Stuff That Matters in Life

As my husband and I were walking out of the library, our favorite place to hang out, I saw this book in the featured section.

Everyone loves Sherlock Holmes, however I did not like this book.

The idea that the descendants of someone who took Moriaty’s identity and  the descendants of another villain find each other and are out for revenge is intriguing and very complicated.  But I just didn’t like the writing style of little character development and too many killings.

I read half the book, read the ending, and am returning it to the library.

Just to keep track of what I’m reading, this is a Peter Wimsey mystery that was entertaining, well-written, and had a satisfying ending.

It looks like Jill Paton Walsh has taken Sayer’s Peter Wimsey to continue his detective adventures. I have not read Walsh, so maybe I’ll give her a try next time I’m in the mood for some mindless reading.

I made a resolution this year to read one book at a time. I confess I have not kept to that resolve. I am having a hard time finishing a book on family ministry and have strayed to other books.

So many books, so little time…

I don’t usually read Christian fiction, but was attracted to this book because it’s co-authored by Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. I did not know Bill Bright wrote fiction. As it turns out, he didn’t exactly write this book. “The story and the writing are primarily Ted’s; the heart of the message and the canvas, if you will, are primarily Bill’s.”

Blessed Child is an exciting story with a lot of action. There is an explicit spiritual message woven throughout the story. It’s a page turner. To be honest, the ending was just ok. I wouldn’t mind reading more of Ted Dekker.

A couple of good quotes:

“The real power? You think that real power is found in the miracles? God does them, of course, but other things like loving are much more powerful than healing…God can form a world and straighten a crooked hand with a whisper, but to lure a black heart – that’s the amazing thing.”

“Whoever said that a straightened hand was more dramatic than a healed heart anyway?”

I met Phil Vischer last year at the Children Pastors Conference. I wish I had read this book then to know what he’s gone through. I might’ve said something more encouraging than the typical fan blabber “Can I take a picture with you?”

I knew VeggieTales was big, but didn’t know how big until I read this book. And I knew nothing about Phil Vischer until I read this book. It was both interesting and inspiring.

I am not good at writing reviews, and since my blog is meant simply to record my thoughts, I will simply say that I couldn’t put this book down, it is a must read.

Another children biography – about the most famous emperor of the great Han dynasty of ancient China.

I know very little about Chinese history. History is not my thing. But this simple introduction to Han Wu Di has given me a better understanding of the challenges of ruling the vast country of China.

Communication from one part of the country to another is a ridiculously long and dangerous journey. When Han Wu Di wanted to make an alliance with a tribe called the Yuezhi two thousand miles away, the messenger sent to deliver the message didn’t come back for 12 years! During that time he was captured twice by enemies, got married and had a son! Oh, how I appreciate the internet and FedEx.

The book also told what life was like at that time, a good resource for kids who need to write a report about ancient China. I hated writing those reports!

Harry Houdini, the greatest escape artist, was able to get out of every jail they put him in.

In order to get publicity when his show goes into a town, he would go to the town’s jail and have the police lock him up. He breaks out within minutes, without fail.

I read about Houdini in a children biography, and his life is fascinating. He named himself after Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, then one of the most famous magicians in the world.

Houdini was married but never had children. He died on Halloween in 1926 of a bursted appendix, according to the doctors.

You have not read anything about Houdini, pick up the children biography. You will enjoy getting to know the man behind the great escapes.

I like to read biographies written for children. They give me a quick overview about famous people.

The latest one I read is about Johann Gutenberg. He changed the world with the movable type, the father of modern printing. He gave the masses access to books.

Did you know that Gutenberg is not his real last name? His parents are Friele and Else Gensfleisch, and the family were aristocrats who lived in a great house called Gutenberg Hof, or “Good Mountain House.” Johann might have been called Johann of Gutenberg to distinguish him from relatives who were also named Johann.

Not unlike entrepreneurs and inventors today, he had trouble getting funding and problems with partners. Yet he was committed to the enterprise of printing.

When you read a book, thank Johann Gutenberg 🙂