Sunday, December 29, 2013

Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

Bill O'Reilly has done it again!  His latest book, Killing Jesus, continues his series of books on how great historical figures were killed.  (See Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy.)  The book is co-written by historian Michael Dugard, who has contributed greatly to the research.  Ancient historians are cited, and Scripture is quoted.  The authors also traveled to Israel and read up on life during the Roman Empire.  Even though most readers probably know the basics of the story, O'Reilly covers every detail, including the back story. As a result, the books begins with Julius Caesar (including HIS assassination) and the establishment of the Roman Empire.  This was the geopolitical environment into which Jesus was born, in a country that was waiting for its Messiah to deliver the people from Roman oppression.  O'Reilly covers the first attempt to kill Jesus when he was just a toddler and continues with the plots to eliminate him that developed when he began his ministry. He also describes the death of John the Baptist at the hand of King Herod, thereby making it clear for the reader that a culture of death was prevalent throughout the Roman Empire.  All of the Roman Caesars and Israeli kings are covered, and their political relationships are delineated.  O'Reilly spends a lot of time exploring Pontius Pilate's role in the story, as he was in the tenuous position of being a Roman citizen assigned as prefect of Galilee.  Readers of all faith traditions will be enlightened by the book.  O'Reilly concludes the narrative with the empty tomb and acknowledges the belief in the resurrection that forms the basis for Christianity.  This is a welcome addition to the book for Christian readers and sets it apart from most historical studies of Jesus.  It will be interesting to see if O'Reilly continues with this series!

Dawn

Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews

Best friends Weezie and BeBe are back in this holiday novella that is both charming and fun.

All is going well with Weezie, except of course for her pre-wedding jitters. Her antique business is in good shape for the holidays, and her fiance Daniel has had an amazing offer to be a celebrity chef at a famous New York Italian restaurant. Everything is fine until she sees an article in her local Savannah paper about Daniel's "stint" that includes a night out with the restaurant's very young, very rich, and very beautiful owner. Now what should she do?

Now out on Tybee Island, BeBe is awaiting the birth of her first child with boyfriend Harry. All is well with her inn and Harry's fishing expeditions. Well, that is, until a stranger contacts BeBe with some very important legal news. Not only legal, but very upsetting. Now what should she do?

Find out how these two cope with their stresses in Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews.

Karen

Read-alikes:  It is helpful to read the others in this series to get the full background on these delightful characters, starting with Savannah Blues.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson


Jenny Lawson is also known as The Bloggess and is the creator and writer of the award winning blog of the same name.  Her book, Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir), details what has made her the way she is.  It starts with her childhood years, living in rural west Texas, with her father who owns a taxidermy shop and occasionally makes puppets out of dead animals, her mother, and younger sister Lisa, as well as an array of pets, including at one point turkeys, who did happen to follow her to school one day (and proceeded to humiliate her).  She winds her way, mostly chronologically, through to her adult life, with her husband Victor and daughter Hailey.  This book is genuinely hilarious and may have you literally laughing out loud. However, there are layers (as with any true life story) that are both heartwarming and heartbreaking; the chapters where she recounts her difficulty to have her daughter, her battles with severe anxiety, and as she realizes her crazy family may be kind of wonderful.  Additionally, the mouse dressed in the Hamlet outfit on the cover, totally makes an appearance in the book.  And if you're looking for a good book to listen to, Lawson does a superb job of narrating the audio book.


Lisa


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones

I cannot say enough good things about JimHenson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones. The book thoroughly covers Henson’s entire life. The sense of joy that Henson found through creating the Muppets and other less widely known projects comes through on each page.

Years before The Muppet Show and Sesame Street, Henson performed his Muppet characters on several Washington, D.C. TV stations, getting involved in the medium in its infancy. He quickly realized that he did not want his TV appearances to simply be a televised version of a puppet theater performance, which is what other TV puppeteers were doing at the time. He saw “that no puppet theater was needed at all—that, in fact, the space between the four sides of the TV screen was his puppet theater.”  This major innovation, his unique Muppet creations and an often bizarre sense of humor led to an almost immediate devoted following for his early Muppet based show, “Sam and Friends.” Soon, Henson’s Muppets were appearing in a variety of commercials, and some even made their debuts in ads. For example, the Muppet who came to be known as the Cookie Monster first appeared in a Frito-Lay ad devouring potato chips.

Henson’s other interests outside of the Muppets are covered as well, such as a 1966 Academy Award nominated experimental short film called “Time Piece.” Jones also delves into some of Henson’s less successful projects, such as one of my favorites, “The Dark Crystal.” Sadly, Henson died too soon but his Muppets continue on and are likely to be loved for generations to come.


John

Monday, December 2, 2013

Running Like a Girl: Notes on Learning to Run by Alexandra Heminsley



One of my friends talked me into running a half-marathon with her in January 2015. The thing is, I’m not a runner. In fact, I’m a couch potato. Thankfully, I stumbled across Running Like a Girl: Notes on Learning to Run by Alexandra Heminsley. At the beginning of the book, Heminsley is like me: she’s not interested in running, and then decides that maybe it’s something she can start doing.

Running Like a Girl is the perfect book for novice runners, because it starts with the basics: from buying gear to getting past the brutal beginnings. It’s also very funny. Heminsley shares stories of running mishaps, the details of running, and her experiences she has along the way. This book has all the tips I need to start running. Heminsley has inspired me to give running a try. Maybe someday running will become a release and not a chore.

You can also try Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.



Carrie

Sunday, December 1, 2013

The Reason for My Hope : Salvation by Billy Graham

Many thought that Billy Graham's previous book, Nearing Home, would be his last.  Not so.  Apparently having received an infusion of the Holy Spirit, he has written The Reason for My Hope : Salvation.  The book was published in October in conjunction with a television broadcast that aired the week of November 7 - just in time for his 95th birthday!  Most of us would be happy to remember our own names and be able to just function at that age, but here is Graham delivering the same message he has been preaching for 70 years.  The book doesn't have a co-author, and presumably it wasn't ghostwritten, so everything is pure Graham.  He has done some research, as evidenced by the 20 pages of notes at the end, the book focuses on the nature of sin and redemption (i.e. The Cross).  The most intense chapter is called "No Hope of Happy Hour in Hell," and I was absolutely awed as I read it.  Anyone who has never read one of Graham's many books or seen him preach would do well to pick up this book.  It may NOT be his last.

Dawn