What Good is God? by Philip Yancey

by Carol2 Comments
What Good Is God? by Philip Yancey Now that's a big questions, isn't it? What good is God? When I saw this book was coming out I jumped at the chance to read it. I like Yancey's style. He's not afraid to ask the big questions and allows us to join him in his search for the answers. His writing is not preachy, it's simple, clear, and approachable, but gets to the heart of the matter. He writes about the real world, not abstracts and "what ifs." In this book, Yancey tells of his visits to ten unique places, ranging from Virgina Tech in the during the aftermath of the massacre to Mumbai India during a terrorist attack, from a conference about ministry to sex workers to a conference on C. S. Lewis in Cambridge. Each section has two chapters, one  that tells about the place, person or situation. Some of the stories are tragic, heart-wrenching, like the story of the...
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Game Night Quote

by Carol4 Comments
I haven't actually read this book, but had to share the quote I found. "Wait,” he said. “That’s not a word.” I looked down to where, in a moment of desperation, I’d played zixic on a triple-word-score space. “Uh, sure it is.” “What’s it mean?” “It’s sort of like…quixotic, but with more…” “Bullshit?” I laughed out loud. I’d never heard him swear before. “More zeal. Hence the z.” “Uh-huh. Use it in a sentence.” “Um…‘You are a zixic writer.'" “I don’t believe this.” “That you’re zixic?” “That you’re trying to cheat at Scrabble.” He leaned back against my couch, shaking his head. “I mean, I was ready to accept the whole evil thing, but this is kind of extreme." — Richelle Mead (Succubus on Top) What can I say? It made me laugh....
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The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin

by Carol4 Comments
The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin, illustrated by David Shannon This tale takes place long ago in a small village on the shore of Lake Ontario. In the largest wigwam set away from the others some lives an Invisible Being, a rich, powerful handsome warrior. All the young women of the village want to marry him, but it is said that he will only marry the one who can see him. In the same village lives a poor man with three daughters. The two older daughters were cruel to the youngest, forcing her to sit by the fire and feed the flames. The sparks burned her skin, face and hair, leaving her arms, hands and face scarred and rough. Her hair hung in charred tatters. You can tell this is another version of the Cinderella story. Once again, I'm surprised by how the same stories show up in entirely different cultures. The two evil sisters try to convince the Invisible Being's sister that...
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The Case of the Howling Dog by Erle Stanley Gardner

by Carol6 Comments
The Case of the Howling Dog by Erle Stanley Garnder First, an admission. I never watched the Perry Mason TV series. I know who he was and the general idea of the shows, but this book is my first true meeting with Perry Mason, and I have to say I'm impressed. As a lawyer, he's all for representing his client, even if his actions are sometimes skirting the edge of legal. Mason studied Drake stedily for several seconds, and then said, "were you going to tell me how to practice law?" "I might tell you," said Paul Drake, "how to keep out of jail. I don't know law, but I know thin ice when I see it." "A lawyer," said Perry Mason slowly, "who wouldn't skate on thin ice for a client ain't worth a damn." (pg. 99) The story starts with a client coming to Perry Mason's office to discuss a will and a complaint about a howling dog, but a seemingly simple case...
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I Am Going to Save a Panda! by Lauren Child

by Carol4 Comments
I Am Going to Save a Panda! based on characters by Lauren Child and the script by Bridget Hurst (Suggested grade level: Preschool - Second) I have to admit to adoring Charlie and Lola when Amber was in preschool. the cartoon was charming, simple and sweet. Charlie and Lola are adorable and funny, so I had to pick this book up when i saw it at the library, even though Amber's way too old now. It's Save an Animal week at Charlie and Lola's school. In the morning while walking to class, the ever patient Charlie explains to Lola and her friend Lotta what "extinct" means and why some animals need saved. After learning more about extinct animals in the school library, Lola and Lotta decide to raise money to help the pandas, but Charlie has to help Lola come up with a new plan when she gets the chicken pox. I love hos the kids interact with each other, they're nice and helpful....
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