear the name of Jesus. The final finish line of finishing the task is in sight. Other generations before have missed the finish line. What will it take to finish? Nothing less than total mobilization for war for the whole Bride of Christ. Yet, with His help, it is do-able. Step by step the KPF assaults the enemy's territory so that nothing stands between them and Christ's return.

Review: The Final Assault is a riveting story of a young pastor’s dogged pursuit to share the Gospel with every people group and prepare the way for the return of Christ. While I am usually skeptical of Christian fiction, this story kept me enthralled to the end. An excellent storyteller, Smith does an outstanding job of crafting a tale that at times reads like the book of Acts, at others like the book of Revelation and at others like today’s news headlines. Smith notes in the Afterword that he intended his book to be more about mission strategy than end-times philosophy, yet he weaves the two together in a way that is both engaging and compelling.

Some may cringe at the wartime metaphor that drives the story, but Smith explains through the voice of one of his characters that “the army of God” is just one metaphor for the Christian church: “No particular metaphor or description can characterize God’s people completely. You’re not always an army. Sometimes you’re a family, a building, a bride, a vineyard. None of these pictures is the whole picture. And yet all of them are true at the same time.”

Through credible, well-written dialogue like this along with well-developed yet quirky characters, Smith explains his strategy for reaching the nations through small teams committed to engaging every people group with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The book was not at all what I expected. It was far, far better and stands to rival “In His Steps” in its impact on a generation of 21st century evangelicals committed to finishing the task.

Review of "The Resignation of Eve"

The Resignation of Eve: What if Adam’s Rib is No Longer Willing to be the Church’s Backbone?
By Jim Henderson
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Category: Non-fiction, Christian, Women’s Issues

Publisher: Tyndale House
Pub Date: 2012

Kindle Format: 2774 lines
Hardcover Format: 208 pages

Kindle edition: $9.69
Hardcover: $14.99

Product Description from the Publisher: In talking with women around the country, Jim Henderson has come to believe that there is an epidemic of quiet, even sad resignation among dedicated Christian women who are feeling overworked and undervalued in the church. As a result, many women are discouraged. Some, particularly young women, respond by leaving the organized church . . . or walking away from the faith altogether.

Containing personal interviews with women and new research from George Barna, The Resignation of Eve is a field report on what women have to say about how they’ve been affected by their experiences within the church. It is crucially important because, across the board, the research shows that women are driving changes in the church . . . so what will happen if they resign?

Inviting women to speak for themselves, The Resignation of Eve is a must-read, life-changing book for women who have been engaged in the Christian church as well as their pastors and ministry leaders.

Review: The Resignation of Eve is a provocative and critical analysis of the treatment of women in today’s evangelical church. Directed primarily toward male pastors of evangelical churches, Jim Henderson rebukes leaders for failing to recognize and appreciate the contributions women make within the body of Christ. More philosophical than theological, Henderson’s narrative centers on personal interviews with women he places into three categories: those who are resigned to their church’s position on women; those who have resigned from the church because of the church’s position on women and those Henderson describes as “re-signed” or “re-engaged in their churches … leading and influencing despite opposition.”

While the book is a conversational, easy read, Henderson’s biases are obvious. For example, he tends to denigrate the women he interviewed who hold more conservative positions, in one case explaining away a woman’s beliefs by concluding her childhood experience in a broken home led to her need for “structure” within her family and within the church. At the same time, he seems more accepting of those who have walked away from the church, laying blame for their decisions at the feet of evangelical leaders while assigning no responsibility to the women for their attitude and actions.

A potential strength of the book is the random survey of women by the George Barna group. Unfortunately, the survey results play a lesser role in the narrative than the qualitative interviews. As a result, the research fails to add the dimension of objectivity required to offset Henderson’s biases.

On the other hand, Henderson’s description of Pastor David Cho’s work at Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea, strengthens the book. Recounting Cho’s conversion to Christianity and the growth of Cho’s church to the largest congregation in the world, Henderson shares a particularly compelling quote from a conversation between Cho and Pastor Rick Warren on the role that women played in the development of Cho’s church in a traditionally patriarchal society. Cho said,

“In 1964, when I was almost total (sic) infected (with tuberculosis), I had the choice of one of two steps - to delegate my ministry to lay Christians or keep up the ministry. But when I tried to delegate my ministry to the men, they would all make excuses saying that they were too busy, or not trained, or "You receive a salary not me." So I had to use women.

In Korean society - for long periods of time -- women had no power or voice in the church, and I began to use women. This was a big risk - but I had no choice - it was a step out in faith, and I had no alternative. Then the women made a tremendous contribution to church growth! Now all the Korean churches - even Catholic -- have accepted women. When I come to Europe and America encouraging pastors to use women, I always receive a lot of opposition - especially in Europe.” http://tinyurl.com/davidcho

(Please note that the reviewer’s attempt to find the original source of the quote at pastors.com was unsuccessful).

Finally, Henderson’s book addresses an important and divisive issue. The Resignation of Eve raises the issue of women’s roles in a way that could lead to reasonable discussion among men and women within the evangelical community. Unfortunately, the lack of objectivity, theological argument and balance between qualitative and quantitative research prevent the book from becoming the authoritative commentary it could be.

I received an electronic copy of the book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Review of "The Life Application Study Bible Devotional"

Rating: 5 Stars
Category: Devotional

Publisher: Tyndale House
Pub Date: September 2011

Kindle Format: 7814 lines
Print Format: 400 pages

Kindle edition: $8.79
Hardcover: $15.99

Product Description from the Publisher: Readers of the Life Application Study Bible—the #1 bestselling study Bible—will welcome the arrival of the new Life Application Study Bible Devotional. Let the life of Jesus sink into your mind and heart with 312 readings from the gospels—one for each weekday and one for the weekend. In the Life Application Study Bible Devotional: Daily Wisdom from Jesus, each week focuses on a different event in Jesus’ life—drawing out daily wisdom from his parables, teachings, conversations, miracles, and interactions with people. You’ll learn important biblical principles, become inspired to put God’s Word into practical action, and be forever changed by a year spent going deeper with your Savior.

Review: The Life Application Study Bible Devotional is an excellent tool for daily reflection on God’s word. I received a complimentary copy for review from the publisher, and I intend to use it to supplement my daily Bible reading throughout the next year.

Packed with insights and practical application, I particularly enjoyed the “Getting Personal” sections offered in each reading. As readers consider each day’s Scripture and setting, tips on personal application are key to incorporating God’s wisdom into their daily lives.

I highly recommend the Life Application Study Bible Devotional for any who want to grow closer to God by considering the truths of His word.

Review of "The Coming Revolution" by Dr. Richard G. Lee

The Coming Revolution: Signs from America’s Past that Signal Our Nation’s Future
By Dr. Richard G. Lee
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Category: Non-fiction, Political, Christian

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub Date: January 12, 2012

Kindle Format: 3115 lines
Hardcover Format: 256 pages

Kindle edition: (Not yet available).
Hardcover: $24.99

Product Description from the Publisher: We are living in a time of monumental change.
Countless numbers of ordinary people, men and women from all walks of life, are joining forces to challenge the direction our national leaders are now taking us. Washington’s idea of change has failed, and most Americans are now frustrated, disappointed, and angry. The result is a long list of offenses, both perceived and real, that can easily set off a chain reaction that quickly becomes irreversible. And in the right environment, the situation can be explosive.

It is easy to see that many of the identical social and religious provocations that spurred the colonists toward the First American Revolution are present today, inspiring a new generation to seek what the Founders called “a new birth of freedom.” Signs are pointing to the fact that we are now standing on the threshold of a new American revolution, not with muskets and cannon balls this time but a revolution conscience, morality, and honor, dedicated to responsible social, moral, and political reforms, demanding change from the socialistic direction our political, judicial, and intellectual leaders have been taking us.

The Coming Revolution draws from the wellspring of America’s powerful past to reveal a nation of people who, under the hand of Divine Providence, will once again fight and win the coming battle for personal and national freedom.

Review: Well-researched and well written, The Coming Revolution is an ideal read for an American audience frustrated with revisionist history and the trend toward socialistic government. I received an advance copy for review from the publisher. The book is scheduled for release on January 12, 2012.

Lee, founder of The First Redeemer Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and “There’s Hope America” ministry, presents readers with a concise and understandable guide to America’s pre-revolutionary history, including the lost colony of Roanoke, the nearly-failed Jamestown experiment and the quest for religious freedom that drove Puritan settlers toward Plymouth. Through it all, Lee explains the essential role that the Christian faith of those early settlers played in forming the nation.

Most significant is Lee’s description of the “Great Awakening” of the 1730s and 1740s and its impact on the American Revolution. As Lee describes, the preaching of the Great Awakening emphasized the need for personal repentance and accountability before God as well as the importance of a personal moral code among those living in community. Lee asserts that the seeds planted in the Great Awakening gave colonists the courage to form a new nation based on “the consent of the governed” and guaranteeing political and religious liberty.

But “The Coming Revolution” is more than a history book. It might also be titled, “A Defense of the Tea Party.” In describing America’s past, Lee looks toward the future and is troubled by the trends he sees -- destruction of the nuclear family, decline in American educational standards and the rise of the welfare state. He lays the blame squarely at the feet of “progressives” currently represented by the Obama administration and challenges Americans to correct its course through a “revolution of ideas, an expression of faith and a renewed commitment to a higher cause.”

Lee should be careful, though. By promoting a third political party, he threatens to fracture conservatives rather than unite them, a move that could lead to a continuation of the socialistic policies that concern him. Conservatives need look no further than the candidacy of Ross Perot in 1992 to understand this concern. The introduction of a second conservative choice split the Republican Party and resulted in the election of Bill Clinton, gaining progressives a foothold and initiating America’s most recent slide toward socialism. For example, Clinton’s liberal belief that every American has the right to home ownership regardless of ability to pay resulted in Federal lending policies that drove America to the brink of financial collapse just a few years ago. By urging conservatives to form a third party in the 2012 election, history may repeat itself.

Instead, Lee’s agenda might be better served by encouraging a personal call to repentance along with intelligent and rational discourse among those from any political party concerned about our nation’s future. Americans desperately need to set aside political bickering and unify under a renewed vision that reclaims our heritage, promotes personal responsibility and strengthens families and communities. Of course, Christians understand that such a vision is impossible apart from a movement of the Holy Spirit. Thus, personal repentance and faith in Christ are the first steps to securing America’s future.

If readers take nothing else away from Lee’s book, they should ponder this: Lasting positive change – whether spiritual, social or political – only comes about as God’s Spirit works in the hearts of individuals. Before Americans can change the direction of their nation, they must first ask God to change their hearts.

My 2011 Reading List

This year, my goal was to read 24 books (two a month). So far, in 2011, I have completed 33. I abandoned three, which I will explain below, and I am currently reading two. One of the joys of being a proud Kindle owner is the ability to acquire a variety of books at the push of a button. This is a Godsend in a country where both new and used English books are scarce and expensive. With the Kindle, I was never at a loss for a good book and often took advantage of the many free books offered on the Amazon site. That, coupled with encouragement from my friend, Phala, to start our own book club and from my daughter Lauren, to read her AP English assignments along with her, spurred me to read some things I probably wouldn't have chosen on my own.

I also learned about services that allow readers to request advance or courtesy copies of current books from various publishers in exchange for an honest review. (Thanks, Tessa Shockey!) The reading/blogging services I use are BookSneeze, Tyndale's blog network and NetGalley. If you are interested, the reviews are posted elsewhere in this blog.

And now, without further adieu I present my 2011 reading list! :-)

Those I'm reading now (but probably won't finish until 2012):

• Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (Kindle Freebie and an assigned book from Lauren's AP English class).
• Not for Sale by David Batstone (Kindle). A book about human trafficking. 

My favorites (in no particular order):

• Wading Home by Rosalyn Story (Kindle Freebie). A story of the New Orleans flood.
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Print, loaned to me by a friend). 
• A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (Print, found it at a used book store in the US)
• Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl (Print, found it at a used book store in Seoul)
• Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (Print, part of Lauren's AP English reading assignment)
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (Kindle). An excellent and entertaining book about writing. 

The ones I hated and cannot recommend:

• Promissory Payback by Laurel Dewey (NetGalley review) Fiction detective novel. 
• The First Tycoon by T.J. Stiles (Kindle). This is one I didn't finish. An historical book about Cornelius Vanderbilt. Too long. Too detailed. Too boring. Visit Biltmore House instead. 

Those I reviewed for BookSneeze, Tyndale House or NetGalley:

• The Invisible Order, Book Two, The Fire King by Paul Crilley (Kindle, NetGalley)
• Seeds of Turmoil by Bryant Wright (Print, BookSneeze)
• Stumbling into Grace by Lisa Harper (Print, BookSneeze)
• The Tehran Initiative by Joel Rosenberg (Kindle, Tyndale House)
• Deepest Thanks, Deeper Apologies by Stephen Shortridge (Kindle, NetGalley)
• Popular Clone by M.E. Castle (Kindle, NetGalley)
• Flesh and Blood So Cheap by Albert Marrin (Kindle, NetGalley)
• The Coming Revolution by Richard Lee (Kindle, NetGalley)

Work and Ministry Related:

• Sex Trafficking by Siddharth Kara (Kindle) 
• Just Courage by Gary Haugen (Kindle)
• The Dragonfly Effect by Andy Smith (Kindle). One of the three I haven't finished but eventually will.

Others I read and liked (in no particular order):

• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Kindle Freebie)
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Kindle)
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (Kindle Freebie)
• Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann (Kindle)
• The End is Now by Rob Stennett (Kindle Freebie)
• Radical by David Platt (Print)
• Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson (Print)
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Print). Another of Lauren's AP English assignments.
• The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baronness Emmuska Orczy (Kindle Freebie)
• Hostage in Havana by Noel Hynd (Kindle Freebie)
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Kindle Freebie)
• Little Women by Louisa Mae Alcott (Kindle Freebie). The third one I didn't finish. I read it as a child and liked it. It was a book club read that I didn't finish in time for the discussion.
• North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (Kindle Freebie)
• Lottie Moon by Regina D. Sullivan (Kindle)
• Pearl of China by Anchee Min (Kindle, loaned by a friend)
• To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf (Kindle)
• The Santa Shop by Tim Greaton (Kindle Freebie)

As always, I welcome suggestions for other books to add to my 2012 "to read" list. We canceled cable, effective the end of this month, so I may have even more time to read in the New Year. :-)

Review of "Promissory Payback" by Laurel Dewey

Rating: 2 Stars
Category: Crime, Mystery

Publisher: The Story Plant
Pub Date: August 2011

Kindle Format: 752 lines
Hardcover Format: 80 pages

Kindle edition: $0.89
Hardcover: $3.51

Product Description from the Publisher: Laurel Dewey’s Detective Jane Perry is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive, dynamic, and unforgettable characters in suspense fiction today. She’s rock hard, but capable of extraordinary tenderness. She’s a brilliant cop, but she’s capable of making life-altering mistakes. She’s uncannily talented, and she’s heartbreakingly human.

In this novella, Jane is called in to investigate the gruesome murder of a woman who profited greatly from the misfortunes of others. The case leaves Jane with little question about motive...and with a seemingly endless number of suspects.

Review: This was my first “Jane Perry” detective novel. I received a courtesy copy from the publisher to review. While the concept of Promissory Payback is classic detective fiction and the storyline is clever, the book’s many issues with character development keep it from a higher rating. Specifically, the actions and behaviors of many of the characters are inconsistent with the descriptions of their personalities and the dialogue is sometimes forced and unrealistic. I found myself rolling my eyes several times.

As Dewey continues to develop the character of Jane Perry in future novellas, she might consider creating a “softening side-kick” for Perry – one with whom Perry can talk over ideas, strategies, motives, etc., and who can bring out Perry’s softer, more human side. Of course, I understand the challenge of fully developing a set of characters in a novella as short as Promissory Payback, but the extra effort would raise the quality of this book substantially. Still, for $3.51 in print and $0.89 on Kindle, it’s a good value for a quick airplane or vacation read.

Review of "Flesh and Blood So Cheap" by Al Marrin

Rating: 5 Stars

Category: Juvenile Non-Fiction, History United States

Age level: 10 and up

Grade level: 5 and up

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Pub Date: February 2011

Kindle Format: 1803 lines

Hardcover Format: 192 pages

Kindle edition: $10.99

Hardcover: $13.59

Product Description from the Publisher: On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City burst into flames.  The factory was crowded.  The doors were locked to ensure workers stay inside.  One hundred forty-six people—mostly women—perished; it was one of the most lethal workplace fires in American history until September 11, 2001.

But the story of the fire is not the story of one accidental moment in time.  It is a story of immigration and hard work to make it in a new country, as Italians and Jews and others traveled to America to find a better life.  It is the story of poor working conditions and greedy bosses, as garment workers discovered the endless sacrifices required to make ends meet.  It is the story of unimaginable, but avoidable, disaster.  And it the story of the unquenchable pride and activism of fearless immigrants and women who stood up to business, got America on their side, and finally changed working conditions for our entire nation, initiating radical new laws we take for granted today.

With Flesh and Blood So Cheap, Albert Marrin has crafted a gripping, nuanced, and poignant account of one of America's defining tragedies.

Review: It is no surprise that this book is a 2011 National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature. I received a courtesy copy from the publisher for review and I was thoroughly engrossed from the beginning. Well-documented and easy to follow, Marrin does an outstanding job of painting a picture of life in New York City at the beginning of the twentieth century and the factors that led to the tragic shirtwaist factory fire on March 25, 1911. But Flesh and Blood is more than the story of a tragedy. It also paints a picture of the people of New York, offering thoughtful insights into immigration, the rise of the garment industry, workers’ and women’s rights, even organized crime. The growing pains experienced in the microcosm of New York City at the turn of the twentieth century shaped policies and decisions that influenced the entire country for years to come.

Marrin also does an outstanding job of relating the struggles of New York City garment workers in the early 1900s to the current conditions of factory workers in developing nations like Bangladesh and China, handling the delicate issues of wages and standards of living in a manner most pre-teens can understand. An excellent resource for intermediate social studies, this book is a must for every fifth grade classroom.

Review of "The Popular Clone" by M.E. Castle

Rating: 3.5 stars
Category: Juvenile Fiction. Action and Adventure.

Publisher: EgmontUSA Publishers
Pub Date: Available January 24, 2012

Kindle Format: 2556 lines
Hardcover Format: 324 pages

Kindle edition: $9.99
Hardcover: $15.99

Product Description from the Publisher:
Meet Fisher Bas: 12 years-old, growth-stunted, a geeky science genius, and son of the Nobel Prize-winning creators of the Bas-Hermaphrodite-Sea-Slug-Hypothesis. No surprise: Fisher isn't exactly the most popular kid in his middle school, tormented daily by the beefy, overgrown goons he calls The Vikings. But he senses relief when he comes upon the idea of cloning himself - creating a second Fisher to go to school each day while he stays at home playing video games and eating cheetos with ketchup. It's an ingenious plan that works brilliantly, until Fisher's clone turns out to be more popular than him - and soon after gets clone-napped by the evil scientist Dr. Xander.

Review: Who doesn't wish they could sometimes clone themselves rather than face harassing bullies at school, in the neighborhood or at the office? I received an advance copy of “Popular Clone” from the publisher and was drawn immediately to the character of Fisher Bas and the struggles he faces as a middle school boy. Unlike my own middle school experience, however, Fisher has the brains and the know-how to solve his problems by cloning himself and sending his clone into the battlefield of Wampanog Middle School to face his enemies, the Vikings. Of course, things don't go exactly as Fisher planned - and not everyone is who they claim to be. The result is an action-packed story with the just the right mix of evil genius, misfits, bullies and mad scientists sure to keep middle school readers engaged to the bitter end.

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