Saturday, June 30, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
by Paul Torday
Rating: 5/5
Grade: B - 14 and up
This book was thouroughly engrossing. It caught my eye in the new book section in the library. What a hilarious title! I was afraid that it wouldn't actually live up to the title, that it would either be rather dull, or rather crude in humor. A resounding no to those worries. The book was very witty, funny in that delightful British way, and with events unfolding to pull you quickly through the book, waiting in delighted anticipation to figure out what is going on.
The books begins with Dr. Alfred, a very dedicated and staid scientist who works for the NCFE
(national center for fishery exelence) is requested to head a project funded by a Yemeni Sheik to introduce Salmon into a wadi in the Yemen. He refused, as he says the idea is unfesable, but is strong armed into it by government pressure. Amazing things happen as the faith of the sheik changes those around him, especially Dr. Alfred.
The book was written entirely in diary entries, e-mails, memo's, interveiws, and notes from the house of commons. Not the usual novel style, which helped to make it such a remarkable work.
I will be anxiously awaiting further work by the author. An amazing first novel.
The book left me with just one question: is there really a NCFE in the UK?
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Beyond Tuesday Morning
by Karen Kingsbury
Rating: 4/5
Grade: C - 14 and up (for thematic issues involved with 9/11)
Checked this book out from the library because I like the author. I didn't really pay attention to the cover, and didn't realize what it was about. When I began reading it, I was unsure that I really wanted to read a book about a women who lost her firefighter husband on 9/11. It was, however, a very good read. Had me crying in the waiting room of the doctor's office. Rather embarrasing. Especailly considering the unfriendly old couple sitting across from me. I mean really, who dosen't smile back when smiled out in a friendly, non-intrusive way? Well, I guess you never know what is going on in someone's life, maybe they had no smiles left.
Anyhow, this book was very well written, especially for Christian Fiction. The story was touching, and full of nearly unbelievable, God-driven, coincidences (for some reason I can not recall the spelling of that word today). The main theme: moving past tragedy, getting on with life, chosing to live your life fully despite past pain, and trusting God to bring good things to us.
I think I will now read the first part of the story, One Tuesday Morning.
Read more...Sunday, June 10, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Failure
I'm afraid I have a starve and binge personality. Only I am much better at the bingeing than the starving. I did not succeed in reading twenty-three non-fiction before reading any more fiction. I read a few and a few halfs of non-fiction, then devoured some fiction. So...
I think that a wiser and more doable resolve would be to read a non-fiction book for every two fiction books that I read. That way I will be a bit more balanced. And it really takes much longer to read a 400 pg. non-fiction book, than it does a 400 pg. fiction.
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