My Library, Book Reviews – 6AM Reviews
A Calvin and Hobbes book is the easiest to review. A simple four-word phase will always suffice, “Perfect in every way.” This book is no different.
Check back tomorrow morning, for another 6AM Review.
I just found a bunch of drawings I made in High School. This is a Gary Larson Far Side cartoon.
Robert Gibbs jokes with reporters saying President Obama is going to issue an executive order stating Armando Galarraga pitched a perfect game. Audio from WRIF, 101.1 FM, on June 4, 2010.
The five players with 4 Stanley Cup Championships with the Wings: 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008: Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper, Nicklas Lidstrom, Darren McCarty and Tomas Holmstrom
Lyrics to Matt Maher’s “Alive Again”
I woke up in darkness
surrounded by silence
oh where, where have I gone?
I woke to reality
losing its grip on me
oh where, where have I gone?
Cause I can see the light
before I see the sunrise
You called and you shouted
broke through my deafness
now I’m breathing in
and breathing out
I’m alive again!
You shattered my darkness
washed away my blindness
now I’m breathing in
and breathing out
I’m alive again!
Late have I loved you,
you waited for me,
I searched for you…
what took me so long?
I was looking outside
as if love would ever want to hide
I’m finding I was wrong
Cause I can feel the wind
before it hits my skin
You called and you shouted
broke through my deafness
now I’m breathing in
and breathing out
I’m alive again!
You shattered my darkness
washed away my blindness
now I’m breathing in
and breathing out
I’m alive again!
I’m alive again!
Cause I want you!
Yes, I want you,
I need you
And I’ll do what ever I have to
Just to get through
cause I love you
Yeah, I love you!
You called and you shouted
broke through my deafness
now I’m breathing in
and breathing out
I’m alive again!
You shattered my darkness
washed away my blindness
now I’m breathing in
and breathing out
I’m alive again!
– Written by Matt Maher
“We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the first instant of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace of the Omnipotent God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, was preserved immaculate from all stain of original sin, has been revealed by God, and therefore should firmly and constantly be believed by all the faithful.” – Pope Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, December 8, 1854
Doodling on the iPad…
Yeah, I want this shirt.
How Do You Pronounce 2010? A great commentary by Mignon Fogarty.
I finally got around to Stephen King’s “UR.” I listened to the audiobook version, as I don’t yet have a Kindle. As it turns out, you need one to read the story, as Stephen King released the book only on that platform.
It’s about an English teacher named Wesley Smith who receives someone else’s mail. He orders a Kindle from amazon.com and instead of the standard Kindle, the one he gets is pink and can access other dimensions.
In these other dimensions, he finds authors we know and love have written more books than they did in our world. He is lured into buying these new books and is shocked at what he finds. Ernest Hemingway, for example, lives longer and produces three or four more books! I wish King focused more on this, he spends a decent amount of time, but it’s over just as it gets interesting!
The first six chapters of the book are amazing and fast-paced. It’s just that last, seventh chapter where I draw my objections.
SPOILER WARNING
I’m assuming you’ve read the book if you are reading this spoiler section. I have several issues with the way King finished UR. And it comes down to this: It doesn’t make sense.
I accept everything that happens in the book at face value. Smith gets a Kindle, which can access different dimensions. I’m sold. My problem comes when the ridiculous “Paradox Police” show up and only give Wesley a slap on the wrist.
Why would these two monsters warn Wesley about this horrible thing he had done, only then to say, “We’re giving you a pass.” By all estimations, Wesley screwed up big time. They just want to come and get the Kindle and leave? And then there is the whole point, they are taking the Kindle. Why would they warn him not to do anything like this again, if he physically can’t without that pink little device?
One more thing, the monsters lecture Wesley that he should have realized about the importance of the “Paradox Laws.” But, why would he? He just got the Kindle a few days before – he’s still adjusting to the whole idea of everything.
These two paradox police officers are scary as hell, I wish Stephen King would have really socked it to Wesley. It would have been a great twist, if by saving the life of the one he loved (and breaking the law), the monsters would have taken him to a different dimension where she had originally died. Or something along those lines.
Far be it from me to accuse the great Stephen King for rushing to meet a deadline, but the last chapter of UR seems to have been written in a different dimension. A dimension where Stephen King writes children’s books with happy endings.
The first six chapters of the book are amazing. It’s just that last, seventh chapter I fear will leave readers with a nasty taste in their mouth.
END OF SPOILER SECTION
The book is worth buying. It’s a great deal at only about $3.00 in the Kindle Store on amazon.com. Many have accused King of writing UR as nothing but an advertisement for the Kindle Reading Device. I’m not as cynical to believe this, but the story does make the Kindle sound pretty darn awesome. Awesome enough to spend $250.00 on it? Maybe, especially if you get a pink one…
A side note about the audio book. It’s read by Holter Graham, and as usual, does a fantastic job. He captures the book perfectly and makes the listening experience a delight.
I’ve been a fan of Michael W. Smith for a long time. I discovered his music one night at a church lock-in. Laying down in a pew very early in the morning, I pulled out my walkman. My cousin gave me a couple tapes she thought I would enjoy.
The first one was Smith’s “The First Decade.” From the first song, I was hooked. Since then I have acquired every Michael W. Smith CD and have been one of his biggest fans.
I have reviewed all of his songs, (250+) and have compiled his ten best. How did I do? Did I miss your favorite MWS song?
1) I’ll Lead You Home. Picking the number one song was hard. When I had all of his top songs in front of me, this one just stands out. Its simple and powerful message of God’s love is lasting. The slow build up musically is something I really like as well.
2) Kentucky Rose. When I said it was hard to pick a number one song, Kentucky Rose was the reason. And as I sit and listen to the song I realize I may have made a mistake. The song tells the story of a southern preacher who sacrifices his life to save a little boy. Besides telling an amazing story in the five-minute song, it tells of a man who loves God and would do anything to save His children. This may not be as good as I’ll Lead You home, but it’s my personal favorite song.
3) I’ll Be Around. Also from the I’ll Lead You Home CD, this song let’s you know God is always there. Don’t give up on him, because he’ll be around.
4) How to Say Goodbye. A simple, yet powerful song. The utter helplessness of your daughter getting married and moving out I’m sure is overwhelming. The song just pleads and begs for understanding.
5) There She Stands. The song was inspired by President George W. Bush asking MWS to write a song about the tragedy of 9/11. The song is about the American flag and one of the most patriotic songs ever written.
6) Trilogy: Angels Unaware; Breathe In Me; Other Side of Me. The Other Side of Me was the song I dedicated to my wife at our wedding. While technically these are three songs, but really they are just party 1, 2 & 3 of one big song.
7) Grace. With Gods grace, we can do all things.
8) This is Your Time. The song tells the story of Cassie Bernell. She was killed in 1999 school shootings at Columbine High School. Reports say, one of the gun men asked Cassie if she believed in God. When she said yes, she was shot and killed. Would you have the power, the strength to say “yes?”
9) Above All. Probably my favorite praise and worship song. Look at the chorus and MWS shows that while Christ was on the cross, we were on his mind.
10) Agnus Dei. Perhaps it the Catholic in me, but I love this song. Angus Dei is Latin for “Worthy is the Lamb.” This was one of the first songs I learned in sign language. The song seems a perfect fit for Mass, I wonder if any parish has ever used it? It sounds very liturgical when you listen to it.
I watched Bridge to Terabithia with great excitement. It came highly recommended from my good friend and fellow critic, Heather. But even in her praise for the movie, I was not ready for what I saw. I watched in stunned silence as the film ended. As I wiped away tears from my eyes, I thought about my own childhood. There’s something magical about an elementary school that’s hard to explain. However, the friendships you make, while they may not last, are almost sure to have an impact on your life for years to come.
The story revolves around a young boy named Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) and his little sister May Belle (Bailee Madson). The movie begins as we see Jess getting ready for a big race at school. Unfortunately, his mom threw his lucky sneakers out with the trash and since he comes from a poor family he’s is forced to wear his older sisters pink tennis shoes instead. Mortified at the thought, he quickly grabs a black marker and colors them in.
Later that day, as the race is set to begin the new girl in class Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb) decides to run as well (much to the chagrin of the others, who thought this was a “boy’s only” race). The contest is a close one between Leslie and Jess with Leslie taking the lead and beating him at the last minute. May Belle runs over to her big brother Jess, but he is sour because he was beaten by Leslie who offers to shake hands after the race. He’s embarrassed and walks away from her. His bitterness fades away and eventually, the two of them develop a close friendship help by the fact that Leslie moved into the empty house next door to Jess.
While playing in the woods one day, the two of them create a magical world called Terabithia. Filled with magic and wonder, their world is full of prisoners being held captive by the evil, Dark Master. Jess and Leslie, with the help of dragonfly warriors, have come to set them free. As their imagination sores, so do the adventures they have in Terabithia.
In a film full of remarkable moments and scenes, I have to say I was impressed at a very potent conversation Leslie, Jess and May Belle have on their way home from church one Sunday about God and the Bible. Leslie tells them she doesn’t believe God would ever damn anyone to hell because he’s to busy making “all of this” as she points to the picturesque countryside around her.
The Bridge to Terabithia is an extraordinary movie that should be remembered as one of the best coming of age movies ever created. The amazing thing to me is how the movie so carefully focuses on the different kinds of friendships and how important those can be. You see the frustration and anger Jess can feel have towards his little sister May Belle, but at the same time how much he loves and cares about her. And then the relationship between Jess and Leslie is incredible because you feel the connection these two have towards each other is so genuine and beautiful words fail to aptly describe it.
Another thing that sets the movie apart from the rest is the music. Throughout the film, the director so wisely uses the music to set the tone and feel of the movie. Every film tries to do this, and it rarely works as wonderful as it does in Bridge to Terabithia.
One of the best movies ever made, this should be required viewing or all students in junior high or high school. Based on the award-winning novel by Katherine Paterson, the Bridge to Terabithia is a movie for all ages who cherish friendship. Turn on your imagination and be sure to keep your mind wide open, this movie gets Four out of four stars.
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