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Category Archives: Reviewers
Sunset Park by Paul Auster
Miles Heller is employed as a trash-out worker cleaning out abandoned houses. He also takes photographs of all abandoned items – to document the last traces of scattered lives – vanished families.
Sunset Park
by Paul Auster
Picador
October 2011
Miles has fallen in love with Pilar Sanchez, a 17 year old high school student. This is frowned on by her sisters Maria and Angela. Maria is tolerant of the situation, but Angela wants Miles to take valuable items from the homes and give them to her. When he refuses, she threatens to go to the police and inform them that he is having sex with a minor. She also sends two goons to teach him a lesson that you don’t mess with Angela. In desperation Milers leaves Florida and goes to New York City where he lives with three other people (Alice,Bing and Ellen) in an abandoned house in Sunset Park.
Milers has an interesting background. His father is Morris Heller of Heller Publishing. His mother is the famous actress Mary-Lee. His parent are divorced and his father is now married to Willa. Morris and Willa had a son, bur he was killed in a tragedy car accident several years ago. Miles feels responsible for the death of his brother, leaves home and has been on the run for the past seven years.
You must read the book to see if Miles reconciles with his parents. Is he reunited with Pilar? What happens to Bing, Alice and Ellen? This is one of those books that you will find hard to put down. I loved reading Sunset Park.
Paul Auster is an outstanding writer of fiction as well as nonfiction. He has written several screenplays, a number of novels and a book of poetry. You might want to pick up some of his other books.
Highly recommended.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.”.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney
I picked up this book as the mom of a 9 almost 10 year old daughter thinking oh, I want to have those important talks with my girl so let me find out what they are.
5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter
by Vicki Courtney
B&H Books
November 2008
This book is not a cheerleader book. There really isn’t a sense of Rah, Rah, fun and wonderful talk time in my opinion. Mrs. Courtney doesn’t pull any punches in the details she shares. She is direct and gives the reality without any “Christianese”. That’s not to say she doesn’t bring out God’s truths or discuss faith in troubled situations.
There were several very impactful statements and ideas for me. Conversation 1 is teaching or sharing with our daughters that they are more than the sum of their parts! In a society that places such emphasis on the outward appearance and gives the impression that this is what a girls worth is, we must teach out daughters the falseness of this – using/following God’s standards. This is definitely a swimming upstream pursuit. Through the print media, billboards, movies, television, and music our daughters are subtly and not so subtly given the message that they need to change their bodies to be accepted; that they are objects for men to ogle. With the rise in eating disorders and girls having plastic surgery, we MUST be diligent to share what true beauty is in the eyes of God.
Other issues she brings out are not being in too much of a hurry to grow up, and who are our children hanging out with. “The type of friends your daughter chooses or gravitates toward can speak volumes about her developing identity.”
There is some not-so-encouraging information on teen pregnancy even among our Christian girls provided, I have to say it made me a little sick to my stomach to read some of the data but forearmed is forewarned. Also, I wouldn’t leave the book out where your daughter can pick it up to read, especially if she is younger than say 13, in my opinion some details and verbiage is more for an adult.
These conversations are ones you would probably have had at some point but Mrs. Courtney’s book gives you lots to think about and much information to bring to the table. I found it insightful and appreciative of the information at my fingertips.
Renee Caldwell is a wife, a mother and a follower of Christ who loves to read.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
After a long delay, I expected much and more, to steal one of Martin’s favorite phrases, than I got from the first A Song of Fire and Ice book in over five years. But what I got was like mother’s milk, (another favorite,) for those of us who longed for a return to a world we loved and characters that we missed.
A Dance with Dragons
A Song of Fire and Ice, Book 5
by George R.R. Martin
read by Roy Dotrice
Bantam / Random House Audio
July 2011
Longsuffering fans of the series (and I count myself among them,) have been reading this series since the first book A Game of Thrones was published in 1996. The most recent book prior to this one, A Feast for Crows, was published in 2005 and that novel is actually only half of A Dance with Dragons. But not the normal half, where the first portion chronologically is separated into part one and then the second half, or what happens next, is put into part two. A Dance with Dragons is actually like Martin took a loaf of bread and sliced it long-ways, making the whole story only coherent when you shuffle A Dance with Dragons together with A Feast for Crows like a deck of cards. The last full book, meaning all the characters working through a continuous timeline, was published in 2000. That means that for the last 11 years, fans of this series have been waiting for updates on some of these characters. It was not worth the wait.
For the last 11 years we’ve wondered what happened to Daenerys Targaryen, John Snow, and others and the answers given in this book were less than satisfactory. In fact, it had been so long, that I had to be reminded who some of these characters were for the story to make sense (and in fact, the excellent HBO production of A Game of Thrones was instrumental in helping me remember.) I see no way that this series can possibly conclude in only two more books.
Martin has been called the American version of J.R.R. Tolkein. That is most certainly not true! Not just because of the timeliness issues, but rather the fact that there is nearly complete moral ambiguity in these novels. At no time are readers clear about who is right or wrong, who is evil or good, and there is no one to cheer for that actually survives any given book. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings had no such issue. Tolkien made it very clear who were on the side of good and who weren’t. He also made clear that individual choices had consequences and actions like courage, loyalty and truth were to be encouraged and greed, lust and dishonesty were to be discouraged. Martin conveys no clear moral compass. And this is a looming failure for this series: will we even care who wins the Iron Throne in the end?
The books may seem more like a very, very short ride after a long, long line at an amusement park, but those of us who made the mistake of reading the incredible first three books have no choice but to continue to wait for the series conclusion, frustrated, but hopeful.
Roy Dotrice, was a complete failure in the unabridged audiobook version, which is what this review is based upon. From the first chapter I wondered whether I would be able to stomach the gruff, growling voices that made nearly every character – male or female – sound like they were angry Irish dwarves. He was great for the narration, but the voices were a huge distraction. And it may be because the book was 959 pages long, but there were a multitude of uncorrected errors by Dotrice as he would read and realize a moment later that he was doing the wrong voice and switch. Most audiobooks get edited to fix these, so I assume the non-corrections are due to length. Finally, on the audiobook, Martin may not be a good candidate for audio regardless of reader because of his reliance on characters and inner-thought in his narrative, which makes it tough to tell when listening to a reader when the character is thinking and when they are actually speaking.
For those of us who have been hooked for years, we had no choice but to devour hungrily – like men starved – this book. But for those of you have not yet started this ride, hold off until or even if Martin finishes this series. Instead look to authors like Brandon Sanderson for excellent fantasy books that actually progress and series that actually end.
Scott Asher is the founder and administrator of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he cartoons and writes on Christianity, Zombies, and anything else he wants to.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Robopocalypse: A Novel by Daniel H. Wilson
A scientist alone in a lab is working with his creation, an artificial intelligence computer program, which then kills the scientist then assumes control of all robots on earth, commanding them to kill every human on the plant. Isn’t that how it always happens?
Robopocalypse: A Novel
by Daniel H. Wilson
read by Mike Chamberlain
Doubleday / Random House Audio
June 2011
This novel is not your typical end-of-the-world scenario though. The first chapter starts at the end of the Robot War, and after the defeat of Archos their A.I. master. Cormac Wallace, our narrator, then proceeds to tell the story of how the Robot War started (with said scientist in his lab,) Zero Hour, when the robots turned on humans, and the war.
Each chapter is from the first or second person perspective, usually put together from video feeds or other historical records (like World War Z). Through the story we follow along with a multitude of characters coming to understand the dangers they face and learning to cope with the new world they live in. Along the way, we see photojournalists turn into heroic soldiers, construction workers take the battle to the robots, American Indians unite to create a civilization in the wilderness, and more.
The story was compelling for many reasons, not least of which is that the battle that Wilson – a real life Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University – describes is absolutely possible. The dependence of humans on robots described in the pre-Zero Hour times looks uncomfortably like our world in just a few years. Everything from cars that steer themselves, to robots that clean your carpet are totally believable making this story much more than entertainment or a vague cautionary tale. This could happen. Soon.
As a story, though, I found that I couldn’t wait to hear what happened next. It is so compelling that it was optioned by Steven Spielberg even before it went to print. (Film is currently in development for a 2013 release.)
Chamberlain did a great job in the unabridged audiobook. He added urgency when necessary and a rugged determinism to the characters. This was no flat toned production. It was easy to follow along with the characters as he made no noticeable mistakes in voices while reading and each character had their own tone and accent. A well done reading that did everything you could ask for in an audiobook: he didn’t detract from the story and he added compelling personalization to the characters.
This book was easily one of my favorites of 2011. A must read for fans of science and science fiction.
Scott Asher is the founder and administrator of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he cartoons and writes on Christianity, Zombies, and anything else he wants to.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Homeschooling for the Rest of Us by Sonya Haskins
This book is a great, easy, relaxing read for someone who is trying to decide if they want to homeschool and for those who are already but might need some fresh ideas.
Homeschooling for the Rest of Us
by Sonya Haskins.
Bethany House
January 2010
Haskins really makes you feel relaxed about your decision and lets you know that there is no mold to a homeschool family. Homeschooling can be done many different ways. She addresses all the main homeschool arguments like: socialization, relationships, and extracurricular activities. She also has very helpful advice for academics and gives you a chart to fill out to see what kind of learning technique might work best for your family.
As a homeschooling mother of three I found her book to be very enlightening, helpful and funny. She has some great ideas and covers all her bases as to what kinds of things you might come across as you homeschool.
I highly recommend this book for those who think they might want to homeschool. It’s a small book with a lot of information and will answer some of the most basic questions and get you on the right road to whatever works best for your family.
Becky Freyenhagen is the proud wife of a Air Force officer and is a homeschooling mother of three humans and one canine. Before joining BookGateway.com, she reviewed at Booya! Books.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Branded by Tim Sinclair
The cover art and branding of this book cry out against the “Christian” merchandize culture with a faceless man wearing the ichthus ( the “Christian” fish, where we often times see “ΙΧΘΥΣ” written out) on a tie, wearing a hat with a cross on it and the ubiquitous WWJD? bracelet. But the message of this book isn’t so much against merchandizing per-se than about how Christians market Christ.
Branded
by Tim Sinclair
Kregel Publications
June 2011
Sinclair’s identification of the issue is right on: we Christians struggle with effectively communicating Christ and his message. And, importantly, the book insists that there isn’t an issue with the message itself. The hesitation by non-believers in joining the Church is the church, not Jesus or the Gospel. The answer is suprisingly simple: build relationships.
At 121 pages, Sinclair struggles with providing depth to his recommended responses to our church’s issue. The suggested “What If?” chapter seems undeveloped as well. In all, the book seems like a long form sermon or the first meeting in a small group; it’s more a thesis than a conclusion.
There are about 15 pages of study questions included and I think a small group is how this book would work best. It would be apropos, in fact, for the book to be studied relationally.
This is an important message and for that reason I do recommend this book. However, due to the limited answers and lack of depth, this book must be seen as a conversation starter to be successful. If you are working through a small group on effectively communicating Christ and the Gospel this is a great starting place.
Scott Asher is the founder and administrator of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he cartoons and writes on Christianity, Zombies, and anything else he wants to.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
On The Blue Comet by Rosemary Wells
After the death of his mother, Oscar Ogilvie and his father did what they could to make end meet and life work. Oscar’s father sold John Deere tractors to farmers in small Cairo, Illinois, while Oscar worked hard in school. While their life may have looked bleak to someone looking in from the outside, few would expect the joy the father and son found together each day in their basement with their Lionel model trains.
On he Blue Comet
by Rosemary Wells
illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline
Candlewick Press
September 2010
All that changed in 1929, when Wall Street bankers weren’t the only people impacted by the Crash. Oscar’s life is forever altered when his father loses his job (as no one is buying tractors when they have no money,) and his home and determines to move to California to make a living, leaving Oscar to live with his constantly disapproving aunt. The final insult: the bank owner, who foreclosed on them, buys their beloved model trains at pennies on the dollar.
Over time, Oscar develops a friendship with a jobless man, a former teacher, Mr. Applegate, who repays Oscar’s kindness with help with his lessons. When the man gets a job at the bank – the same one that now features Oscar’s model trains in the lobby – Oscar loses himself in his models each morning before the bank opens.
One morning, his world is shattered (again) as robbers break in and shoot Mr. Applegate and are about to shoot Oscar as well if it weren’t for the odd fact that Oscar is no longer at the bank. Oscar, having heard and seen the gunshot leaped out of the way of any further bullets – and landed directly on the model train set. Only Oscar finds that he is now the exact right size to ride the trains; Oscar has been fantastically transformed and transferred to the world of his model trains!
Model tickets in hand, each model train came with a faux ticket, Oscar climbs aboard the nearest train. The conductor punches his model ticket and he is off! Along the way, Oscar will meet a would be movie star, a famed director, visit locales from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to New York. He’ll even find himself ten years in the future and then years in the past as the trains take him on a journey through time and space. The question is whether or not he’ll be able to get back home – and whether or not he can save Mr. Applegate and be reunited with his father.
In this time of material excess where the government and families are struggling to make ends meet because of spending problems this book is a timely reminder of what is truly important. But this isn’t just for adults, as the book makes for an excellent family read with its beautiful full color illustrations by Ibatoulline and its humor, warmth and timeless adventure.
This book makes for a perfect gift for adults with young children and an opportunity to connect. Highly recommended.
Scott Asher is the founder and administrator of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he cartoons and writes on Christianity, Zombies, and anything else he wants to.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
The Crossing by Serita Jakes
When the main character, Claudia, watched her best friend be gunned down and the gun man get away, she never intended for the nightmares to cause her husband, Vic, to reopen the cold case nearly ten years later.
The Crossing
by Serita Jakes
WaterBrook Press
September 2011
In the beginning of the story, she happens to run into two different people that were on the bus that day, Casio, her ex boyfriend from back then, and Georgie, a girl she doesn’t hardly remember. Casio was also on the police force and when he heard Vic reopening the case, he was determined to help him find the guy that not only killed B.J. Remington, but shot him in the arm. One of the first bits of evidence that is found is discovering that B.J. Remington was also pregnant and this information was not with the original report. This is the first part of all the twist and turns while trying to discover the truth.
This was an amazing reading! I would give it 10 out of 10. I have never read a Serita Jakes book but this one caught my attention before the end of chapter one. She had a minor story line of what your last thought might be during the last minutes of your life – something I am sure almost everyone can relate to. But the book’s main story line is a mystery that keeps you on your toes through out the whole story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, discoveries and someone who likes Christianity based book. I believe this book is suitable for anyone over the age of 13. There isn’t much cursing or explicit scenes. However, the lesson to be learned from this book is suitable for all ages.
This book was a fantastic reading and I was anxious to be able to get back to it. I look forward to reading another book by Serita Jakes.
Brittney Dodson is a stay at home mom who also works from home. She find reading free her from reality and the worries it brings.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Masters and Slayers by Bryan Davis
What a story – unbelievable, magical and down right scary
Masters and Slayers
Tales of Starlight Series
by Bryan Davis
AMG Publishers
October 2010
Adrian Masters is a warrior competing in a tournament that is a test of courage. His sword Spirit is an amazing sword. His opponent is Marcelle – a skilled warrior – a formidable woman. She may be scrawny, but no one laughs at Marcelle. . Eyeing Adrian, Marcelle runs her fingers across the dragon on her tunic. A secret believer in the ongoing human enslavement on Dracon, the legendary dragon planet, she desperately wants to search for the portal to that world. Marcelle taunts Adrian stating she will win as in all other matches. As Adrian looks around the area his father’s words echo in his mind – ‘never make a woman bleed’. Adrian concedes the match and leaves the area to the cry of the crowd calling him a coward. just like his father. Adrian’s father Edison is a disgraced war warrior. Adrian is the personal bodyguard for Governor Prescott. Adrian informs his father that tonight is the night he will go looking for the secret portal to Dracon. He asks for his father’s blessing.
Human children are being brutalized on Dracon He is to meet a rogue dragon who demands extane gas in exchange for passage into his world, not a trade for the kidnapped people , but he wonders at his motive. Adrian will try to find his missing brother Frederick who disappeared while looking for the secret portal. When Adrian arrives at the designated place he is amazed to see a spirit like form of an adolescent female, yet without details of face or form, instead of the dragon, She is called Cassabrie and is a Starlighter. She is to take the extane gas back to Axrad, the dragon. If it is what the dragons need, if is really pheterone, she will return for Adrian. Before this can happen, Marcelle and the Governor’s soldier arrive. They try to kill Adrian, but Marcelle intervenes with the help of Edison, Adrian’s father.. They allow Cassabrie to take the tank of gas and vanish through the portal along with Marcelle. Adrian is devastated – Marcelle had done what he failed to do – she has entered the secret portal to Dracon. He must wait to see if Cassabrie will return for him.
Marcelle arrives in a thickly populated forest covered by a blanket of snow. She is freezing. She starts walking, a winged shadow passes overhead. and lands in front of her. This is Axrad – the one who fractured the deal for the gas. Cassabrie returns for Adrian. And Edison. Marcelle is ok – Axrad has taken her to the king’s castle. What Adrian, Marcelle and Edison see and do on the dragon plant is unbelievable. Children are working in mines, transporting large boulders and living in holes in the ground. They are completely controlled by the dragons and killed for the slightest infraction.
The book is unbelievable, but fascinating – a planet controlled by dragons who enslave humans.. You will want to read the story to see if Adrian, Marcelle and Edison can save the people- how they will survive on the planet – find Frederick – and return to their own planet. The Starlight Series is a set of books filled with myths, magic and imagination.
Highly recommended.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.”.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart
With three beautiful daughters, a loving husband of twenty years, an immaculate home, and promises to climb the social ladder, Mary Lynn has it all. This is a life she never dreamed of as a child. It’s a life she loves- one she thrives in.Then why does a Christmas Eve church service leave her longing for more? Having an encounter with the Lord, she realizes He is missing from her family life, and she longs for Jackson, her husband, who has all but forgotten God, to share this new part of her. So she prays for him.
Sunrise on the Battery
Beth Webb Hart
Thomas Nelson
October 2011
Jackson is an intellect and a buisnessman. He abundantly provides for his family and soaks in all the education he felt he was deprived of while being forced to farm with his father. But his drive to know more and do more has blinded him to the pressures he bestows on his daughters and the choices they make in spite of them.
Accidently leaving behind some of his books on the plane to England, Jackson is desperate for something to read. Anything will do. Mary Lynn, trying to keep him from fidgeting, hands him The Message, a modern interpretation of the new testament. When he reads it front to back and goes out to buy the old testament too, she feels her prayer has been answered. She had no idea what his zealousness would unleash.
Feeling betrayed by her husband’s faith, socially shunned and wounded by God, she is forced to make some decisions. What is most important to her? Will she choose what her husband has found? Or will she let her bitterness take roots and grow?
I really enjoyed this book! I kept waiting for the part that would make me say ” eh, it’s a little too cheesy” or ” well, at least it had a happy ending”. But that part never came. I enjoyed every part of this book. It made me laugh, tear up, cringe and smile. Beth Webb Hart does a great job telling her story. As someone who loves the arts, I loved all of her classical references. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I would most definetly read her other books. I feel she expresses her faith is a very real and undaunting way. I would reccomend this book to all Christian fiction readers, and all those who just like a good read.
Heather Ring say that books are her plane ticket into another world, “I’d feel lost with out them. Reading is a part of me. However I am also an avid lover of the outdoors and pouring into my creative outlets. But I think my biggest passion, is spending time with my family and friends.”
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
God’s Eye by A. J. Scudiere
What an amazing, intriguing book. It has it all – mystery, love, wild animals, angels and demons. A scary, can’t turn the pages fast enough, wonderful story.
God’s Eye
A. J. Scudiere
Griffyn Ink Publishing
October 2011
Katherine Geryon is living the life of a wealthy young lady. Her father owns a research firm where she is learning the ropes from the ground up in preparation of one day being co-CEO of the firm. Two men enter her life – her gorgeous assistant Allistair and a very handsome new neighbor Zachary. She soon finds them both inextricably involved in her affairs, becomes very attracted to both men, but doesn’t know how to handle her feelings. This has never happened to her before.
Soon her life is turned upside down. Disturbing cryptic messages appear on her bathroom mirror, soot on her carpet, and wild animals roaming her condo in the middle of the night. She begins to doubt her own sanity. As the messages continue she goes to the local library to research their meanings. She forges a friendship with the local librarian Margot, who helps her discover what these men really are, why she is drawn to them, and what they want with her. As her terrifying dreams continue, she realizes neither man is what he seems and she is caught up into something way above her own comprehension, The answer places Katherine right in the middle. She must decide between the two men fighting for her soul. One an angel and one a demon.
The ending will surprise you.
This is my first read by Ms. Scudiere, but he is fast becoming one of my favorites. She has written several other books – two of which I have also reviewed – Vengeance and Resonance. Her books are amazing! You won’t be disappointed; keepers for sure.
Highly recommended.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.”.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Resonance by A. J. Scudiere
The shift is coming soon – people are dying now – what is happening? Are the poles really shifting?
Resonance
A. J. Scudiere
Gryffin Ink
January 2010
Dr, Carter, a geologist, know this but soon could be today or a thousand years from now. The last shift was sixty-five millions years ago when the dinosaurs became extinct,
Dr, Jordan Abellard and Jillian Brookwood work for the Center for Disease Control – CDC. They are thrown right in middle. It is their job to determine what is causing the people to become ill and die. Dr, Becky has some seriously mutated frogs in her lab. In LA, bees are making abnormal columns along the freeway, and in Georgia, birds are migrating out of season.
As Dr, Carter digs deeper in his archaeological digs – the rocks tell him that the shifty is happening now. There is a magnetic shift in the poles occurring in “hot spots”: – a pocket of reversed polarity. Drs. Abellard and Brookwood are unable to find the source of the illness. It is spreading very rapidly throughout the whole country. People are dropping everywhere – some die immediately and some linger for a few days. Jillian and Dr,Carter are the only ones immune to the disease, Will they be able to find the cause and save the people or will all perish just as the dinosaurs did?
Everything changed when the poles shifted – some species wound up on one side of the shift and not the other. The whole ecological structure has altered.
The book is part mystery, part action thriller – a page turner. You will be amazed at the outcome. This book is a keeper! Ms. Scudiere is an amazing writer and fast becoming one of my favorites. Read one book and you will be hooked.
Highly recommended.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.”.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
