(no subject)
Okay, so I didn't make it to 50 books in 2007 (granted, one of the books I read was over 1000 pages long of tiny text wonderfulness) but that doesn't mean a girl can't try again, right? And I've all ready knocked out the first three books of the year.
1. Rachel's Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott
- 224 pages, softcover
- Memoir/Autobiography, Spiritual
- First Line: "The events of April 20, 1999, have generated miles of print in newspapers and magazines and months' worth of coverage on TV and radio all over the world."
- Backcover Summary: Rachel Scott was a typical teenage girl who was incredibly dedicated to following and serving Christ. Though she was mocked for her beliefs, at times doubted her faith, and constantly struggled with personal issues every teenager faces, she remained faithful to God. Then on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School, she was killed for that faith. Rachel's Tears is a moving meditation on the life, death, and faith of Rachel as seen through the eyes of her parents and through writings and drawings from her journals. Her parents also offer a spiritual perspective on the Columbine tragedy and provide a vision of hope for preventing youth violence across the nation.
- Review: For starters, I want to say that I picked up this book purely out of curiousity. It had caught my eye for months and I finally got around to reading it. I am not Christian but by reading this biography, my strength in my own faith was refreshed. Something about reading this book is spiritually cleansing. I can't quite explain the magic that was hidden in these pages for me, but when I finished I found myself different. Reading the words of Rachel's parents and (especially) her own words has inspired me to be more faithful to God in my own way. For those who want spiritual inspiration, I suggest picking up this number. (5/5)
- 1/50 (0.02%); 225/15000 (0.015%); 1/365
2. Spook: Science Tackles the After Life by Mary Roach
- 320 pages, softcover
- New Age, Religious Studies
- First Line: "I don't recall my mood the morning I was born, but I imagine I felt a bit out of sorts."
- Backcover Summary: "What happens when we die? Does the light just go out and that's that- the million year nap? OR will some part of my personality, my me-ness, persist? What will that feel like? What will I do all day? Is there a place to plug in my laptop?" In an attempt to find out, Mary Roach brings her tireless curiousity to bear on an array of contemporary and historical soul-searchers: scientists, schemers, engineers, mediums, all tring to prove (or disprove) that life goes on after we die.
- Review: As an avid fan of both Roach's previous novel, Stiff, and of the afterlife, I started this book wildly enthusiastic. However, I have to admit, I did find myself a little disappointed. While it still contained her hilarious wit, one-liners, and amazingly detailed research, I found that it lagged in comparison to the well paced nature of Stiff (somehow, I find irony in that). The book is extremely well thought out and the research is divine, I can only imagine doing the things she has done. However, some part of me felt like there was something missing. The extra oomph. 3/5
- 2/50 (0.04%); 545/15000 (0.036%); 6/365
3. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
- 544 pages, softcover
- Young Adult, Fantasy/Horror, Vampire Novel
- First Line: "I'd never given much thought to how I would die- though I'd had reason enough in the last few months- but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this."
- Backcover Summary: About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him- and I didn't know how dominant that part might be- that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
- Review: I honestly don't know why I put off reading this book so long. As someone who is fascinated by all things vampire, I must applaud Meyer for putting her own new twist on the vampire genre. Her work is fast paced, truly a page-turner. I had so much trouble putting this down and ended up losing a whole nights sleep because I got caught up in reading it. Full of characterization and description, love and discovery, and just a hint of danger, this novel made me "thirst" for her next book. 5/5
- 3/50 (0.06%); 1089/15000 (0.073%); 9/365
1. Rachel's Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott
- 224 pages, softcover
- Memoir/Autobiography, Spiritual
- First Line: "The events of April 20, 1999, have generated miles of print in newspapers and magazines and months' worth of coverage on TV and radio all over the world."
- Backcover Summary: Rachel Scott was a typical teenage girl who was incredibly dedicated to following and serving Christ. Though she was mocked for her beliefs, at times doubted her faith, and constantly struggled with personal issues every teenager faces, she remained faithful to God. Then on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School, she was killed for that faith. Rachel's Tears is a moving meditation on the life, death, and faith of Rachel as seen through the eyes of her parents and through writings and drawings from her journals. Her parents also offer a spiritual perspective on the Columbine tragedy and provide a vision of hope for preventing youth violence across the nation.
- Review: For starters, I want to say that I picked up this book purely out of curiousity. It had caught my eye for months and I finally got around to reading it. I am not Christian but by reading this biography, my strength in my own faith was refreshed. Something about reading this book is spiritually cleansing. I can't quite explain the magic that was hidden in these pages for me, but when I finished I found myself different. Reading the words of Rachel's parents and (especially) her own words has inspired me to be more faithful to God in my own way. For those who want spiritual inspiration, I suggest picking up this number. (5/5)
- 1/50 (0.02%); 225/15000 (0.015%); 1/365
2. Spook: Science Tackles the After Life by Mary Roach
- 320 pages, softcover
- New Age, Religious Studies
- First Line: "I don't recall my mood the morning I was born, but I imagine I felt a bit out of sorts."
- Backcover Summary: "What happens when we die? Does the light just go out and that's that- the million year nap? OR will some part of my personality, my me-ness, persist? What will that feel like? What will I do all day? Is there a place to plug in my laptop?" In an attempt to find out, Mary Roach brings her tireless curiousity to bear on an array of contemporary and historical soul-searchers: scientists, schemers, engineers, mediums, all tring to prove (or disprove) that life goes on after we die.
- Review: As an avid fan of both Roach's previous novel, Stiff, and of the afterlife, I started this book wildly enthusiastic. However, I have to admit, I did find myself a little disappointed. While it still contained her hilarious wit, one-liners, and amazingly detailed research, I found that it lagged in comparison to the well paced nature of Stiff (somehow, I find irony in that). The book is extremely well thought out and the research is divine, I can only imagine doing the things she has done. However, some part of me felt like there was something missing. The extra oomph. 3/5
- 2/50 (0.04%); 545/15000 (0.036%); 6/365
3. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
- 544 pages, softcover
- Young Adult, Fantasy/Horror, Vampire Novel
- First Line: "I'd never given much thought to how I would die- though I'd had reason enough in the last few months- but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this."
- Backcover Summary: About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him- and I didn't know how dominant that part might be- that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
- Review: I honestly don't know why I put off reading this book so long. As someone who is fascinated by all things vampire, I must applaud Meyer for putting her own new twist on the vampire genre. Her work is fast paced, truly a page-turner. I had so much trouble putting this down and ended up losing a whole nights sleep because I got caught up in reading it. Full of characterization and description, love and discovery, and just a hint of danger, this novel made me "thirst" for her next book. 5/5
- 3/50 (0.06%); 1089/15000 (0.073%); 9/365