For the Art of It: 2018

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity by Jeremiah J. Johnston, A Review

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Book Description

In Unimaginable, you'll discover the far-reaching ways that Christianity is good for the world--and has been since the first century AD--including:
· How the plights of women and children in society were forever changed by Jesus
· Why democracy and our education and legal systems owe much to Christianity
· How early believers demonstrated the inherent value of human life by caring for the sick, handicapped, and dying
· How Christians today are extending God's kingdom through charities, social justice efforts, and other profound ways

This book guides readers through the halls of history to see how Jesus' teachings dramatically changed the world and continue to be the most powerful force for good today. This provocative and enlightening book is sure to encourage believers and challenge doubters.

Credit: Lifeway Description

Review

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

Let me begin by saying that I did honestly enjoy this book. It took me almost two months to read it. It lived up to my expectations of chronicling the impact of Christianity in our world, past and present. It exceeded my expectations in the actual writing style. Johnston has thoroughly researched this topic and presents it in a scholarly way, which meant I had to engage my brain in a way I haven't since college. Not only was I impressed with the depth that his research provides, I am in awe of the author's ability to condense 2,000 years of history into a small number of pages. Yet doing so does not weaken his argument.

The book is divided into three parts: The World Before Christianity, The World Without Christianity and The World With Christianity. While I took many courses of history in college, I don't recall any one class being dedicated to Ancient History which made that portion of the book really interesting. The perspective it provided to that life and it's correlation to life in "Bible times" was eye-opening for me. What really struck me was the echo of past history, political and religious atmospheres that can be found in our world today.
"What we find is that for all the claims of religious tolerance and inclusivity, it turns out that the
Greco-Roman world was not so tolerant after all. In effect, the policy was something like this:
"You may worship any gods you wish, but you must revere and support our gods as well."
Religious rights and equality were extended to those who followed the party line, Christians,
along with atheists, did not and so were persecuted." (pg 61)

Johnston makes it clear that Christianity has brought freedom and equality to the world. These concepts being extended to the vast majority of the population was unimaginable in Jesus' time; it is unimaginable in America to consider that they would not exist. This book had me constantly referring to the endnotes and going in search of more information on the events and people that Johnston portrays in this book. I definitely think this book is worth the read.

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it ★★ = It was okay ★★★ = I liked it

★★★★ = I really liked it ★★★★★ = I loved it

Monday, April 16, 2018

Nothing Happens In This Book, A Review

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Book Description

Reader, don't waste your time with this book. ?You might as well stick it back on the shelf,? the narrator warns. ?Or toss it under your bed. You don't need to read it because it looks like nothing happens in this book.? But, wait, he's spotted something. There's a trumpet without a trumpeter. And there's a tiny car without a driver. And a baton without a twirler. Maybe if you keep turning the pages, you'll find out who is missing these items. Maybe they are all together, getting ready to do something awesome. Maybe something amazing does happen in this book after all!

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

This is one of the most interesting picture books I've ever read. The illustrations have a bit of a vintage vibe and the narrator from the beginning speculates that the book is about .... nothing. The pages turn from full black to light shining and revealing an odd assortment of items. Suddenly, the pages are full of inanimate objects and our narrator is now convinced that something exciting must happen in the book. The book ends with pages full of interesting things to see as the parade marches across the final pages.
This is a great book for young children for a variety of reasons. First, there are not a lot of words so it will definitely hold their attention. It's also great for introducing objects and the function they perform. I think this would be a fun book to read and then have students plan a parade on their own. For older students, it's a great example of how to present a problem and then build suspense in writing.

I gave this book: ★★★★

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette, A Review

A Light on the Hill (Cities of Refuge, #1)

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Book Description

After being branded during the battle of Jericho, Moriyah has had no prospects for marriage--until now. She hopes to please the man, but things go horribly wrong and she is forced to flee for her life. Seeking safety at one of the Levitical cities of refuge, she is unprepared for the dangers she faces, and the enemies--and allies--she encounters on her way.

Review

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I do not typically read Biblical historical fiction so this was a new venture for me. I am so thankful for the publisher sending me a copy to review. I've only read one other book in this genre so I wasn't really sure what to expect. While I think I am fairly well-versed in the Bible, particularly well-known history, I do not consider myself to be advanced in Biblical knowledge so I always hesitate to know if the book stays true to history.
What I really enjoyed about Moriyah's story is that she is a fictional character set during the time after Joshua has led God's people into Canaan as they begin to settle the lands that they have conquered. I was able to enjoy the characters and immerse myself in the daily living on the period which brings a whole new element to my understanding of that time when I actually go back and read the Bible.
I also thought Moriyah was endearing as a character. She has certainly faced hardship and judgment which has further led her to close herself off from being an active part of society. I could relate to how the fear of what people are saying about you can hinder our relationships, with God and each other. Seeing the journey that Moriyah took to accept circumstances that were beyond her control and reach out to boldly grasp a future for herself was inspiring.
This is the first book in the Cities of Refuge series published by Bethany House. Goodreads shows that the second book in the series is expected to be published sometime in 2018. I am interested to see the next installment and read further works by Connilyn Cossette.

I gave this book: ★★★

★ = I did not like it ★★ = It was okay ★★★ = I liked it

★★★★ = I really liked it ★★★★★ = I loved it

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Killman Creek (Stillhouse Lake #2) by Rachel Caine, A Review

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Book Description

Every time Gwen closed her eyes, she saw him in her nightmares. Now her eyes are open, and he’s not going away.

Gwen Proctor won the battle to save her kids from her ex-husband, serial killer Melvin Royal, and his league of psychotic accomplices. But the war isn’t over. Not since Melvin broke out of prison. Not since she received a chilling text…

You’re not safe anywhere now.

Her refuge at Stillhouse Lake has become a trap. Gwen leaves her children in the protective custody of a fortified, well-armed neighbor. Now, with the help of Sam Cade, brother of one of Melvin’s victims, Gwen is going hunting. She’s learned how from one of the sickest killers alive.

But what she’s up against is beyond anything she feared—a sophisticated and savage mind game calculated to destroy her. As trust beyond her small circle of friends begins to vanish, Gwen has only fury and vengeance to believe in as she closes in on her prey. And sure as the night, one of them will die.

Review

This installment of the Stillhouse Lake trilogy was such a good sequel to book one. It was full of even more twists - if possible and really kept one wondering exactly what side certain characters were on. I couldn't even imagine the path that the author followed in telling the story of Gwen and her battle to escape Melvin, her ex-husband serial killer. This book didn't just live up to my expectations for the sequel --- it surpassed them.
Anxiously awaiting the third book to see what happens next.

After reading the first book in 2017 and loving it, I was happy and thankful to receive an eARC copy from the publisher of this book. Here is my honest review.

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it ★★ = It was okay ★★★ = I liked it

★★★★ = I really liked it ★★★★★ = I loved it

Monday, January 29, 2018

Coldwater by Samuel Parker, A Review Revell Blog Tour

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Book Description

Having forfeited his youth to the state prison system, Michael moved back to the only home he'd ever known. An empty shell of a man who now lived--if it could be called living--in the still vacant house of his parents in a town with one stoplight. A town that hated him. Had always hated him. And was ready to pick up where the prison system had let off.

Now he's on the run from men who've tried to kill him once; but Michael is more than an ex-con. A powerful, sinister force creeps inside him, threatening and destructive. Who--and what--it will destroy next is the only real question. From the bold voice that brought readers down Purgatory Road comes a new pulse-pounding, spine-rattling tale of vengeance and justice that will have them up all night.

Review

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

This book did not meet my expectations - in some good ways, and in some other ways.

Going in to reading this book, I knew it was thriller and I knew it was published by a Christian publishing house. I expected twists and turns in an engaging plot with a conflicted main character AND I expected all of that within a very clean (no language or sex along with toned down violence) narrative.

This book hit every one of those. In fact, the story was a little darker than I anticipated and the action was quick and constantly changing. It was much stronger as a thriller than I expected from a Christian publisher.

What was surprising was the lack of Christianity in this book. God is never mentioned, nobody says a prayer, or any other typical actions one expects within a Christian fiction book. There are some elements of good versus evil or dark versus light. The way this is handled is certainly super-natural; for me, it felt a little demonic (I admit that could be my interpretation and expectation of the Christian fiction genre rather than the author's intent) and so I was hoping for the opposite to also make an appearance. I didn't really see this happen in a way that meshes with any Christian thought.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I do wish the Christian themes had been more apparent in the reading. For me, Christian fiction should point the reader to God and convey Christian values. This book completely missed that mark for me. One review I read mentioned that if you didn't know the publisher specialized in Christian fiction, you wouldn't know this was a Christian book. While this may have nothing to do with the book, it will be interesting to see if this is a change that will continue to be explored by Christian publishing houses.

I gave this book: ★★★

The Art of the Swap, A Review

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Book Description

Two girls trade places in time to solve a legendary art heist across two centuries!
As the daughter of a caretaker for a mansion-turned-museum, twelve-year-old Hannah Jordan has spent nearly all her life steeped in the history of the Gilded Age of Newport, Rhode Island. The Elms, the mansion where her dad works (and they both live), is one of the most esteemed historical properties on famed Bellevue Avenue. Mysterious legends and priceless artifacts clutter every inch of the marble floors and golden walls, but Hannah is most drawn to the reproduction portrait of Maggie Dunlap, the twelve year-old subject of a famous painting stolen in a legendary art heist on the day of its scheduled unveiling in 1905.

Hannah dreams of how glamorous life must have been for the young oil-heiress, Maggie, at the turn of the century, but she never expects she’ll have a chance to experience it herself… until the day a mysterious mirror allows the two girls to change places in time!

In 1905, Hannah races to stop the art heist from happening—something she is convinced will allow the girls to trade back to their own eras—while in current times, Maggie gets a hilarious introduction to the modern digital age and a new perspective on women's roles in society while reveling in the best invention of all: sweatpants. So long corsets!

As the hours tick off to the recorded moment of the legendary art heist, something’s not adding up. Can the girls work together against time—and across it—to set things right... or will their temporary swap become a permanent trade?

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

Completely by chance, I read this book at the same time I was reading The Art Forger which created a unique and interesting experience.
The Art of the Swap is a middle grade heist adventure shared by Hannah, who lives in modern times and idealizes life at The Elms during the Gilded Age, and Maggie, a young woman from the Gilded Age who struggles with living up to expectations society places on her. The two girls switch places; Hannah sets out to solve the mystery of Maggie's portrait that was stolen on the day of it's debut. Maggie meanwhile flounders in Hannah's world as she realizes that women have many more freedoms than she ever imagined.
Since this is a middle-grade book, the actual solving of the heist happens fairly easily and quickly. The power of the book is in each of the girls realizing that they can have an impact on the world around them. The writing style is pretty straightforward and I really struggled with the laid-back and almost robotic dialogue.

Overall, this is a fun read and I enjoy that it has some basis in reality. The Berwinds did build The Elms which was an extravagant home. I didn't find mention of Mary Cassat being commissioned to paint a portrait of a niece that was then stolen but the Berwinds did have an impressive art collection.

I gave this book: ★★★

★ = I did not like it ★★ = It was okay ★★★ = I liked it

★★★★ = I really liked it ★★★★★ = I loved it

Monday, January 15, 2018

Charlie Numbers and the Man in the Moon, A Review

Charlie Numbers and the Man in the Moon by Ben Mezrich

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Book Description

Charlie is recruited to use his mathematical prowess to discover what happened to a box of stolen moon rocks in this follow up to Bringing Down the Mouse.

Charlie Lewis is really good at math. So good, that he’s approached by a mysterious woman who needs his help. The woman is carrying an incredible item: an actual moon rock, one of the most valuable objects on Earth, and she’s investigating the theft of a box of moon rocks from NASA’s vault at the Johnson Space Center, and believes the stolen rocks are now in the possession of a former astronaut.

Although she claims to work at NASA, Charlie suspects she is something else—but he decides the adventure is too good to pass up. Charlie and the whiz kids go undercover by entering the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s paper airplane contest, and head down to the nation’s capital. Working together, they master the principles of aerodynamics, wind science, and gravity to excel in the competition.

Charlie must decide how far he’ll go to solve the mystery of the stolen moon rocks; is he willing to betray a new friendship? Or has he unwittingly been drawn into something even bigger than some missing chunks of the moon?

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Charlie Numbers. This was a great middle grade novel that was entertaining, had an interesting plot and a setting that involved a paper plane contest. How fun would that be to compete at building paper airplanes. I'm not a science whiz so I can't speak to the actuality that a paper plane could fly 180 feet or more; it certainly was believable.

In reading this, it was apparent that Charlie had another adventure that tested his mathematical skills yet this book completely stood on its own. And I look forward to more adventures of Charlie and the Whiz Kids.

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it ★★ = It was okay ★★★ = I liked it

★★★★ = I really liked it ★★★★★ = I loved it