Phil Lemons

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.

In some ways, reading this book felt like reading someone's personal journal. While that makes for a real and honest feel, it also feels a bit voyeuristic.

Manning's honesty is something that I've always admired. However, I found this book to not have the flow his other books have. Each chapter focuses on a topic that comes out of Manning's times in solitude. Some chapters feel more natural than others, but the reflections and prayers make for heart and thought provoking finishes.

Manning's Catholic theology is more prevalent in this book. I'm not going to make a big deal about this. I am a Protestant who came into the book knowing Manning to be a Catholic author. That being said, Manning's heart to help people how God sees them. As Manning puts it, He's crazy about us. And that is a message I am completely on board with.

This is the third book in Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee's trilogy The Book of Mortals. Throughout the book I found myself wondering what message they were meaning to communicate with this story. In the end, it seems to depict the mystery of salvation. Elements of free choice and election both seem to be evident. In the end, this book has made me think and this is one of the aspects that earned this book five stars from me. I would probably rate it closer to 4.5 stars, as the story was a bit hard for me to get into for awhile. However, that turns out to be an important element of what it means to live as a person who has been changed by the knowledge of God and being in God's presence.

The following comments does not give details about the story, but do talk about elements in the story. Not a spoiler, per se, but for those who want no clues, be warned. There is a scene in Sovereign that is one of my favorites in a Ted Dekker book. It rivals a scene in Black where a character has an encounter with God. These scenes remind me of my own encounter with God and it goes beyond intellectual understanding or an emotional experience. It is something that leaves an indelible mark on one's life. Sovereign illustrates this as a counterpoint to those who have followed the path to God, but have not yet experienced His presence. Further, it illustrates that a person who appears to be beyond reach of God's love is not.

I recommend this series to those who can see the story and the message woven into it. It is worth thinking about.

I've long been a fan of Alan Lee's Middle Earth art. Looking at his art and reading his thoughts along side was a great treat. My only complaint is that I wish it was a bigger book. 

I started reading this Bible to read through the entire text. While not my first time through the Bible, this would be my first through the New International Version. I made it my mission to read the included study material, as well. The study material is often extrapolated from other works of well known Christian authors. Many are pastors and some are celebrities in the Christian culture, ie, musicians, authors, or actors. Some of the study material I read added to my understanding and some of it did not. As the contributors are from different denominations, this is bound to happen with most readers. 

I have marked this as DNF because I am not actively reading it through at this point. 

This was a fun read. I didn't read the flap cover or any other summaries of the story, just dived in cold. I'm glad I did. It caught me totally by surprise and it was a delight. 

Off the new fiction I've looked forward to this summer, this book was toward the bottom of the list as Robert Liparulo's last two adult thrillers didn't thrill me as much as his first two. However, I found that it is the novel that has drawn me in most. I especially liked the father/son interaction in this book. It felt real and natural. I like that Dad can be both masculine and loving. The story moves at a good pace and kept me engaged all the way through.

While space, shuttles, and skunks take the forefront in the story, learning to find friendship with others who one might think have nothing to offer is the main point of the story. 

The story is sprinkled with facts about skunks and space shuttles along with some funny lines. The writing has a number of words that challenge a preteen's vocabulary. I like expanding vocabulary, but they felt out of place and difficult to navigate in places. 

All that said, the boy really liked this story and we enjoyed the story. 

Dr Leman addresses a number of issues that I've been struggling with accessible, understandable writing and practical advice that I can put into practice. A lot of this book addressees perfectionists who feel like failures. Those who don't struggle with this or know someone who struggles with this is not likely to get much out of this book.

Now Dr Leman is a Christian and some of his advice comes from that perspective. I personally would have expected more Christian talk in the book. As a Christian, I have no problem with this, but I would forewarn none Christian friends that the last few pages of the book go this direction. Still I would recommend it to anyone struggling with perfectionism or anyone who is trying to understand someone who does.

This book takes a unique approach in splitting the writing of each chapter with two perspectives. First, the son shares what he remembers his dad doing right in fathering him and his brothers while growing up. Then, the father weighs in giving his honest perspective of his son's stories. Dad doesn't always think he did as well as the son does.

This is not a how-to book. Rather this is almost a hybrid biography-autobiography. Still, there is a lot to learn from this father and son in their experiences. What I read is very much how I want my relationship with my six month old son to turn out. The principles Thom Rainer tried to father by look to show children masculine love that is real and present, not distant and guessed at. Rainer's goal was to prepare his sons for adulthood in a world that doesn't love them like dad does. Most of all, Rainer wanted his love as a father to give his sons a little taste of Gods love for them.

There are no formulas, no instructions given in this book on how to father in any specific situation. Instead, it goes deeper showing a picture of how living by principle, even imperfectly, a father's son has grown to love and respect his father.

This book has been a big encouragement. For years I've struggled with knowing what God's plan for my life is and me not knowing it. I struggle with feeling that I've disappointed God by making the wrong major life choices. Ortberg writes directly to these struggles and more.

This is a book that calls me to live in the reality if God's love and grace. A God who has a plan for me to be a blessing to others, to give to others. He leaves part of the plan for me to choose.

I respectably appreciated the chapter where Ortberg discusses how sometimes it seems God doesn't answer our prayers—or even hear them. How we may not understand the reasons until we see him face to face. This is often a hard reality.

This is a book that sparks my heart and desire to be a friend of God. It isn't hard to get theological jargon. It is every day talk with an honest discussion.

A quick story recapping Grudge's time and perspective of her time on the show and a quick adventure of her own. An entertaining, light, quick read. If you like cats. 

The message of this book can be boiled down to two statements: show kids unconditional love and take time to see things from their perspective. All the advice flows from these two concepts. The idea is that unconditional love and seeing life from a child's perspective will create a relationship based on trust and respect, encouraging kids to think for themselves and grow into healthier, smarter adults.

What I liked:
- Gives great reasoning for why punishment and/or rewards train people to think about themselves more and what others think of them than to act out of care for others.
- Encourages parents to help their children think for themselves.
- Gives advice based on concepts rather than outlining specific steps to follow that may not work for every person.
- Author encourages parents to strive to be better parents while accepting no parent will ever be perfect.

What I didn't like:
- Some thoughts are left a little too open. The author could have more guided questions for parents new to this philosophy to help get them get on board.

This book shares my goal of raising my boy to think for himself and to see things from other people's perspective while maintaining a healthy mental health. Highly recommended.

After reading two Star Trek volumes of daily comics, I came across Batman and decided to give it a try. This is similar to Adam West Batman rather than event manifestations. In contrast to Star Trek having several “missions” in the book, this is has only the or for stories that overlap a bit.

What I liked:
- I like the old boy scout Batman in a different way than the dark knight. The old Batman feels like an inspiration to make the world a better place where recent Batman shows the state of the world today in all its ugly darkness.

- These stories were fun to read. No graphic violence. No adult themes. Just good ol' good guys versus the bad guys.

What I didn't like:
- As with other daily comic strips, I don't like the retelling of what happened previously over and over. However, I think it was handled more intelligently than the Star Trek dailies did.

- The stories were not very challenging and not terribly difficult to guess where they were going.

Overall worth borrowing from the library to read through, but I don't think I'll come back to it. Perhaps I'll borrow another volume in the future of I happen across it at the library.

A Chinese-American college student is invited to lead a heist to return Chinese art to China that museums have not ethically acquired. 

In the end, this book is more about the five characters trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in life in the US. The heist parts are fun and it was interesting to see the characters wrestle with their realities and the choices they made in the end. 

I struggled with the rating of this book. I probably would give it 3.5, but rounding brings it up to a 4. This is one of the first times I've been a bit bored with a Dekker book. Dekker is usually not overly wordy, but there were times I wanted to skip past the description to get too the story.

What I liked:
Dekker illustrates that we can be completely known by God and still lived by Him. Dekker continues to remind readers that there is a really beyond what we physically see here. A part of that reality is who we are on the inside and that our outside appearances are not what is important. Death is not an enemy to be feared. That communication with God can happen on a spiritual, nonverbal level.

Where I got hung up:
Immortality of the soul. I know I'm in the minority of Christianity in this perspective, but I have a real problem with the immortality of the soul. This isn't the place to debate theology, but in a nutshell, this depicts a God who chooses to torment people forever. I won't serve an eternal tormentor. I didn't really connect with the heroes. Perhaps it's because I no longer burn with the angst and passion of my late teens and early twenties.

Maybe reading this book again being prepared for the immortal soul aspect will change some of my reaction to this story. In the end, there is much more that I subscribe to and believe than not. He was wise not to get too technical on the hacking details of the story. A little slower than some off his others, but still a fun read.

I remember this fondly from when I started reading it in middle school before moving away and returning it to the school library. At any rate, I remember being excited about this book and wanting to come back to it. I should say, the first of the trilogy. 

Reading it now, I am finding that this isn't the right book for me. At least, not right now. I find the characters promising, but POV changes without warning and long sections of telling rather than showing have left me feeling like reading this is a big work task and I am not excited to get into it. As I own this Kindle copy of the trilogy, I'm sure I will try it again. Perhaps it will click on the next go. 

Illiterate. Family claimed by war. Sickness. It takes the strength of a tiger to survive all of these. 

The story does show how power dynamics and revenge are so poisonous to our souls. I enjoyed reading this graphic novel, but it hasn't pulled me into being a fan yet. I may borrow the next volunteer from the library and see where it goes. 

There is a lot in these books I really like. I love the portrayal of coming to know and experience the love God has for me as an individual. The portrayal of the mystery of who God is and how we use our traditions to try to remember him, but tradition without relationship turns into empty religion without power to make any real difference in our lives. 

I think the story could have been shorter with a number of times something is repeated or explained removed. Sometimes it feels like the characters are stuck in a feedback loop, unable to move forward. Yet that is a realistic representation of most of us in this life, so perhaps that deserves more thought. 

I do enjoy this series and it will hold a special place as it encouraged me in a time I needed it. 

I know, I know. Is this really a 5 star book? It's adapted from a classic movie for a young reader. Typically, I save 5 star ratings for books that move me, that inspire me in some way. However, Star Wars has been a big influence in my life from before my memory begins. Return of the Jedi was my favorite of the trilogy, so in a way, this book has inspired me from before it was written. I guess I should change directions before this starts sounding like a Star Trek book review...

The language and flow of this book worked really well for me. I felt that it kept the spirit of the film and translated it well for a young reader. Since I listened to the audio, I would add that the narrator reads the book it's passion and spirit so as to be a solid performance. The soundtrack added to the background and the sound effects make it feel like listening to the movie.

The book is longer than the movie. Part of that is that the book takes time to describe things the movie can show quickly. However, there are some added elements. Discussion that happens off screen between scenes. Thoughts inside character”s heads that are not voiced in the movie. Some will disagree with the direction some of these take. Or love them. Depends on who you are. I would say the most controversial parts would be Luke's inner dialogue in certain parts of the book. In the end, I found it easier to accept than some of the edits to the original films.

This book brought out the feels and thrills I get from the movie. Further, it illuminated a part in a way I hadn't looked at it before that I thought was cool. I like this well enough that I may track down a copy for my personal collection, since this was a library borrow.

I've come to believe that it is a dangerous thing to meet your heroes. Often times we put famous people in an unreasonable place where they can't help but fall short in reality. Living here in the United States, I didn't hear a number of the scandalous stories about Chan through the years. As a younger person very enamored with his movie persona, I probably would have been angry about some of his actions. I had put him on that high shelf. Over the years, I have come to see that famous people are much like the rest of us. They do things that are selfish or shortsighted and sometimes, like the rest of us, they look back on those things are regret them and hopefully learn from them.

To me, his stories have a ring of honesty about them. In some ways, I feel sorry for him as he has sacrificed so many personal relationships to make movies for us to enjoy. I'm sure his story is not unique in this way. I personally find that connecting with family is a greater reward than any I can get from work.

I read in his story a desire to make the world a better place. A place where one person is not more important than another, where everyone is treated with respect until they show they will not return that respect. I see his belief that people who start down the wrong road can change directions and find new life. I also see open, generous giving.

I've been a Jackie Chan fan for 25 years now. Hard to believe my uncles were watching his movies when I was a baby! Still, in reading this book, although I see how Jackie has his shortcomings in the past and has grown to lament them and try to make things right, he appears to be trying to be the kind of person he displays on screen. I hope that in the end, I will be remembered more for my generosity and respect for others than for the ways I've been a jerk.

I've not read many short stories, but Rene Gutteridge is one of my favorite authors, so picking this one up was a no brainer. What I like most about Gutteridge's writing are her characters and this short story is no exception. In Escapement, we are introduced to a character who we come to grow with throughout the story. In my opinion, the character makes the story, which is really Mattie's story. Gutteridge illustrates beautifully how we can allow something in our past to dominate our lives and how easily people and situations can be misunderstood.

I like to hear a person's story. I like them better when they feel true and honest. We all see life from our own personal perspective and I don't believe anybody would publish all their dark secrets. 

What I like about Will's story is that it isn't just a memoir or a behind-the-scenes exposé. The stories he tells build his journey and inform his growth as a person. The message of finding that fame and fortune, not even the purest person who loves you can be the source of your self acceptance and happiness is true and hits the mark for me. It's remembering this truth that is the continual struggle. 

Curiosity and a digital borrow from the library got me to read this. This is an adaptation of The Light of the Jedi for the 6-8 year-old crowd. The artwork is first class and the story flows well. I believe this would resonate with early elementary age more than any other group. That being said, I like seeing pictures of the ships that are referred to in the adult novels for future context.