Book Reviews and More

Friday, 10 February 2017

Asking for Prayers

I am asking for prayers for a special intention. If you are a praying person please say a prayer for me for discernment. I greatly appreciate it.

Saint Patrick's Rune

All heaven with its power
and the sun with its brightness,
and the snow with its whiteness,
and the fire with all the strength it hath-
and lightning with its rapid wrath
and the winds with their swiftness along their path.
and the sea with its deepness,
and the rocks with their steepness
and the earth with its starkness-
all these I place
by God's almighty help and grace
between myself and
the powers of darkness!

Thursday, 9 February 2017

The Very Sleepy Sloth - Andrew Murray and Jack Tickle

The Very Sleepy Sloth
Andrew Murray
Jack Tickle (Illustrator)
Scholastic
ISBN 9780439680684
Little Tiger
ISBN 9781589250338

My youngest daughter recently brought this book home for us to read together. She loved it so much we read it a number of times within a few days. When preparing to write a review I discovered that there 6 editions of this book from 5 different publishers of imprints, that have been released between 2003 and 2010. And for a picture book of 32 pages it really has some great lessons.

The first few times my daughter and I read this she just thought the story was funny. It starts with different animals in the jungle all going about their own business. Cheetah on a treadmill, Elephant lifting weights, Kangaroo bouncing on a trampoline and monkey swinging. But soon they all notice Sloth is just sleeping. So they sort of gang up on him and try and pressure him into being more active. The Sloth being smarter than he looks; and he turns the tables on them, by suggesting that each of the other animals do a different animals activity. They all fail, and each getting more upset than the one before. Soon they all get mad at Sloth and he points of that he was just laying there.

Having talked this over with my daughter after about the 10th reading she realizes that we each have different strengths and talents and that is part of what makes us who we are. She also realized that trying to be someone else is not going to end well. She also picked up on the group gaining up on Sloth as a kind of bullying. And that they laughed at or were rude when others failed at different tasks, which is not ok. She realized that most of the animals were bucket dippers not bucket fillers(a concept used in primary grades at our school). And that Sloth helps them realize the mistakes they were making.

The illustrations by Jack Tickle are wonderful. His use of predominately soft tones and a broad palate bring the jungle scenes and animals to life. And children will love the pictures.

To be honest the first time through I was not as impressed but the more we read this book and talked about it the more impressed I became. That my 6 year old picked up all of these lessons by herself speaks to the quality of the book.

Overall a really good book with an awesome message, but without being preachy.

Wednesday, 8 February 2017

The Ghosts at 95 - Barry Lyga - A Short Story

The Ghosts at 95
A Short Story
Barry Lyga
B & Z Publishing
ASIN B01N4JUOCT

This is the first in a series of previously unpublished short stories to be released by Barry Lyga, one a month for the rest of the year. With all that is going on politically he has decided to publish these short stories and donate the proceeds to the ACLU. Read about that more here. Now not being American or living in the United States that is a little less important to me. But since having discovered Barry's writings back in 2009, I have read almost all his published works, including tracking down out of print anthologies that he contributed to. So any chance to read some of his short stories is a chance I will jump at.

This short story is part mysticism, part ghost story, depending on how you read it maybe all mental health issues. It is set in 2006 and Jeremy Castle has a great apartment, with a view, a job in the financial district that has made him pretty rich. And he has a secret. A secret that cost him his girlfriend, and will likely cost him his job and maybe his freedom. Jeremy is no stranger to mental health services, his mother spent the better part of his life trying to get him fixed. And now it all seems to be unravelling again.

In the author's note Barry states: "I once described this story to a friend as being about "a superhero who realized he's a superhero too late, and so he commits suicide without dying." That's probably as close as I'll ever get to figuring out what I was trying to accomplish here. Sometimes stories happen in their own way and all you can do is hang on for the ride. "The Ghosts at 95" was like that. I wrote it in a couple of days, let it sit for a little while, then tweaked it and fixed it." And the story is a wild ride. It is open to a few interpretations, and Barry looking back says he cannot even be sure of his intent when he write it.

If you are a fan of Lyga's writings it fits nicely in his cannon of work. If you are a fan of a good short story you will not be disappointed. And if you love ghost stories then this is one with a new twist. So give it a try.

Books by Barry Lyga:
I Hunt Killers:
I Hunt Killers (2012)
Game - I Hunt Killers #2 (2013)
Blood of My Blood - I Hunt Killers # 3 (2014)

Every Hunter is Hunter (2026)

…

I Hunt Killers Short Stories:
Down Time (2018)
Lucky Day (2014)
Career Day (2012)
Neutral Mask (2013)
Blood Boy (2014)

…

Before the Hunt (2025)

…

Brookdale High:
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (2006)
Boy Toy (2007)
Hero Type (2008)
Goth Girl Rising (2009)
Bang (2017)

...

Archvillian:
Archvillain #1 (2010)
The Mad Mask - Archvillian #2 (2011)
Yesterday Again - Archvillian #3 (2013)

...

The Flash Series:
Hocus Pocus (2017)
Johnny Quick (2018)
Tornado Twins (2018)

…

Crossover Crisis Series:

Green Arrow's Perfect Shot (2019)

Supergirl's Sacrifice (2020)

The Legends of Forever (2021)

…

Other Books By Barry Lyga:
Graphic Novels in Your Media Center: A definitive Guide (with Alison A.W. Lyga - 2004)
Wolverine: Worst Day Ever (2009)
MangaMan (with Colleen Dorren 2011)
Unsoul'd (2013)
After The Red Rain (2015)
The Secret Sea (2016)
Thanos Titan Consumed (2018)
The Hive (2019)

...

Short Story Project 2017
The Ghosts at 95
Loving The University
The Ideas of March
Four Minutes
Pulse vs. the Killing Fiend
Her Decade
The Life Cycle of Stars (Ignition)
Bobby
Trading Worlds
When I Die
The Autopsying of Michael Edward Morgan
Meet Me Tonight
...

Contributed to:
Geektastic (2009)
Who Done It? (2013)

Author Profile and Interview with Barry Lyga
Author Profile and Interview with Randall Banner

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Seven Words of Jesus and Mary - Fulton J. Sheen

Seven Words of Jesus and Mary

Fulton J. Sheen
Angelico Press
ISBN 9781887593113
ASIN B00U0NBPQA

This book is available in a few different editions, this one published originally in 2015 is a slightly edited version of the 1945 original. Another edition has a subtitle 'Lessons on Cana and Calvary'.

In the first chapter of this book Sheen states: "It is interesting that Our Lord spoke seven times on Calvary and that His Mother is recorded as having spoken but seven times in Sacred Scripture. Her last recorded word was at the marriage feast of Cana, when her Divine Son began His public life. Now that the sun was out, there was no longer need of the moon to shine. Now that the Word has spoken, there was no longer need of words." And he goes on to say: "Saint Luke records five of the seven words which he could have known only from her. Saint John records the other two. One wonders, as Our Blessed Lord spoke each of His Seven Words, if Our Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross did not think of each of her corresponding words. Such will be the subject of our meditation: Our Lord's Seven Words on the Cross and the Seven Words of Mary's Life." Then the book goes on to compare and contrast the seven times Mary speaks with Jesus seven phrases from the cross.

The seven chapters in this book are:
The First Word: The Value of Ignorance
The Second Word: The Secret of Sanctity
The Third Word: The Fellowship of Religion
The Fourth Word: Confidence in Victory
The Fifth Word: Religion is a Quest
The Sixth Word: The Hour
The Seventh Word: The Purpose of Life

The first section compares Jesus statement "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" Luke 23:34 with Mary's own 'know not' from "And Mary said to the Angel: 'How shall this be done, because I know not man?'" Luke 1:31-34.

This book is the 9th by Rev. Fulton J. Sheen that I have read in the last year. With each book I am realizing what a treasure we have in the writings that he has left behind for us. This book is pure biblical exegesis. For other than quoting a few prayers or poems this entire book is written around the scriptures, and Rev Sheen teaching to us directly from the word. In this work he draws predominantly from the gospel of Luke, but also from other gospels to compare wording or to support his teachings from the broader New Testament. In Fact he quotes from the followings books:

Luke 27
John 19
Matthew 6
Mark 5
Old Testament 7
Rest of New Testament 7

This book was an excellent read. The more of Sheen's writings I encounter the more I want to read. This is another excellent book that I highly recommend.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Fulton J. Sheen:

God and Intelligence in Modern Philosophy

The Seven Last Words

Philosophy of Science

The Eternal Galilean

Calvary and the Mass

The Cross and the Beatitudes

Seven Words of Jesus and Mary
Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons on Cana and Calvary

Communism and the Conscience of the West

Peace of Soul

Three to Get Married

Life Is Worth Living Series 1-5

Way to Happiness

Way to Inner Peace

Life of Christ

Missions and the World Crisis

The Power of Love

Footprints in a Darkened Forest

Lenten and Easter Inspirations

You
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen

Finding True Happiness

Fulton Sheen's Wartime Prayer Book

Advent Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen

Lenten Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen

God's World and Our Place In It

The World's First Love

The Cries of Jesus from the Cross

Your Life Is Worth Living

The Way of the Cross for our Enemies – 1938

The Way of the Cross – 1932

The Way of the Cross – 1933

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Contributed to:

Beautiful Eucharist

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Books About Fulton J. Sheen:

The Archbishop and I

Fulton Sheen - Louise Merrie - CTS Biographies

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A Prayer of the Day Prayer Fulton Sheen Canonization Prayer

...

Monday, 6 February 2017

Trapped in Transylvania - Tony Abbott - Cracked Classics Book 1

Trapped in Transylvania
Dracula - Cracked Classics Book 1

Tony Abbott (Author)

Open Road Integrated Media

ISBN 9780786813247

eISBN 9781480486850
ASIN B00KVTS1BA

I have read 18 books by Tony Abbott over the last few years. These new Open Road editions of these books are a welcome edition to books currently available by Tony Abbott. I discovered Abbott's books a number of years ago and have really enjoyed all of his books I have read. But many of the older books or series were out of print. Thankfully Open Road Media has brought three of these series back to life as eBooks and with Kindle editions.

It is interesting to go back and read some of Abbott's books that were written before I discovered his writings. Having read 18 books by Abbott in just a few years I can say that he is an excellent children's author. This book was a really fun read. It is an interesting concept, and with six books in this series. There are a number of other books to enjoy with my children.

In this book reluctant readers and best friends Devin and Frankie get sent to the library for failing to do a book report. They get put to work repairing old books. As soon as they open the cover of Dracula something incredible happens, with a kboom and a flash of light and a cloud of smoke. A crack in the wall appears and going through to find the book they find themselves on a dirt road. And lo and behold they are in the book.

The children must read the book and help guide the characters to work towards the resolution of the story. It was wonderful watching modern children interact with this old story. And the children experienced a book, a story in a way they never have before.

Overall a wonderful little read. As mentioned it is great to have these older series available for a new generation of readers. I can only hope that Abbott's Time Surfers books will be available again. So give this book of some of Abbott's other books a try you will not be disappointed.

Books By Tony Abbott:
Goofballs
1. The Crazy Case of Missing Thunder (2012)
2. The Startling Story of the Stolen Statue (2012)
3. Superhero Silliness (2012)
4. The Mysterious Talent Show Mystery (2013)
5. The Scary Story of the Ha-Ha-Haunted House (2013)

Underworlds:
1. The Battle Begins (2012)
2. When Monsters Escape (2012)
3. Revenge of the Scorpion King (2013)
4. The Ice Dragon (2013)

Danger Guys
1. Danger Guys (1994)
2. Danger Guys Blast Off (1994)
3. Hollywood Halloween (1994)
4. Danger Guys Hit the Beach (1995)
5. Danger Guys on Ice (1995)
6. Danger Guys and the Golden Lizard (1996)

Time Surfers
1. Space Bingo (1996)
2. Orbit Wipeout! (1995)
3. Mondo Meltdown (1996)
4. Into the Zonk Zone! (1996)
5. Splash Crash (1997)
6. Zero Hour (1997)
7. Shock Wave (1997)
8. Doom Star (1997)

Weird Zone
1. Zombie Surf Commandos from Mars (1996)
2. The Incredible Shrinking Kid (1996)
3. The Beast from Beneath the Cafeteria! (1996)
4. Attack of the Alien Mole Invaders! (1996)
5. The Brain That Wouldn't Obey! (1996)
6. Gigantopus from Planet X! (1997)
7. Cosmic Boy Versus Mezmo Head! (1997)
8. Revenge of the Tiki Men! (1997)

Secrets of Droon
1. The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet (1999)
2. Journey to the Volcano Palace (1999)
3. The Mysterious Island (1999)
4. City in the Clouds (1999)
5. The Great Ice Battle (1999)
6. The Sleeping Giant of Goll (2000)
7. Into the Land of the Lost (2000)
8. The Golden Wasp (2000)
9. Tower of the Elf King (2000)
10. Quest for the Queen (2000)
11. The Hawk Bandits of Tarkoom (2000)
12. Under the Serpent Sea (2001)
13. The Mask of Maliban (2001)
14. Voyage of the Jaffa Wind (2002)
15. The Moon Scroll (2002)
16. The Knights of Silversnow (2002)
Special Edition 1. The Magic Escapes (2002)
17. Dream Thief (2003)
18. Search for the Dragon Ship (2003)
19. The Coiled Viper (2003)
20. In The Ice Caves of Krog (2003)
21. Flight of the Genie (2003)
Special Edition 2. Wizard or Witch? (2004)
22. The Isle of Mists (2004)
23. The Fortress of the Treasure Queen (2004)
24. Race To Doobesh (2005)
25. The Riddle Of Zorfendorf Castle (2005)
Special Edition 3. Voyagers of the Silver Sand (2005)
26. The Moon Dragon (2006)
27. The Chariot of Queen Zara (2006)
28. In the Shadow of Goll (2006)
Special Edition 4. Sorcerer (2006)
29. Pirates of the Purple Dawn (2007)
30. Escape from Jabar-Loo (2007)
31. Queen of Shadowthorn (2007)
Special Edition 5. Moon Magic (2008)
32. Treasure of the Orkins (2008)
33. Flight of the Blue Serpent (2008)
34. In the City of Dreams (2009)
Special Edition 6. Crown of Wizards (2009)
35. The Lost Empire Of Koomba (2009)
36. Knights of the Ruby Wand (2010)
Special Edition 7. The Genie King (2010)
Special Edition 8. The Final Quest (2010)

Don't Touch That Remote
1. Sitcom School (1999)
2. The Fake Teacher (1999)
3. Stinky Business (announced, not published)
4. Freak Week (announced, not published)

Cracked Classics
1. Trapped in Transylvania: Dracula (2002)
2. Mississippi River Blues: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (2002)
3. What a Trip!: Around the World in Eighty Days (2002)
4. Humbug Holiday: A Christmas Carol (2002)

5. X Marks the Spot: Treasure Island (2003)
6. Crushing on a Capulet: Romeo and Juliet (2003)

Haunting of Derek Stone
1. City of the Dead (2009)
2. Bayou Dogs (2009)
3. The Red House (2009)
4. The Ghost Road (2009)

The Copernicus Legacy
The Forbidden Stone (2013)
The Serpent's Curse (2014

Novels
Kringle (2005)
Firegirl (2006)
The Postcard (2008)
Lunch-Box Dream (2011)

Author profile interview with Tony Abbott.

Sunday, 5 February 2017

Be Holy A Catholic's Guide to the Spiritual Life - Thomas G. Morrow

Be Holy
A Catholic's Guide to the Spiritual Life
Thomas G. Morrow
Servant Books a division of
Franciscan Media
ISBN 9780867168785
ASIN B005LY72IS

This is the second book I have read by Father Thomas G. Morrow, the other published under the name Rev T.G. Morrow. Both books were excellent. But having read Overcoming Sinful Anger prior to reading this book I had really high expectations. Father Morrow writes in a very engaging way. Both of his book I have read have really benefited my spiritual life. To be honest this book has so much good content I am likely to go back and reread it again in a year, just as a check in to see how I am doing and as a reminder.

The sections in this book are:
Foreword by Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl
Introduction
Part One: Motivations for Holiness
The Delight of Heaven: The Divine Marriage
The Reality of Hell
The Suffering of Purgatory
The Pursuit of Happiness
Part Two: The Life of Grace
The Foundation: Prayer
Beginning Prayer
Spiritual Reading
Meditation and Contemplation
Difficulties in Prayer
Commitment to Prayer
The Sacrament of Penance
The Mass, "Source and Summit of the Christian Life"
Eucharistic Adoration
Part Three: Loving Our Neighbor
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
The Corporal Works of Mercy
Part Four: The Life of Virtue
The Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity
Prudence, Justice and Fortitude
Temperance
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The Shortest Way to the Kingdom
Afterword
Notes

In these 20 chapters and coming in at under 200 pages this book packs a lot of great content in tightly. In the forward Archbishop Wuerl states "My hope is that Be Holy: A Catholic's Guide to the Spiritual Life will help readers grow in appreciation of the many gifts Christ has given to assist us as we make our way toward union with God in heaven. As Father Morrow reminds us, "holiness is the happiest way to live" because it brings us to share forever in the life of the Holy Trinity." And having read this book I can state that if you read it with an open heart it will live up to that expectation. In the introduction Rev Morrow states "There is no way we can overestimate the tremendous happiness of heaven, nor the horror of hell and the great suffering of purgatory for those who do not take seriously the universal call to holiness (Lumen Gentium, 40). It seems certain that if more people kept in mind that they will surely die one day and meet the Lord-at which time their eternal destiny will be sealed-they might be more dedicated to preparing for that crucial day. This is a powerful motivation to live the gospel." And the rest of the book has the purpose of convincing us of this truth and giving us tools and guidance to live it.

There were so many lessons I took from this book, lessons on temperance, patience, joy; but also about choice, choosing to live joy, choosing to be obedient, choosing to learn to love. This is a great read with the goal of helping us get to heaven. It does so by looking at a plan of life, the virtues, works of mercy, the sacraments, spiritual reading and more.

An excellent resource for any serious Catholic!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Father Morrow:
Be Holy: A Catholic's Guide to the Spiritual Life
Achieving Chastity in a Pornographic World
Who's Who in Heaven: Real Saints for Families in Plain English
Christian Courtship in an Oversexed World: A Guide for Catholics
Overcoming Sinful Anger

Saturday, 4 February 2017

Scaredy Cat - Courtney Sheinmel and Jennifer A. Bell - Stella Batts Book 9

Scaredy Cat
Stella Batts Book 9
Courtney Sheinmel (Author)
Jennifer A. Bell (Illustrator)
Sleeping Bear Press
ISBN 9781585369201
eISBN 9781634707909
ASIN B0119QS79O

My oldest daughter and I have read the 9 books that are available in this series over the last year. She absolutely loves them and looks forward to reading them, and now waiting for the next one to be available. She was a little nervous reading this one, and I myself had some issues with it, but more on that later.

In this book Stella's class has won a prize they did not even know they we up for, the Somers Elementary School Library Sleepover. Her class has checked the most books out of the school library. Their prize is a sleepover at the school. The whole class will be able to sleep over in the school library, they will have time for games, a pizza dinner, get to sign out a book to read before bed and sleeping in the library followed by a special breakfast . But things take a spooky turn. First there are ghost stories, second they play with a Ouija Board. And Stella finds a book written by a Stall B. On top of that Stella starts seeing eyes in the dark of the library.

No as a parent I am cautious about what my children read and what they do. I do not mind a little scary story, and even some darker play. But when we got to the section on the Ouija board, I had to stop reading, explain what it is to my daughter, and be very firm that I do not want her ever playing with such a thing. I also would have a hard time with one being in a public school library, or parents and teachers of a grade 3rd class allowing children to play with it.

I was impressed that when Stella got scared rather than read a book that was scaring her she picked up a book for younger readers and read it instead. I also really liked that Stella talked about favourite books and going back and rereading them, like visiting old friends.

My daughter's favourite part of the books was when they figured out what the eyes that Stella kept seeing. She also found the whole Ouija board thing 'weird'.

Again my daughter and I both love the illustrations by Jennifer A. Bell. They really do add to the pleasure of the book. And my daughter and I have started reading Courtney Sheinmel's new series The Kindness Club, whole we await the next Stella Batts book.

This is a good book in a great series. Overall we are very happy with the series. And can highly recommend them. This is the first series my daughter has read in its entirety, we have started a number of others and not made it through. So that speaks volumes to how good these books are if a reluctant read loved reading them!