Megiddo's Shadow - Arthur Slade

Megiddo's Shadow
Arthur Slade
Harper Collins
Browse Inside
ISBN 9780006395706

This story was amazing. It was as gritty as the terrain and time it spans. It follows a young boy, Edward Bathe, as he becomes a man. At sixteen, after the death of his older brother in the Great War, he runs away and joins up. He wants to be infantry just like his brother. But as soon as he arrives in England after basic training, he gets transferred to a mounted unit. He is not happy, especially when his unit ships out. But soon he finds himself on the way to war; he is shipping to British Palestine and the battle there.The book is dedicated to five members of the Slade family who all fought in the Great War and only one did not come home. The story follows real battles and encounters during the war. It provides the family insight and possibly some family tales and legends, but even so, this story is an incredible read. As we follow young Bathe on a journey to war, he will find what it means to become a man. The writing was amazing and you will not be able to put the book down.



Books by Arthur Slade:
The Dragonfly's Journey (1996)
John Diefenbaker: an Appointment with Destiny (2000)
Dust (2001)
Tribes (2002)
Monsterology (2005)
Villainology (2005)
Megiddo's Shadow (2006)
Jolted (2008)
Shades: 17 Startling Stories (2011)
Flickers (2016)
Crimson (2018)
Death by Airship (2019)
Mr. Universe (2021)

Mr. Universe (2021)

...

Hunchback Assignments Series:
aka Modo Mission Clockwork Series:
The Hunchback Assignments (2009)
The Dark Deeps (2010)
Empire of Ruins (2011)
Island of Doom (2012)
Modo Embers End - Graphic Novel (2014)

The Northern Frights Series
Draugr (1997)
The Haunting of Drang Island (1998)
The Loki Wolf (2000)

Northern Frights Reprint Editions:

Draugr (2020)

Drang (2020)

Loki Wolf (2020)

...

The Canadian Chills Series
Return of the Grudstone Ghosts (2002)
Ghost Hotel (2004)
Invasion of the IQ Snatchers (2007)

...

The Canadian Chills Reprint Editions:

Return of the Grudstone Ghosts (2024)

Ghost Hotel (2024)

Invasion of the IQ Snatchers (2024)

...

Librarian. Assassin. Vampire Series:
Amber Fang: The Hunted
Amber Fang: Betrayed
Amber Fang: Revenge
Amber Fang Box Set Books 1-3
...

Dragon Assassin Series:
Twin Fury
Shadow Hunter
Dark Wings
Bitterwaters
Elder Magic
Royal Blood
Hidden Powers
Burning Empire
Old Enemies

Downfall

The Golden Spear

Deathwings

...

Dragon Assassin Novels (Omnibus editions):

Twin Fury

Royal Blood

Burning Empire

Downfall

Deathwings

…

I, Brax Series:

A Battle Divine

…

Books as Stephen Shea:
The Not So Simple Life
Damage
Viper - Short Story

...

Visual Bibliography for Arthur Slade
Author profile interview with Arthur Slade.
Author profile interview with Stephen Shea. 

3,2,1 Liftoff! - Lego City - Sonia Sander

3,2,1 Liftoff!
Lego City
Sonia Sander (Author)
Illustrated by The Artifact Group
Scholastic
ISBN 9780545331678

With the NASA space shuttle program coming to an end, this book will be for children a reminder of what once was. This is a great book in the Lego City series from Scholastic. It is also one of the Level readers. From prepping the ship to working on the space station, this book is illustrated with bright vibrant colors, and most of the scenes are drawings of actual Lego projects that you could create and do. It is a wonderful addition to the Lego City series of books.

The Leveled readers from Scholastic are a great way to introduce your child to reading. The levels are:

Pre1: ABC's & First Words
Level 1: Sight words, words to sound out and simple sentences.
Level 2: New vocabulary and longer sentences.
Level 3: Reading for inspiration and information.
Each book has a level rating, a grade level, a reading level, a lexile level and a word count on the back.

Other Scholastic Books:

Lego City Adventure Books:
Fire Truck To The Rescue
Help Is On the Way!
Calling All Cars
All Aboard!
Ready For Take Off
Build This City
City Adventures Sticker Book
Work This Farm
Fight This Fire!
Lego City Heroes!
Trucks Around The City
Escape From Lego City
3, 2, 1 Liftoff
All Hands On Deck
Fire In The Forest!
Catch That Crook!

Lego Ninjago:
Collector's Sticker Book

Lego Star Wars Books:
Save The Galaxy!
Anakin: Space Pilot 3D
Darth Maul's Mission
The Padawan Menace

Wish You Were Here: Travels Through Loss and Hope - Amy Welborn

Wish You Were Here:
Travels Through Loss and Hope
Amy Welborn
Image Books
ISBN 9780307716385
eISBN 9780307716392

As I was reading this book I could not help but reflect upon and compare it to C.S. Lewis' A Grief Observed. I have read Lewis' book in 5 different university courses. I believe this book would be a great addition to the syllabus for any of those courses. This book was incredibly well written. Amy Welborn bares it all; she gives us a glimpse into her life after loss. As she and her children travel around Sicily, not knowing specifically where they are going or what they will do when they get there, all along she remembers her husband and what she would want to share with him.

This book moved me, and a few times I had to put it down and step back to take time to think and reflect, to pray. As I was reading I could not help but imagine life without my wife. Amy states early on "the other set of eyes that helped you make sense of the world, when the one who held the mirror that helped you see yourself so much more clearly, when your best friend and companion is here one day and just gone the next, you can feel like you're starving. So perhaps St. Francis de Sales had a point. Maybe you should hold back, he was saying. Now is not the time to eat too fast. Sit with the hunger for a while. Give it to God. What is it I'm really hungry for anyway?" As she reflects on her loss she says: "Grief means sadness. Everyone knows that. But what you might not know until you live it-I didn't-is about regret, and how, in the world of grief, sadness may be the air you breathe, but regrets are the cracks in the ground that trip you up and knock you flat." The book is at times raw and visceral like Lewis' but it is much more tempered and reflective than his work.

Welborn finds that she has begun second-thinking herself and her decisions. Reflecting on her day, she says: "Will we remember tonight as we settle down to sleep? Will we be grateful or will we lie there, restless, second-guessing ourselves, wondering what we could have done differently if we'd just waited and taken the next turn instead?" Welborn also reflects on the choices since Mike has passed away. A few times she reflects even on the trip itself. She went overseas to be away from all the people who would ask about Mike and all the shared places and spaces. But it leads to new questions and doubts - "guilt about the cost and the privilege, and my survivor's guilt, seem to fade with the light. They might be back again tomorrow, along with the sun. They probably will. But right now, I'll let it be a good thing to be here. No matter how we got here, no matter why. I'll try to be happy. Knowing that it could all disappear tomorrow, knowing that everything could change in a moment."

Later she finds herself reflecting back, back to Mike at the hospital and unable to approach and touch him. Mike in his casket. For he will always be there, it is the last memory. "I could say that it is fantastic and wonderful, and yes, I could say that, if it were not for you in your casket. But you will always be in your casket, you will never come back to sit next to me at the pool, never play with the brothers, never tease and challenge Katie, no more eyes, wide and curious and ready to seek the absurd and the beautiful and then talk to me about it." And it will always be that way. Amy comes to the realization that: "Mike died, my relationship to the rest of the human race shifted-not in one direction, but in a back-and-forth kind of way." And that is the impact - all things have changed and they will continue to change.

Amy Welborn has written an amazing book. She has opened up her life and her process to us. I believe this book will become a classic in Christian circles or at least it should.

Books by Amy Welborn:

Reconciled to God Daily Lenten Devotions
Wish You Were Here: Travels Through Loss and Hope
A Catholic Woman's Book of Days
de-Coding Da Vinci: The Facts Behind the Fiction of the Da Vinci Code
Loyola Kids Book of Saints
Loyola Kids Book of Heroes: Stories of Catholic Heroes and Saints throughout History
Here. Now. a Catholic Guide to the Good Life
The Words We Pray
Praying the Rosary: With the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries
Decoding Mary Magdalene: Truth, Legend, and Lies
Come Meet Jesus: An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI
Be Saints! An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI
Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion
Mary and the Christian Life: Scriptural Reflections on the First Disciple
Adventures in Assisi: On the Path with St. Francis: On the Path with St. Francis
Prepare Him Room: Advent Family Devotions
Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Lent and Easter 

Parables: Stories of the Kingdom
The Absence of War

Relatable and Authentic, Transparent, So Real

All Will Be Well

Nothing Else Occurs To Me

A Reason for Everything

Hope: An Anchor for the Soul 30 Daily Devotions 

Wonders of His Love: Family Devotions and Activities for Advent 

With Your Whole Heart: Family Devotions and Activities for Lent 

No Greater Love Stations of the Cross for Young People 

John Paul II's Biblical Way of the Cross

The Biblical Way of the Cross 

The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ to Your Life (Editor)

...

Prove It Series:
Prove It! God
Prove It! Church
Prove It! Jesus
Prove It! Prayer
Prove It! You
Prove It! The Catholic Teen Bible

...

Catch That Crook - Lego City - Michael Anthony Steele and Sean Wang

Catch That Crook
Lego City
Michael Anthony Steele (Author)
Sean Wang (Illustrator)
Scholastic
ISBN 9780545369916

This is the third book written by Michael Anthony Steel in the Lego City collection. His books always have a unique feel to them and this one is no different. Bright and colorful illustrations by Sean Wang compliment Michael's story. It is one of the best books in the Lego City collection so give it a try.

Other Scholastic Books:

Lego City Adventure Books:
Fire Truck To The Rescue
Help Is On the Way!
Calling All Cars
All Aboard!
Ready For Take Off
Build This City
City Adventures Sticker Book
Work This Farm
Fight This Fire!
Lego City Heroes!
Trucks Around The City
Escape From Lego City
3, 2, 1 Liftoff
All Hands On Deck
Fire In The Forest!
Catch That Crook!

Lego Ninjago:
Collector's Sticker Book

Lego Star Wars Books:
Save The Galaxy!
Anakin: Space Pilot 3D
Darth Maul's Mission
The Padawan Menace

Look At Me - Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko

Look at Me!
Robert Munsch (Author)
Michael Martchenko (Illustrator)
Scholastic
ISBN 9780545130554

It's been a few years since I have read any Robert Munsch books. My daughter picked this as a book to read together and I was pleasantly surprised. It is a great story that had us laughing out loud together as we read it a few times through. The story was fun and the artwork wonderful. It is the story of a young girl who wants a perfect rose painted on her face. In fact it is so perfect she soon has two roses, then three, then over 40. It is way too much. Join in the adventure as they try to figure out what to do.

Surf Princess - Barbe Mermaids Tale 2 - Chelsea Eberly

Surf Princess
Barbie Mermaid Tale 2
Chelsea Eberly
Random House
ISBN 9780307930040

My daughter is 5 and loves the Barbie Movies. This is one of the first Barbie books we have read together. The other day we were out at the book store together and she picked this as one of the two books she wanted to get and read. This book is from the latest Barbie movie. It was a fun story and my daughter who is in Sr. Kindergarten was able to read a number of the words herself. The leveled readers are great for children working on developing their reading skills. And because of her love of the character and the movies, this book keeps my daughter's attention longer than most for working on her sight words. It was a wonderful story to read together and I have no doubt we will be reading many more Barbie books soon.

The Ten Commandments Of Lifting Weights - Jared Zimmerer

The Ten Commandments Of Lifting Weights
Recommendations to the Devout Body Builder
Jared Zimmerer
Bezalel Books
ISBN 9780984486496

This book was an incredible read. The combination of faith and fitness was excellent. We are seeing a whole new movement towards a more holistic approach to life across the Christian denominations and this one specifically speaks to Roman Catholics. Though to be honest, any Christian could glean much to be applied to their spiritual and physical disciplines. This short volume has much it can teach us and I highly recommend it.

Sections in the book:
How to Use This Book
Note from Kevin Vost, Psy. D
Chapter I Thou shalt not forget Who gives thee strength
Chapter II Thou shalt always give the glory of muscularity to God
Chapter III Thou shalt use this time for self-realization and mortification
Chapter IV Thou shalt use this time to train to be a warrior for The Queen Mother, Mary, Warrior of all warriors
Chapter V shalt use this time to appreciate what masculinity is - truly a gift from The Almighty
Chapter VI Thou shalt never use this time for Self-glorification - vanity is deadly
Chapter VII Thou shalt pray before, during, and after one lifts
Chapter VIII Thou shalt pray that one's strength is useful in the will of God
Chapter IX Thou shalt listen for the Whispers of God in this Time of Reflection
Chapter X Thou shalt rack the weights when finished - the one true God is a God of order
Example Workout Routines
Book Recommendations

I think the only thing I would have liked to see is a few 'Thou Shalt Nots' in the list but overall it was an excellent read. I know I will reread it and have already had a few friends read it who loved it. The book concludes with this prayer:

Ode of a Catholic Bodybuilder
My body is a temple, Ready for war,
I train to stay healthy,
To better serve the Lord.
My King desires perfection,
In mind, body and soul,
Through blood, sweat and tears
My body will pay the toll.
Strength and Honor,
Discipline and Prayer,
Unworthy of heaven,
But my King wishes me there.
I will prepare my body,
Educate my mind,
Through my loving Queen,
My soul will thrive.
My power will increase,
My muscles will grow,
Years of enemy temptation,
But I will serve
God alone.

So read the book to develop your mind, and use the information to strengthen both your physical and spiritual muscles. You will not be disappointed.

Books by Jared Zimmerer:

The Ten Commandments of Lifting Weights
Man Up!: Becoming the New Catholic Renaissance Man
Building A Classic Physique

30 Days of Optimal Living

Moses The Black:
Moses the Black Book 1

Other Fitness Articles:
Fall 2011 Programs
Workout program March 2012
My Gear February 2012
Fitness My Retrospective

TRX Articles:
TRX an Introduction
TRX Force
TRX Force Tactical
TRX Essential Flexibility

My P90X Series:
Phase I, 
Phase II, 
Gear, 
Phase III, 
Fitness Options, 
P90X at 120 Days Out

Health & Fitness Book Reviews:
The Primal Blueprint 21 Day Total Body Transformation - Mark Sisson
The Ten Commandments Of Lifting Weights - Jared Zimmerer
Toadally Primal Smoothies - Todd Dosenberry
Caveman Resurection - Jeff Pickett
40 Days to Optimal Health - Dr. Scott Morris
Eat Stop Eat - Brad Pilon
The Primal Blueprint - Mark Sisson
The New Rules of Lifting - Lou Schuler and Alwyn CosgroveBench Press by: Sven Lindqvist
Sly Moves by: Sylvester Stallone
Fit for Eternal Life: A Christian Approach to Working Out, Eating Right, and Building the Virtues of Fitness in Your Soul by: Dr. Kevin Vost
Body for Life 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strenght by: Bill Phillips Lose Fat Not Faith by Jeremy R. Likeness
Living The Good Life: Your Guide to Health and Success by: David Patchell-Evans
Dump your Trainer by: Ashley Marriott and Marc L. Paulsen